Registered number: 04669567 Charity number: 1106112
The Quest School
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report and financial statements For the year ended 31 July 2022
The Quest School
(A company limited by guarantee)
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers | 1 |
| Trustees' report | 2 - 10 |
| Independent auditors' report on the financial statements | 11 - 14 |
| Statement of financial activities | 15 |
| Balance sheet | 16 |
| Statement of cash flows | 17 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 18 - 32 |
The Quest School
(A company limited by guarantee)
Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers For the year ended 31 July 2022
| Trustees | I S J Martin, Chair |
|---|---|
| L M Edmans, CBE | |
| D J Bruce | |
| P Whiteley | |
| A J Wheeler (resigned 19 October 2021) | |
| P C Mepsted | |
| P Barnett | |
| C M Wratten | |
| K E Wratten | |
| M K Plange | |
| S Conway (appointed 19 October 2021) | |
| Company registered number 04669567 Charity registered number 1106112 Registered office The Hop Farm Maidstone Road Paddock Wood Kent TN12 6PY Company secretary A Carter-Mepsted Independent auditors Kreston Reeves LLP Statutory Auditor Montague Place Quayside Chatham Maritime Chatham Kent ME4 4QU Bankers HSBC Bank plc 1-5 Week Street Maidstone Kent ME14 1QW |
Page 1
The Quest School
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report For the year ended 31 July 2022
The Trustees present their annual report together with the audited financial statements of the The Quest School for the year 1 August 2021 to 31 July 2022. The Annual report serves the purposes of both a Trustees' report and a directors' report under company law. The Trustees confirm that the Annual report and financial statements of the charitable company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charitable company's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019).
Since the Charity qualifies as small under section 382 of the Companies Act 2006, the Strategic report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 has been omitted.
Objectives and activities
a. Policies and objectives
The objectives are to advance the education of children with autism in particular by developing, maintaining, carrying on and managing a school. The Quest School is a registered charity, started by parents in 2003, to offer specialist education for children with autism, ranging in age from 5-19. Pupils at Quest are placed and funded by local authorities. The majority of pupils at the school are severely impacted by their autism. As a result, local authorities often experience difficulty in finding appropriate placements, and therefore require, for these pupils, the degree of autism specialism that is provided at Quest.
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'
b. Main activities undertaken to further the Charity's purposes for the public benefit
In keeping with the aims of the charity, The Quest School successfully meets the needs of pupils who are severely impacted by autism, and for whom, as a result, local authorities experience difficulty in finding appropriate school placements.
There is significant public benefit arising from ensuring such pupils remain in a beneficial educational placement. The degree of autism specialism that is provided by Quest, and the outstanding progress made by its pupils, ensures that pupils, on leaving Quest, have a greater level of independence and appropriate functional skills for their adult lives.
Furthermore, by providing appropriate local education, it avoids the need for local authorities to place pupils with complex needs in expensive residential placements, which may be located geographically distant from families. Hence a placement at Quest often means that families are kept together.
Page 2
The Quest School
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 July 2022
Achievements and performance
a. Main achievements of the Charity
The Quest School started in 2003 with 3 pupils and has grown steadily since then. At the end of July 2022, the school had a total of 24 pupils.
The school uses an ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis) approach, which is a specialist and research-based teaching methodology for pupils with autism. The school has a proven track record of achieving excellent outcomes for its pupils, most of whom face very significant challenges due to the severity of their autism and learning disabilities.
The school has robust processes for measuring pupil progress, including referencing against national standards for academic progress for pupils with Special Educational needs. The data shows that pupils at Quest consistently make excellent progress, when compared with pupils of similar learning profiles.
The school places great importance on developing functional skills for pupils, in order to promote independence and improve their quality of life. Pupils’ individual learning programmes include development of skills in the following areas:
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Academic learning;
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Language & Communication;
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Social and Community Functional skills;
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Independence skills
b. Key performance indicators
Ofsted Inspection March 2018
The most recent full Ofsted inspection in March 2018 judged the school to be Outstanding in every category, validating the accuracy and robustness of whole school self-evaluation processes, and whole school philosophy and endeavour of excellence and continuous improvement.
Key Performance Indicators (KPI's)
The school monitors Key Performance Indicators at Senior Leadership Team meetings, and at Boards of Management and Trustees. The whole school KPI's per month, reported to regular Board of Management and Trustee meetings include:
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Pupil: Numbers on roll, Attendance, Exclusions, Pupils ‘causing concern’, new pupil pipeline, overall number of challenging behaviour incidents, online safety incidents, Safeguarding concerns raised/referrals made;
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Staff: Numbers, Attendance, No. of probationers, No. of staff appraisals and 1:1 meetings; no of Low Level Concerns
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Finances: Cash balances, expenditure/income against budget, Grants & fundraising;
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Regulatory: Policy review and breaches, Issues/complaints, H&S incidents, Data Protection;
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Pupil Progress Summaries: tracks progress across all learning programmes (number of targets achieved) and behaviour interventions (number of behavioural incidents) for each individual pupil. This is monitored fortnightly at Senior Leadership meetings, and reported on at regular Board of Management & Trustee meetings.
