2025-07-31-accounts

Friends of Saint Nicholas School (Old Harlow) Annual Reportfor the 2024-25 Fiscal & Academic Year 1 Objectives & Activities The Friefids of Saint Nitholas School (The Friends) aim lo raise funds to supplement and advance the education of pupils at Saint Nicholas School. Old Harfow (the School), bolh in temis of {il non-essential but beneficial facilities andlor equipment that might othe￿Ise not b8 accommodated by the School's budget in that year and {iil fostering a greater sense of community amongst students. staff. and parents through engaging experiences thal bring everyone together in an extracurricular. recreational environmenL Throughout the year. Th6 Friènds host a variety of fundraising activths primarily around UK holidays including Halloween. Bonfire Night. Christrnas. Molhers Day and Fathers Day. The Friends also provide food and refreshments at the School's Sports Day and sponsor special Film Nights for Ihe lower scho￿. The Friends largest event is a Summer Ball that is held annually to celebrate the year'5 achievements and mark the end of School with Parents and that year's Y11 Leavers. Throughout the school year The Frbends also run a Uniform Resale Shop that provides gently used unifonns and swrts kit at highly discounted prices. General fvndrai8ing is passively undertaken via EasyFundra1￿ng. The trustees affimi that they have complied with the duty in sedion 4 of th8 2006 Act to have due regard lo guidance on public benefrt published by the Commission 2 Achievements & Perfonnance Over the course of the 2024-25 academic year. Friend5 raised a total of £5.299 from10 events as well as th8ir Unifomi Shop and 9eneral fundraising effort5. Thi5 amount is underrepresented by £3,000 due lo a crediv refund reeeived in the prior year that was earniarked for this yearfs Summer Ball expenses. One of the mosl antiapaled and enpyed SLool and broader comrnunty events hosted by The Friends is their annual Bonfire and Fireworks Night that takes place near the start of the schwl year. This yearfs event was no exception. 11 was very well attended and generated £1,046 despite increased pressure C￿ fc>J and drink profft margins. The Friends flagship event takes place at the close of the year. their annual Summer Balll. This year the ball was held on school grounds as a result of being left vthhout a suilabl8 venue the year before. Hosting al the school created a variety of challenges and significantly increased costs that were partially ftbnded by the Substantial relund from the prior year's venue. ￿erall the night generated a loss prior to the ¢redit. a5 expected given the change in venu8. After applying the rebate. the event would yield around £1.700 profft and. most importantty, the ultimate purpose of celebrating the year and the Y11 Le8vets was certainly accomplished. The Friends adapted their buying and pricing strategy around the Motrr's and Fatherfs Day gift sales. Thi5 welded sizeable increases in profft for both. The highly pmfitsble Film Night offering continued for Easter 2025 and is very much enjoyed by the Lower School. Given the success and relatively Straighffo￿ard delivery of this event it is anticipated that these evenings will continue in the coming years. In response lo comments from parents. The Friends improved the quality of the fc)d offering at Sports Day but chose to keep prices low to drive purchases. While this was suceessful it did significantly impact profftability. The weather was ¢))operative and resulted in a very respectable profil of £1.175. This was also the third full year of operation for the Uniform Resale Shop. It continues to be very popular with parents and has generated over £2,000. surpassing all other individual event contributions.

One of the ￿ggest challenges faced by The Friends is parents. lack of willingness andlor ability to attend after schwl andlor weekend events in order to supervise their children. This has specifically impacled the popularity of both the Christrnas and Summer Fayre's- mosl notably for the pupils in Y5-Y11. Both events require parent'5 to attend and superwse their children from midday when classes are dismissed. As a consequence of low uptske, The Frbends had to cancel the planned roller disco at Christmas. Despite a concession from th8 vendor which allowed the event lo be moved to the spring. no suttable 8rtemative could be found and, ultimately resijlted in a substsntial loss of the depostt. These same issues around timing and parental supervision also18d to the de￿slon to not host the traditi.onal Summer Fayre. Despite the atK)ve challenges, the Chrislmas Fayr6 Continues to be of significant importance to both the younger school pupils and also. notably. for hosting Young Carers from the Harfow community. This is a cause dear to many and continues to motivate The Friends and school staff lo find ways to make the event meaningful and entertaining. For more details on all of The Friends events and achievements. please see the Ststement of Financial Actiwty and accompanying Notes. 3 Financial Revlew The Friends hold no stabjtory levd of reserves. no material fijnds have been designated or sel aside for future expenditure and there are no fund deficsts. All funds are unrestrbcted. When the Sehool's Board of Govemors identifies a need that would be better mel by a donation of facilities andlor equipment from the Friends this is put forward and. most often. supported by The Friends. Smaller donations are also made throughout the year to support variou5 charitable auses Chamwoned by the students themsefves. The most sizeable donation this year was for a Colour Run. This event began last year when th8 Frignds were asked to sponsor a Colour Run as part of the schools wellbeing days but specafically as a tribute to the memory and legacy of Mrs.Katie Beston. a former teacher. It was so thoroughly enjoyed by students. staff and parent volunteers that it has become an annual tradition. This year Ihe event was postponed until the following autumn because of very warni weather. For more details on all of The Friends achievements. please see the Statement of Financial Activity and accompanying Notes. The Financlal Summary has been prepared in alignment with the SORP lo the extent appl￿b￿. 4 Structure, Governance & Management The Friends are established under a Constitution dated 3 October 2008. All Safeguarding matters, induding indivmjual Event Risk Assessments and Audtts. are undertaken by Stsff of Saint Nicholas SchcL)l as Ihey are best qualified to conduct such re￿ews. The Friends rely solely on The School's guidan￿ and judgement in these matters. All of The Friends Iruslees. officers and vdunteers are required to submit to and pass DBS ched(s prior to serving al any function. The Friends are resFM)nsible for obtaining the r￿¢8$$ary event licenses and holding their own insurance. No person or extemal bc*Jy is entiued to appoint any charity trustses lo The Friends.

