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2025-08-31-accounts

Registered number: 06604325 Charity number: 1125907

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR ABLE CHILDREN IN EDUCATION (A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

for the year ended

31st August 2025

Wenn Townsend

Chartered Accountants

Oxford

National Association For Able Children In Education (A company limited by guarantee)

Contents

Page
Reference and Administrative Details 1
Trustees’ Report 2 – 10
Independent Examiner’s Report 11
Statement of Financial Activities 12
Balance Sheet 13
Notes to the Financial Statements 14 - 23

National Association For Able Children In Education (A company limited by guarantee)

Reference and Administrative Details

Trustees Amy Whittall, Chair
Hilary Lowe, Vice-Chair
Robin Bevan (appointed 5th June 2025)
Steve Clarke (resigned 1st November 2024)
Barbara Firth (appointed 25th September 2024)
Sally Hannah
Robert Jones (appointed 5th June 2025)
David McPhail (resigned 4th April 2025)
Sue Mordecai
Steven Ramsey (appointed 25th September 2024)
Lesley Taylor (resigned 4th April 2025)
Natalie Voss (appointed 5th June 2025)
Company Registered Number 06604325
Charity Registered Number 1125907
Registered Office NACE National Office
Horticulture House
Manor Court
Chilton
Didcot
Oxfordshire
OX11 0RN
Company Secretary Steve Clarke (appointed 1st November 2024)
Chief Executive Officer Robert Lightfoot
Independent Examiner Benjamin Hayes FCA
Wenn Townsend
30 St Giles
Oxford
OX1 3LE
Bankers Lloyds TSB Bank plc
Carfax
1 High Street
Oxford
OX1 4AA

Page 1

National Association For Able Children In Education

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees’ Report for the year ended 31st August 2025

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31st August 2025. The annual report serves the purposes of both a Trustees’ report and a Directors’ report in accordance with company law. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Constitution

The charity is also a company limited by guarantee. The charitable company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association are the primary governing documents of the charity. The charitable company is known as The National Association for Able Children in Education.

The Trustees are also the Directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law. Details of the Trustees who served throughout the year are included in the Reference and Administrative Details set out on page 1.

Members’ Liability

Each member of the charitable company undertakes to contribute to the assets of the charitable company in the event of it being wound up while they are a member, or within one year after they ceased to be a member, such amount as may be required, not exceeding £1, for the debts and liabilities contracted before they ceased to be a member.

Trustees’ Indemnities

In accordance with normal commercial practice, the charity has procured insurance to protect Trustees and officers from claims arising from negligent acts as well as errors or omissions occurring whilst on charity business. The insurance provides professional indemnity cover up to £1,000,000 and charity trustee liability cover of up to £500,000.

Method of Recruitment and Appointment or Election of Trustees

The charity’s Articles of Association currently specify that the number of Trustees shall not be less than 3, but (unless otherwise determined by ordinary resolution) the number of Trustees shall not be subject to any maximum. One third (or the number nearest to one third) of the Trustees must retire every two years. Subject to remaining eligible to be a Trustee, a retiring Trustee may be re-appointed. As a result of a review of the Articles at the Board meeting in November 2022 it was agreed that the maximum term of office for a Trustee should be 9 years, with 2 cycles of 3 years with the option of a further 1, 2 or 3 years.

All Trustees must be individuals rather than corporate bodies and all Trustees must be over 18 years of age. The Members may, at any time by ordinary resolution, appoint as a Trustee a person who is eligible and is willing to act as a Trustee. Co-opted Trustees may be appointed mid-year if it is felt necessary to fill a vacancy or to balance the level of skills contained within the Board. Co-opted Trustees shall hold office only for one year although he / she may be elected in accordance with the terms of the Articles. Trustees do not have to be members of the Association.

Policies and Procedures Adopted for the Induction and Training of Trustees

All Trustees receive a general introduction to the charity, its organisation, structures and employees. They are provided with copies of policies, procedures, minutes, accounts, budgets, plans and other documents that they will need to undertake their role as Trustees. As there are normally only one or two new Trustee appointments each year, induction tends to be done informally and is tailored specifically to the individual. Advantage is taken of specific courses offered by various external organisations as appropriate. Feedback from courses is delivered at Board Meetings.