Page 3
The Quest School
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 July 2022
Achievements and performance (continued)
Safeguarding
The school has 4 fully trained Safeguarding Leads (one Lead & 3 deputies), and 4 staff trained in Safer Recruitment practices. All school staff (including office based team) undertake (at least) annual training in Safeguarding, including online safety.
One of the school’s Trustees (until recently, a National Leader of school governance) is the designated Safeguarding Trustee, and undertakes a comprehensive annual audit of Safeguarding policy and practices, alongside the school Safeguarding team.
Staff are encouraged to report any safeguarding concerns, even if seemingly minor. These Record of Concerns are kept securely and confidentially, and monitored by the Safeguarding Leads. The number of concerns per month are reported to the Boards. If any subsequent action is required, such as a referral to Child Protection services, these decisions are taken by the Safeguarding Lead and Deputy. The number of referrals is also reported to the Boards.
During 2021-22, we introduced a new process for staff to report Low Level Concerns about other staff members; all concerns are monitored by the Safeguarding team and appropriate follow-up action is taken.
Pupil roll
The number of pupils on roll has been maintained, with a small number of leavers and joiners. The age profile remains positive, with greater numbers of younger pupils, likely to remain at the school for the entirety of their school life, hence providing a stable basis for continued school growth and provision.
Staffing
The school continues to employ high calibre staff as well as working with external ABA consultants, Speech & Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists on a consultancy basis, in order to enhance the learning of all pupils. Staff receive training in ABA, as well as relevant statutory training including Safeguarding, First Aid and Fire Safety Awareness. The school has continued with its planned leadership succession planning, with an Asst Head teacher and Lead teacher both now in roll.
During 2021-22, in line with many others in the Special Needs Education sector (and many other sectors in the economy), the school experienced a continued challenge in the recruitment and retention of staff. There were periods of time during the year in which there were staffing shortages on a day to day basis.
The Board of Management implemented a number of measures to help address the staffing issues, including:
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Revised staffing model and review of salaries,
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Staff appreciation and retention scheme
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Loyalty bonus schemes for new staff (see ‘section e Staff Pay Matters’ below)
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Introduction of an overall staff Well-being strategy, including a Well-being taskforce.
During 2021-22, the school also undertook work to review its vision, mission and values statements. This work was done with the collaboration of staff members and Trustees, who were all fully engaged with the process. The outcome was freshly defined vision, mission and value statements which reflect the ethos and ambition of our school.
Page 4
The Quest School
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 July 2022
Achievements and performance (continued)
c. Review of activities
Pupil Progress:
Despite all the operational challenges in recent years related to Covid-19 disruption, pupil progress data for 2021-22 shows that pupils continued to make excellent progress. Below are some examples of individual progress.
Examples of pupil progress:
Pupil A: At the start of 2021-22, Pupil A was non-verbal, with no functional means of communication (ie use of signs, or symbols). Pupil A showed behaviour such as absconding from the classroom, climbing on furniture, hitting staff. Pupil A did not have any ‘ready to learn’ skills: would not sit at a table, and pay attention to any teacher requests. Pupil A was not toilet trained, and wore pads.
During 2021-22, Pupil A has learned to communicate using a Proloquo2go (symbols-based, voice output device) to make requests and statements at a one-word key level and can at times use two-key words. Pupil A is no longer wearing pads and will now use the toilet appropriately, including making requests for the toilet independently. Pupil A will more willingly co-operate with teachers’ instructions, and sit at the table to work for longer periods. Pupil A will also join group activities, lessons and assemblies.
Pupil B: Over recent years, there have been a number of objectives for Pupil B:
To increase cooperation with staff instructions, and to reduce behaviours that challenge. To increase tolerance of making mistakes and getting things wrong. To tolerate wearing a wider range of clothing for longer periods of time.
Following an ABA programme of intervention:
Pupil B can now work for longer periods of time, before accessing reward time. Improvements in behaviour have enabled Pupil B to participate in 1:1, group lessons and offsite trips. Pupil B is able to work together with other pupils in a paired session. Pupil B has been able to form friendships with 2 other pupils. The frequency and intensity of challenging behaviour displayed by Pupil B has significantly reduced.
d. Fundraising activities and income generation
During 2021-22 Quest received donations from a number of individuals, either as one-off gifts or by regular standing order payments; these donations were unrestricted. All donations have been used to enhance the educational provision and experience for Quest pupils.
Funds from some of these donations, contributed to the re-configuration of the upstairs space, to provide extra office space upstairs and hence create additional classroom areas on the ground floor.
