OpenCharities

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

2025-08-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From Period start date 01/09/24 To Period end date 31/08/25 Charity name: Cambridge Russian School Charity registration number: 1121075

Objectives and Activities

----- Start of picture text -----
SORP reference
----- End of picture text -----

Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document		 Para 1.17 •
To advance public education in the
Russian language and culture.
•
To support the education of pupils at
Cambridge Russian School by
providing, or assisting in the
provision of, educational facilities
and resources.
Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or
services identified in the
accounts.		 Para 1.17 and
1.19		 The academic year 2024–2025 was a
strong and productive year for Cambridge
Russian School, characterised by a range of
new educational and community initiatives,
alongside the successful delivery of our
established programmes. While the School
faced some operational and organisational
challenges during the year, these were
effectively managed through the
commitment of staff, volunteers and
trustees, allowing the charity to continue
developing and providing high-quality
educational and cultural opportunities for
children and families. Our students
achieved excellent academic results,
particularly in Russian GCSE and A-Level
examinations.

Throughout the year, the School continued
to provide a broad and enriching
educational programme. In addition to
Russian language and literature lessons
and examination preparation classes,
students had access to a variety of
vocational, creative and enrichment
activities, including programming, robotics,
drama, piano, art and chess. The School
also continued to offer Russian language
classes for adults.
The School operated effectively and
efficiently under the leadership of Director
Jelena Carter and Senior Administrator
Marina Olefir,supported bya dedicated
team of staff and volunteers. Trustees and
administrators held a total of nine
governance meetings during the year (five
online and four in person) to oversee the
charity's activities, financial management
and strategic development.

Key Highlights of the Year
• Open trial lessons for new and
prospective families at the start of
the academic year.
• Halloween-themed educational and
cultural activities.
• Educational visits to the Fitzwilliam
Museum, including programmes on
Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt, the
Ancient East, the Chinese Zodiac
and Renaissance art, combined with
creative workshops and sketching
activities.
• Participation in the Cambridge
Community School Leadership
Forum, strengthening collaboration
with other supplementary schools
and heritage language
organisations.
• Revival of the School Recitation
Contest, encouraging public
speaking, language development
and appreciation of literature among
pupils.
• Distribution of a creative Advent
colouring calendar designed
especially for the school community.
• Christmas and New Year
celebrations featuring concerts, arts
and crafts activities, games and
festive events for pupils and families.
• Delivery of the "Meetings with
Professionals" programme, offering
career and educational guidance to
students and parents through talks
by experienced professionals from
education, careers and business
sectors.
• Educational theatre trip for students
and families to attend the musical
_Oliver!_in London.
• Celebration of Maslenitsa, promoting
Russian cultural heritage and
traditions through music, games,
crafts and community activities.
• Outdoor art workshop in
Grantchester, providing opportunities
for creative learning in a natural
environment.
• Celebration of the School's 26th
anniversary.
•
Open Day welcoming prospective
families and members of the wider
community.
•
Poetry Evening promoting literary
appreciation, creativity and cultural
engagement.
•
Calligraphy Workshop as part of the
"33 Letters" project, encouraging
language, literacy and artistic
development.
•
End-of-year Sports Day involving
pupils, staff and families in team
games and physical wellbeing
activities.

AGM and Trustees election been
organised at school. 07/06/25

These activities contributed significantly to
the charity's objectives by advancing
education, promoting Russian language and
culture, supporting children's personal
development, and strengthening community
engagement among families in Cambridge
and the surrounding area.
Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit		 Para 1.18 The school operates as a not-for-profit
organisation. For many years we have been
striving to keep lesson fees to the minimum
to keep attending the school affordable to
as many families as possible. For families
facing hardships, we offer payments in
instalments and partial bursary payments.
We offered money returns and postponed
payments for families who’s been more
than others affected by cost-ofliving crisis.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference

Policy on grant making
Para 1.38

Policy on social investment
including program related
investment
Para 1.38

Contribution made by Para 1.38 volunteers Other

Achievements and Performance

SORP reference



Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.



Para 1.20		 During the year, the charity expanded its
programme of educational, cultural and
community activities, many of which were
open to the wider public and benefited
families beyond the School's immediate
membership. These activities promoted
educational attainment, cultural awareness,
social inclusion and community
engagement.
The "Meetings with Professionals"
programme provided careers and
educational guidance to students, parents
and members of the wider community
through talks and discussions with
experienced professionals from education,
business and other sectors. Participants
gained valuable insights into career
planning, further education and
employment opportunities, helping young
people make informed decisions about their
futures.
The School organised an educational
theatre trip to London to see the musical
Oliver!, allowing students and families to
engage with the performing arts and
develop a broader appreciation of literature,
music and theatre.
A public Maslenitsa celebration brought
together students, families and members of
the local community to celebrate cultural
traditions through music, games, crafts and
shared activities. The event promoted
cultural understanding, social cohesion and
intergenerational participation.
The charity also delivered an outdoor art
workshop in Grantchester, providing
children and young people with
opportunities to develop their artistic skills,
engage with the natural environment and
participate in creative learning outside the
classroom.

