Charity Number 1136552
Montessori Education for Autism
Report of the Trustees and
Independently Examined Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
Montessori Education for Autism
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees of the Charity | 1 |
| Reference and administrative details of the charity | 1 |
| Statement of Financial Acitivities | 2 |
| Balance Sheet | 3 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 4 - 5 |
| Accounting Policies | 6 |
| Report of the Independent Examiner | 7 |
| Report of the Trustees | 8 - 12 |
| Testimonials | 13 |
Montessori Education for Autism
Trustees of the Charity
Wendy Fidler ** Chair, Academic Director Roger Patenall ** Treasurer Shalini Modi ** Katalin Lovassy Ashok Kumar Rachel Spooner David Stott Delphine Marcillaud Nick Tedstone Appointed April 28th 2023 ** Members of the Executive Committee
Reference and administrative details of the charity
Charity Registered Number 1136552
Registered Office
Montessori House, 135 Westcombe Hill, Blackheath, London, SE3 7DP
Bankers CAF Bank Ltd Insurance Brokers Northern Counties Insurance LLP Third Sector Protect
page one
Montessori Education for Autism
| Statement of Financial Activities | for the year ended 31 December 2023 | for the year ended 31 December 2023 | for the year ended 31 December 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note Incoming resources Voluntary income 1 Activities 2 Investment Income 3 Total Incoming Resources Resources Expended Charitable activities 4 Governance costs 5 Total resources expended Movement in total funds for the year Total funds at 1 January 2022 Total funds at 31 December 2022 |
Restricted Funds 2023 £ 0 0 0 0 0 |
Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ 75,366 21,632 296 97,294 107,429 600 108,029 (10,735) 29,573 18,838 |
Total Funds 2023 £ 75,366 21,632 296 97,294 107,429 600 108,029 (10,735) 29,573 18,838 |
Total funds 2022 £ 75,663 25,632 78 |
| 101,373 | ||||
| 105,476 1,036 |
||||
| 106,512 | ||||
page two
Montessori Education for Autism
| Balance Sheet | as at 31 December 2023 | as at 31 December 2023 | as at 31 December 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| Note | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Current Assets | ||||||
| Petty Cash Floats | 372 | - | ||||
| Debtors | 7 | 3,481 | 6,006 | |||
| Total at Bank | 15,696 | 23,927 | ||||
| 19,549 | 29,933 | |||||
| Creditors | ||||||
| Due within one year | 8 | 731 | 360 | |||
| 18,818 | 29,573 | |||||
| 18,818 | 29,573 | |||||
| Charity Funds | ||||||
| Unrestricted Funds | 9 | 18,818 | 29,573 | |||
| Restricted Funds | 9 | - | - | |||
| 18,818 | 29,573 |
The notes and policies on pages 4 to 6 form part of these Financial Statements
The Financial Statements were approved by the Trustees on April 28th, 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
Roger Patenall FCA
page three
Montessori Education for Autism
Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2023
| 1 Voluntary Income Donations Gift Aid 2 Income from Activities Registrations Donations to Nurture Groups Donations for SEN & Waldon Training Proceeds of Insurance claim Other fundraising 3 Investment Income Bank Interest 4 Expenditure on Charitable Activity Summary by Fund Type: General Overheads Administration costs Purchase of Piano Nurture Groups Training MEfA Fundraising Events Summary by expenditure type: Overheads and Admin Nurture Groups Training MEfA Conference & Events |
Restricted Funds 2023 £ - - - - - - - |
Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ 57,870 17,496 75,366 420 18,760 1,760 692 21,632 296 1,862 6,314 91,943 7,285 645 108,049 8,176 91,943 7,285 645 108,049 |
Total Funds 2023 £ 57,870 17,496 75,366 420 18,760 1,760 - 692 21,632 296 1,862 6,314 - 91,943 7,285 645 108,049 8,176 91,943 7,285 645 108,049 |
Total Funds 2022 £ 57,758 17,905 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75,663 | ||||
| 350 15,802 7,040 1,727 713 |
||||
| 25,632 | ||||
| 78 | ||||
| 4,376 11,121 2,000 81,327 7,548 140 |
||||
| 106,512 | ||||
| 17,497 81,327 7,548 140 |
||||
| 106,512 |
page four
Montessori Education for Autism
Notes to the Financial Statements, continued
| 2023 £ 5 Employee In 2023 there was one employee (2022 - one) involved in the provision of charitable activity There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more. 6 Governance Costs Accountancy Costs 600 Visa Licence renewal 600 |
2022 £ 500 536 - |
|---|---|
| 1,036 |
7 Net Income
This is stated after charging Accountancy Fees £600 (2022 - £500) During the year, no Trustee received any remuneration for acting as a Trustee (2022 - nil) During the year, no Trustee received any benefits in kind (2022- nil) During the year, no Trustee received any reimbursement of expenses (2022 - nil)
| 8 Debtors Prepayments Donation Pledged Sundry Debtors 9 Creditors Expenses to be settled within one year ## Statement of funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds |
Brought Forward £ 29,573 0 29,573 |
Incoming Resources £ 97,294 97,294 |
731 - 2,750 731 Resources Expended £ 108,049 108,049 |
- 3,256 2,750 Carried Forward £ 18,818 0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18,818 |
page five
Montessori Education for Autism
Accounting Policies
1. Basis of preparation of the Financial Statements
The Financial Statements have been prepared using the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities. The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice - "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" and with applicable accounting standards.