Page 5
The Quest School
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 July 2022
Financial review
a. Going concern
For the year 2021-22 there was a total income of £1,316,188 and expenditure of £1,152,133, with total funds increasing to £1,120,099. The income included £6,699 from fundraising and donations.
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.
The directors are pleased that numbers of pupils have remained healthy, with a small number of leavers and joiners during the year 2021-22, overall pupil roll remained stable at 24 pupils.
b. Reserves policy
The directors have established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets (‘the free reserves’) held by the charity should be sufficient to cover a range of potentially adverse scenarios, including winding up the charity should this be required in extremis. This latter amount, together with an amount held for future cost increases against fixed fee levels, is currently estimated as being £435,000 this equates to approximately 4-5 months’ operating expenses.
At this level, the directors feel that they would be able, in the event of a significant drop in pupil number and associated funding, to adjust as necessary the current activities of the charity. These reserves should also be sufficient to perform a managed wind up. The Directors have identified that, in the event of a very significant drop in pupil numbers, a slow ‘wind up’ of the charity would be required, given the significant needs of the pupils, and the potential difficulty in securing alternative educational provision.
The Trustees have therefore ring fenced these reserves as a ‘Contingency Fund', leaving a designated fixed asset and future premises fund of £592,217. The future premises funds have been accumulated in anticipation of the planned expansion of premises, given that the current premises are at full capacity and approaching the end of their current lease. As the property project progresses the trustees have made the decision to ring fence any spare unrestricted reserves from general funds at a pre-set limit of £40k and above. This will allow the charity to acheive a competitive advantage and act immediately if and when a suitable plot is identified.
The charity aims to manage any under or over provision of reserves over a rolling three year period. Any excess amounts will be deployed in benefiting the aims of the charity, namely through effective, good value educational provision for those impacted by autism
c. Material investments policy
The directors invest surplus cash in deposit funds. The policy is to utilise risk free investments which therefore do not generate significant returns but which are secure and available at notice to provide funds as and when required.
Page 6
The Quest School
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 July 2022
d. Principal risks and uncertainties
The school’s funding comes from local authorities, on a pupil by pupil basis. Fees are set at the time of entry for each pupil and amended at each Transition stage. Additional fees are charged if pupils have extra provision specified within their EHCP, such as for provision of direct therapies. There is currently a strong pipeline of pupil referrals, and all indicators from local authority strategy plans, is that the demand for educational places for pupils with ASD is continuing to increase.
The school’s main expenditure is on the teaching and support staff and these costs are determined by the number of pupils placed with the school.
As previously stated, there is a current challenge in terms of recruitment and retention of high calibre staff. This is in line with issues experienced nationally, as unemployment falls to very low levels.
e. Financial risk management objectives and policies
The school has a risk management strategy which comprises:
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The Management Board termly review of the risks that the charity might face: action plans are followed to ensure all risks are mitigated;
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The Board regularly discusses the risks the charity may face;
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The establishment of policies, systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified;
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The implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise.
The school monitors its cash flows very carefully and has prepared projections, which show that the school will have sufficient resources to meet its liabilities as they fall due over the next twelve months.
f. Principal funding
The principal funding is income from the local authorities for the education of children with autism.
Structure, governance and management
a. Constitution
The Quest School is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee. The governing document is the company memorandum and articles of association as amended by special resolution dated 2nd September 2004. The day to day management of the charity vests in the Board of Management (BoM), comprising 2 Trustees, the School Principal and the Company Secretary. The BoM report to the Board of Trustees, which is responsible for ensuring that the charity is operated in accordance with the Charity Commission requirements.
The Trustees meet at least three times a year to receive reports from the BoM and also engage directly with the School through an annual cycle of purposeful targeted visits linked to different areas of the school development plan, or to formal self-evaluation monitoring meetings. The Trustees are recruited to provide a cross section of backgrounds to give a broad basis of experiences to the charity. Where required the Trustees and Board of Management take input from a range of specialist individuals and organisations including for ABA, Speech & Language, Occupational Therapy, School Improvement Partner, IT, Legal, Accountancy, Health & Safety, HR & Employment matters.
Page 7
The Quest School
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 July 2022
Structure, governance and management (continued)
b. Methods of appointment or election of Trustees
The management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Trust deed.
A Board Effectiveness review was undertaken during 2019-20. The outcome from which concluded that there are many positive areas of Board effectiveness, however all agreed that diversity and Trustees succession were areas that needed further improvement.
A succession plan for the current Board of Trustees was also agreed, with a timeline for refreshing the Board members. The Board agreed that it would be ideal to add new Trustees before any of our current members step down; it was also agreed to pursue parental representation on the Board of Trustees; this was achieved with the appointment of Parent Trustee, Monica Plange in May 2021 and Susan Conway in October 2021.
