# **THE BRICK CHILDREN SCHOOL (TIKATHALI)**
# **ANNUAL REPORT 2020-21**
**Registered Charity: 1097055 England and Wales Company limited by guarantee in England and Wales Reg. No. 4693659 Voluntary Administrator: Janet Lewis**
## **TRUSTEES**
**Chair:**
**Mr Phillip Miller**
**Treasurer: Mr Terry Wales**
**President/ Ambassador: Ms Carole Green Members: Mrs Enid Astley**
**Mr Peter Blakemore**
**Mrs Kathryn Charles**
**Ms Louise Harper**
**Mr Edgar Lewis Mrs Janet Lewis**
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**Mrs Pingala Rosario (from 9/20)**
## **Mrs Marian Williams**
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**Address: 22 Trem yr Eglwys Coed –y- Glyn Wrexham LL13 7QE**
**Registered 15 Howards Field Office: Wrexham LL13 7 ER**
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# BRICK CHILDREN SCHOOL (TIKATHALI)
Registered Charity: 1097055
Company limited by guarantee in England and Wales: 4693659
## TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 2020-21
## OBJECTS OF THE CHARITY
When the charity was first established, and registered with the Charity Commission, and a company limited by guarantee formed, it was stated that the objects of the charity were:
- a) To relieve persons resident (whether permanent or temporarily) in Kathmandu, Nepal who are in a condition of need, hardship or distress by reason of their social or economic circumstances.
- b) To educate and promote the education of persons (both adults and children) by the provision of school, education and training centres in or around Kathmandu, Nepal.
The Trustees have given due consideration to the Charities Commission published guidance on the public benefit required under the Charities Act 2011.
## BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL
The school (BCS) was first established in October 2001 as a pilot project for the children of itinerant/migrant workers who moved during the ‘dry’ season into the Kathmandu valley (mainly from the foothills of the Himalayas) to produce bricks by hand. The pilot project was a success and the demand for further school places was evident. In 2002 the student numbers had been increased and it was at this stage that charitable status was sought and the organisation registered as a private company limited by guarantee.
At the same time the Trustees were made aware of the demand for adult education, particularly for the young female adults in the area who had not had the benefit of uninterrupted schooling.
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## THE CURRENT POSITION
In 2020-21 the school and its immediate partners can provide around 150 children between 2.5 and 14 years of age with, as appropriate:
- an education
- any necessary books and educational resources
- a daily meal
- fresh water to drink
- fruit
- regular medical checks
- a school uniform and shoes.
The Brick Children School funded education provision takes place at the new BCS site and there is also local satellite provision. The Preparatory class has 55+ students and children learn good habits in going to school, eating healthily and enjoying the environment and scheduled activities. For a period, during the wet (monsoon) season, it is possible to offer satellite provision at the village schools in the foothills of the Himalayas from which the children come, though this became more difficult after the 2015 earthquakes. More locally, six satellite classes operate in the brick-making season for almost 170 students
The ‘tiffin’ project supports another 150 children and has led to improved attendance, low dropout, better academic progress, improved hygiene and discipline. A programme supports a group of cerebral palsy children with speech therapy and physiotherapy.
Adult education became a regular feature of the school with adult literacy
and sewing classes being particularly popular. These were attended by around 20 adults during the year. These classes have been particularly successful. Some of the women attending the sewing classes have formed small cooperatives producing clothing for sale. 40 women participated in literacy classes of either one or six-months duration.
In recent years the school environment has been further improved following the provision of a purpose-built prefabricated building. This facility provides enhanced classrooms, toilets, shower facilities and water tank provision and came on stream in 2014-5, replacing the then existing facility. The decision to move to a new site, a short distance from the previous building, was taken following careful consideration by the Trustees as to the future of the school in the light of concerns about the on-going availability of the then existing site and the regular movement of brick-making sites in the valley as clay deposits become exhausted.
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This new building can also provide a medical clinic visited by a doctor on a regular basis. The doctor serves both the school and its surrounding community and is greatly valued. The children look healthier, have received a variety of vaccinations and are better able to take part in the education programme. The school accommodation was used as a refuge for many in the community in the immediate aftermath of the 2015 earthquakes and the head teacher and our local representative were both prominent leaders in providing immediate support to earthquake victims highlighting the place of the school as a focal point in the local community. This central position has been maintained and strengthened.
The provision of the school uniform has led to the school having a clear identity within the community. Since 2004/5 the uniform, which is of good quality, has been made by the mothers who attend the adult sewing classes.
