Sacred Heart Pre School
Trustees’ Annual Report & Accounts For the year ended 31[st] August 2025
Page 1 of 10
Sacred Heart Pre School
Administration information
Charity Name Sacred Heart Pre School Charity Num 0197847 Address Heys Street Thornton Lancashire FY5 4HL Trustees Treasurer Victoria Bennett Secretary Jaimie Bevans Chairperson Philippa Cookson- Wood Committee Member Tina Ayres Committee Member Paul Eaton Committee Member Bethany Heartwell Committee Member Michelle Sessions-Barker
Independent Examiner Jean Horner 20, Rydal Road, Hambleton, Poulton Le Fylde FY6 9BN
SACRED HEART PRE SCHOOL
Page 2 of 10
TRUSTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2025
The Trustees present their annual report for Sacred Heart Pre-school for the year ended 31[st] August 2025.
Governing document and constitution
The Charity is governed by a Constitution dated 22[nd] September 2006 and is a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance with membership number 25994.
Objects
The aims of the Pre- School are to enhance the development and education of children primarily under statutory school age by encouraging parents to understand and provide for the needs of their children through community groups and by
-
Offering appropriate play, education and care facilities, family learning and extended -hours groups, together with the right of parents to take responsibility for and to become involved in the activities of such groups, ensuring that such groups offer opportunities for all children whatever their race, culture,religion,means or ability.
-
Encouraging the study of the needs of such children and their families and promoting public interest in and recognition of such needs in the local areas and
-
Instigating and adhering to and furthermore the aims and objects of the PreSchool Learning Alliance
Management Committee
The Trustees set out on page 2 are also members of the Pre School-Management Committee.
The minimum number of Committee members shall be 5 and the maximum shall be 12, including the Chair, a Treasurer & a Secretary (The Officers)
The Officers & Committee members shall be elected for one year at the Annual General Meeting. Retiring Officers and Committee members are eligible for re- election unless they have served on the Committee for ten consecutive years.
The Committee is responsible for the overall management and control of the Pre School.
SACRED HEART PRE SCHOOL
Page 3 of 10
TRUSTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2025 ( contd)
Main Activities
Providing appropriate play, education and care facilities and extended hours groups with the use of the pre-school facilities for breakfast and after school clubs. Continuing to ensure that opportunities are offered for all children whatever race, culture, religion, means or ability. This remains a useful learning resource for the staff.
In setting our objectives and planning our activities, The Trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance.
– Management Report September 2024 August 2025
As we come to the end of another busy and eventful school year at Sacred Heart Pre-School, we would like to take this opportunity to reflect on everything that has been achieved across the year and thank everyone who has supported the setting along the way.
This year has been incredibly full and rewarding, with consistently busy numbers throughout the year and a particularly high level of complex SEND needs within the setting. At several points throughout the year, we were supporting at least five children with highly complex additional needs, which required a significantly higher staffing level in order to ensure all children received the care, support and attention they deserved
Our staffing structure this year consisted of Chelsea and Hannah as Managers, Melissa as Deputy Manager, Clare as SENCO, and Carly, Sam, Keira and Caitlin as Practitioners. As always, the dedication, flexibility and teamwork shown by every member of staff has been invaluable.
A huge focus for the first half of the autumn term was preparing for our OFSTED inspection, as we knew we were due to be inspected at any point. During October half-term, Chelsea received the call informing us that the inspection would take place on our first day back following the break. Whilst half-term may have been relaxing for some, for the Sacred Heart team it became a week of preparation and teamwork. Clare and Chelsea spent a great deal of time in the setting ensuring everything was fully prepared, Hannah compiled the group cohort tracker, Chelsea and Hannah worked together preparing the learning walk, and Carly, Sam, Keira and Melissa all completed additional NoodleNow training courses in preparation for inspection day.
Although it was understandably an incredibly nerve-wracking experience — particularly as it was the first “proper” OFSTED inspection for much of the team — we could not have been prouder of how everyone conducted themselves throughout the process. The team were absolutely incredible, and we were delighted to achieve a ‘Good’ grading, which reflected the hard work and commitment of the entire staff team. We also received some wonderful praise for our practice, alongside constructive feedback and pointers that will continue to support our development moving forward.
Throughout the year, the children have experienced a wide range of engaging themes and activities. Our “Country of the Week” and “Book of the Week” themes were particularly successful, helping to broaden children’s experiences whilst also encouraging staff teamwork by pairing practitioners together to plan and deliver activities collaboratively. We also enjoyed a visit to the church next door to watch the Reception Christmas play, which was a lovely experience for the children.
One of the highlights of the spring term was our chick hatching experience, which began in March. What started as a temporary experience quickly became a much longer and more
Page 4 of 10
exciting one when Hannah decided to adopt the chickens afterwards, allowing the children to continue observing and caring for them over a longer period of time. The children thoroughly enjoyed the chick naming competition, and the experience created many wonderful learning opportunities across the curriculum.
We were also proud to take part in the BEBCMAT art competition, based around the theme of “Hope”, which gave the children another opportunity to express themselves creatively and be involved with the wider school trust community.
This year also saw Chelsea continue developing and utilising the pre-school’s social media pages more effectively. These platforms have helped us not only communicate updates and showcase activities to families, but also promote the setting more widely within the local community as we continue working hard to maintain healthy occupancy levels.