Page 2

National Association For Able Children In Education (A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees’ Report (continued) for the year ended 31st August 2025

Organisational Structure

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance of the charity. It sets the general strategy and business plans for the charity, approves an annual budget, monitors performance against the plans and budgets and makes major decisions about strategy, charity development and senior staff appointments. The Trustees’ policy is to meet at least 4 times each year. During the period covered by this report, there was a mix of online and face-to-face meetings. Four Board meetings were held in total during the financial year. Regular meetings were also held between the Chair, Vice-Chair, finance trustee and CEO to monitor and adapt the organisation’s response to schools’ priorities, and the charity’s evolving strategy and activities.

The Board of Trustees appoint members to both HR and Education sub-committees who then convene to elect their respective Chair and Deputy Chair. Terms of Reference setting out particular responsibilities for sub-committees are agreed by the Board of Trustees and reviewed annually. The Chair of each Committee reports to the Board of Trustees as appropriate and necessary.

The Trustees have delegated the day-to-day management of the charity to Robert Lightfoot, the Chief Executive Officer. The Trustees consider the Chief Executive Officer to be the key manager of the Charity responsible for directing, controlling, managing and operating the Charity on a day-to-day basis. The pay of the key manager is reviewed annually by the Board of Trustees.

Appointments and retirements

Dr David McPhail and Dr Lesley Taylor resigned as Trustees in April 2025. Steve Clarke also resigned from his role as a trustee to become NACE’s Company Secretary. We were delighted to appoint Dr Robin Bevan, Rob Jones and Natalie Voss as new trustees in June 2025. Rob Jones has taken on the role of finance trustee.

Arrangements for Setting Pay and Remuneration of the Key Management Personnel

The HR Committee oversees staffing of the head office facility. During the past financial year we have received 3 resignations from the office team; Helen Rae in October 2024, Seema Singh in April 2025 and Emma Peacock in June 2025. We wish them all well in their new roles. We were delighted to appoint Shivani Kokkonda as our new Community and Marketing Administrator in June 2025 and Becki Ellsmore as our new Marketing and Brand Executive in July 2025.

Payment to Trustees

All Trustees give of their time freely and no Trustee received any remuneration in the current or prior year for their role as Trustees. Details of allowed expenses and other amounts paid to Trustees are disclosed in note 9 to the financial statements.

Related Parties and Other Connected Charities and Organisations

There are no related parties or connected organisations which either control or significantly influence the decisions and operations of the charity.

Page 3

National Association For Able Children In Education (A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees’ Report (continued) for the year ended 31st August 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objects and Aims

The principal object of the Charity, as set out in its Articles of Association, is the advancement of education of able, gifted and talented children attending maintained primary and secondary schools in the United Kingdom and in other countries in particular by:

The principal function of the Association is to support those involved in the education of able, gifted and talented pupils, and in particular teachers who are working with these young people on a daily basis.

Objectives, Strategies and Activities

The key priorities for each year are contained in the charity’s strategic plan. The strategic plan is reviewed annually by the Trustees and the key activities for each year are determined as a result of that review.

The key activities of the charity for the year ended 31st August 2025 were as follows:

Membership: As a membership organisation, NACE continued to review its membership base to take account of the changing nature of members, both nationally and internationally, and, consequently, their requirements whilst focusing on the specific aims and objectives of the Association. Retention of members and seeking opportunities to supply support services remained a key objective.

Research: NACE began the third phase of its research programme on creating cognitively challenging learning. The third phase of the project focused on removing barriers to opportunity and achievement, focusing on the needs of learners who encounter disadvantage in any of its many forms. The resulting publication combines an overview of the relevant research in this field along with a large number of case studies from NACE member schools. Calling for a move away from fixed labels, preconceptions and “deficit thinking”, it shows what is possible when schools turn their attention to identifying and removing systemic barriers – changing the national statistics, one life at a time.