The Board also agreed that Ian Martin and Pete Mepsted should continue in their respective roles of Chair and Deputy Chair.
c. Organisational structure and decision-making policies
Policy adherence and review:
The school maintains a regular cycle, monitored by the Board of Management, of reviewing all policies to ensure they remain current. Staff regularly sign a policy adherence confirmation to acknowledge that they comply with all school policies. Where any staff member had not complied with a particular aspect of policy, a log is made and appropriate action, such as additional coaching for staff, is implemented.
d. Policies adopted for the induction and training of Trustees
Induction of the new Trustee followed our usual induction process.
e. Staff pay matters
Salaries for Senior staff are set with reference to the state education pay scales for specialist schools. During 2019-20, the School became a recognised ‘Living Wage’ employer, and has continued this policy, ensuring increases to salary for the lowest paid staff increase in line with the Living Wage.
During 2019-20, the Board also agreed to the introduction of two staff appreciation and retention initiatives: an enhanced pension contribution matching scheme and a non-contractual five year ‘retention incentive’ payment scheme. During 2020-21 these schemes have continued to evolve, with new staff added. These schemes remain discretionary and are non-contractual.
In September 2021 a further scheme was introduced to reward new staff for their loyalty and dedication to Quest. New starters will receive a payment of £1000 after 2 years’ service, to be paid the term following completion of 2 full years’ service. An additional £1000 is paid following 2 more additional years’ service.
Starters who joined Quest after October 2020 and were not included in the Staff Appreciation and Retention Scheme are eligible for the New Staff Loyalty Bonus, and therefore will receive a £1000 payment after 2 years’ service.
The Board believe these schemes will be valuable in retaining the services of our talented and committed longserving staff upon whom Quest is dependent for the achievement of high quality pupil outcomes, and enabling such committed and loyal staff to adequately prepare for retirement. The retention of key staff is especially important as Quest transitions its leadership team.
Page 8
The Quest School
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 July 2022
Structure, governance and management (continued)
f. Related party relationships
The charity was founded by a number of families who had children with autism, having established that the needs of their children were not being met by any facility in the area. Two of these families are still active in the charity. Ian Martin is the Chair and his wife, Anne Martin, NPQH (National Professional Qualification in Headship) is the Head Teacher. Peter Mepsted is Director/Trustee and his wife, Ashley Carter Mepsted is the Head of Development & Projects. Peter also provides services to the School in relation to his occupation as a Health and Safety Consultant. All decisions relating to remuneration and employment of connected members of staff and consultants are taken by the Board of Trustees in their absence and in the absence of their spouses. Appropriate day to day operational controls and disclosures to Trustees are in place.
Plans for future periods
Future developments
During 2020-21, the Quest Board of Management updated its Strategy review to evaluate the level of demand locally for autistic specific autism provision. The outcome from this review, along with the historic and expected future growth in pupil numbers and continuing demand for places, demonstrates the ongoing need for a provision such as Quest. The projected demand within KCC for ASD provision is continuing to increase year on year.
During 2021-22 the school undertook a review to consider whether there was scope to contribute to provision of services for school leavers, within the Adult Service sector. The conclusion was that there was insufficient demand for the type of service we would have the capacity to provide, ie an outreach advice and support service to parents of young adults with autism. The majority of parents opt for a ‘package’ of support from an adult service provider, rather than continue with a form of personal budget or Direct Payments.
With the expansion of classroom space (referenced in the paragraph below) the school plans to apply to DfE for increased pupil registration during 2022-23.
Premises developments
The School operates from The Hop Farm at Paddock Wood and during the year we have continued our programme of ongoing redecoration and repairs to enable the continuing enhancement of the facilities for both pupils and staff.
During 2021-22, we re-configured the upstairs space in our current premises, to provide additional work spaces for staff, and to move office space out of a downstairs room. This allowed for extra classroom space to be created on the ground floor of the premises.
The cost for this refurbishment was £9,158, and was partly funded through donations.
The Board of Management agreed with the Trustees, the project plan for securing a longer term property solution, given the limited additional capacity of the current premises. The first phases of the project plan were completed during 2020-21, and during 2021-22, the search commenced for a new, expanded site.
Improvements to IT infrastructure
During 2021-22 the school has worked on the development of a new website, which is now nearing completion.
Page 9
The Quest School
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 July 2022
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities
The Trustees (who are also the directors of the Charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
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make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Disclosure of information to auditors
Each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when this Trustees' report is approved has confirmed that:
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so far as that Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditors are unaware, and
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that Trustee has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a Trustee in order to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditors are aware of that information.
