Charlty Registratlon No. 1138446 Company Reglstratlon No. 7150417 (England and Wales) RED BALLOON LEARNER CENTRE READING (A PRIVATE COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 RED BALLOON LEARNER CENTRE READING LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Trustggs MrA D H Pearson MrT Lake MsAGupta Ms C Billing Mr P Harvey Ms A Hend8r80n (Appolnlod 30 Aprll 20251 Head of cantrg Mithelle Masters Charlty numb8r 1136446 Company numbor 7150417 Règistered offi¢9 220 lQngs Road Reading RG1 4JJ Independent examlnor Eown Smith rtered Accourrtants 32 Queen Road Reading Berkshire RG1 4AU Bankers CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hlll Avenue Kings Hlll West Malling Kenl ME19 4JQ RED BALLOON LEARNER CENTRE READING CONTENTS Page Trusteas, report Independent examlnerfs rèport Statement of financial acbvibes BaLancs she&t Notes to the financlal slalements 9-18 RED BALLOON LEARNER CENTRE READING TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 The trustees present their report anil financtal staloments for th& year ended 31 August 2025. The finanaal st818ments have been prepared in accordan￿ wth the accounknng po5ici8s sel out in nots 1 to the financial statements 8fKI comply with the charitys governing document. the Companies Act 2006 and'Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Re￿mmended Practice appl￿ble to charities pr8paring th8ir accounts In accordance wlh the Finanryal Reporknng Standard applicable in the UK and Repub15c of Iroland IFRS 102)" 18ffective 1 January 20191. Object of the Charlty Th8 object of the charity is to advance the edUCa￿On of chlldren aged 11 to 18 at the Red Balloon Leamer Centro, being students who are victims of sgverg bultying, Of by Mason of other emotional or rnental heath trdum8, are unable to att9nd mainstream schools. Thls is ad)leved by promding tuition and apF￿l￿Nate support for them In a safe leaming envSronm8nt until they 818 ready to retum to mainstream education or enter employmenL The Truste8s' confirm that they have glven due regard to Ihe guidance issued by the Chaiity Commission on public benefft. Gov¢mance The charity has a Boaré of Trustees who are responsible for the govgmance of Ihe ch8rity. The Board of Tiuslees has the power lo appoint new trustees. People who cDme lo the Iruslee's attention as havlng relevant experfence, Interest or expertise are asked if they would consid?r becomlng a trustee. are interviewed by other trustees and, it is considered appropriate, arè intrcduced lo all of the ljustees. Ml tru5tee5 are subject to DBS check5. The Board aims to meet 6 times per year and holds an AGM in the Spring Tem. Al each meetlng student progress is reviewed and regular manapment a¢￿￿niS are pn)vid8d for review by the Trustees. Safeguarding is also included as an agenda item al each meeung. Management The Board of Trustoes, in consultation wtth the Head of Centre, mako deosions on staffing, budgeting, and performancè reviews. Trustees need to raise local public awareness of the need of children vtho have been so severèly bulllod that they cannot allend mainstream school. The aim is to draw attenth'on to the facl that such children should be provided th full-lime education and Red BallcM)n offers this seThice. This is addressed through local ￿ndraisIng and engaging local businesses and schools in volunteering sem(￿ or fundrdising tor us. Red Ball￿n Le8mer Centre Reading is linked to the wider Reil BallcM)n E¢Jucation81 Trust. This provides a forum for the Trustees arKI staff to share experiences dlscuss cOMr￿n t)roblems. Rlsk analys1$ The trustees have examlned the major Strateg￿ and operational risks which the chadty faces. The two maln areas ol concem are.. 1. safegua￿l￿g and conlinu&d education of the students Safeguarding of students is of th8 highèst Priotity and is continually monitored. Ongolng stsff training in H6atth & Safety and Child Proleclion is provlded regu￿rIY. In addition. a full range of policies are regularfy ￿vieWed by staff and trustees. 