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 SL*ool 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 Motr*r'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)**_ 

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

5.  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. 

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

7. 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. 

8. 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. 

9. 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. 

10. 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