Partnerships: Existing partnerships were re-evaluated with the aim of maintaining, managing or adapting existing arrangements. Well-established partnerships were further deepened whilst potential opportunities that could be of future value to NACE were identified, explored and pursued.

Services: NACE continued to promote the services that it offers, including the Challenge Award, the Challenge Development Programme, bespoke CPD and consultancy provision. Further training took place to maximise the NACE on-demand course offer to support school leaders and practitioners in creating cognitively challenging classrooms.

Communications: The marketing activities undertaken by NACE during the year focused on the promotion of the services described above and encouraging their take-up. NACE has invested in this area of its work with 2 new appointments to the office team.

Use of Volunteers: Volunteers are used on an occasional basis but voluntary input is not a significant factor in the operations of the organisation.

Page 4

National Association For Able Children In Education (A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees’ Report (continued) for the year ended 31st August 2025

Public Benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirement in the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit in exercising their powers and duties. They have referred to this guidance when reviewing the charity’s objects and aims and in planning its future activities and are satisfied that the charity’s activities comply with this guidance and are of public benefit.

Fundraising

The Charity is now set up with Just Giving and registered to receive gift-aid contributions. A number of small donations have been received. We also work with a generous private sponsor, using their funds to support state comprehensive and primary schools in the area of the West Midlands.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

The charity continues to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing sector in which it operates. The charity is committed to continual improvement which it achieves in a number of ways, including improvement planning, review meetings, beneficiary feedback, continual professional development, performance management, selfevaluation, data analysis and action planning.

The impact of the cost-of-living crisis and, most importantly, the negative impact this has had on school budgets has continued to affect the way in which the charity was able to operate during the year ending 31st August 2025. Schools continue to be affected, both financially and the difficulties staff face to get out of school for training, leading to new priorities for these organisations. The impact on its prime funding stream, that is school membership, meant that it was necessary for NACE to continue to review the way in which it interacted and worked with the different sectors. Teachers had found new ways of working to their benefit and so some of these practices are now part of a broader range of activities that NACE offers its clientele.

1. Membership

The Board continued to receive regular updates on membership statistics with analysis that included more detailed information. The CEO set challenging targets for both renewals and new members with MultiAcademy Trusts being seen as potential sources of new members. The benefits of membership continue to be reviewed to ensure NACE remains an attractive resource for schools who are stretched financially. We continue to evaluate our membership services to ensure we continue to provide the services that schools need and value most.

2. Research

Following the completion of the second phase of the NACE Research project “Making Space for Able Learners”, the focus for 2024/25 was to complete our research for phase three, seeking to remove barriers to learning for more able learners who encounter disadvantage in any of its many forms. Schools from across our network participated in this next stage, starting with a number of our NACE Challenge Ambassador schools.

In order to underpin research activities, the Education Committee continued to run throughout 2024/25 working with NACE’s Research Development Director. The remit of the committee is to:

Page 5

National Association For Able Children In Education (A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees’ Report (continued) for the year ended 31st August 2025

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

3. Partnerships

We continue to liaise with both national and international organisations who share similar aims and objectives to NACE as well as organisations and individuals who can add to our member offer and other services for the benefit of our schools.

4. Services

The new digital way of working still continues as this had proved successful with schools and teachers, allowing them to participate without the additional cost of finding supply teachers and travel. This is balanced by the number of requests we continue to receive for bespoke CPD and face-to-face meetings. On-demand courses continue to be made available online too, including an update of our “Leading on More able” course modules, our “Creating Cognitively Challenging Classrooms” set of resources and a course aimed at supporting Teaching Assistants.

Sales of NACE’s flagship “Challenge Award Framework” remain steady, but we started our planning to produce an online version of the Framework. Reaccreditations of the NACE Challenge Award dropped due largely to requested extensions due to time lost around the time of the pandemic. Numbers appear to be increasing again for 2025/2026. A wider bank of resources continue to be made available to encourage more schools to use the Framework and apply for new first accreditations of the NACE Challenge Award. The Challenge Hub, hosted via our website, has also been updated to match the improvements made following the continued overhaul of the NACE website.