Through these and other activities, the charity continued to advance education, promote cultural heritage, encourage lifelong learning and strengthen community engagement, delivering benefits both to its direct beneficiaries and to the wider public. Various classes presented their work at School’s end-of-year celebration/ Open Day

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

----- Start of picture text -----
We achieved a healthy financial outcome
despite a challenging operating
environment, with much of the pressure
Achievements against
objectives set Para 1.41 arising from the ongoing cost-of-living
crisis. During the year, the School also
experienced significant staffing changes,
including the retirement of several teachers
and periods of maternity leave within the
teaching team. Through effective planning
and recruitment, we were successful in
maintaining full class provision and
ensuring continuity of learning for our
students by appointing suitable
replacement teachers. In addition, trustees
provided practical support on a voluntary
basis, assisting in classrooms as teaching
assistants when required to help maintain
the quality and consistency of our
educational programmes.
Fundraising activities are incidental to the
Performance of fundraising school income and no specific objectives
activities against objectives have been set.
set
Para 1.41
See below
Investment performance
against objectives Para 1.41
Other
----- End of picture text -----

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of theperiod		 Para 1.21 The charity generated a good surplus for
the year, which will enhance its resilience to
adverse changes in circumstances.
Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
statingwhytheyare held		 Para 1.22 Reserves level of £30,000 was agreed at
the end of year 2023-24. Another addition
to reserves will be considered thisyear.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 £30,000
Reasons for holding zero
reserves		 Para 1.22 N/A
Details of fund materially in
deficit		 Para 1.24 N/A
Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern		 Para 1.23 N/A

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

----- Start of picture text -----
The Charity’s principal source of funds is the
school fees paid by parents, the key costs are
The charity’s principal paying freelance teachers and administra�on
sources of funds (including and ren�ng the premises.
any fundraising) Para 1.47
No investment ac�vity is currently undertaken
other than a use of a savings account.
Investment policy and
This will be reviewed in the forthcoming year.
objectives including any
social investment policy Para 1.46
adopted
The principal risk is availability and cost of
school premises, which are extremely hard to
A description of the principal replace due to the size of the school.
risks facing the charity Para 1.46 Increase in rental costs will have detrimental
impact on the school’s ability to fund itself.
Other
----- End of picture text -----

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document
(trust deed,royal charter)		 Para 1.25
 Cons�tu�on
How is the charity
constituted?(e.g
unincorporated
association,CIO)
Para 1.25		 How is the charity
constituted?(e.g
unincorporated
association,CIO)
Para 1.25		 Associa�on
Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled to
appoint one or more trustees
Para 1.25		 Elected by members

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

----- Start of picture text -----
Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction
and training of trustees Para 1.51
The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the Para 1.51
charity works
Relationship with any related
parties Para 1.51
Other
----- End of picture text -----

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name Other name the charity uses Registered charity number Charity’s principal address

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

----- Start of picture text -----
Dates acted if not for whole Name of person (or body) entitled
Trustee name Office (if any)
year to appoint trustee (if any)
1 Aleksei Komarov Chair
2 Suzy Brandes Treasurer
3
Artem Babayan
4
Artem Babayan
5
Artem
6 Blagodarenko
7 Svetlana Shmeleva
8 Stanislav Protasov 14.06.2025
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
----- End of picture text -----

Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of Name Address adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Miss Suzy Brandes Position (eg Secretary, Mr Aleksei Komarov Chair, etc) Chair of the Trustee Board Treasurer Date 30/06/2026

Profit and Loss comparatives

----- Start of picture text -----
Cambridge Russian School P&L 2024-2025 Cambridge Russian School P&L 2023-2024
Course fees and sundry 124,104.00 Course fees and sundry 111,547.47
Donations/fundraising 195.32 Donations/fundraising
Traders fees, tea/coffee 1,873.22 Traders fees, tea/coffee 1,956.46
Interest 1,098.74 Interest 889.73
Total income 127,271.28 Total income 114,393.66
Salaries - 68,176.38 Salaries - 66,696.46
Admin salaries - 22,204.93 Admin salaries - 15,352.72
Rent - 10,964.00 Rent - 16,446.00
Travel expenses - 654.31 Travel expenses - 725.50
Print and Photocopy - 2,256.73 Print and Photocopy - 1,300.84
Teaching materials - 2,401.30 Teaching materials - 89.53
School events&camps - 5,645.35 School events - 2,067.09
Gifts for teachers - 702.16 Gifts for teachers - 207.07
Admin expenses - 773.80 Admin expenses - 301.16
Insurance - 269.82 Insurance - 323.78
Refunds - 161.00 Refunds - 301.00
Gifts for students - 1,642.38 Gifts for students - 1,186.26
Exams 325.00 Exams - 240.00
Total expenditure - 115,527.16 Total expenditure - 105,237.41
Prior year adjustment - 900.00
Profit/(loss) for the year 10,844.12 Profit/(loss) for the year 9,156.25
----- End of picture text -----

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of Cambridge Russian School On accounts for the year 2024-25 Charity no 1121075 ended (if any) Set out on pages 1 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended DD / MM / YYYY .

Responsibilities and As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent [The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to examiner's statement undertake the examination by being a qualified member of [insert name of applicable listed body]]. Delete [ ] if not applicable.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect,:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: Name: Olena Lukina Relevant professional TA Level 2 qualification(s) or body (if any):

Date: 30/06/2026

1

October 2018

IER

Address:

22 Aingens Lane Cambridge CB4 3FU

Section B Disclosure

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).

Give here details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

None

2

October 2018

IER