2. Sourcing of funding for students Stsff, 8UPPOrted by Trustees. conllnue to make strenuous efforts building and malntalning good relationships wilh eduGalion e5tablishmants and l¢xal aulhorrties. The Tnjstees anii Head of Centre have devèloped a fee pricing stftjcture that reflects the varying support and 8ducational needs of eath 5bJdenl. The trustees have assessed the rnaN)r risks to whlch the chariiy Is expK)5ed. and are satisffled that systems aro in place to mldgate 8xposure lo the major Tisks. RED BALLOON LEARNER CENTRE READING TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST2025 Achievements and Parformance of Ihe Charlty The truste85 are satisfieé with the perfDrrnanc8 of th8 charity for th8 year ending 31 August 2025. Thg objectiv of the charity are only athieved through the s￿1[. hard work and dedication of the staff and volunteers al Red Balloon and as Trustees we are indebted to Ihe team. The charity supported 23 studonts in the Centre during the year. Of these sttjdents 17 were still ￿ us 8t the start of th8 202S126 academic year. Of those who lelL five were year 11 or older, four of whom transitioned to fvrther education or training and one who took a medicalty advised gap year. One younger student moved out of the area. Five students sat GCSE andlor Functional Sknlls exams in the summer of 2025. students of all ages achieved a rdnge of AQA Untt Award Scheme (UAS) certificates. UAS allows all students to ongage with leaming and have their achievements recognised. Students primarily achieved ￿rt￿}catIOn in Food Technology. Design & Technology and English. averdging 6 awards each. The OutT28ch programme ¢x)nlinued to develop wlh our Outreach Team workiNJ wtth 21 young people ané their families over the year. They have successfully reintegrated a LgTge number into Allernalive Provision. Speciallst Provision or back into sd)ool. The OLstreath team dso provided support to students through provision of reports for Annual Reviews and Fundlng paneLs. During the ygar we Tecewod funding lo purchase outdoor tsble tennis equiprnent to encourage participatlon In physical act￿ltIeS and provido 8 lobwressute stwctured ￿Ct￿lty that coukl be used for socAal time. Our goal 18 to cr&at8 an outdoor gym envlronment offering students phy￿¢&1 acuvrfies to aid self4egulation to help them focus and engage Sn their learning. mentoring or therapy. Red Balloon is not just aboul academlc results but about g￿ing students a wider ￿arnIng experience and foGuslng on wellbeing and personal devek)pmenL Significant time, energy and experb5e is given to ensuring this is athievgd. Wellbelng Wellbelng prOVi￿On is central to our suppcwt of stAKlerrts arn1 thls year In partlcular we have focus￿1 on developing students, confidènce and und8rslanding of dealing wth so¢¢al media as well as the risks Inherent in drug taking. We have made a Concerted effort to provlde hollsllc and consistent support ID our students lo enable them to engage with the ubiquilou5 SOfAal media safety. and ervJaged closely wth police services to support sludents in understsndlng the dangers of engagin9 wth drugs. We continued lo run Challenge Tirne sessions {w￿h a focus on developing important srKial skills and life skills} and have involved students In communtty act￿￿e5 wilhin fhe C8ntre. Al students have a tutor and at tha beginning of the day there is a lulor lime session from 9-9.15 am. Eating together is an iwnportanl part of our wellbeing and pastoral i¥re, with students encwragod to eal tog8thor, along with staff in the Community Room. Wid•r Iparning and personal dgvglopmgnt We offered a range of enrichment acbvibes for our students this year including trips to the West End to see Tha Lion King, Hampton Court Palace. Bletchley Parl Gift of Class, and Mad Hatter5 Pottery Painting. During the year we also had a range of culknral activitses in the Centre. Future plans of the Charlty After discussion with several local authortbes and Ihe drafting of a I￿sIneSS plan, in March of 2021 w8 began looknng in earnest for a k)cation for a second site. Foltowing an unsu¢¢essful attempt to secure planning p8rmission for our selectsd site in 2022 we remain committed to finding an alietll81ive. RED BALLOON LEARNER CENTRE READING TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 Flnan¢ial review Total unrestricted income during the peri(xY was £862,486 {2024- £913,330) a decrease of 5.6%. This consistsd largely of income from the local authorities which was received to fund the education and wellbeing of the students whilst oulside mainstream edu￿￿0￿. Total restrlcted donations in the year were £1.50012024 . £3.500), see nol8 15 for details of these funds. Total expendlture was £868,15912024 - £876.2181 and was incurred in ￿rfOrManCe of the charitablè actNities of the company, including staffing, direct student costs, rent, utilities and other general running costs. An unre51ricled deficit of £5.44D was recorijed. bringing tot￿ unrestricted funds to £426.816 and within our tsrg8ted reseNeS policy. We would like to thank all those that have fiJThJraised. donated and volunteered time durlng the year. Ras8rves policy The trustees, policy on financial reseNes is to ensure a minimum of &6 months of reserves are held