SPARROW SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Charity No: 1082286
SPARROW SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
CONTENTS
| Trustees and advisers | 1 |
|---|---|
| Trustees' report | 2-5 |
| Independent examiner's report | 6 |
| Income & Expenditure | 7 |
| Balance sheet | 8 |
| Notes to the accounts | 9-11 |
SPARROW SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS
TRUSTEES
Chris Chandler (President) Lisa Burnapp (Chairman) Philip Brooke Heather Holden-Brown George Marsh James Moseley Julie Richards Maria Valentine Amanda Brauer Henry Chaw Harry Hughes-Davies
SECRETARY
Philip Brooke
TREASURER
James Moseley
CHARITY NUMBER
1082286
PRINCIPAL OFFICE
42 Alleyn Park London SE21 7AA
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
Frederick Morton ACA 20 Main Road Etton Peterborough PE6 7DA BANKERS
HSBC plc CAF Bank
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SPARROW SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
TRUSTEES REPORT
The Trustees present their annual report and the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2024.
Structure, governance and management
The Foundation was established by a Trust Deed dated 29 August 2000. It received charitable status on 5th September 2000 and is registered in England. The Trustees who served during the year were:
Christopher Chandler (President) Lisa Burnapp (Chairman) Philip Brooke Heather Holden- Brown George Marsh James Moseley Julie Richards Maria Valentine Amanda Brauer Henry Chaw Harry Hughes-Davies
The Treasurer is James Moseley and the Secretary is Philip Brooke. Once a year, in January, a special meeting is held for the reappointment of Trustees and Chairman, which is decided by majority vote. Other Trustees may be appointed as required during the course of the year.
The Trustees have examined the major risks which the Foundation faces and confirm that systems have been established so that the necessary steps can be taken to lessen any such risks.
Public Benefit
The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on Public Benefit when reviewing the charity's aim and objectives and in planning future activities. In particular, the Governors consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.
Objectives and activities
The Objectives of the Foundation are to advance the education of young people in England and South Africa, in particular but not exclusively by:
- (a) Supporting the charitable work of the Sparrow Educational Trust, a non-profit organisation established in South Africa, and of any organisation in South Africa with the same or similar aims as the charity; and
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SPARROW SCHOOLS FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
TRUSTEES REPORT (continued)
- (b) Promoting and assisting in the organisation of exchanges between the staff and pupils of schools run by the Sparrow Educational Trust (or by organisations in South Africa with the same or similar aims as the charity) and the staff and pupils of English schools and vice versa.
Financial review
In the year ended 31 December 2024 the Foundation’s gross income was £104,805 (2023: £116,452).
As in previous years, this income was generated mainly by a combination of:
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Two annual fundraising events held by the Trustees, notably a Golf Day in May and a Christmas Carol Concert in December.
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A scheme of regular monthly giving by friends of Sparrow. This scheme is designed to support an entire class rather than individual Sparrow pupils. A planned review of this scheme in 2022 to better meet the needs of learners in South Africa post the COVID-19 pandemic, resulted in the development of a stratified bursary scheme, which was introduced and embedded during 2023.
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Donations from a growing circle of supporters including individuals, schools, corporate bodies and grantmaking trusts.
The Trustees again wish to record their grateful and sincere appreciation of all those individuals and bodies who have donated so generously throughout the year. The total amount of restricted funds received in the year was £6,553 compared with £6,769 in the previous year.
Overall, the cost of fundraising activities was £34,791 (2023: £34,407) during the year. In 2024 the Trustees made payments totalling £55,000 to Sparrow Schools (2023: £70,000).
After the £55,000 payments to Sparrow Schools in 2024 the net movement in funds for the year ended 31st December 2024 was a net surplus of £15,015 compared to a surplus of £12,045 in 2023.
Reserve policy
The Trustees consider it prudent to ensure that in the event of a significant, unforeseen drop in income, they should have sufficient funds available to enable them to continue for one year with their direct fundraising activity along present lines, allowing them the opportunity to consider ways of restoring income levels. On this basis it is the policy of the charity that general funds should be retained at £30,000, a level approximately equivalent to the costs on one year’s direct fundraising activity. At 31 December 2024 total unrestricted reserves amounted to £91,461 (2023: £76,230).
