## **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**
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SORP reference
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|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:
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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
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## 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:
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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
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## **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:
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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
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## **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**
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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
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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**
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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
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## **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,:
- the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
- the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
- the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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.
* _Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply._
**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**