2024-12-31-accounts - Tyume Valley Schools Development Association

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator. This document is also available as Markdown.

TVS Annual Report and Financial Statement to December 2024

Tyume Valley Schools is a registered charity in England and Wales Tal LC e- 7 A = : os as UN Cae eae (Charity No. 1103909) age

This report is for informational purposes only Bee A ee = one=

Tyume Valley Schools Transforming life chances through education

Tyume Valley Schools Development Association (TVS) Organisational Details for the year ending 31 December 2024

Charity Number	1103909
Registered Address	2 Old Blackfriars Marley Lane Battle TN33 0DQ
Website	www.tvschools.org.uk
Email	office@tvschools.org.uk
Trustees	Margaret Kiloh Wendy Hodgkinson Stephanie Gallier Claire Davies Gaynor Cobb John Hagestadt Denise Heggie Jim Lewis Stephen Muggeridge Margaret Woodward	Chair Deputy Chair Secretary Treasurer
Bankers	Barclays Bank 355 Station Road Harrow HA1 2AN
Independent Examiner	Carol Harris Battle Town Council The Almonry High Street Battle TN33 0EA

Registered charity number: 1103909 This report is for informational purposes only

Tyume Valley Schools Transforming life chances through education

Introduction to TVS

TVS was registered in 2004, ten years after the election of the first non-racial democratic government in South Africa. Its founders, Archie Sibeko, Margaret Kiloh and Margaret Woodward were part of the international solidarity movement which helped to achieve the ousting of the apartheid regime. The foundation of TVS was a recognition of the need for continuing international support for South Africans struggling against the enduring inequalities which are the legacy of apartheid.

Organisational Structure

TVS’s Board of Trustees has responsibility for the strategic oversight and financial management of the charity. The Board meets every three months or less, either in person or remotely. There are currently eleven members, including four Officers who undertake responsibility for day-to-day operations. There are no paid staff in the UK, but TVS employs a part time Project Coordinator based in South Africa.

Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees

Trustees may be appointed at the AGM to serve for a period of one year or co-opted by decision of the trustees at any intervening point. All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefit from the charity. Any expenses claimed by trustees are set out in the accounts.

Risk Management

The most significant risk to the charity is that of ensuring sustainable growth. Our supporters and our trustees represent an aging demographic and a number of retirements, including that of the Chair, are expected. The political and economic climate in the UK and South Africa has led to decreased income and increased costs and fundraising has been extremely challenging. The trustees have attempted to mitigate the financial risks by focussing on the recruitment of trustees and volunteers with the skills to help us move forward.

Public benefit statement

The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant. We review our aims, objectives and policies each year and ensure that our programmes and activities remain in line with our stated charitable objectives.

Registered charity number: 1103909 This report is for informational purposes only

Tyume Valley Schools Transforming life chances through education

Message from the Chair

2024 has been a year of both growth and resilience for Tyume Valley Schools. With the support of our partners, donors, and the local community, we have continued to expand our reach and impact, bringing quality education and opportunity to the children of Tyume Valley. Our core mission remains unchanged—to provide every child with the opportunity to succeed, regardless of the challenges they face.

Key accomplishments include the successful expansion of our Fresh Start Programme, enhanced teacher training initiatives, and the growth of our community-based reading clubs. Despite ongoing infrastructural and funding challenges, our commitment to fostering literacy, numeracy, and digital skills remains stronger than ever.

As we look ahead, we aim to build on these successes by deepening our engagement with schools, expanding digital literacy initiatives, and forging new partnerships to sustain and grow our impact in the region.

TVS Model and Strategic Framework

TVS operates through a sustainable, multi-layered approach combining educational support, community involvement, and strategic partnerships.

Our model is based on school partnerships that improve educational resources, community engagement through reading clubs and workshops, and capacity building via training for teachers, learning assistants, and students in key subjects like literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy.

==> picture [561 x 225] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Supporters @ Trustees @ Volunteers
s
Comms
TVS UK Training
Fundraising
Ce @& &
Reading clubs TVS SA Fresh Start
eS t y
. ®@
Community @@ Schools Partners
y
Resources Tech learn Learning Centre / IT
Programmes Mentoring
@ @ @ @
----- End of picture text -----

TVS trustees work closely with our partners and staff in South Africa to provide programmes for learning in English and Maths which closely follow the SA curriculum.

Registered charity number: 1103909 This report is for informational purposes only

Tyume Valley Schools Transforming life chances through education

Overview of TVS Activities in 2024

This year, TVS expanded its reach with four schools enrolling in the Fresh Start Programme and receiving intensive support. Eight schools benefited from computer equipment and IT training. Learning assistants attended 30 weekly training sessions, while 100 children participated in study camps focused on environmental education, maths, and life skills. In addition, 2,000 books were distributed to schools and reading clubs.

Schools benefitted from the provision of computer equipment and training

2000

Books were distributed to reading clubs and schools

30 O ~~s~~ Weekly training sessions were held for learning assistants

100

Children attended study camps in environment, maths and life skills

Programmes in Focus

Fresh Start Programme

Launched in 2023 and continued throughout 2024, the Fresh Start Programme targeted four village primary schools, providing resources, teacher training, and classroom support. The mainstay of the programme was our team of Learning Support Assistants, part-funded by the government Social Employment Fund (SEF). The LSAs taught children English and Maths for four days a week, using resources and lesson planning skills developed by TVS. This provided continuity and progression for the learners in multigrade classes that often lack a teacher.

Training sessions were set up for the LSAs each Friday, with a focus on interactive teaching using practical resources and projectors. Assessment and differentiation were also key to our work in schools. These new skills were readily applied and experiences shared.

