# **REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 06730193 (England and Wales) REGISTRERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1127260** **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] August 2021 FOR GLOUCESTER SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP** MJCH Limited 1 Regency Court Cheltenham GL50 3NS 1 ## **CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021** Page Report of the Trustees 2-8 Statement of Trustee Responsibilities 9 Independent Examiner’s Report 10 Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic 11 Income Statement 12 Statement of Financial Position 13-14 Notes to the Financial Statements 15-18 ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021** The Trustees present their reports and independently examined financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2021. ## **Introduction** GSP is a group of 39 Primary Schools in Gloucestershire, committed to effective challenge and support in order to provide the highest quality provision to raise the attainment, aspirations, and life chances of the pupils in the Partnership. We continually review our aims, objectives, and activities, looking at how we achieve outcomes from the projects we undertake. We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on “Public Benefit” when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities Originally founded in October 2008, the Gloucester Schools' Partnership (GSP) is a group of 39 primary schools in Gloucester City that are committed to mutual challenge and support, in order to deliver the highest quality of primary provision. The GSP recognises that every member school is unique, but the principle upon which the alliance was founded, is that they will all share many of the same challenges and can learn from each other, at every level. ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** ## **Registered Company Number** 06730193 ## **Registered Charity Number** 1127260 ## **Registered Office** Meadowside Primary School Elmore Lane East Quedegely Gloucestershire GL2 4LX 3 ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021** ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINSTRATIVE DETAILS Trustees** The persons below were selected from the Board of Trustees to be appointed directors. J R Buckland (Resigned 21.05.2021) G Brogan (Appointed 14.07.2020) S Thomas ({Appointed 14.07.2020) ## **The Board of Trustees** The board of Trustees is made up of one Head Teacher representative from each member school- in accordance with the Articles of Association. ## **Company Secretary** Gloucester Schools Partnership ## **Independent Examiner** MJCH Limited 1 Regency Court Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL50 1NS ## **Bankers** The Co-operative Bank PO Box 250 Skelmersdale WN8 6WT ## **Solicitors** Davies & Partners 135 Aztec West Bristol BS32 4UB 4 ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021** The Partnership is piloted by its Strategy Group and dedicated Steering Groups, each of which focuses on delivering specific programmes, such as: CPD; inclusion projects; events for pupils; providing schoolto-school support; Initial Teacher Training and school improvement.These are initiatives that might otherwise be financially and/or logistically unsustainable by a single school . Through our collaboration, each school’s budget can work harder for every pupil. Working together delivers economies of scale, the irrefutable benefits of quality assured CPD and platforms for sharing best and next pedagogical practise The GSP is piloted by its Strategy Group and different Steering Groups, which each focuses on delivering specific programmes, such as CPD, inclusion projects, events for pupils, providing school-to-school support and Initial Teacher Training; initiatives which might otherwise be financially and/or logistically unsustainable by a single school. Together we make our schools’ budgets work harder The Gloucester Schools’ Partnership (GSP) recognises that every member school is unique, but the alliance was founded on the principle that each school – whether a standalone Infant, Junior or Primary, or one that is part of an Academy – will share many of the same challenges . Driven by their individual vision, their own School Development Plan and unique success factors, Headteachers and Governing Bodies are simultaneously accountable for delivering value for money from the public purse: effectiveness (doing the right things that will make positive impacts); efficiency (doing those ‘right things’ well, to ensure that they actually have the required impacts); and economy (doing those ‘right things’ without waste) . The robust structure of the GSP helps schools, not only to achieve the objectives on their individual School Development Plans, but also to achieve the requisite effectiveness, efficiency, and economy. It delivers economies of scale, the irrefutable benefits of quality assured CPD for staff and platforms for sharing best and next pedagogical practice. Of course, behind every school development plan, every scrutinised piece of assessment data and every budgetary analysis, is the shared commitment by everyone in the GSP, to creating opportunities, raising the aspiration and attainment, and improving the life chances of all the pupils in our schools . Strategy, direction & accountability The GSP Strategy Group includes one elected Strategy Lead, six further Headteachers, in the capacity of Steering Group Leads and the Chair of the Partnership Board . 