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SPARROW SCHOOLS FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
TRUSTEES REPORT (continued)
Activities
In the past year, the Foundation has continued to meet its primary aims and objectives: to provide sustainable financial support to enhance the quality of teaching at Sparrow Schools SA, encourage staff retention through training and development and fund facilities that provide a creative learning environment for students. During 2024, representatives from Sparrow Schools SA attended both our major fundraising events, the annual ‘Golf Day’ and ‘Celebration of Christmas’, and visited supporting schools in the UK. The annual Trustee visit to SA, re-established in 2023, enabled Chairman, Lisa Burnapp to visit Sparrow Schools SA in October 2024. Together with George Marsh, Founder of Sparrow UK and current Trustee, they met with members of the Senior Management Team (SMT), staff in the Foundation and Combined (high) Schools and Further Education and Training (FET) College in SA. The visit was timely as Jackie Gallagher, Founder of Sparrow Schools SA, decided to step down from her role as General Manager in July 2024 to focus on developing a more networking and ambassadorial role and a new out-reach project under the umbrella of Sparrow. Her successor, Melanie Malema was keen to discuss ways in which her SMT and Sparrow Schools SA could engage with UK Trustees, foster relationships with UK Schools and teachers and raise the profile of Sparrow SA through marketing and communications. The output from this meeting has resulted in a planned “Away Day” for the UK Trustees in April 2025 to identify priorities for Sparrow UK and ensure that financial support, knowledge-sharing and expertise continues to be tailored directly to the needs of the schools, learners and staff to maximise the benefit of the education offered to young people in SA through Sparrow.
As always, we are grateful to our loyal network of supporters, who remain dedicated to ‘Sparrow’ and continue to give substantial donations throughout the year - at our major fundraising events, through collective fundraising efforts in schools or from individual endeavour. This has enabled the charity to maintain a strong financial position despite on-going economic challenge and uncertainty. In 2024, we received significant funds from different UK schools and were delighted that Handcross School chose to become a supporter of Sparrow for the first time.
As previously reported, the Board of Trustees has increased in diversity and skill-mix in recent years and continues to be functional and productive. Trustee meetings are held quarterly for on-line business meetings with an annual AGM in January and the aspiration to meet face-to-face at least once each year. On-line Trustee meetings have supported the expansion and diversity of the Board, improved attendance and facilitated decision-making and innovation. Each Trustee leads or co-leads on an area of responsibility within our agreed portfolio. We plan to invite two new Trustees to join our Board in 2025 to enhance our communications and schools engagement plans. Past Trustees and sub-committee members also contribute to our fund-raising events and programme of work and we are grateful for their continued support.
The new digital platform supporting our website and on-line donation portal is now well established and we have realised some of the benefits facilitated by it in connecting more effectively with our donor base. We will continue to capitalise on these assets in the coming year to support our key activities and to consider ways in which we can use social media platforms and technology to reach a wider audience and connect with beneficiaries of the Charity. As always, in preparing this report, I am grateful to all Trustees for their individual contributions to Sparrow UK. Particular thanks to Philip Brooke, Secretary to the Board, for his meticulous minute-taking and record-keeping, to James Moseley, Treasurer, for the preparation and presentation of the accounts and to Frederick Morton, examiner of our accounts, who performs this function pro-bono on an annual basis.
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SPARROW SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
TRUSTEES REPORT (continued)
Trustees' responsibilities
Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity, and of its financial activities for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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a) select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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b) make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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c) state whether the policies adopted are in accordance with the Charities SORP 2005, the Regulations made under Section 151-155 of the Charities Act and with applicable Accounting Standards, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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d) prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the Charity will continue to operate.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity, and to enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud or other irregularities.
