ThwDLwiknSchotyL fr Trustees Annual Report for Calendar Year 2020 Annual Accounts The accounts for the calendar year 2020 show a closing balance of £25,964 compared with £20,214 twelve months ago. Total income for the year amounted to £34,209 including contributions of £5,500 from NoDNay. The Trustees would like to thank Roy Thomas for his work in preparing the accounts and supporting documentation. He has worf(ed tIleSS1Y with us since the formation of the Charity in 2009 and, due to his changed circumstances, he would like us to find a successor. The Trustses are actively seeking a willing volunteer. Again this year the accounts will need to ba independently examined. Review The major issue has been the continuing decline in income, not helped by Covid restrictions. It has not been physically possible to update Intested and supportive groups by visiting them and so printed material has been the principal source of communication. Publicity through nevletter5, website postings and occasional newspaper artides have all been tried. Donations have shown a further reduction of £9000 which is in addition to the £21,000 loss experienced in 2018. This is reflected in fewer significant contributions from larger organisations with a slight r8duction in the number of regular donors. Despite this we can continue to assure donors that all funds raised are spent directly for the benefit of the pupils at the school. There are no employees in the UK and no running costs for the charity. The Trustees are proud to report that every pound raised will be used to promote the Trust aims in advancing education at Mile 36. We would also like to acknowledge the physical, moral and finanaal support offered by all our many loyal supporters. These include Rotsrians and their clubs, schools. other organisations and committed individuals.
Savings have increased the overall balan but most of these have baen forced by the current situation. There has been no change to the physical provision of accommodation at the school. Maintenance and repairs have been minimal without the oversight of volunteers and staff training has seen a reduction. The Govemment now pay the salaries and related pension contributions of three teachers which also helps to balance the books. Whilst in lockdown the rate of inflation in Sierra Leone has increased dramatically and many priS are beyond the reach of our community members. Fortunately food is being supplied to school so all our primary children receive one substantial meal each school day. This is provided by World Health organisation and cooked by local volunteers. The benefits are improved health and reduced financial pressures on family economies. The Covid-19 pandemic has raised other major implications for the UK and Sierra Leone. There have been no visits since October 2019 with planned trips in Spring 2020 being cancelled. The outlook of any possibilty for 2021 is looking increasingly bleak with intemational travel seeming unlikely. Without these trips we are only able to provide support and advice at a distance. This has had a detrimental impact on teacher training, contact with the Ministry of Education and other agencies together with the satisfaction of being an intsgral part of this exciting project. In Sierra Leone there have been a series of lockdovms affecting the school. The first in March saw the school closed and exams postponed and then rescheduled for the Autumn. Children are aware of safe hygiene praCtIS especially as this pandemic follows on quickly after their own Ebola crisis. Most of the Covid cases have been in Freetown which is densely populated. The sch¢)ol is quite remote and as such remains unaffected with no cases reported. Money continues to be allocated to transporting and shipping much needed resources. Three shipments were completed this year which included health related supplies, sanitary wear for girls, classroom fumiture, school clothing and shoes, books and other teaching and learning materials. This was achieved using the Marie Sinneh Shipping Company based in Bennondsey. We enjoy a go¢xl relationship with them and re1ve generous charity discounts. They also clear our goods
in Freetown making them ready for collection. Normal shipping tskes up to four weeks. We are pleased to report that several teachers have improved their personal qualifications and thanks go to our colleagues and friends in Norway who provide finance for the college courses. Despite difficulties the stsff have done a tremendous job in maintaining the development of the school. They have become a cohesive unit, supporting and helping on8 another in the best interests of our pupils. Pupil nurnbers are stable with 400 now on roll with an average class size of 40, although the Ministry would like to see this figure raised to 50. Learning at the school continues to make progress. Sadly this year the interruptions and changes fOrd by the pandemic have reduced overall exam success rates. All the junior school pupils take their final exams called National Prtmary School Examination (NPSE) at the end of Year 6. Thr88 years later the14+ Test (BECE). We are looking to continue education for another three years beyond this point which leads to (WASSCE), a requirement for Further Education. These qualifications allow entry into further courses and training for all pupils at different levels. Subsequent employmenl opportunities are away from our community which nomially requires our students to live with relatives. Extended family living is regarded as nomal within their society. Projects stsrted in previous years continue to develop. These includa some adult education and the major initiative to keep girls in school. Marion Wartman, one of the school's longest serving teachers, is the key person in this work. We see more families suffering hardship and we are increasingly aware of the numbers of orphaned or abandoned pupils. Working with teachers we estimate that more than twenty children have no relatives or places to live. They often sleep rough and beg for food. This worrying situation has prompted a search for foster carers who, with financial help with food, are prepared to provide care. An initial project have been very sucSsful and our volunteers will be looking to develop the idea when next there. The Trustees are able to report that there have been no serious incidents at the school. It is now ten years Sin the Charity was first registered and eleven since the school opened. The Trustees, on quiet reflection, applaud all
that has been achieved and pay tribute to the volunteers who have travelled and worked tirelessly in tying conditions, all at their own expense. Together we are all making a difference tr) the life chan8 of our pupils, and feel that we are fulfilling the Sthool's motto: 'Education Changes Lives,. Original Signed by Trustees as a true record.. David Wallwork Trustee Marcus Horrell ILQlll '- Dats 23 April 2021 Catherine Thomas Trustee Date )G Iolk la I Jan8twalOrk Trustee" Dats oik, J( Trustse Date 2L AQRIL IL;Z I
THE DAVID SCHOOL TRU Charlty Number 1129314 HMRC Reference XT19571 Income and Expendlture Ac(ount Year ended 31st December 2020 Income Gtft aided donations Lump sum and small donatii>ns scheme Dlrect debits 20 2020 15085 6350 7392 6450 13842 21435 13842 Other donatlons, contrlbutlons& inrne Gift aid tax reclaim Interest Slerra Leone non-UK recepts 12139 4771.25 15.72 16925..97 5500 438697 15743.21 3460.5 8.07 19211.78 1156 34209.78 Expendlture Teachers salaries/waqes Volunteer costs Vehicle, transportation. shipping costs 11400 10234.19 2103.5 12073 2992.4 School stationery and equipment 1487.65 805 School clothin8lreportslmedicallprintinq School bulldln8 costs Repairs and maintenance Teacher trg and University fees Web slte 599.29 2372.02 2617 851XI 120 365 451 4910 118.64 Food for puplls Bank charges IS23 1649 187 Mlscellaneou5 Penslon provlslon 190 1200 42346.65 222.21 1226 28459.25 42346.65 1514.32 13699.99 28459.25 5750.53 20214.31 Excess/deflclt Income over expendlture Balance brought forward 1st January 2018 bill now paid Balance carrled forward 31st December Balance at bank IVKI current account deposit account 2021&31 25964.84 4980.98 9682.08 250 530 6632.19 11690.15 250 3932 Cash in hand UK Cashlbank Slerra Leone 15443.06 4771.25 22504.34 22504.34 3460.5 Add.. Income due not yet received 15443.06 22504.34 Less: Bills due not yet paid 22504.34 20214.31 25%&84
THE DAVID SCHOOL TrUST Charlty Number 1129314 HMRC Referen Kf19571 Baknce Sheet at 31st December 2020 2019 2020 Current assets Sundry Debtors 4771.25 Balan¢e •t Bank UK 14563.06 18322.34 6•1 banvln h*NI S.Leone 530 3932 C•sh In h•nd UK Tot•1 •sJets 20214.31 25964.84 L•ss Current Uabllltles Sundry Credltors Totsl lunds at 3tst December 2021431 2596&84