Sadly, we also said goodbye to Tinkling Trev at the end of this school year. Trev has provided many years of incredible music sessions for the children and has been a much-loved part of the Sacred Heart Pre-School experience for so many families. On behalf of the whole team, we would like to thank Trev for all of his hard work, enthusiasm and memorable sessions over the years. He will be greatly missed by both staff and children alike.
We also said goodbye to Caitlin at the end of the school year as she relocated permanently to Leeds for an exciting new job opportunity. We are incredibly grateful for everything Caitlin contributed during her time with us and wish her all the very best for the future. We will miss her!
Staff training and professional development have remained a key priority throughout the year. All staff are fully up to date with mandatory training requirements. This included Sam, Keira and Caitlin completing Paediatric First Aid training in October, alongside Caitlin and Keira undertaking DSL training in November. Staff continue to actively engage with NoodleNow online training, with practitioners encouraged to independently access courses of interest alongside our suggestion of at least one course per half-term.
We are particularly proud of the SEND support provided within the setting this year, led so effectively by Clare in her SENCO role. Despite ongoing delays and pressures within the wider SEND system, Clare has worked tirelessly alongside families and outside agencies to secure the support children require. This year saw successful EHCP applications and specialist school placements secured for two children, alongside EHCP applications submitted for children returning next academic year. Throughout the year we have worked closely with a range of professionals including the Specialist Teacher Service, Speech and Language Therapy, Paediatric Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and additional support services.
Chelsea and Hannah have also been incredibly grateful for the ongoing management support received from the LCC teacher team, particularly Penny Watson and Elaine Duke, whose guidance and support throughout the year has been greatly appreciated.
Like many early years settings, we have also faced challenges this year, particularly surrounding occupancy levels and staffing requirements. During the year, some children withdrew from sessions and projections for September numbers were lower than anticipated. Discussions during the summer term highlighted that staffing levels significantly exceeded the ratios required for projected numbers moving forward. As a result, difficult decisions had to be made regarding staffing contracts, with yearly reviewed contracts being reduced to three days per week in order to reflect the operational needs of the setting. Whilst these decisions were not made lightly, they were necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the pre-school.
Alongside all of this, we have continued striving to improve all aspects of the pre-school environment, whether through redecorating areas of the setting or investing in new resources to enhance both themed activities and continuous provision for the children.
Page 5 of 10
Finally, we would like to thank the entire staff team for their commitment, resilience and continued hard work throughout what has been a very demanding year. We would also like to thank the committee for their ongoing support behind the scenes, our families for their continued trust and encouragement, and of course the children themselves, who make Sacred Heart PreSchool such a special place every single day.
We look forward to another successful year ahead.
Chelsea Porter
Manager/DSL Sacred Heart Pre-School
Page 6 of 10
SACRED HEART PRE SCHOOL
Policy on Reserves
Our policy on reserves is to retain minimum cash funds of £22,000.00 for staff wages, rent and outstanding debt if we were to close.
The trustees approved this report, and it is signed on their behalf by :
Signature
Date
SACRED HEART PRE SCHOOL
Page 7 of 10
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES
I report on the accounts Sacred Heart Pre School for the year ended 31[st] August 2025 set out on pages 7 & 8
Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and examiner
The Charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities’ Act 2011(the 2011Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to :
-
Examine the accounts under Section 145 of the 2011 Act
-
To follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act and to state whether matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent examiner’s statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with general directions given by the Charity Commission. 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 the trustees concerning any such matters.
The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair” view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s qualified statement
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting requirements of the 2011Act.
The internal financial controls are fully controlled and secure.
The trustees oversee & are fully in control of all the aspects of the accounts.
I have fully examined all the Bank Statements & Petty Cash transactions relating to this financial year & am completely satisfied with all elements of the accounting procedures.
Signed
J Horner
Jean Horner
Date 18-05-2026
SACRED HEART PRE SCHOOL
Page 8 of 10
| RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR | RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR | ENDED 31 ST |
AUGUST |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | |||
| 2025 | |||
| 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | ||
| £ £ | |||
| RECEIPTS | |||
| Fees Received | 19,034 | 19,660 | |
| Grant Income 146,427 | 117,546 | ||
| Donations | 4,261 | ||
| Interest Received | 248 | 400 | |
| __ | |||
| Total Receipts | 165,709 | ||
| 141,867 | |||
| PAYMENTS | |||
| Wages | 142,195 | 94,041 | |
| Premises | 6,975 | 6,731 | |
| Equipment | 2,884 | 4,464 | |
| Uniform | 816 | ||
| Activities | 800 | 900 | |
| Stationery | 574 | 460 | |
| Other Costs | 5,746 | 6,152 | |
| Training | 1,255 | 355 | |
| Accountancy Fees | 885 | 840 | |
| Repairs & Renewals | 5,030 | 221 | |
| __ |
_ |
||
| Total Payments | 166,344 | 114,980 | |
| Net | -635 | 26,887 | |
| Cash Fund brought forward 58.121 | 31,234 | ||
| Cash Fund carried forward | 57,486 |
58,121 |
Page 9 of 10
SACRED HEART PRE SCHOOL
Statement of Assets and Liabilities to 31[st] August 2025
Unrestricted Funds
Cash Funds
Business Current Account 32,547 Business Savings Account 23,550 Petty Cash 1,389 Total Cash Funds 57,486
Assets retained for the charity’s own use School Equipment 1,000
The trustees acknowledge their responsibility:
-
To keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act 2011 and
-
To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
Approved by the trustees on and signed on their behalf by:
Page 10 of 10