Auditors
The auditors, Kreston Reeves LLP, have indicated their willingness to continue in office. The designated Trustees will propose a motion reappointing the auditors at a meeting of the Trustees.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on 10 March 2023 and signed on their behalf by:
I S J Martin (Chair of Trustees)
P C Mepsted (Trustee)
Page 10
The Quest School
(A company limited by guarantee)
Independent auditors' report to the Members of The Quest School
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of The Quest School (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 July 2022 which comprise the Statement of financial activities, the Balance sheet, the Statement of cash flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 July 2022 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Page 11
The Quest School (A company limited by guarantee)
Independent auditors' report to the Members of The Quest School (continued)
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the Annual report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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the information given in the Trustees' report is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements; or
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sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the Trustees' responsibilities statement, the Trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Page 12
The Quest School (A company limited by guarantee)
Independent auditors' report to the Members of The Quest School (continued)
Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors' report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities, including fraud
Based on our understanding of the Charity and the sector as a whole, and through discussion with the Trustees and other management (as required by auditing standards), we identified that the principal risks of noncompliance with laws and regulations related to Ofsted compliance, and Safeguarding. We considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Charities SORP (FRS 102) Second Edition (released October 2019), the Companies Act 2006 and other relevant charity legislation. We communicated identified laws and regulations throughout our team and remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit. We evaluated Trustees' and management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls) and determined that the principal risks related to posting inappropriate journal entries to increase revenue or reduce expenditure. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:
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Discussions with management and assessment of known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations (including health and safety) and fraud, and review of the reports made by management; and
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Assessment of identified fraud risk factors; and
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Identifying and assessing the design effectiveness of controls that management has in place to prevent and detect fraud; and
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Conducting interviews with appropriate personnel to gain further insight into the control systems implemented, and the risk of irregularity; and
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Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in its significant accounting estimates; and
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Performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships, including related party transactions, that may indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud; and
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Confirmation of related parties with management, and review of transactions throughout the period to identify any previously undisclosed transactions with related parties outside the normal course of business; and
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Reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance, reviewing internal audit reports and reviewing correspondence with relevant tax and regulatory authorities; and
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Review of internal controls and physical inspection of tangible assets susceptible to fraud or irregularity; and
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Review of significant and unusual transactions and evaluation of the underlying financial rationale supporting the transactions; and
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Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any manual entries made at the year end for financial statement preparation.
Page 13
The Quest School (A company limited by guarantee)
Independent auditors' report to the Members of The Quest School (continued)
As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:
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Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
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Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion of the effectiveness of the charitable company's internal control.
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Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the Trustees.
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Conclude on the appropriateness of the Trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our Auditors' report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our Auditors' report. However, future events or conditions may cause the charitable company to cease to continue as a going concern.
-
Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and its members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Kreston Reeves LLP Statutory Auditor Chartered Accountants Montague Place Quayside Chatham Maritime Chatham Kent ME4 4QU
23 March 2023
Kreston Reeves LLP are eligible to act as auditors in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.
Page 14
The Quest School
(A company limited by guarantee)
Statement of financial activities (incorporating income and expenditure account) For the year ended 31 July 2022
| Note Income from: Donations and legacies 4 Charitable activities 5 Investments 6 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 7 Total expenditure Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward |
Restricted funds 2022 £ - - - - 2,371 2,371 (2,371) 2,371 (2,371) - |
Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 6,699 1,306,777 2,712 1,316,188 1,149,762 1,149,762 166,426 953,673 166,426 1,120,099 |
Total funds 2022 £ 6,699 1,306,777 2,712 1,316,188 1,152,133 1,152,133 164,055 956,044 164,055 1,120,099 |
Total funds 2021 £ 6,440 1,185,344 80 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,191,864 | ||||
| 1,086,632 | ||||
| 1,086,632 | ||||
| 105,232 | ||||
| 850,812 105,232 |
||||
| 956,044 |
The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 18 to 32 form part of these financial statements.
Page 15
The Quest School
(A company limited by guarantee) Registered number: 04669567
Balance sheet As at 31 July 2022
| Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 10 Current assets Debtors 11 Investments 12 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 13 Net current assets Total net assets Charity funds Restricted funds 14 Unrestricted funds 14 Total funds |
9,453 700,000 471,989 1,181,442 (77,210) |
2022 £ 15,867 15,867 1,104,232 1,120,099 - 1,120,099 1,120,099 |
9,102 473,000 501,879 983,981 (53,050) |
2021 £ 25,113 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25,113 930,931 |
||||
| 956,044 | ||||
| 2,371 953,673 |
||||
| 956,044 |
The entity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.
The members have not required the entity to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
However, an audit is required in accordance with section 144 of the Charities Act 2011.
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 10 March 2023 and signed on their behalf by:
I S J Martin (Chair of Trustees)
P C Mepsted (Trustee)
The notes on pages 18 to 32 form part of these financial statements.