in the bank account, in addition to any specifically determined requirements. The Investment pollcy and objectlves The trustees. policy on investment is to retaln the surplus funds in interest bearing deposit accounts. The trustees. who are also the directors for the purpose of company L4w, and who seNeé during thè year and up lo thg datg uf signature of the financial slalements were.. MrAD H Pearson Mr T Lakg MSA Gupla Ms C Bllllng Mr P Harvey Mr C O'Hara Ms A Henderson {ApwJinted 18 September 2024 and resigned 11 November 20241 {Appolnted 30 Awil 2025} RED BALLOON LEARNER CENTRE READING TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 Statement of Trustees. R¢sponslbilltle6 The Trustees (who are also Directors of the Red Balloon Leamer Centre Readlng for the purposes irf company lawl are responsible for preparing the Trustee's Report and th8 finandal statements in accordance wlh appllcable law and regulation5. Company law requlres tha Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law, the Tw81ees have propared the financial statements in accordance wtth United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Standards and applicable law. Under company law the directOf5 must not approve the fi'nancial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a bue and fair view of the stale of affairs of the company and of the incomlng resources and application of resoums, induding the income and experKlituro, of the charitable company for that pertod. In preparing those flnancial ststements the Board is required to.. select sullable accounting ￿lI1(￿èS and th8n appfy them consistenyy, obseNe the methods and prfndples In the Statement of Recommended Practi(*s: Accounting and Reporting by Gharilles {20151', make judgements and &sty'mates that are reasonable and prudent slats whether appllcablv UK accounting stsndards. comprisiry FRS102, have been followed, subject to any materfal differences and explained in the financial statomenls, and,. pr$paT8 tho financial statements on the going concom ba&s unless it is inappropiiate lo prosume that the charity wll continue in business. The TNslees are responsible for keeping adequate a¢xoun11ng reo)rds that are sufficient Io show and explain th& company's transactions and disdose with reasonablo ac(wracy at any lime tho financial posllion of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements ¢x>mply th regulations made under the Charities Act and the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable Steps for Ihe prevention and de¢￿￿on of fraud and other irregulartties. Thls report has been prepared in accordanc8 the provisions applicable to companl&s subject to the small compani8s' regime. Th8 tnJsl8es' report was approved by the Board of Twstees. Mr T Lake Tmstee DBt8d'. RED BALLOON LEARNER CENTRE READING INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF RED BALLOON LEARNER CENTRE READING I report to the Iruslees on my ex8mln8tion of the financtal statements of Red Balkx)n Leamer C8ntre Reading {th8 charity) for the year ended 31 A￿ust 2025. R08ponslbllltlos and basis of report As Ihg trustees of the charity lar￿ also its directors frjr tho purpos8s ol company law). you are rosponsibl8 for the preparatlon of the financlal statements In acu)rdance wth the requirements of the Cornpani8s Act 2C4)6. Having sallsfied myself that the finan¢ial statements of the thartty are not roquired lo be audil8d under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligibk for indapendenl examination. I report in respgct of my 8x8minatson of the cha￿ty,$ financial statements carried out under secJon 145 of the Charibes Act 2011. In carying out my examination I have followed the Directlons given by Ihe Charity ComMiss￿n under SeC￿n 145(5)(bl of the Charities Act 2011. Independent examlner's statement Since the charlty's gross income exceeded £250.orAI, Ihe independent examiner musl be a member of a bDdy listed in sectlon 145 of th8 Charities Act 2011. 1 confimi that l am qualthed to undertake the examination because l am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. whichls one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examination. I ￿nfirni that no matters have come to my attention In connectton thé examlnalion giving m8 cause to believe.. the fin8ncial slalements do not accord with those Tecords: or accounting records were not kepl In respect of the charity as requIr￿1 by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006. the finan(ial statements do not Comp￿ the ac￿nting requirements of section 396 of the Companles Act 2006 other than any requlrement Ihal the finanrAal stat8m8nts give a true artrd fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent exafflinalion- or the financial statements have r￿1 Eeen prepared in aC(X)rdar￿ with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for aceDunting and reporting by charities applicabl8 to charities preparing their financial stalernents in accordance wtlh the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 1021. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in ￿nneCti￿ with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understsnding of the financial stslements to be reached. Edwln Smith Chartered Accountants 32 Queen Road Readlng Berkshire RG14AU 24th April 2026 RED BALLOON LEARNER CENTRE READING STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST2025 Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 Tolal Unrestrlctod Restrfcted funds funds 2024 2024 Total 2025 2024 Notgs Incomg from: Donations and legaciès Charitable actiwues Investments 8.632 848.044 5,810 10.132 1.543 905.566 6.221 3.500 5,043 9D5,566 6,221 5,810 Total Incomo 862.486 863,986 913,330 3,500 916,830 Exp¢ndlture on: Charltsble activities 867,926 233 868,159 873,785 2.433 876,218 Totsl expendlture 867.926 233 868.159 873.785 2.433 876,218 Net incomgll&xpondlturg1 and movgmgnt In fvnds {5,440) 1,267 14,173) 39,545 1,087 40.612 Reconclllation of lunds: Fund balances at 1 September 2024 432,256 23,806 456,062 392,711 22,739 415,450 Fund balances at 31 August 2025 426.816 25.073 451.889 432.256 23,806 456.062 The statement of financial activtttes indudes all gains and k)￿S reix)gnised in the year. All incA)me and expenditure derive from continuing activities. RED BALLOON LEARNER CENTRE READING BALANCE SHEET ASAT31 AUGUST2025 2025 2024 Notes Fixed assets Tanglble assets 11 13.675 16,651 Current as8•ts Debtors Cash at bank and Sn hand 12 19,911 446,281 10,231 468,222 466.192 478.453 Creditors: arnounts falllng du• wlthln one year 13 27,978 39,042 Nel current assets 438.214 439,411 Total assèts less Current liabillt195 451.889 456,Ck62 The funds of tho charity Restricted income funds Unrestricted funds 15 16 25,073 426,816 23,806 432,256 451,889 456,062 Th8 company 18 enlllled to thè exemplion from the aLKlit requirerrEnt containod In sectmm 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 August 2025. The dlrectors acknDwle(Ige Ihdr respon￿bil￿eS for cx)mptyFng vrilh the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with ￿pect lo accounting records and the preparation of financial statements. The members have not required the company to obtsin an audll of ifs financial statements for ts year in question in accordan(* with sectlon 476. These financlal ststem6nts Ikgve been prepared in aLwrdancE with the provisions applicAble lo ccmnpanies subject lo the small companies regime. l.f/JlJvernance costs were a8 follows.. Governance Governance costs costs 2025 2024 Independent examiners feè Professional services 925 31,806 1,000 29,453 32,731 30,453 Analysed be￿￿n Charitabb actNilies 32,731 30,453 Tru$lee8 None of the Board of Trustees and Directo￿ received any remuneration during the year or prior year. Exp8ns88 of £113 {2024- £160) werg relmbursed, relating to travel and meeting c08ts. No trust￿ or Ott￿r person related to the thanfy has any pers(ffial interest in any contract or transaction enter￿ into by the tharity duriThJ the ￿ar or prior year. Employees The average monlhty number of employees durlng the year was.. 2025 Number 2024 Numbar 23 23 Employment costs 2025 2024 Wag88 and salaries Social security ¢08ts Other pension costs 598.760 51,379 16.717 552.224 41,717 14,845 666,856 608.786 The number of employees whose annual r8muneration was MO￿ than £60,000 is as follows: 2025 Number 2024 Numbar £60,000 - £70.000 13- RED BALLOON LEARNER CENTRE READING NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 Employ•8s {Contlnued) Remunèration of koy manag•m•nt personnel The kay management personnel of tho charty Comprise the trustees, the Head of Centre and two Deputy Heads. The total employThent benefits of the key management Pgrsonnel of the Trust waB £164,33712024 - £145,719). 10 Taxatlon No liability to UK corporation tax arises as the company enjoys charitable status. 