Registered charity number: 1103909 This report is for informational purposes only

Tyume Valley Schools Transforming life chances through education

A Learning Assistant’s Success Story

Zaneli, a 24-year-old from Tyume Valley, joined TVS as a learning assistant in 2022. With limited prior experience, she underwent intensive training and has developed into a confident educator, supporting over 50 students. Teachers have recognised her ability to engage struggling learners, and she now plans to pursue formal teacher training in 2025.

"This opportunity has transformed my life. I always wanted to help children learn, and now I have the skills and confidence to do it every day." - Zaneli

TechLearn Programme

Based at the TVS Learning Centre in Kwa Kwa village, the TechLearn Programme integrates English language teaching with basic computer literacy.

It currently serves learners from Amabhele Secondary School and Mabandla Primary School, with postgraduate students from Fort Hare University leading instruction.

TVS plans to expand TechLearn once improved internet connectivity is secured, allowing for broader participation.

Registered charity number: 1103909 This report is for informational purposes only

Tyume Valley Schools Transforming life chances through education

Working in the Community - Reading Clubs

Five village reading clubs, led by community members, provide structured educational activities. One such club, the Gwali Reading Club, has grown from 15 to over 40 children per session, fostering enthusiasm for reading at home.

Parents report increased engagement, and teachers note significant literacy improvements among regular attendees.

"We are changing lives here, one child at a time. This is not just about reading—it’s about giving children the tools they need to succeed in life." - Nthuthu Lutshete

Working in the Community - Study Camps

Several study camps took place this year. In November, a group of school leavers were given the opportunity to work on and improve their IT skills, in preparation for further education or the world of work. Each student set up an email account and researched job and funding opportunities via the web.

Two other study camps were run in collaboration with partners in the area. These were for primary school children and focussed on the environment and maths problem solving skills. The study camps took place at Hobbiton Outdoor Education Centre in Hogsback- a wonderful experience for all.

Registered charity number: 1103909 This report is for informational purposes only

Tyume Valley Schools Transforming life chances through education

Key Activities and Impacts

Fresh Start Programme:

Our focus on improving English and Maths skills resulted in measurable improvements in student outcomes. The median English proficiency improvement across participating schools was 55%, while mathematics scores also showed a positive trend. Assessment data from the start and end of the year demonstrate substantial gains, though results varied based on individual school circumstances.

The following graphs show the average % scores per school at the start and end of the school year. We did not use standardised tests in 2024 but are looking at how we might include some in the year ahead.

This was conducted as a sight reading test of the first 100 high frequency words. The data shows school averages at the start and end of the year to show progress.

Devised by us as a tick sheet to show what the children could do in terms of listening to a set of questions or instructions and responding verbally.

The maths scores were based on four operations + - x div. This was a test devised by us based on the work covered in school.

Registered charity number: 1103909 This report is for informational purposes only

Tyume Valley Schools Transforming life chances through education

Community Reading Clubs:

The community reading clubs continue to grow from strength to strength. Their growing success was celebrated at a special BOOK DAY in August. A total of 130 children, aged 4 to 15 years, participated in the morning’s activities, which included lessons on book care. They also enjoyed a light lunch of fruit and sandwiches, with refreshments served throughout the event.

Local educational professionals were on hand to support and encourage literacy throughout the day, making the event a memorable success.

TVS received 2,000 books from this year’s Book Dash collaborative book run. We carefully selected 12 titles to distribute to homes, ECD centres, reading clubs, and schools within our community.

Future Plans

Looking ahead, TVS plans to expand the reach of the teaching programmes, increasing our focus on reading skills and reading for meaning.

We will continue to increase after school learning clubs, launch digital literacy and teacher mentorship and support groups.

We will continue to support staff and teachers with appropriate training and resources for teaching.

Our aim is to strengthen partnerships in South Africa, to empower local teachers and thus ensure long term sustainability.

Registered charity number: 1103909 This report is for informational purposes only

Tyume Valley Schools Transforming life chances through education

Financial Overview

At the start of the year, our balance was £18,392. Our total income for 2024 was £42,696, while our expenditure was £29,766, resulting in a surplus of £12,930, and leaving us with £31,322 of funds at the end of the year.

==> picture [495 x 189] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Total income for 2024: £42,696 Total funds at end of year: £31,322
35000
Surplus £12,930 surplus
30.3% 30000 31322
25000
20000
18392
15000
10000
5000
Expenditure 0
Start of year End of year
69.7%
----- End of picture text -----

Regular supporters contribute £11,284 annually, alongside repeat funding from the Solon Foundation and South African Government funding through the Social Employment Fund, and for 2024 The Funding Network.

Reserves Policy

TVS aims to maintain reserves equivalent to three months of operating costs (£8,000).

Acknowledgments and Partnerships

We extend our gratitude to all supporters, donors, and partners who make our work possible.

Registered charity number: 1103909 This report is for informational purposes only

Tyume Valley Schools Transforming life chances through education

Registered charity number: 1103909 This report is for informational purposes only

Tyume Valley Schools Transforming life chances through education

Registered charity number: 1103909 This report is for informational purposes only

Tyume Valley Schools Transforming life chances through education

Registered charity number: 1103909 This report is for informational purposes only

Thank you

~~EE Ee EE~~ Fe ~~eM~~ Mag ee Tyume Valley Schools is a registered charity in England and Wales eg sega © 2025 Tyume Valley Schools Oe Fg Fe ~~CN~~ Sota aaa (Charity No. 1103909) Pres iin sit gi a ofe ne. F ji es | aa eae a ie eo e.g — Pe This report is for informational purposes only a iy) Lt ae ; Pia. ch “aul