5 This is a summary of each of the dedicated Steering Groups during 2020-21: - **CPD and Leadership** supports all GSP schools in the delivery of quality teaching, The Steering Group focuses on creating structural opportunities for the professional development and progression of staff. The established GSP/Career CPD framework supports individuals from their NQT status and throughout their teaching careers. That support continues as teachers progress in leadership roles, which is critical to the GSP, as it is a robust talent pool that underpins the succession planning for the local schools. **Best Practise Networks** were redesigned to improve school to school outcomes in terms of knowledge of pupils, enhancing staff knowledge and skills, researching subjects that raise quality of provision, assessing and monitoring every BPN. **Inclusion** - focus for the year was to progress from staff training for schools to the workshops for families and carers, to establish a sustainable programme for promoting children’s mental health and well-being. **Events & Activities** - had to be quite creative in 2020-21. The pandemic meant that not only could GSP schools not meet each other, but lockdown and bubble closures meant that even children in the same class could not be together at certain times. **School Improvement Programme** -launched in 2018 to enable GSP to better support its Headteachers in their schools’ improvement journey. Twenty-five schools engaged with the programme which was disrupted by the pandemic meaning that some School Improvement Adviser visits, of necessity, were virtual. However, during the year face to face and one-one visits with head teachers resumed. **School To School Support** -schools were pivoting being open to “key worker” and vulnerable children, while providing remote learning to all the pupils at home and opening to everyone but operating as a collection of individual “bubbles”, which could “burst” at any moment. **GAPH** -organisation which represents all Primary Head Teachers in Gloucestershire giving all schools a voice at local and even national level. Since Covid-19 hit, GAPH’s role has been even more pivotal being a critical conduit for information for the DfE and Gloucestershire County Council. ## **ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021** ………………………………… ## **Trustee** ………………………………… ## **Trustee** **Date** ……………………………. 6 ## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021** The trustees (who are also the directors of the Gloucester Schools Partnership for the purposes of company law) are responsible for producing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practise). Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:- - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them correctly - observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP - make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. ## **Independent Examiner** Following the decision of the current independent examiner to retire post completion of 2020-21 accounts and submissions, the Board will seek to appoint a suitable replacement. 8 ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF GLOUCESTER SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP** I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2021. ## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner** The charity’s trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under Section 144 (2) of the Companies Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is required. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to: - - examine the accounts under Section 145 of the 2011 Act - to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 15 (5) (b) of the 2011 Act); and - to state whether matters have come to my attention. ## **Basis of the independent examiner’s report** My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statements below. ## **Independent examiner’s statement** In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: - (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements - to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006; and - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of Sections 394 and 395 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice and Accounting and Reporting by Charities - (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. **…………………………………** **Martyn Johns Date: ...................................... MJCH Limited 1 Regency Court Cheltenham GL50 3NS** 9 ## **INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021** 2021 2020 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total £ £ £ £ Notes **INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming Resources from generated funds** Activities for generating funds 2 108,965 - 108,965 191.792 **Incoming Resources from charitable activities** General - - - - --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- **Total incoming resources 108,965 - 108,965 191,792 RESOURCES EXPENDED Charitable activities** General 84,992 - 84,992 162,361 Governance Costs 4,135 - 4,135 4,135 ---------- --------- ---------- ---------- **Total resources expended** 89,127 - 89,127 166,946 ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- **NET INCOMING / (OUTGOING) RESOURCES** 19,838 - 19,838 24,846 **RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward** 187,471 - 142,546 142,546 ---------- --------- --------- --------207,309 - 207,309 187,471 ====== ===== ====== ====== The notes form part of these financial accounts 10 ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AT 31 AUGUST 2021** 2021 2020 £ £ Notes **FIXED ASSETS** Intangible Assets 7 - - Tangible Assets 8 238 478 ----- ---238 478 **CURRENT ASSETS** Debtors 9 2,121 4,211 Cash at bank 263,358 243,146 ---------- -------265,479 247,357 **CREDITORS** Amounts falling due within one year 10 58,408 60,365 --------- --------- **NET CURRENT ASSETS** 207,071 186,992 -------- --------- **NET ASSETS** 207,309 187,471 ===== ===== **FUNDS** 11 Unrestricted Funds 207,309 187,471 Restricted Funds - - ---------- -------- **TOTAL FUNDS** 207,309 187,471 ====== ====== 11 The notes form part of these financial accounts 12 ## **STAMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION-CONTINUED** ## **AT 31 AUGUST 2021** The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 August 2017. The members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2017 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for - (a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and - (b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small charitable companies and with the Financial Reporting Standard 102. The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on ............................ and were signed on its behalf by: ................................................. Trustee .................................................. Trustee The notes form part of these financial statements 13 ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021** ## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES** ## **Accounting convention** The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard FRS 102 (effective January 2016), the Companies Act 2006 and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities. ## **Exemption from preparing a cash flow statement** Exemption has been taken from preparing a cash flow statement on the grounds that the charitable company qualifies as a small charitable company. ## **Incoming resources** All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be qualified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to categories of income. Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. Investment income is included when receivable. Incoming resources from grants are recognised in full in the statement of financial activities in the year in which they are received subject to grant pre-conditions and consideration by performance. Other incoming resources are included when receivable. ## **Resources Expended** Expenditure is included on an accrual basis as the liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be recovered and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates. Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for the beneficiaries. Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the independent examiners fees and costs linked with the strategic management of the company. Resources are expended are allocated to the activity where the cost relates directly to that activity (direct method). ## **Website** The website is amortised, on a straight-line basis, over its estimated useful life of three years. ## **Tangible fixed assets** Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over 3 years. 14 ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-CONTINUED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021** ## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES-continued** ## **Taxation** The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. ## **Fund Activity** Unrestricted funds are incoming resources receivable or generated for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds. Restricted funds are to be used for the specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund, together with a fair allocation of management and support costs where applicable. Funds transfers to support restricted funded projects via additional funding from unrestricted funds as agreed by the directors. ## **2. ACTIVITIES FOR GENERATING FUNDS** 2021 2020 £ £ Membership Fees/Charitable Resources 108,965 191,792 ====== ====== **3. NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES** 2021 2020 £ £ Independent Examiners Fees 850 850 === === ## **4. TRUSTEES REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS** There were no trustees’ remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 August 2021. ## **5. STAFF COSTS** The charity does not have its own payroll, it seconds labour from member schools- as required-reimbursing schools accordingly. No Directors/Trustees, from member schools, have received personal payment. Such secondments include Directors/Trustees, from member schools, in the provision of their services across various projects. 15 ## **6. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR** 2021 2020 £ £ Trade Debtors 190 4,151 Other Debtors 1,931 61 -------- --------2,121 4,212 **7. CREDITORS:AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR** 2021 2020 £ £ Trade Creditors 600 - Other Creditors 850 850 Contractual Provision 56,958 59,515 --------- --- -----58,408 60,365 ===== ===== **8. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS** 2021 2020 £ £ Unrestricted Restricted Total Total £ £ £ £ Fixed Assets 238 - 238 478 Current Assets 265,479 - 265,479 157,284 Current Liabilities (58,408) - (58,408) (60,635) ----------- --------- --------- ---------207,309 - 207,309 187,471 **9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS** At 01.09.20 Movement At 31.08.21 £ £ £ **Unrestricted Funds** General fund 187,471 19,838 187,471 **Restricted funds** - - - --------- ----------- --------- **TOTAL FUNDS 187,471 19,838 207,309** ====== ====== ====== ## **10. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES** There were no known contingent liabilities at the Balance Sheet date. 16 ## **11. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS** There were no capital commitments at the balance sheet date. ## **12. ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY** The charity is ultimately controlled by the Board of trustees. 17