Page 16
The Quest School
(A company limited by guarantee)
| Statement of cash flows For the year ended 31 July 2022 Cash flows from operating activities Net cash used in operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Dividends, interests and rents from investments Proceeds from the sale of tangible fixed assets Purchase of tangible fixed assets Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities Cash flows from financing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year |
2022 £ 201,197 2,712 9,201 (16,000) (4,087) 197,110 974,879 1,171,989 |
2021 £ 147,110 |
|---|---|---|
| 80 - - |
||
| 80 | ||
| 147,190 827,689 |
||
| 974,879 |
The notes on pages 18 to 32 form part of these financial statements
Page 17
The Quest School
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 July 2022
1. General information
The Quest School is a charity and a company limited by guarantee incorporated in England. The charity's registered office Montague Place, Quayside, Chatham Maritime, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4QU. The principal activity of the charity is to provide specialist, individualised education services to children with autism.
2. Accounting policies
2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
The Quest School meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
2.2 Company Status
The charity is a company limited by guarantee. The members of the charity are the Trustees named on page 1. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity.
2.3 Going concern
The Trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the Charity to continue as a going concern. The Trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of at least one year from the date of authorisation for issue of the financial statements and have concluded that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and there are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern, thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
2.4 Income
All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
School fee income is accounted for on a receivable basis and consists of charges billed to local authorities for the school year 31 July 2022. Fees received for education to be provided in future years are carried forward as deferred income. Fees received in advance of education to be provided in future years under an advance fee payment scheme contract are held as interest bearing liabilities until either taken to income in the term when used or refunded.
Donations are recognised on a receivable basis where receipt is probable and the amount can be reliably measured.
Investment income is accounted for in the period in which the school is entitled to receipt.
Page 18
The Quest School
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 July 2022
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.5 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Support costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the company and include project management carried out at Headquarters.
Costs of generating funds are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.
Charitable activities and Governance costs are costs incurred on the company's operations, including support costs and costs relating to the governance of the company apportioned to charitable activities.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
2.6 Interest receivable
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.
2.7 Taxation
The Charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the Charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
Page 19
The Quest School (A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 July 2022
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.8 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.
Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.
At each reporting date the Charity assesses whether there is any indication of impairment. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is determined to be the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. An impairment loss is recognised where the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount.
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method and reducing balance method..
Depreciation is provided on the following bases:
| Freehold property | - Over term of lease |
|---|---|
| Motor vehicles | - 20% reducing balance |
| Fixtures and fittings | - 25% reducing balance |
| Computer equipment | - 33% straight line |
2.9 Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
2.10 Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
2.11 Liabilities and provisions
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.
2.12 Financial instruments
The Charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Page 20
The Quest School
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 July 2022
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.13 Operating leases
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of financial activities on a straightline basis over the lease term.
2.14 Pensions
The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the Charity to the fund in respect of the year.
2.15 Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.
Page 21
The Quest School (A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 July 2022
3. Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgment
Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
Critical accounting estimates and assumptions:
The Charity makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.
Tangible fixed assets
The charity has recognised tangible fixed assets with a carrying value of £15,867 (see note 10). These assets are stated at their cost less provision for depreciation and impairment. The annual depreciation charge for tangible fixed assets is sensitive to changes in the estimated useful lives and residual values of the assets. The useful economic lives and residual values are re- assessed annually. They are amended when necessary to reflect current estimates, based on technological advancement, future investments, economic utilisation and the physical condition of the assets.
Critical areas of judgment:
Lease commitments
The charity has entered into a range of lease commitments in respect of property and equipment. The classification of these leases as either financial or operating leases requires the Trustees to consider whether the terms and conditions of each lease are such that the charity has acquired the risks and rewards associated with the ownership of the underlying assets.
4. Income from donations and legacies
| Donations Grants Total 2021 |
Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 6,699 - 6,699 6,440 |
Total funds 2022 £ 6,699 - 6,699 6,440 |
Total funds 2021 £ 5,332 1,108 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6,440 | |||
Page 22
The Quest School
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 July 2022
5. Income from charitable activities
| Educational operations Investment income Deposit account interest Total 2021 Analysis of expenditure by activities Educational operations Total 2021 |
Activities undertaken directly 2022 £ 996,492 864,810 |
Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 1,306,777 Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 2,712 80 Support costs 2022 £ 155,641 221,822 |
Total funds 2022 £ 1,306,777 Total funds 2022 £ 2,712 80 Total funds 2022 £ 1,152,133 1,086,632 |
Total funds 2021 £ 1,185,344 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total funds 2021 £ 80 |
||||
| Total funds 2021 £ 1,086,632 |
||||
6. Investment income
7. Analysis of expenditure by activities
Page 23
The Quest School (A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 July 2022
7. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)
Analysis of direct costs
| Staff costs Educational supplies and activities Staff development and recruitment Educational consultancy Curriculum development Postage and stationery Other consultancy Total 2022 Total 2021 Analysis of support costs Depreciation Insurance Rent and rates Light and heat Repairs and renewals Cleaning costs Telephone Postage and stationery IT expenditure Legal and professional Statutory enquiries Accountancy Travel costs Profit on disposal Other support costs Total 2022 Total 2021 |
Educational operations 2022 £ 905,659 4,503 27,548 15,433 1,696 10,303 31,350 996,492 864,810 Educational operations 2022 £ 20,880 8,733 40,800 11,961 18,894 11,396 3,685 3,808 19,835 2,576 3,966 10,551 3,196 (4,834) 194 155,641 221,822 |
Total funds 2022 £ 905,659 4,503 27,548 15,433 1,696 10,303 31,350 996,492 864,810 Total funds 2022 £ 20,880 8,733 40,800 11,961 18,894 11,396 3,685 3,808 19,835 2,576 3,966 10,551 3,196 (4,834) 194 155,641 221,822 |
Total funds 2021 £ 795,290 90 14,152 13,126 2,363 12,109 27,680 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 864,810 | |||
| Total funds 2021 £ 22,703 7,198 38,300 10,695 81,428 12,998 3,519 3,019 18,819 2,712 4,816 9,818 2,655 - 3,142 |
|||
| 221,822 | |||
Page 24
The Quest School (A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 July 2022
7. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)
Analysis of support costs (continued)
During the year ended 31 July 2021, the charity incurred the following Governance costs:
£1,500 (2021 - £1,400) included within the table above under Accountancy, in respect of Accountancy fees.