The school curriculum encompasses Nepalese, Mathematics, English, Science, Humanities, Music and Dance, which constitute the Nepalese National Curriculum, and the pupils are prepared for its assessment procedures. Teaching staff are increasingly involved in teacher training, especially for the Nepalese state providers. As Trustees we are keen to ensure progression and an extension to the curriculum and to this end well-experienced teachers have been recruited and retained. The head teacher is very experienced having been with the school since the early days.
There is good work on matters of classroom organisation, curriculum planning and assessment and the setting of appropriate targets. Significant effort is made both by the Trustees and locally in Nepal to secure additional funding resources and there has been a successful arrangement with Belgian supporters, particularly with regards to the new facilities. The Belgians have taken responsibility for providing the building whilst the Trustees have provided funding for teachers and teaching resources, meals, medical checks and school uniforms. The principle of working with local employers who are willing to support the education of, and facilities for, the children of their employees is sound and is encouraged. There have also been links with other international supporters, locally-based, and these have led to extra provision, including support for a cerebral palsy group and additional satellite support. The school frequently receives national and international visitors.
It is pleasing to note that, over time, some of the former pupils had transferred to state secondary schools and these are amongst some of the most successful students. The Trustees have historically encouraged this and have requested the partners in Nepal to consider whether some of the more able students could not undertake some apprenticeships or move into further education.
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## OUR NEPALESE PARTNERS
It would be impossible for the Trustees to run the school on a day-to- day basis. From the outset we developed a close working relationship with the Rotary Club of Yala, the Red Cross, the District Education Office, the Ministry of Education and key local educators. This has, over time, led to the creation and registering of an International Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO). We worked closely with the New Help Association (NHA) in the early years and from 2011-12 Kopila Nepa. Representatives from the Kopila Nepa act as a ‘governing body’ responsible for appointing teachers, paying salaries, purchasing goods for the school’s day to day needs and ensuring that the school sets robust targets to ensure that all the pupils can move from the basic core education initially offered and progress to a much more rigorous programme which will in due course prepare them for further education/vocational training and/or work.
Over the years a number of the education team members in Nepal have visited North Wales and spent time on a school placement in order to enhance their professional development and to extend their knowledge of a variety of educational issues. Visits have proved to be particularly beneficial leading to a much more robust approach to classroom management, discipline matters and curriculum development.
Most of the Trustees have visited the school in Nepal, some of them many times. In May 2012 two of the Trustees visited Nepal to review progress with the school and to consider opportunities for future development; there was a visit by the Chair of the Trustees in late 2013 and he was able to review progress with our local partners over the previous eighteen months and to consider future opportunities. Further visits have been made since the major earthquakes in Nepal set further challenges for our partners to which they have risen with great commitment and skill. Trustees continue to keep in close contact regarding the implications of the current situation and seek to offer further appropriate support.
## THE TRUSTEES/DIRECTORS
The Trustees, all volunteers, take an active part in monitoring the progress of the school e.g. through periodic visits, receiving reports (both written and via Skype or similar). The board of trustees has, over time, doubled in size. A number of TV ‘programmes’ have been made involving the BCS, including when our President/Ambassador (a TV journalist) filmed a second programme for ITV after the earthquakes. More recently, in 2016-7 another ITV journalist from Wales has visited the school and filmed – with her piece being shown on regional TV. Over the years the charity has been able to use much of this filmed material when individual Trustees have made presentations in Wales and the North West. Both ITV journalists are now involved in Trustee work with the BCS.
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The charity has a high profile in North Wales and, more recently, also the Cardiff area and Trustees have made many presentations to local groups over the years. These can be made in either Welsh or English, as required. The Cardiff link has had a major impact on our ability to raise funds for 'tiffin' projects to provide a daily meal for local students. More recently, programmes for girls’ welfare and hygiene education have been funded.
Our links with international groups have developed. UNICEF had visited the school and prepared a video featuring the BCS as a model for offering an education to the children of migrant families. Links have been established with a Belgian Film and Television producer and this interest led to the production of a full-length film, shown in Ghent (Belgium) in 2011 and in Wrexham in March 2012. DVDs of the film are available. Links with the Belgian Brick Children School Foundation have been developed and they played a key role in securing the new building facility through their own fundraising activities and from funds secured from the European Union. A German group (Be Child) fund a pre-school class with which there is a close working relationship. In recent times supporters in Nepal have been active in filming a series of short videos and these can be seen on YouTube.
The Trustees have also been very fortunate in getting a collection of very good images of the school, the children, and their families from two professional photographers, Valiery Sarkae (from Russia) and Alex Rumford (from Derby, England). Thirty of Valiery Sarkae`s images have been printed and framed and are available for exhibition at galleries in North Wales and on loan to schools and organisations as part of their fundraising events. Considerable work was ongoing to develop a new website (in both Welsh and English) and in 2014-5 this went ‘live’. It helped to strengthen our social media links and improve the potential for donation, including via PayPal. Frequent news items about the school and its work are featured on the websites ‘Facebook’ pages and help supporters to keep themselves informed about the work of the charity. In Spring 2019 this website received a major facelift.