5 Reference & Administrative The Charity is regislered as Friends of Saint Nicholas School (Old Harf¢JW) and is often simply refrTred to as'The Friends.. The charty Registratlon Number is 112670 and its principal office is at Saint Nicholas School, Hobbs Cross Road. Harlow CM17 ONJ. The chajity's Irustees on the date this report wag approved indude Sara Flsher as Chal￿ersOn. Rebecca Cummings as Secrelary. The Treasurer was Tosha Henderson. In the spring of 2025, Annabel Ottey began taking on significant responsibilities (from her role as a general committee member). effectively shgdowing Rebecca and Sara, in order to ensure a smooth transition when Sara Fisher steps down as Chair in July 2026. At that time, Rebecca Cummings and Annabel Ottey will become Co-chairpersons for the 2026-27 year. Rebecca Sparks has also agreed to take on the Treasury and Finance support beginning in July 2026 for the 2026-27 year. The Friends and tts Trustees do not act as rjjstodian trustses or hold any assets in that capacity. Signed: Name: S8ra Fisher Chariperson Rebecca Cummings Secretsry Date 61a6.

5 Reference & Administrative The Charlty is registered as Frien(ts of Saint Nitholas School {Old Harlow) and is often simply referred to as 'The Friends.. The charity Registration Number is 112670 and ils principal office is al Saint Nitholas SctKd. Hobbs Cross Road. Harlow CM17 ONJ. The ch8rtWs trustees on the date this report was approved indude Sara Fisher as Chairperson. Rebecca Cummings as Secretary. The Treasurer was Tosh8 Henderson. In the spring of 2025. Annabel Ottey began taking on Significant responsibilities (from her role as a gener81 committee member}, effectively shadowing Rebecca and Sara. in order to ensure a sMc￿1h transition when Sara Fisher steps down as Chair in Juty 2026. Al that tirne, Ret)ecca Cummings and Annabel Ottey will become Co-chairpersons for the 2026-27 year. Rebecca Sparks has also agreed lo take on the Treasury and Finance suptx)rt beginning in July 2026 for the 2026-27 year. Th8 Friends and its Trustees do ￿1 acl as custodian trustees or hold any assets in that capacty. Signed: Name.. Sara Fisher Chariperson Rebecca Cummings Secretary Date gloEIzL

Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts Friends of Saint Nicholas School (Old Harlow) For the 2024-25 Fiscal & Academic Year Responsibilities and basis of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Friends of Saint Nicholas School {Old Harfowl, Charity Number 112670, for the year ended 3110712025. As the charity's trustees, you are responsibl& for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the ￿qUirementS of the Charities Act 2011 1.the Act-l. I report in respect of my examination of the accounts carried out under seclion 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 14515llbl of the Act lo the best c)f my knowledge and ability. Independent examiner's statement The charity's gross income DOES NOT exceed £250,000 and, 8$ such. l am qualified to undertake th2 examination. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have ¢ome to my attention in connection with the examination which gives rne cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records., or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements conceming 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 'tme and fair, view whi¢h is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in ¢onnection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be ￿8¢hed. Signed: Date.. Name: Yvette Mardel Bursar, Saint Nicholas School Relevant professional quallficationlsl or body lif any): NIA Saint Nicholas School (Old Harlow) Hobbs Cross Road Old Harlow Essex CM170NJ Address:

Friends of Saint Nicholas School (Old Harlow) Pro Loss 954 1.046 601 371 1.183 745 17621 (981 1,049 1,175 (1.3791 2.067 (1.6531 5299 Tradln Actl¥ities". Halloween Disco Bonfire Christmas Gift Sale Christmas Fayre Mothers Day Film Night Roller Disco Summer Fayre Fathers Day Sports Dav Summer Ball 2025 Uniform Sales General Fundraisin8 Total from Raising Funds Income nditure Prlor Year 1,125 940 1.009 417 891 593 Notes: 1.750 3.323 2,401 3.062 1,655 832 (7961 (2,2781 (1.81)oi (2.6911 (4721 1871 (7621 1981 (6381 (1,3131 127,4671 1891 (2,9571 141.447) 1,149 497 2,337 5,210 2,485 12771 16,374 1,687 2,487 26.088 2.156 1,303 46.746 Expenditure on Charitsble Acli¥ies: Charitable Gifts to SN Studentl Staff Support Other Charitable Giving Total from Charitable Acli¥ites {2.0351 {1.178 {6501 13,863 (2,0351 (1,1781 {6021 13.815> {9.1871 {1.1191 {1,2841 111.5891 48 io Net In¢omel Expenditure 46,794 (45,309) 1.485 4.786 Notes: The Friends host a variety of fvndrai5in8 events to support the school and foster a greater sense of community 3mon8St the students. parents and Staff. Any charitable donations to the s¢hool are made at the request and with the appr￿01 of the school's Board of Governors. l. The organisation continues to work to find balance between fundraisin& entertainment and a sense of environmental responsibility. The decision to stop selling'light-UP5' and other plastic toys has dampened Profits but was also well received by parents. 2. Purchase of higher quolity food was a big hit as were new offerings. The ability to roll frozen stotk forward to future events also helped profits 3. The Fayre is very popular with the Lower School on the last day of tefflTr and is a wonderful way to give back to the comrnunities, Young Carers at Christmas. The requirement for parents to attend and supervise their children from midday tontinues to have a ne8atNe impact on uptake in Y5-11. In an effort to drive demand. a new offerin8 of a roller disco was pursued but was insufficient to overcome the drop in demand. The Friends worked with the vendor to modify the Christmas offering in order to remain profrtable and deferred the disco in hopes of finding a more benefical time. This wa5 ultimately unsuccessful and resulted in a loss of dep05jt. Statement of Finan(aal Athity

Friends of Saint Nicholas School (Old Harlow)

1. Savvy purchases and an increased focus on margin per item had a positive impact on both Mother's and Father's Day sales.

2. Both reported amounts are significantly impacted by extraordinary charges/ rebates. Effectively £3k was received in the prior year that should be reallocated from that years profit to this year. This would result in profits of £1621 and £2210 respectively. It was a challenging but very successful year for the ball. The Friends were needing to secure a new venue after very poor performance at the prior year's venue which had also been booked for this year. The ball was ultimately held on school grounds after being unable to secure a suitable venue at such a busy time. As a consequence, outsized investment was required for a marquee, decorations, temporary generator and all of the event staff and materials. These expenses were covered by the sizeable refund received in the prior year. The event continues to be impacted by increased ticket prices driven by underlying increases in costs for venue, food and entertainment.

3. All sales are generated from donated/ used uniforms, PE kit, school bags and other related items

4. Income from Easy Fundraising. Expenses for dedicated mobile phone, other equipment & multi-use supplies to support events. Notable purchases this year were in support of better food prep, storage and display equipment. There are also recognition/ gifts to members who made significant contributions to the running of this year's events.

5. The bulk of this expense was for The Friends sponsorship of another fabulous Colour Run at the school which has become an annual tradition. This year, extremely warm weather caused it to be deferred from the end of the year to the following Autumn but it was still very much enjoyed by all. The remaining £500 went towards afterschool club toys for the younger years.

6. Staff gifts, Christmas crackers, Easter Eggs, snacks and drinks at certain sporting events, theatre outings, etc. A The most sizeable donations were £660 for Easter Eggs and over £400 on gift cards for the Y11 Leavers at their prom.

7. Donations for the local Community Day and Young Carers

Statement of Financial Activity

Friends of Saint Nicholas School (Old Harlow) Profft 1055 Chan es In Cash Flow Halloween Disco Bonfire Christmas Gift Sale Christmas Fayre Mothers Day Film Night Roller Disco Summer Fayre Fathers Day Sports Day Surnmer Ball 2024 Uniform sales General Fundraising Bank 749 1126} 11.1051 Cash Float 205 1.171 1.706 (3101 1.514 Notes: 954 1.046 601 371 1,183 745 17621 1981 1.049 1.175 {1.3791 2.067 {1.6531 13311 745 17621 {981 15151 (751 8,452 2.067 {1,6551 1.564 1.249 (9.8311 Changes to Cashl Float 12.220) 2,220 Charitable Gifts to SN Student/ Staff Support Other Donations General & Admin Expenses Total {2.035) 11.178) 1488) {9.1871 {1,1191 {1.2841 {113) {351 1658) 2.107 {6,290) Assets: Bank 23.033 Cash 1,757 Pre 1.835 Opening Balance Change from Current Artivtlies 2.107 12521 12101 Z4,679 {658) Payment for PY Artivities Increase in Prepaids/ Deposits Year End Balance 210 2.045 1,099 Totsl Assets as at 31107125 27.823 Notes= l. Amount in100se coins later counted and added to cash 2. Deposits made to reserve venues and entertainment for events Statement of Cash Flow & Assets