11 Tanglble fixed assets FlxbJre8 and Computèrn ffttln Total vehlckns Cost At 1 September 2024 Addltions 6.600 22,550 5,939 20,400 49,550 5.939 Al 31 August 2025 6,600 28,489 20.400 55.489 Depre¢latlon and Impalmignl At 1 Sgplember 2024 Deprgdation charged in the year 1,785 16,155 3,891 14,960 4.080 32,900 8,914 At 31 August 2025 2,728 20,046 19.040 41.814 Carrylng amount Al 31 August 2025 3,872 8,443 1.360 13.675 Al 31 August 2024 4,815 6,396 5,440 16,651 12 Debtors 2025 2024 Amounts falling duè within one year: Trade debtors Prepayments and accrued income 13,268 6,643 1,250 8,981 19,911 10,231 14- RED BALLOON LEARNER CENTRE READING NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 13 Credltors: amounts falllng due wlthln onè year 2025 2024 other tsxalion and soual security Trade creditors Other creditors Accruals and defarrod Inix)me 13,388 3,297 2.783 8.510 10,882 23,534 2,577 2,C149 27.978 39,042 14 Ratlremant benefit s¢h?me$ 2025 2L124 Defined contribution schemgs Charge to profft or loss in respect of defined contrlbution s(l￿neS 16.717 14.845 The charity oper8les a defined contribulion pensrfyn scheme for all qualfying employees. The assets of the sC￿me are held separately from those of the charity in an indepgrKJenUy administered fund. 15- RED BALLOON LEARNER CENTRE READING NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 16 Restrld¢d funds The restricted funds ofthe charity comprise Ihe unexp8nded balances of donations and grants h8ld on trust subject lo specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. Movgment in funds Movement In funds BalBnc• at Incornlng Re80urc•s Bal&nc• at kKomin9 Resources Balance at 1 Septembw rnsour¢ts expendgd 1 Septembar le$oUr¢￿ exp8Trdod 31 Augu¥t 2023 21124 2025 Bursary Dark Room Music Th&r8py Building Work Communlty Garden 3D Printer SALT Special Event8 Seymour Tmsl Sensory Circuit PlngPong 17.733 134 107 308 17,733 134 107 308 17,733 134 107 308 668 2.071 303 1,751 571 676 1.891 14 12.1J)O) 1140) {140} (14} 2.071 {2331 1.751 637 {1391 1.000 500 1,498 500 22.739 3.500 (2.4331 23,8 1.500 1233) 25,073 PurFM)se of th& reslricled ￿ndS Bursary - Funds to contribute to a Bursary for 8 Student to attend Red BallI￿n R6a(Jing. Da￿ Room - Funds to develop a photography dark room at Red Ballwn Readlng. Muslc Therapy- Funds to cover the cost of a music ther8pisL Building work - Funds to enhan￿ the kamer centre lo provide our students with the best learning and therapeulic environment. Communlty- Funds to enable the recruitrnenl of an Outreach Worker. Garden- Grant ￿ndIng to enhance the outdoor 8reas of the Centre for stud8nls to en50y. 3D Printer- Personal ¢Jon8Uon lo purchase a 3D pn'nter to support leaching and18arning. SALT & Seymour Tnjst - Funds trj SUPExXt a n&wty implemènted programme of speech and language therapy. Special Events- Funds rdised to conthtyJte towards a tdp or sporbng event. Seymour Trust Sensory Circuf(- Funds to create tr￿ement stations designed to provide sensory Input and promote s81f4egulation In Your￿ people. Projèct PiroPong - Grant funding for a table lonnis tsble. provK1ing a Iow•pressure strucknred actlvity lo support socialising. 16- RED BALLOON LEARNER CENTRE READING NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST2025 16 Designated funds Th8 unrestricted funds of the chartty compri8e the unexpendad balan(w of donaliDnS and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by don0￿ and grdnth as to how thay may be used. These include designated funds whith have been s61 aside out of unresthcied funds by the trustses for specifi¢ purposes. Movement In fijnds Balance al Incomlng Balance at 1 S0Ptgmber rp￿￿rGe5 1 September 2023 R￿OUrceS xpond8d Balance at 31 August 20 2024 Expansion 166.533 166.533 13.450} 163.083 166.533 166.533 13,4SOI 163,083 Purposo of the designated funds Expansion- Funds to support the openlng of a second centr8 in the Readlng area. 17 Operatlng1ga$o commltments Le8$ee The Company18as8s property from Red Balloon Educational T￿￿1. At 31 Augu812025 the Company had the following total future minimum 18ase payments under non-c4ncellable operdting leases= 2025 2024 Within one year Bets￿￿n and five years 32.000 67,000 32,500 97,500 99,000 130,000 18 Related party transaetl¢n$ During the year £42,639 12024-. £45,098) was invoiced by Rod B811oon Educational Tnjsl. an entity under common beneficial ownership, in relation to ren( management feo and other operating costs. Al thè year end the balancG outstanding was £2.610 (2024.. £Nill. 17- RED BALLOON LEARNER CENTRE READING NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 19 Cash (absorb¢d by)Ig¢nèrnted from operatlons 2025 2024 {Defl¢ltysurplus for the year 14.1731 40,612 Adlu$tmonts for: Investment income r&cognised In statement offinancial athitigs Depreoation and impairment of tangible fixed assets 15.810) 8,914 16,2211 9,365 Movements in working capltal: {Incre88el in debtor5 {Decreaseyn¢rease In creditors 19.6801 111,0631 16,6371 18,740 Cash (absorbed by)Igon•ratsd from operallons 121.8121 55,859 18-