TVS Annual Report and Financial Statement to December 2025
Tyume Valley Schools Development Association (TVS)Organisational Details for the year ending 31 December 2025
| Charity Number Registered Address Website Trustees Bankers Independent Examiner |
Charity Number | 1103909 | ||
| Registered Address |
2 Old Blackfriars Marley Lane Battle TN33 0DQ |
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| Website | www.tvschools.org.uk | |||
| office@tvschools.org.uk | ||||
| Trustees | Margaret Kiloh Stephanie Gallier Stephen Muggeridge Gaynor Cobb John Hagestadt Denise Heggie Jim Lewis Barbara Hill Rhys Torrington Tatenda Matinde Duduzile Jele |
Chair Secretary Treasurer |
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| Bankers | Barclays Bank 355 Station Road Harrow HA1 2AN |
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| Independent Examiner |
Claire Davis Kesma Norman Close Battle TN33 0BD |
Introduction to TVS
This report provides an overview of TVS, highlighting its organizational structure, trustee recruitment and appointment processes, approaches to risk management, and statement on public benefit. The information contained herein aims to offer transparency about the charity's operations and adherence to regulatory guidance.
Organizational Structure
TVS’s Board of Trustees is responsible 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 three Officers who undertake responsibility for day-to-day operations. TVS has no paid staff in the UK, but employs a part-time Project Coordinator based in South Africa.
Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees
Trustees may be appointed at the Annual General Meeting (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 ensuring sustainable growth. The political and economic climate in the UK and South Africa has led to decreased income and increased costs, making fundraising extremely challenging. The trustees have attempted to mitigate financial risks by focusing on recruiting trustees and volunteers with the skills to help the organization 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.
Message from the Chair
2025 has been a year marked by both growth and resilience for Tyume Valley Schools. Thanks to the unwavering support of our partners, donors, and the local community, we have continued to broaden our reach and deepen our impact, delivering quality education and opportunities to the children of Tyume Valley. Our core mission remains steadfast—to ensure that every child is given the chance to succeed, no matter what obstacles they encounter. Despite ongoing infrastructural and funding challenges, our commitment to fostering literacy, numeracy, and digital skills remains stronger than ever. Looking forward, 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 Theory of Change
Young people in Tyume Valley are being held back from the full benefits of education due to a lack of good quality literacy, numeracy, and ICT teaching, as well as limited community-level services that foster a culture of reading. TVS collaborates with local communities to train and fund teachers and learning support assistants, providing additional support for children in English language, literacy, numeracy, and ICT skills. We also deliver resources and services within the community that encourage reading. These efforts improve children's ability to benefit from mainstream education and help raise the quality of local education provision. As a result, children perform better in school and their life-chances are enhanced.
Overview of TVS Activities in 2025
Key achievements include the development of our Reading Stars Programme, growth of children’s reading clubs, and the introduction of a second successful Book Day for the entire community. Four more schools became TVS Fresh Start partners, eight schools benefited from computer equipment and IT training, and eight Reading Ambassadors were trained and deployed to support reading in schools. In addition, 150 children participated in village reading clubs and 2,000 books were distributed.
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Children participating in
village reading clubs
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TVS Fresh Start Partnership
The TVS Fresh Start Partnership is a cornerstone initiative within our broader efforts to uplift education in Tyume Valley. Established in 2023, Fresh Start offers partner schools essential resources, comprehensive teacher training, and ongoing classroom support to create a foundation for sustainable progress. By integrating both in-school and community-based activities, the partnership leverages programmes such as TVS’s Masifunde (Let’s Read) and Lights on After School—a national campaign that promotes the value of after-school learning for student development and safety.
Throughout 2025, Fresh Start responded to the evolving needs of partner schools with a suite of targeted interventions. These included Reading Stars, Reading Clubs, and TechLearn IT, Maths, and English sessions delivered at the TVS Learning Centre. The partnership also featured a bridging course for school leavers and organized a Book Day event for families, strengthening community engagement and cultivating a culture of reading.
Learning Support Assistants
Central to Fresh Start is our committed team of Learning Support Assistants. These individuals serve as Reading Ambassadors in schools, lead Reading Clubs, and tutor Maths and English at the Learning Centre. Their efforts ensure that students receive personalized support, enhancing literacy and numeracy outcomes and helping lay the groundwork for lasting educational success in Tyume Valley
Reading Stars
During the year, the Reading Stars Programme continued to grow in both reach and depth, with four additional primary schools brought on board and equipped with projectors and adapted whiteboard screens to enhance interactive learning. The year began with learner assessments, which indicated that approximately 30–40% of Grade 4 learners were not yet reading fluently in their home language, while also highlighting the positive impact of sustained support among returning learners.
Although programme delivery in the first term was affected by school athletics, Department of Education workshops, and logistical challenges—including vehicle repairs and staff shortages within schools—the programme regained strong momentum in Term 2, with a structured focus on phonics, blending, and high-frequency words. By Term 3, Reading Stars was firmly established within partner schools, providing consistent morning sessions and reinforcing reading habits across multiple grades, particularly among Grade 4 and 5 learners. The programme was further strengthened through external input and observation, with practical feedback supporting ongoing improvements in delivery, and concluded the academic year with a solid foundation for continued impact.
Reading Clubs
Throughout the year, our community Reading Clubs continued to grow as safe, consistent spaces where children could engage with books in an enjoyable and supportive environment. Beginning with five active clubs, the programme expanded to six with the revival of the Yamala Reading Club, increasing our reach across the Tyhume Valley. Weekly sessions were facilitated by dedicated Reading Club Leaders, offering a combination of reading, storytelling, games, and interactive learning activities. The return of Vuvu brought renewed energy and valuable experience to the programme, strengthening existing clubs while supporting the development of new ones in additional communities. Highlights of the year included an excursion for the Ntulikazi Reading Club to the Alice Library, hosted by the Nal’ibali campaign, as well as engagement with visiting TVS Trustees, which further enriched the experience for both learners and facilitators. The Reading Clubs continue to play a vital role in building confidence, fostering a love of reading, and extending learning beyond the classroom and into the community.
Techlearn
During the year, the TVS TechLearn English and Maths Programme continued to provide focused, small-group academic support through structured after-school sessions at the TVS Learning Centre. Delivered in two five-week cycles for Grade 4 and Grade 5 learners, the programme reached a total of 170 learners from eight partner schools, with sessions held twice weekly. Learners were grouped according to ability and rotated through English, Maths, and ICT lessons, allowing for a balanced and integrated approach to learning, supported by a low learner-to-tutor ratio. Consistent transport and the provision of a daily meal contributed to strong attendance and high levels of participation, with learners engaging enthusiastically across all sessions. Assessment data showed measurable improvements in reading comprehension, while increased confidence was evident in learners’ willingness to read, write, and solve problems independently. The programme also created opportunities for creativity and expression, with learners presenting their work digitally and celebrating their progress through shared activities. TechLearn continues to demonstrate the value of structured, supportive learning environments in strengthening both academic skills and learner confidence.
Grade 5 English Assessment Results by School Overall Average." 2.29 4 4.11 180% improvement) ie£ourse stQourse +$2% +2 +4 ' JJJJJJJJ Grade 5 Mathematics Assessment Results by School Overall Average.. 3.07 4 4.11 134% improvement) +J +4V +JL% 24 JJJJJJ
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.
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Book Dash Day October 2025
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Tyume Valley Schools Development Association Receipts and payments accounts for 12 months to 31st December 2025
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