5. Communication

Social media is used as appropriate to communicate with schools. LinkedIn has proved particularly successful, using it to create links with other organisations and leaders. The Marketing team continue to update the NACE website, making it easier for different groups to access relevant sections. The subsequent feedback has continued to be very positive.

The NACE Challenge Award Ambassador Programme was launched in September 2022. Senior leaders within schools that have been accredited at least 2 times were invited to become Challenge Ambassador Schools at their next accreditation. By the end of the 2024/25 academic year, we now have 7 NACE Challenge Ambassador schools in place. They continue to enhance communication with other member schools. NACE will also gather the views and opinions of these schools for our latest research plans, with the intention of regaining NACE’s National Voice.

Page 6

National Association For Able Children In Education

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees’ Report (continued) for the year ended 31st August 2025

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Membership and membership reduced in the year leading to a larger loss than budgeted, due largely to smaller number of new members joining NACE than predicted. This has reduced reserves to a level that trustees feel is slightly below that which is comfortable to meet operational needs should NACE face serious external pressures such as the COVID-19 pandemic once again. Nonetheless reserves are strong.

Our policy for strong reserves reflects our response to how volatile income can be as a result of government policy regarding able children in education. The principal financial management policies adopted to ensure NACE thrives in such a climate are as follows:

Going Concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Board of Trustees has a reasonable expectation that the charity 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 Statement of Accounting Policies within the financial statements.

Reserves Policy

The Trustees review the reserve levels of the charity annually, informed by a review of the risk assessment register. This review encompasses the nature of the income including its potential volatility as a result of changes in government policy and expenditure streams, the need to match income with commitments and the nature of reserves. The Trustees also take into consideration the future plans of the charity, the uncertainty over future income streams and other key risks identified during the risk review.

The Trustees have determined that the charity should hold free cash reserves sufficient to cover 9 months core operating costs, which would equate to approximately £300,000. The reason for this is to provide sufficient working capital to cover delays between spending and receipts of income and to provide a cushion to deal with the reduction in income levels in future years, together with unexpected emergencies such as long-term staff absences etc. Free reserves at 31st August 2025 were £196,746. The loss for the year has resulted in reserves dropping to around 6 months expenditure, below our target. Cash is monitored closely, and steps are being taken to ensure that the charity can return future surpluses and bring reserves back to targeted levels. Reserves do however remain strong for a charity of this size and nature, and services to members continue to be delivered to the highest standards.

Page 7

National Association For Able Children In Education (A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees’ Report (continued) for the year ended 31st August 2025

Reserves Policy (continued)

The Trust’s fundraising strategy is specifically aimed at maintaining the level of free cash reserves within our policy. The Trustees expectation is that these reserves will be sufficient to:

The Board reviews ongoing performance against policy on a regular basis.

Investment Policy

All funds surplus to immediate requirements are invested to optimal effect by the charity with the objective of ensuring maximum return on assets invested but with minimal risk. Where cash flow allows, sums in excess of £250,000 may be invested on deposit for extended periods with the charity’s principal bankers or other reputable financial institutions.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

The Trustees have a risk management strategy which comprises:

The results of this process are documents in the Risk Register, which is constantly reviewed in light of any new information and formally reviewed annually.

The principal risks and uncertainties facing the charity are as follows:

  1. Financial: Like many educational charities, NACE is reliant upon a number of income streams linked to school and education budgets. Developing services and markets, alongside a review of member value and benefits has been important. We have been successful in seeking additional funding through sponsorship.

  2. Personnel: a review of staffing and key personnel has led the charity to develop its associate base and to rearrange certain staff roles, along with bringing on board new trustees to support the charity.

  3. Technological: strong CRM and website capability are at the heart of a membership charity. In this period capacity to deliver programmes online, alongside in-person events, continue to be a key focus.

PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS

The charity's plans for future periods are:

Membership: As a membership led organisation, NACE will continue to review its membership base considering the changing nature of members, both nationally and internationally, and consequently their requirements linking in with the specific aims and objectives of the Association. Retention and seeking opportunities for supplying support services will remain a key focus.