The Trustees/ Directors continue to raise funds for the schools by means of
- a) sponsorship of school places
- b) fundraising events
- c) talks and
- d) receipt of donations to the charity, including those from grant applications.
The sponsorship scheme is a monthly one whereby supporters make a payment of, in most cases, £5 by standing order/ direct debit. At present there are about 75 sponsors who help the school in this way. This covers around 20% of the general cost of running the facilities.
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Trustees and supporter friends have spent considerable time over the years addressing audiences in schools, chapels, clubs and various societies and organising one-off events and these, in addition to raising the profile of the BCS, are instrumental in earning a significant part of our donations.
Each year the Trustees are pleased to approve events being organised by Friends of the BCS and other volunteers. These range from concerts, gala events and raffles to sponsored walks, car boot sales and chocolate and wine tasting evenings. There have also been sales of Nepalese items and several substantial donations, including those in lieu of presents e.g. at weddings. Following the earthquakes there was a one-off upturn in donations to the charity.
There have now been three ‘Brickjam’ events in Cardiff which have raised significant amounts. Money received in late 2015-6 following a gala ‘Brickjam’ event – and enhanced by a significant grant from the Waterloo Foundation - helped to fund a ‘tiffin’ project for students running into 2016-7. This has provided a lunchtime meal for around 150 local students. The event was held again in 2016-7 – Brickjam 2’ – and continues to contribute funds to a major ‘tiffin’ project which has a significant impact on school attendance, performance and well-being. Through our own fundraising and the ‘tiffin’ project, over 200 children receive meals on a regular basis. The 2018-9 event also supported a sanitary product training programme to support improved female attendance amongst the older girls. Grants continue to be received to support the work of the charity.
In 2020-21 our plan was to celebrate twenty years of the charity. Plans had to be ‘put on ice’ given the lockdown effects of the covid pandemic. This also had a negative impact on our fund-raising activities, though are resources are robust enough to withstand the impact in the short to medium term. Supporters continued to make monthly donations and others continued to contribute e.g. through ‘Just Giving’.
## THE FUTURE
As Trustees/ Directors we continue to feel that we:
- are involved in a small but very vibrant charity
- have created a sound partnership with our Nepalese managers
- have taken the necessary steps to secure the school within the Nepalese education/health structure
- have been successful in making the community in N.E. Wales and the Cardiff area aware and responsive to the needs of the Brick Children School
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- have established a good mechanism for keeping our sponsors/donors/friends informed about the BCS developments by means of a periodic newsletter, a website and regular meetings
- have created an effective mechanism for monitoring the success of the school and its community facilities
- have looked to the future by encouraging links with international partners e.g. in Belgium and Germany.
We develop five-year plans, reviewed/updated annually.
The 2015-20 plan was discussed but subsequent events following the earthquakes meant some
revision has been required. Such planning is an ongoing feature of the work of the charity. Policies are reviewed on a periodic basis.
meet some
or in kind).
Our partners in Nepal pursue these aims but discussions proceed slowly, reflecting circumstances
in the country. Meanwhile, a combination of inflation in Nepal and the weakening of the £ sterling have
put pressure on costs.
The Trustees are mindful of longer-term needs and are active in seeking to ensure arrangements to
meet the requirements of the BCS community in a sustainable manner. With that in mind Trustees embarked on an ongoing review of the long-term development of the charity including the need for
additional Trustees to see the charity into the future. Additional funding links have been made by the BCS in Nepal.
Our 2019-20 financial year ended just as the covid-19 pandemic was ‘taking-off’ and the impact was felt throughout the 2020-1 financial year. With lockdowns in Nepal continuing into 2021-2 we are
mindful of the impact that this has had/is having on operations there. Trustees continue to monitor the situation carefully and are in regular contact with the BCS ‘team’ there. Trustees are confident that the structures and funds exist to ensure that the charity remains viable for the foreseeable future and that
future will reflect
the changing circumstances.
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## RISK REVIEW
The Trustees monitor, on an ongoing basis throughout the year, the risks associated with the charity’s work and the achievement of its objectives. We have taken action to minimise risks wherever possible and recognise the difficulties in the country in which the charity operates. These difficulties have been compounded during the year by the covid pandemic.