£7,113 (2021 - £6,430) included within the table above under Accountancy, in respect of Audit fees.
8. Staff costs
| Wages and salaries Social security costs Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes |
2022 £ 802,277 57,261 46,121 905,659 |
2021 £ 702,417 53,350 39,523 |
|---|---|---|
| 795,290 |
The average number of persons employed by the Charity during the year was as follows:
| Management Administration Teaching |
2022 No. 3 1 35 39 |
2021 No. 3 2 33 |
|---|---|---|
| 38 |
No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.
The total employee benefits (including employer pension contributions and employer national insurance contributions) received by key management personnel for their services to the charity was £170,038 (2021: £141,038), of which £15,647 (2021: £11,827) was employer national insurance contributions.
9. Trustees' remuneration and expenses
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2021 - £NIL).
During the year ended 31 July 2022, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2021 - £NIL).
Page 25
The Quest School (A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 July 2022
10. Tangible fixed assets
| Cost or valuation At 1 August 2021 Additions Disposals At 31 July 2022 Depreciation At 1 August 2021 Charge for the year On disposals At 31 July 2022 Net book value At 31 July 2022 At 31 July 2021 |
Motor vehicles £ 36,765 16,000 (36,765) 16,000 32,289 2,507 (32,398) 2,398 13,602 4,476 |
Fixtures and fittings £ 42,767 - - 42,767 37,177 3,325 - 40,502 2,265 5,590 |
Computer equipment £ 21,299 - - 21,299 21,299 - - 21,299 - - |
Other fixed assets £ 231,910 - - 231,910 216,863 15,047 - 231,910 - 15,047 |
Total £ 332,741 16,000 (36,765) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 311,976 | |||||
| 307,628 20,879 (32,398) |
|||||
| 296,109 | |||||
| 15,867 | |||||
| 25,113 |
11. Debtors
| Due within one year Prepayments and accrued income |
2022 £ 9,453 9,453 |
2021 £ 9,102 |
|---|---|---|
| 9,102 |
12. Current asset investments
Fixed term deposit
| 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|
| £ | £ |
| 700,000 | 473,000 |
Page 26
The Quest School
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 July 2022
13. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
| Trade creditors Other taxation and social security Other creditors Accruals and deferred income |
2022 £ 32,047 13,858 5,340 25,965 77,210 |
2021 £ 27,342 13,010 4,815 7,883 |
|---|---|---|
| 53,050 |
Page 27
The Quest School (A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 July 2022
14. Statement of funds
Statement of funds - current year
| Unrestricted funds Designated funds Designated fixed asset and property fund General funds General Fund Fundraising Fund Contingency Fund Staff retention fund Total Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Awards for All grant Total of funds |
Balance at 1 August 2021 £ 416,220 24,000 16,453 418,000 79,000 537,453 953,673 2,371 956,044 |
Income £ - 1,311,388 4,800 - - 1,316,188 1,316,188 - 1,316,188 |
Expenditure £ (15,159) (1,113,350) (21,253) - - (1,134,603) (1,149,762) (2,371) (1,152,133) |
Transfers in/out £ 199,038 (182,038) - 17,000 (34,000) (199,038) - - - |
Balance at 31 July 2022 £ 600,099 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40,000 - 435,000 45,000 |
|||||
| 520,000 | |||||
| 1,120,099 | |||||
| - | |||||
| 1,120,099 |
Page 28
The Quest School
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 July 2022
14. Statement of funds (continued)
Statement of funds - prior year
| Unrestricted funds Designated funds Designated fixed asset and property fund General funds General Fund Fundraising Fund Contingency Fund Staff retention fund Total Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Awards for All grant The Bailey Thomas Foundation Total of funds |
Balance at 1 August 2020 £ 320,292 22,327 16,453 413,000 70,000 521,780 842,072 4,740 4,000 8,740 850,812 |
Income £ - 1,191,864 - - - 1,191,864 1,191,864 - - - 1,191,864 |
Expenditure £ (19,072) (1,061,191) - - - (1,061,191) (1,080,263) (2,369) (4,000) (6,369) (1,086,632) |
Transfers in/out £ 115,000 (129,000) - 5,000 9,000 (115,000) - - - - - |
Balance at 31 July 2021 £ 416,220 24,000 16,453 418,000 79,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 537,453 | |||||
| 953,673 | |||||
| 2,371 - |
|||||
| 2,371 | |||||
| 956,044 |
Page 29
The Quest School (A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 July 2022
14. Statement of funds (continued)
The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:
Designated fixed asset and property funds represent the funds held to support the current and future development of the school's property.