Page 8

National Association For Able Children In Education (A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees’ Report (continued) for the year ended 31st August 2025

PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS (continued)

Research: We will continue to provide support for our members to conduct their own research, leading to opportunities for further testing and refining NACE’s cognitive challenge projects. Our key focus for the coming year will be on how we can best support more able learners who encounter disadvantage in any of its many forms We will launch our new publication, the third in our ‘Making Space for Able Leaners’ series, in January 2026. This formed the basis of the NACE Conference in June 2025 and will shape our support for schools moving forward, putting theory into practice. This area of work will also form the basis of our member events for the next academic year.

Partnerships: We will continue to evaluate existing partnerships with the aim of maintaining, managing or adapting current arrangements. We will also explore how potential future partnerships can enhance our offer to our member schools and colleges.

Services: We will continue to promote the services offered by NACE, including the Challenge Award, the Challenge Development Programme, whole-school CPD and consultancy. We will continue to build upon new services, via online platforms which have proved successful in recent years. We have begun the creation of an online version of the NACE Challenge Framework, which we aim to launch in 2026, and continue to explore how our suite of resources can best be used to support clusters of schools in the future.

Communications: Focus the marketing effort on the messaging around the services described above, seeking new opportunities to promote and engage. We will also explore potential funding steams outside of education to support our work moving forward.

FUNDS HELD AS CUSTODIAN TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF OTHERS

The charity and its Trustees do not act as Custodian Trustees of any other charity.

THANKS

This annual report presents an overview and insight into the work of the charity as we continue to work closely with sector leaders, school leaders and teachers who are developing provision for able young people in our schools. Our work equips and supports those in schools with the knowledge, skills and expertise to plan and deliver challenging learning opportunities for young people in a climate of challenge, opportunity and achievement. We have been delighted this year to see our research grow and develop and offer particular thanks to Dr Ann McCarthy and Laura Bridgestock for their work in producing our new publication ‘Removing Barriers to Opportunity and Achievement’ which will be launched in January 2026.

As Trustees, we are very grateful to our CEO for his continued outstanding leadership, working closely with our member schools to be responsive to their needs and continuing to amplify the voice of those young people in our sector. We are also very grateful to our office team, and wider staff and associates, for their commitment and dedication to the charity. They continue to work with our schools to ensure that the support and continuing professional development we offer is timely, agile and meets their needs. As an organisation and a Board of Trustees, we would like to thank David McPhail and Lesley Taylor, who resigned as Trustees in April 2025, for their contribution to the work of NACE. We would also like to thank Steve Clarke for his huge contribution over a number of years as he resigned as a trustee to take on the role of NACE’s Company Secretary. We were delighted to appoint Robin Bevan, Rob Jones and Natalie Voss in June 2025 and look forward to their contributions to the work of NACE in the future. Rob Jones has taken on the role of finance trustee. We remain very grateful for the time, commitment and expertise of our Board of Trustees.

Page 9

National Association For Able Children In Education

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees’ Report (continued) for the year ended 31st August 2025

This report was approved by the Trustees, in their capacity as company directors, on 25th March 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

Amy Whittall Chair of Trustees

Page 10

National Association For Able Children In Education (A company limited by guarantee)

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Members of National Association for Able Children in Education

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31st August 2025 which are set out on pages 12 to 23.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your company’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since the company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of ICAEW, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

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.

Benjamin Hayes FCA Wenn Townsend Chartered Accountants

Oxford

25th March 2026

Page 11

National Association For Able Children In Education

(A company limited by guarantee)

Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating Income and Expenditure Account) for the year ended 31st August 2025

