The David School Trust
Trustees Annual Report for Calendar Year 2022 Annual Accounts
The accounts for the calendar year 2022 show a closing balance of £32,218 compared with £24,687 twelve months ago. UK income of £33,242 and spending of £34,858 shows a deficit of £1,616 in the year
This was offset when personal interventions in our bank in Freetown cleared £10,000 which has been held for the last three years. This is money from Norwegian donors is held an account which for, reasons not clear to us, is only accessible in person in the bank. We hope to improve this arrangement during our next visit to the school this Autumn.
Inflation and the daily revaluation of the Leone make planning and reporting accurately sometimes difficult. In January 2022 one GBP was equivalent to 15 New Leones, at time of writing it is worth 27 New Leones. The Leone has been revalued at one thousandth of its former currency with now two currencies in circulation.
Debtors shows a large sum, £11,703, which is made up of two parts, Gift Aid claim for 2022 and the late recovery of volunteer costs caused by hastily rearranged travel plans. All this money was credited back to the charity in early 2023.
Again this year the accounts will need to be independently examined.
All the money raised is through donations and we would like to take this opportunity to thank all our supporters for their kindness and generosity.
Also thank you to the volunteers who give their time and physical help with collection, shipping and admin.
Review
After the lockdown the plan was for two trips during 2022.
The first in March with a small group reviewing the situation and identifying needs, followed by a team visit in October/November to undertake the work.
Phase one happened with Catherine and Michael completing their visit as planned. They were able to review the situation, identify priorities, order materials and equipment and organise workers.
They found that lots of maintenance was needed, painting, roof repairs, replacing floor tiling on the veranda, furniture mending and chair replacement. Money also needed to be spent in improving security at the school as increasing levels of poverty was making our resources more attractive to possible thieves.
In addition they became aware of considerable stocks of boys and girls uniforms, soap and toothpaste, girls underwear and sanitary products, all of which need to be distributed. Staff were also asking for more training updates including medical/first aid, computer use and classroom management issues.
The priority was to send as much as possible before the planned October visit. Three large shipments through Sinneh Shipping included new chairs, donated computers and furniture, more uniforms and health and hygiene requisites.
Flights and accommodation were booked for a group of eight to travel to the school in October but unfortunately illness amongst our team meant that a postponement was needed. This was rearranged for March 2023 and we can report positively on a very successful trip.
The major change during 2022 was the establishment of our own Senior Secondary School which means that students can stay with us, take final exams and move directly to Further Education if they achieve the necessary grades. Some of our former students are currently at the University in Freetown. This addition is made possible as the Ministry of Education has decide to provide funding which makes us independent but government assisted. Parents also contribute to help to cover staffing costs and exam entry fees. All the part-time teachers
employed are graduates in their subjects and teaching is to the published West African curriculum.
This section of the school operates after the Primary and Junior Secondary pupils finish their school day at 2pm. Referred to in Sierra Leone as a ‘second shift’ arrangement. Many of these older young people walk many miles to access this opportunity. This arrangement means that more than 600 students are being educated each day. They range in age from five to twenty years.
What was launched as a small local primary school in 2008 is now the major educating force in the area. A massive achievement by a host of people.
All education for Primary and Junior Secondary pupils remains free, plus in addition, pupils are supplied with uniforms, shoes, school equipment and hygiene products. The Trustees are proud of this record and have no plans to instigate any changes.
Each section of the school continues to prosper with improved exam results, excellent attendance figures and fewer examples of misbehaviour. Most of the primary classes are larger than we would have hoped but this is down to popularity and daily food. This provision plus a culture of improved hygiene practices has shown an improvement in the general health of our children. Preventable diseases remain a problem in West Africa with malaria being common amongst the population. One of our generous supporters bought a supply of mosquito nets for students to use when they had to travel and stay at the registered exam centre several miles away from the school. These nets will be used for this particular purpose for a number of years.
For the first time in our accounts we show an amount spent on looked after children. These are special cases decided on an ad hoc basis in consultation with staff at the school. Included is general support for orphan children which includes food, medical needs and clothing. Some of our donors give money specifically for such purposes and it always the wish of the
Trustees that finances are transparent. We maintain the principle that all money raised is spent directly on the education of our children.