This report was approved by the Trustees on 5 April 2025 and signed on behalf of the Trustees by:
Lisa Burnapp James Moseley Trustee Trustee
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SPARROW SCHOOLS FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF SPARROW SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Sparrow Schools Foundation (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2024 as set out on pages 7 to 11.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the Charity Trustees you are responsible for the preparation of accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011(“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trustees accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent Examiner's Statements
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Name: Frederick Stephen Morton
Relevant professional qualification: ICAEW Membership No. 7506727
Address: 20 Main Road, Etton, Peterborough, PE6 7DA
Date: 14 July 2025
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SPARROW SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
INCOME & EXPENDITURE
| Note INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming resources from generated funds Voluntary income 2 (a) Activities for generating funds 2 (b) Investment income - bank interest received TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES RESOURCES EXPENDED Costs of generating funds Cost of fundraising activities3 (a) Charitable activities 3 (b) NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Funds brought forward at 1 January 2024 Funds carried forward at 31 December 2024 |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds £ Funds £ 2024 £ 2023 £ 24,653 6,553 31,206 48,547 72,512 - 72,512 66,777 1,087 - 1,087 1,128 98,252 6,553 104,805 116,452 34,790 - 34,790 34,407 48,231 6,769 55,000 70,000 15,231 (216) 15,015 12,045 76,230 6,769 82,999 70,954 91,461 6,553 98,014 82,999 |
|---|---|
The notes on pages 9 to 11 form part of these accounts.
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SPARROW SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
BALANCE SHEET
| BALANCE SHEET | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | ||
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||
| Income tax recoverable on donations | 56 | 37 | |
| Other debtors | 400 | 0 | |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 97,558 | 90,353 | |
| 98,014 | 90,390 | ||
| CREDITORS: | |||
| Amounts falling due within one year | |||
| Creditors | 0 | 7,391 | |
| NET ASSETS | 98,014 | 82,999 | |
| FUNDS | |||
| Unrestricted funds | 91,461 | 76,230 | |
| Restricted funds | 4 | 6,553 | 6,769 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 98,014 | 82,999 |
Approved by the Trustees 5 April 2025 and signed on their behalf by
L Burnapp
Trustee
J Moseley Trustee
The notes on pages 9 to 11 form part of these accounts.
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SPARROW SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
a) Basis of preparation of accounts
The accounts are prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP 2005), Accounting and Reporting by Charities and applicable Accounting Standards and the Charities Act 2011.
b) Incoming resources
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Voluntary income is received by way of sponsorship and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities in the year in which they are receivable.
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Income resulting from the charitable activities is recognised in full in the Statement of Financial Activities in the year in which it is receivable.
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Investment income is recognised on a receivable basis.
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c) Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised when a liability is incurred.
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Costs of generating funds are those costs incurred in attracting voluntary income.
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Costs of fundraising activities are those costs incurred in organising fundraising. Charitable activities include donations to the Sparrow Educational Trust.
d) Taxation
The Charity is a registered charity and not subject to taxation.
e) Funds
Unrestricted funds are sponsorship and other incoming resources receivable or generated for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds.
Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund.
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SPARROW SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
2. ANALYSIS OF INCOMING RESOURCES
| 2(a) Voluntary income 2(b) Activities for generating funds Carol Concert Golf Day 3. ANALYSIS OF TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 3 (a) COST OF FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES Carol Concert Golf Day Insurance Miscellaneous Just Giving Charges Bank Charges Restricted fund income Bursary Scheme Unrestricted Fund income General donations |
2024 £ 2023 £ 60,189 53,264 12,323 13,513 72,512 66,777 2024 £ 2023 £ 29,241 25,845 3,673 4,731 496 601 1,014 2,807 216 216 150 207 34,790 34,407 2024 £ 2023 £ 6,553 6,769 24,653 41,778 |
|
|---|---|---|
10 0
SPARROW SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
In the year ended 31 December 2024 no Trustee was reimbursed for travelling, accommodation and entertainment expenses (2023: £nil). The Trustees did agree on a £500 contribution to one Trustee to visit The Sparrow Combined Schools in South Africa on trustee business. The charity has no employees, it relies solely on the efforts of unpaid volunteers.
3(b) CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
During 2024 £55,000 in total was paid out to Sparrow Schools in South Africa (2023: £70,000).
4. RESTRICTED FUNDS
| 1 | Jan 2024 | Incoming | Resources | 31 Dec 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resources | Expended | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Bursary Scheme | 6,769 | 6,553 | 6,769 | 6,553 |
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