Note
Income from:
Donations
Charitable activities
3
Investments
4
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
5
Total expenditure
Net gains/(losses) on investments
11
Net income/(expenditure)
Transfers between funds
17
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
2025
£
Restricted
Funds
2025
£
-
51,990
313,867
-
8,110
-		 Total
Funds
2025
£
51,990
313,867
8,110
373,967
400,844
400,844
(8,979)
(35,856)
-
(35,856)
237,198
(35,856)
201,342		 Unrestricted
Funds
2024
£
Restricted
Funds
2024
£
Total
Funds
2024
£
-
6,980
6,980
355,946
-
355,946
8,074
-
8,074
321,977
51,990
383,344
17,500		 364,020
6,980
371,000
412,567
6,980
419,547
383,344
17,500
(8,979)
-		 412,567
6,980
419,547
22,330
-
22,330
(70,346)
34,490
34,490
(34,490)		 (26,217)
(26,217)
-
-
-
(35,856)
-		 (26,217)
-
(26,217)
237,198
-
(35,856)
-		 263,415
-
263,415
(26,217)
-
(26,217)
201,342
-		 237,198
-
237,198

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

The notes on pages 14 to 23 form part of these financial statements

Page 12

Registered Number: 06604325

National Association For Able Children In Education (A company limited by guarantee)

Balance Sheet As at 31st August 2025

2025 2024
£ £
Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 10 4,596 470
Investments 11 245,879 299,858
───── ─────
250,475 300,328
Current assets
Debtors 12 26,831 47,389
Cash at bank and in hand 30,627 55,092
───── ─────
57,458 102,481
Creditors:amounts falling due
Within one year 13 (106,591) (165,611)
───── ─────
Net current liabilities (49,133) (63,130)
───── ─────
Total net assets 201,342 237,198
═════ ═════
Charity funds
Unrestricted funds 201,342 237,198
Restricted funds 17 - -
───── ─────
Total funds 201,342 237,198
═════ ═════

For the year ending 31st August 2025 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors’ responsibilities:

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 25th March 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

Amy Whittall Chair of Trustees

The notes on pages 14 to 23 form part of these financial statements

Page 13

National Association For Able Children In Education (A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st August 2025

1. General Information

NACE is a charitable company limited by guarantee. The members of the company are the Trustees named on page 1. In the event of the company being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the company.

2. Accounting policies

a) Basis of preparation of financial statements

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

b) 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. As such, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

c) 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 company and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Restricted funds comprise donations subject to conditions imposed by the donor.

d) Income

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.

Donated facilities and donated professional services are recognised in income at their fair value when their economic benefit is probable, it can be measured reliably and the charity has control over the item. Fair value is determined on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity. For example, the amount the charity would be willing to pay in the open market for such facilities and services. A corresponding amount is recognised in expenditure.

Page 14

National Association For Able Children In Education (A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) for the year ended 31st August 2025

2. Accounting policies (continued)

d) Income (continued)

No amount is included in the financial statements for volunteer time in line with the SORP. Further detail is given in the Trustees’ Annual Report.

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the company; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.

e) Expenditure recognition

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. Support costs are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Support costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the company and include project management. Governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the company and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

Charitable activities and governance costs are costs incurred on the company’s educational and training 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 company’s objectives, as well as any associated support costs.

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

f) Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets costing £300 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.

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives.

Depreciation is provided on the following bases:

Short-term leasehold property - 3 years straight line Fixtures and fittings - 3 years straight line Other fixed assets - 3 years straight line

Page 15

National Association For Able Children In Education (A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) for the year ended 31st August 2025

2. Accounting policies (continued)

g) Investments

Investments are recognised initially at fair value which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs. Subsequently, they are measured at fair value with changes recognised in ‘net gains/(losses) on investments’ in the SoFA if the shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably. Other investments are measured at cost less impairment.

Current asset investments are short term highly liquid investments and are held at fair value. These include cash on deposit and cash equivalents with a maturity of less than one year.

h) 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.

i) 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.

j) 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 company 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.

k) Financial instruments

The company 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.

l) Operating leases

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the statement of financial activities on a straight line basis over the lease term.

m) Pensions

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the company to the fund in respect of the year.

n) Tax

The charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes.

Page 16

National Association For Able Children In Education (A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) for the year ended 31st August 2025

2. Accounting policies (continued)

o) Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

Estimates and judgements 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 company 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 are depreciated over their economic useful lives taking into account residual values where appropriate. The actual lives of the assets and residual values are assessed annually and may vary depending on a number of factors.

Critical areas of judgement:

There are no key judgements that the charity has made which have a significant effect on the financial statements.