Although the Ministry has started to pay some of our teachers, salaries are our largest single expense. Any money saved is distributed to our own financed staff to keep their salaries in line with government funded teachers. Our staff are paid the equivalent of £60 each month.
Teachers receive their salaries through accounts if funded by the government or, in cash if not. The nearest ATM is 20 miles away which is inconvenient. Pension contributions are paid to the government agency NASSIT on a quarterly basis. This involves a trip to Makeni which is three hours away by public transport.
All staff now receive a verbal message from the Trustees on a monthly basis and are encouraged to respond by WhatsApp, text or email. This improved level of communication has proved very useful in advising, motivating and congratulating staff members. This has led to an increase in self- confidence resulting in them showing more initiative and development ideas.
The Trustees are able to report that there have been no serious incidents at the school.
More information on the structure and operation of the school is available via the website www.thedavidschool.co.uk which we try to update on a regular basis. We also produce a newsletter ‘The David School Messenger’ which is available on the website but can be delivered directly to interested parties by email. Please register your interest at wallwork26@btinternet.com
Original Signed in May 2023 by the Trustees as a true record.
David Wallwork
Janet B Wallwork
Catherine S Thomas K Hoydal M G Horrell
THE DAVID SCHOOL TRUST Charity Number 1129314 HMRC Reference XT19571
Year Ended 31 December 2022
INCOME 2021
| Gift Aid Donations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Lump Sum and Small Donations Sche | £ 5,483 | |
| Direct Debits | £ 6,293 | |
| £ 11,776 | ||
| Other Donations and Contributions | £ 11,553 | |
| Gift Aid Reclaim | £ 2,753 | |
| Bank Interest | £ 2 | |
| £ 14,308 | ||
| Sierra Leone non UK Recipts | £ - | |
| £ 26,084 | ||
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Teachers Salaries/Wages | £ 11,505 | |
| Pension Provision NASSIT | £ 812 | |
| Teacher Training Fees | £ 4,721 | |
| Shipping Costs and Transportation | £ 1,332 | |
| School Repairs and Maintenance | £ 4,322 | |
| School Furniture and Equipment | £ 1,969 | |
| Supported Studets/Welfare | £ 3,135 | |
| Volunteer Costs | £ - | |
| Website | £ 263 | |
| Bank Charges SL | £ 153 | |
| Miscellaneous | £ 2 | |
| £ 28,214 | ||
| Excess/Defcit Expenditure over Income | -2300 | |
| Balance brought forward 1 January | £ 25,964 | |
| Balance carried forward 31 December | £ 23,834 | |
| Balance at Bank UK | £ 18,359 |
THE DAVID SCHOOL TRUST Charity Number 1129314
HMRC Reference XT19571 Balance at Bank SL £ 3,255 Cash in Hand £ 320.00 £ 21,934
Balance Sheet at 31 December 2022
| 2021 | |
|---|---|
| CURRENT ASSETS | |
| Sundry Debtors | £ 2,753 |
| Balance at Bank UK | £ 18,359 |
| Balance at Bank SL | £ 3,255 |
| Cash in Hand | £ 320 |
| £ 24,687 |
THE DAVID SCHOOL TRUST Charity Number 1129314 HMRC Reference XT19571
2022
£ 9,813 £ 6,319 £ 16,132 £ 13,073 £ 4,033 £ 4 £ 17,110 £ 10,000 £ 43,242 £ 8,543 £ 668 £ 2,159 £ 2,400 £ 3,728 £ 3,133 £ 5,100 £ 8,927 £ 137 £ 62 £ 1 £ 34,858 £ 34,858 £ 8,384 £ 23,834 £ 32,218 £ 17,903
THE DAVID SCHOOL TRUST Charity Number 1129314 HMRC Reference XT19571 £ 2,612
£ -
£ 20,515
2022
£ 11,703
£ 17,903
£ 2,612
£ -
£ 32,218