The Trustees are always conscious that brick making facilities may move as the clay is used up – with the consequence that the school may need to move within the valley. Given that there was uncertainty about the longterm availability of the original building the Trustees kept under review arrangements for school facilities and also the relationship with the NGO and any requirements for registering with the Nepalese Government (as Kopila Nepa did). Movement of the client group to another location can now be better addressed since the new building is dismountable and can be re-located.
## RESERVE POLICY
The Trustees have established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds should be a minimum of at least twelve month’s worth of the annual resources expended. At this financial level the Trustees feel that they would be able to continue with the current activities of the charity for at least two years were there to be a fall in income. Reserves are such that such a policy is sustainable.
## STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES
The Trustees are responsible for preparing this report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and UK accounting standards (UK GAAP) including FRS102.
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of the financial affairs of the company and of the profit and loss of the company for that period. In preparing those financial statements the directors are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently
- observe the methods and principles of the charity SORP
- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departure disclosed and explained in the financial statement
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
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The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 1985. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice-Accounting and Reporting by Charities and in accordance with the special provisions of Part VII of the Companies Act 1985 relating to small entities.
## ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD:
T.J. WALES November 2021
**BRICK CHILDRENS SCHOOL (TIKATHALI)**
**INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTS YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2021 (All funds are unrestricted)**
||**2021**|**2020**|
|---|---|---|
|**INCOMING RESOURCES**|||
|Donations||17525|
||1357||
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|Fundraising
Interest
Other
**RESOURCES EXPENDED**
Charitable Activities
Raising Funds
Other
**NET (DEFICIT) INCOME**
**FOR THE PERIOD**
Balance brought forward
Balance carried forward
**REPRESENTED BY**
Cash at Bank and on deposit|1
-
46
6
1226
6
2630
3
1900
0
-
5
08
195
08
6795
4553
0
5232
5
5232
5|-
468
-
17993
36500
837
227
37564
(19571)
65101
45530|
|---|---|---|
|||45530|
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## **BRICK CHILDREN SCHOOL**
## **(TIKATHALI)**
## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2021**
**2021 2020**
**Current Assets** Cash at bank 52325 45530 Net Assets 52325 45530
## **Reserves**
Restricted - - Unrestricted 52325 45530
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the period ended 31 March 2021
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2021 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for:
- (a) Ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
- (b) Preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of each financial year and of its profit or loss for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the company.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD:
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..................................................... T. J Wales (Director)
Approved by the Board on November 2021
## **BRICK CHILDREN SCHOOL**
## **(TIKATHALI)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PERIOD TO 31 MARCH 2021**
The Brick Children School (Tikathali) is a company certified by guarantee registered in England and Wales and a charity registered in England and Wales. Details of its number and registered office can be found on the company information sheet.
## **1 Accounting policies**
## _Basis of preparation_
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The accounts, incorporating a Statement of Financial Activities, have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting by Charities" ("the SORP") and FRS102.
## _Fund accounting_
General funds are available for use at the discretion of the directors in furtherance of the general objectives of the Trust.
Designated funds comprise general funds that have been set-aside at the discretion of the directors for specific purposes. The purpose and use of the designated funds is set out in the notes to the financial statements,
Restricted funds are funds subject to specific restrictive conditions imposed by funders or by the purpose of the appeal. The purpose and use of the restricted funds is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
All income and expenditure is shown in the Statement of Financial Activities. Income is recognised on a receipt basis given the nature of the income.
## _Resources Expended_
The cost headings comprise expenditure, including staff costs, directly attributable to the activity. Where costs cannot be directly attributed they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources.
**2 Movements in funds**
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||**AT 31.03.20**||**INCOME**||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**EXPENDITURE AT 31.3.21**|||||
|Restricted funds|--|-|-|-|
|Unrestricted funds|4553026303||19508|52325|
**3** This charity is run by its trustees on an entirely voluntary basis. These duties include fundraising and administration.
No remuneration is paid to the trustees. Expenses of £nil were paid during the year.
## **4 Related Parties**
There were no transactions with related parties during the year.
## **BRICK CHILDREN SCHOOL (TIKATHALI)**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BRICK CHILDREN SCHOOL (TIKATHALI)**
We report on the accounts of the Trust for the period ended 31 March 2021, which are set on pages 9 to 11.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that the audit requirement of section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) does not apply.
It is our responsibility to:
- examine the accounts (under section 145 of the Act);
- to follow procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5) (b) of the Act); and
- to state whether particular matters have come to our attention.
## **Basis of independent examiner’s report**
Our examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently we do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention:
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- (1) which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met; or
- (2) to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
**GODFREY EDWARDS Chartered Accountants Park Lodge Rhosddu Road Wrexham November 2021**
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