Fundraising fund are funds raised by the school and its sponsors throughout the year and are applied specifically to enrich the educational experience of its pupils.
Contingency funds are reserved as part of the charity's future planning to ensure that in the event of a significant drop in funding the reserves will be sufficient enough to perform a managed windup, that takes care of the significant needs of the pupils and any potential difficulties in securing an alternative educational provision.
Restricted funds comprises of grants received within the year that are to be specifically applied to the provision of educational equipment for the pupils. For the current period this includes funds held for the purchase of a new music trail for the playground.
15. Analysis of net assets between funds
Analysis of net assets between funds - current year
| Tangible fixed assets Current assets Creditors due within one year Total |
Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 15,867 1,181,442 (77,210) 1,120,099 |
Total funds 2022 £ 15,867 1,181,442 (77,210) |
|---|---|---|
| 1,120,099 |
Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year
| Tangible fixed assets Current assets Creditors due within one year Total |
Restricted funds 2021 £ 2,371 - - 2,371 |
Unrestricted funds 2021 £ 22,742 983,981 (53,050) 953,673 |
Total funds 2021 £ 25,113 983,981 (53,050) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 956,044 |
Page 30
The Quest School (A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 July 2022
16. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities
| Net income for the year (as per Statement of Financial Activities) Adjustments for: Depreciation charges Dividends, interests and rents from investments Loss/(profit) on the sale of fixed assets Increase in debtors Increase in creditors Net cash provided by operating activities |
2022 £ 164,055 20,879 (2,712) (4,834) (351) 32,042 209,079 |
2021 £ 105,232 |
|---|---|---|
| 22,703 (80) - (2,392) 21,647 |
||
| 147,110 |
17. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
| Cash in hand Liquid investments Total cash and cash equivalents |
2022 £ 471,989 700,000 1,171,989 |
2021 £ 501,879 473,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 974,879 |
18. Analysis of changes in net debt
| Cash at bank and in hand Liquid investments |
At 1 August 2021 £ 501,879 473,000 974,879 |
Cash flows £ (29,890) 227,000 197,110 |
At 31 July 2022 £ 471,989 700,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,171,989 |
19. Pension commitments
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the charity to the fund and amounted to £46,121 (2021 - £39,523). Contributions totalling £5,340 (2021 - £4,815) were payable to the fund at the balance sheet date and are included in creditors.
Page 31
The Quest School
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 July 2022
20. Operating lease commitments
At 31 July 2022 the Charity had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating leases as follows:
| 2022 | 2021 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| Not later than | 1 | year | 32,300 | 7,435 |
21. Related party transactions
A E Martin, spouse of I S J Martin, a trustee, is employed by the charity as Principal. A E Martin’s employment continues in open competition and I S J Martin is not involved in decision's relating to performance review and terms of employment. A E Martin is paid within the normal pay scale for her role and receives no special treatment as a result of her relationship to a trustee.
A Carter-Mepsted, spouse of P C Mepsted, a trustee, is employed by the charity as Head of Development and Projects. A Carter-Mepsted’s employment continues in open competition and P C Mepsted is not involved in decisions relating to performance review and terms of employment. A Carter-Mepsted is paid within the normal pay scale for her role and receives no special treatment as a result of her relationship to a trustee.
L Duvall, sister of A Carter-Mepsted and P C Mepsted, a trustee, is employed by the charity as the Finance Manager. L Duvall’s employment continues in open competition and neither A Carter-Mepsted or P C Mepsted are involved in decisions relating to performance review and terms of employment. L Duvall is paid within the normal pay scale for her role and receives no special treatment as a result of her relationship to a trustee.
P Mepsted, a trustee of the charity, invoiced the charity £31,350 (2021: £30,555), for the provision of property, health and safety and other consultancy services.
P Barnett, a trustee of the charity, invoiced the charity £2,520 (2021: £2,800) for the provision of school improvement services.
All of the above transactions were approved by the Board of Trustees and are documented in the Trustees minutes.
Page 32