THE READING SCHOOLS CHRISTIAN WORK TRUST
September 2021 saw a degree of normality returning to schools, but also an initial reluctance to welcoming visitors into their communities. Our Ministry Director, Indy, worked on developing links with local churches, while our Schools Worker, Anne, renewed the contacts she had been able to build up towards the end of the previous academic year with schools on the west side of the town. Because of the slow start to the term, Anne was able to build a few relationships more deeply. This is in accordance with our plan to have good relationships in a limited geographical area for each of our employees.
She also continued to make contact online with those students leading groups of Christians meeting in their schools. This was for their instruction and encouragement.
By February 2022 more schools were opening up, and at Theale Green, working together with the local vicar the school was open to various opportunities. However, our worker, who had been on maternity leave, decided not to return to her part-time role. With Anne having taken on more hours already due to the resignation of our other worker last year, some of our planned developments have had to be postponed.
There have been two occasions when we have worked alongside others to bring RE days into Reading Girls’ School. This could develop elsewhere and will be repeated there. Fresh opportunities are also opening up in partnership with church youth workers who are already known by Highdown and Piggot Schools.
Prayer has continued to play a major role in our planning and development, and we are grateful for faithful supporters, churches and individuals who pray, volunteers who join in where possible, and all who give financially to the work. Without this teamwork nothing worthwhile would happen.
At the end of the summer term our Ministry Director, Indy Nottage, left us to take up a post that will give him influence on RE in schools nationally. From September 2022 Sarah Horne will become the Ministry Director and will be supporting schools in the south and north of the greater Reading area.
We use various methods of encouragement to support the welfare of staff and students in schools. Anne our schools’ worker is now into her second
year with us. She has continued to work four days a week and has made new links with churches and schools, which is proving to be vital.
Towards the end of the summer term (2022) Sarah, before becoming employed as our new Ministry Director in September, worked one day a week on a voluntary basis, to meet with Indy and also Anne, to familiarise herself with her new role, and consider objectives for the Autumn Term.
Public Benefit
With schools now increasingly opening their doors to REACH, the Trust has been able to continue providing support to staff and pupils. This includes the opportunity to learn more about the Christian faith.
Also, by providing ‘pit stops’ (cakes and coffee) to staff at break times these also have been a means of practical encouragement and support to hard working staff.
By working alongside churches and other organisations we can offer support to them, and they to us, in bringing the love of Jesus to schools, staff and pupils.
Development in 2022/2023
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Ministry Director and Schools’ Worker complete a CPD Mentoring Course
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REACH to offer mentoring to schools, as has been requested
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To continue, and expand our networking with youth leaders, Christian organisations and churches
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To increase the volunteer base of REACH
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To build on the focused regional activity of the Trust
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To look for new trustees who can bring their expertise and experience to schools’ work oversight.
Feedback
It has been a tremendous blessing to partner with REACH. We are very grateful that we could partner with REACH…not least because we have seen and experienced first hand how important the work is…Anne has started working with one of our teenagers to help her lead sessions, which we are thrilled about. In addition we were sold the vision of pitstops, something we had not considered before. It has been wonderful to watch members of our church contribute with cakes and in-school serving…we have been pleased to welcome REACH into our church to talk about the work…and giving us a big vision of mission being local as wells global. Reach Out Club and
Pitstops would not be what they are without the support of REACH. I am so hugely grateful.
Rector of a church that works in partnership with REACH
‘Anne and her lovely team of helpers turn up approx. once each half term, during our lunch break. They happily fit in with our needs and timings and offer a welcome and supportive service of chat, coffee and cakes…what is there to not like!’
Pitstop 1
‘The whole staff were pleasantly surprised on our September inset day to receive a delicious variety of treats catering for all dietary needs. It had a lovely impact on everyone’s mood and went such a long way into making us feel cared for. We very much appreciated the thought and care that went into providing the range of cakes, so thank you!’
Pitstop 2
(The lesson) ‘hugely overlaps with what the students need to know about Christian views on crime, punishment (including forgiveness). Students have also learned about salvation and atonement as part of their first unit…so it is great to connect it all up to them.’
RE Head of Department
‘ Just wanted to thank you for the excellent session today- for your time and effort in preparing it, and in your, and your volunteers’ time, effort and enthusiasm in delivering it.Thank you. I spoke with (the teacher), and she was hugely positive about the session, and particularly mentioned how powerful one of the video resources you had used was.’