3. Analysis of income from charitable activities

Unrestricted Unrestricted
Total Total
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
Membership fees 194,580 215,120
CPD 32,094 43,362
Conferences 23,985 18,525
Royalties 30 34
Challenge Development Programme 60,639 77,944
Other 2,539 961
───── ─────
Total 313,867 355,946
═════ ═════

Page 17

National Association For Able Children In Education (A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) for the year ended 31st August 2025

4. Investment income

Investment income
Unrestricted
Total Total
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
Dividends and interest received 8,110 8,074
═════ ═════

5. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Summary by fund type

Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds funds funds
2025 2025 2025 2024
£ £ £
Education and training 383,344 17,500 400,844 419,547
═════ ═════ ═════ ═════
Summary by expenditure type
Total Total
Staff costs Depreciation Other costs funds funds
2025 2025 2025 2025 2024
£ £ £
Education and training
240,780		 769 159,295 400,844 419,547
═════ ═════ ═════ ═════ ═════
Total 2024 246,344 570 172,633 419,547
═════ ═════ ═════ ═════

Page 18

National Association For Able Children In Education (A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) for the year ended 31st August 2025

6. Analysis of expenditure by activities

Support Total Total
Direct costs costs funds funds
2025 2025 2025 2024
£ £ £
Education and training 326,487 74,357 400,844 419,547
═════ ═════ ═════ ═════
Total 2024 346,115 73,432 419,547
═════ ═════ ═════
Analysis of direct costs Education Total Total
and training funds funds
2025 2025 2024
£ £ £
Membership 177,101 177,101 176,743
CPD 57,255 57,255 63,281
Conferences 33,549 33,549 24,547
Challenge Development Programme 58,082 58,082 75,496
Development projects 500 500 5,799
Other - - 249
───── ───── ─────
326,487 326,487 346,115
═════ ═════ ═════
Analysis of support costs Education Total Total
and training funds funds
2025 2025 2024
£ £ £
Staff costs 7,203 7,203 5,400
Depreciation 769 769 570
Premises costs 25,295 25,295 24,937
Insurance 4,114 4,114 3,971
Stationery, telephone, postage and IT support 9,510 9,510 7,413
Cost of management committee meetings 3,880 3,880 2,745
Bank charges 339 339 293
Legal and professional 1,743 1,743 885
Other staff costs 715 715 56
Accountancy 17,260 17,260 16,734
Marketing 2,471 2,471 6,658
Other costs 1,058 1,058 3,770
───── ───── ─────
74,357 74,357 73,432
═════ ═════ ═════

Page 19

National Association For Able Children In Education (A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) for the year ended 31st August 2025

7. Examiner’s remuneration

2025 2024
£ £
Independent examiner fees: independent examination 2,705 2,540
Independent examiner fees: other services 595 560
───── ─────
3,300 3,100
═════ ═════
8. Staff costs
2025 2024
£ £
Wages and salaries 223,288 225,647
Social security costs 13,663 16,313
Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes 3,829 4,384
───── ─────
240,780 246,344
═════ ═════

The average number of persons employed by the company during the year was as follows:-

2025 2024
No. No.
Activities in furtherance of the charity’s objectives 7 8
Management and administration of the charity 1 1
───── ─────
8 9
═════ ═════

The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was:

£60,000 was:
2025 2024
No. No.
In the band £80,001 - £90,000 1 1
═════ ═════

The total amount of employee benefits (including employer pension contributions and employer National Insurance contributions) received by key management personnel during the year ended 31st August 2025 for their services to the charity was £95,790 (2024: £92,318).

Page 20

National Association For Able Children In Education (A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) for the year ended 31st August 2025

9. Trustees’ remuneration and expenses

During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2024: £Nil).

However, the experience and expertise of some Trustees is utilised in delivering the charity's activities and payments were made during the year ended 31st August 2025 as follows:

These payments are authorised under the charity’s Articles of Association and are approved by the Board of Trustees.

During the year, expenses totalling £483 were reimbursed to four Trustees (2024: £458 to four Trustees).

10. Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
Short-term
leasehold Fixtures and Other fixed
property fittings assets Total
£ £ £ £
Cost or valuation
At 1st September 2024 2,898 69,974 38,776 111,648
Additions - 1,895 3,000 4,895
Disposals (2,898) (55,637) (38,776) (97,311)
───── ───── ───── ─────
At 31st August 2025 - 16,232 3,000 19,232
═════ ═════ ═════ ═════
Depreciation
At 1st September 2024 2,898 69,504 38,776 111,178
Charge for the year - 769 - 769
Eliminated on disposals (2,898) (55,637) (38,776) (97,311)
───── ───── ───── ─────
At 31st August 2025 - 14,636 - 14,636
═════ ═════ ═════ ═════
Net book value
At 31st August 2025 - 1,596 3,000 4,596
═════ ═════ ═════ ═════
At 31st August 2024 - 470 - 470
═════ ═════ ═════ ═════

Page 21

National Association For Able Children In Education (A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) for the year ended 31st August 2025

11. Fixed asset investments

11. Fixed asset investments
CCLA COIF
Charities
Investment
Fund
£
Valuation
At 1st September 2024 299,858
Disposals (45,000)
Revaluation (8,979)
─────
At 31st August 2025 245,879
═════
12. Debtors
2024 2023
£ £
Due within one year
Trade debtors 11,741 31,527
Prepayments and accrued income 15,090 15,862
───── ─────
26,831 47,389
═════ ═════
13. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
2025 2024
£ £
Trade creditors 8,356 12,660
Other taxation and social security 4,519 5,025
VAT payable 2,849 8,143
Other creditors 2,718 2,135
Accruals and deferred income 88,149 137,648
───── ─────
106,591 165,611
═════ ═════
2025 2024
£ £
Deferred income at 1st September 2024 132,640 96,436
Resources deferred during the year 63,737 130,940
Amounts released from previous periods (124,860) (94,736)
───── ─────
Deferred income at 31st August 2025 71,517 132,640
═════ ═════

Deferred income represents membership subscriptions, training income and donations that relate to future periods which were received in advance.

Page 22

National Association For Able Children In Education (A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31st August 2025

14. Pension commitments

The charity operates a defined contribution scheme for its employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in independently administered funds. The pension cost charge for the year represents contributions payable by the charity to the scheme and amounts to £3,829 (2024: £4,384).

Contributions amounting to £1,008 were payable to the scheme at 31st August 2025 (2024: £1,182) and are included within creditors.

15. Operating lease commitments

At 31st August 2025, the company had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:

non-cancellable operating leases as follows:
2025 2024
£ £
Not later than 1 year 14,000 24,000
Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years - 14,000
───── ─────
14,000 38,000
═════ ═════

16. Related party transactions

Owing to the nature of the charity’s operations and the composition of the Board of Trustees being drawn from public and private sector organisations, transactions may take place with organisations in which the Trustee has an interest. All such transactions are conducted at arm’s length and in accordance with the provisions of the charity’s Articles of Association, the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 and the charity’s normal procurement procedures.

During the year ended 31st August 2025 membership subscriptions were received from NACE member schools in which certain Trustees are also Trustees or Governors of those schools. The membership subscriptions paid were in accordance with the charity’s normal membership subscription levels and no benefit arose to the Trustees as a result of these subscriptions.

There were no other related party transactions during the year, other than certain Trustees’ expenses and payments as disclosed in note 9.

17. Restricted funds

During the prior year, the charity received a donation of £39,100 to support schools in the West Midlands by providing memberships, training and research. Some of these funds are subject to performancerelated conditions, therefore £32,120 was deferred, with £6,980 recognised in the year to 31[st] August 2024. A further £25,740 of this income was recognised in the year to 31st August 2025, with £6,380 deferred at the year end.

During the current year, the charity received another donation of £35,850 for the same purpose with similar performance-related conditions. £26,250 of this income was recognised in the year to 31st August 2025, with £9,600 deferred at the year end. The income recognised in each year was expended in full as at the year end, with £34,490 of this shown as a transfer between funds in the year.

Page 23