Head of Department
‘Your lesson was brilliant, and it is always a pleasure to have you teaching RE at (the school).’
(Teacher)
‘There was lots of diversity in activity style, and a range of methods of teaching important points= even the explanation of salvation was done with the props of the cardboard signs hung round necks. I thought the engagement around ranking sins was strong and led well to the surprise
explanation that many Christians believe that all sins are equally sinful in that they are a rejection go God.’
Head of RE Department
‘We were all so encouraged to hear of the many open opportunities you have to go into schools and speak about the Christian faith in a whole variety of ways. It was also good to hear of the practical ways to show Christian love in action in mentoring children and in providing help, encouragement and support to teachers in a whole host of ways. In the light of the struggles many children have had with mental health since the pandemic this is particularly valuable.’
Church Leader
Finance on a separate file
Reach {READING SCHOOLS. CHRISTIAN WORK TRUST STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 1 SEPTEMBER 2021- 31 AUGUST 2022 2022 Unrestri¢tod Genèral Fund 2021 Unrestri¢ted General Fund Notes Incoming Resourcgs Voluntary Ino)me Investment Income 40,562 38.864 25 Total Incomlng Resources Resourcès EXnded Charitable Activities 35.663 47.433 Total Resou05 Expended Nel movement in funds 4.902 (8,544) Total fLtnds broughl foréffjrd 15.390 23,934 Total funds carrlod forward BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 AUGUST 2022 2022 2021 Assets Debtors 2.485 2,600 Cash at Bank 17.807 12,790 Creditors Creditors and A¢ual5 Total Assets Represent?d by: Unreslricted Fund 20,292 15.390 S Jarrfls Trustee Dec 2022 Janet Shury Treasurer Ics
Reach IREADING SCHOOLS. CHRISTIAN WORK TRUST) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS Basis of Preparation 1.1 Basis of Accounting These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historic cost in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities - Statement of Recommended Practi (SORP 2005}'. and with Accounting Standards. 1.2 Chang8 in basis of accounting There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year. 1.3 Changes to previous accounts No changes have been made to accounts for previous years. Accounting Policies 2.1 Incoming Resources Recognition of incoming reSoUrS are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity becomes entitled to the resources. Incoming resources with related expenditure are reported gross. Incoming resources from tax reclaims are induded at the same time as the gift to which they relate. 2.2 Exp8nditure and Liabilities Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation Committing the chafily to pay out resources. No costs have been incurred for the governance of the charity. Analysis of incoming resources 2022 2021 Unrestricted General Fund Unrnstricted General Fund 3.1 Voluntary Income Churches General Donations Trusts Company Income Tax recovered 17,930 13.547 4.100 2.500 18,080 14,543 3, 600 2,485 40,562 2,641 38,864 3.2 Investment In¢ome Bank interest 25
Reach (READING SCHOOLS. CHRISTIAN WORK TRUST) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS continued 2022 2021 Unrestricted General Fund UnrestriGted General Fund 4 Resources expended on Charitable Activities Employment costs Training Resources Rent PublicityPNebsite Office costs Telephone Computer Insurancè Travel Other costs 31,891 250 290 1,214 174 270 42,430 1,350 48 800 588 69 832 957 304 72 304 258 51 35,663 55 47,433 2022 2021 5 Debtor8 and prepayments Inland Revenue tax daim ppaYmentS 2,485 2, 600 2,486 2,600 6 Cash at Bank and in Hand Current Account Deposit Account 704 17,103 17.807 6,529 6,261 12.790 7 Credltors and accruals PAYE and NIC Other
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the trusteesl members of Reading Schools Christian Work Trust On accounts for the year ènded 31° August 2022 Charity no lif any) 1084101 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity {Ihe Trust") for the year ended Responsibilitios and As th8 charity trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 {'the Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's a¢counts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applirAble Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent he charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 and l am qualified to examiner's ststement undertake the examination by being a qualified membèr of [insert name of applicable listed body]l. Delete [ ] if not applicable. I have compleled my examination. I confim that no material matters have Come to my attention {other than that disclosed below ') in Gonnection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect,: the accounting records Yre not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act. or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records", or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements conmIng the fom and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other 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 concems and have Gome across no other matters in Connection with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets rf they do not apply. Signed: Date: Name: Bary Young Address: 21 Southcote Lane Reading RG30 3AG