The books of account are kept on a Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with Charity Commission advice for a charity of this size. The Financial Statements have been prepared making adjustments to reflect timing differences between the receipt and payment of monies and the year in which the activity takes place.
Payments of deposits to landlords in respect of rent obligations have been carried forward as debtors.
2. Fund Accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for specific purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with the specific restrictions imposed by donors and which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes.
3. Incoming Resources
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with accuracy. Gifts in Kind donated to the charity are included at valuation (subject to de minimis) and recognised as income at the time of receipt.
No amounts are included in the Financial Statements for services donated by volunteers. Donated services or facilities are included in income (subject to de minimis) at a valuation which is an estimate of the financial cost borne by the donor where such cost is quantifiable and measureable.
Income Tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid is recognised at the time funds are received from HMRC.
4 Resource expended
All expenditure is accounted for at the time the funds are expended, except where detailed in note 1 above. Where costs cannot be be directly attributed to one particular activity they have been allocated, so far as is practicable, on a basis consistent with the use of the resources.
Governance costs are those incurred in connection with the administration of the charity and in compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.
page six
Montessori Education for Autism
Report of the Independent Examiner to the trustees of Montessori Education for Autism for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Respective Responsibilities of the trustees and of the Examiner .
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
(1) examine the accounts under section 145 of the Act;
(2) follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Act), and
(3) state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner’s statement.
My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records 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 the trustees concerning any 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 statement below.
Independent Examiner’s statement.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements to:
keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act, have not been met, and furthermore, there are no matters to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Richard W Carey London.
24[th] April, 2024
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Montessori Education for Autism
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2023
The trustees present their Annual Report together with the Financial Statements of Montessori Education for Autism (“the charity” also “MEfA”) for the year ended 31 December 2023. The trustees confirm that the Annual Report and Financial Statements of the charity comply with current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity’s governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) Accounting and Reporting by Charities.
Objectives and Activities .
The principal objectives of the charity, as defined by the Constitution, are:
1) to advance education of children with autism (and conditions related to autism) through methods of learning and education developed by Dr Maria Montessori and in connection with this:
2) to provide advice and support to families and carers of children with autism.
3) to provide information, advisory and advocacy services, training, day services, education, leisure and recreation for children with autism and to support others making similar provision.
4) to promote, conduct and engage in research into autism, and to publish the useful results of such research.
5) to collect and disseminate information relating to autism and to exchange such information with other bodies having similar objects.
The principal activities of the charity, are to:
1) provide classes during term time aimed at all children, but principally those with special education needs.
2) provide post-graduate training to professionals and others with interest in the development of children and the principles of Montessori Education
- 3) provide input to conferences and workshops, both those organized by the charity and by third parties.
4) provide support to families and schools by means of telephone and email helplines, and by personal meetings and presentations.
Public Benefit and delivering Social Value
This year, again, all of our activities have provided immediate and visible benefit to those with special needs (principally autism related), their families and their carers. MEfA aims to keep its objects under review and to continue directing its energies to those who may benefit from the expertise of its people
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Montessori Education for Autism
Structure, governance and management:
Organisational structure and decision making :
Trustees
All trustees give their time voluntarily and received no benefits from the charity in their role as trustees.
The trustees consider that the Board of Trustees provides a wide spectrum of experience to MEfA. This experience covers autism, special needs education, the principles of learning devised by Dr Maria Montessori and others and also provides an insight into care and education in countries other than the United Kingdom.
Risk Management
The trustees are aware of their obligations and the need to provide a safe, healthy environment in which staff, volunteers, visitors and clients and their families can have confidence.
Policies are in place, and are reviewed on a regular basis, covering, inter alia, Protection of Children and Vulnerable People; Health and Safety, Use of Cameras and Mobile Recording Devices, Data Protection and Staff, Trustee and Visitor protocols, which include induction into the ethics, standards and procedures of MEfA.
Achievements and Performance:
Activity Report
All our child and parent activities, and assessments, are held at Montessori House. These groups continue their evolution from an Early Intervention Class for very small children and their parents with a strong focus on developing children’s social, sensory, communication, language and coordination skills. Our flagship project, the Montessori Moles after-school nurture group for children ages 4-12 years, is often operating at capacity, helping children who are struggling to access their education at primary school because of difficulties associated with autism, such as sensory issues, social, communication and physical difficulties, anxiety, low self-esteem and poor self-regulation which often leads to behavioural problems.
We now have the following groups running each week during term time:
Baby Montessori (children aged up to 18 months); Toddler Montessori (children aged from 15–36 months); Montessori Inclusive School (children aged from 2-12 years: 5 weekly groups); Montessori Moles: After-School Nurture Group (aged 4-12 years); Forest School / Wellbeing Sessions (two weekly groups for all ages);
Page nine
Montessori Education for Autism
We are hugely indebted to the number of volunteers and interns who have supported our activities again this year; we have a continuing stream of interest and enquiries about this aspect of our work. We are grateful also to the young people from overseas who spend time with us in spite of the procedure of obtaining the necessary visas.
By 31 December 2023 we had completed 24 cohorts of the MEfA Montessori post-graduate SEN CPD Short Course: Part 1 - A Blueprint for Observation, and as a result we have trained teachers, psychologists, social workers, early years educators, parents, a choreographer, an environmental designer, and other mastersgrade students so they can apply Montessori special education methodology and philosophy to their work, thus providing other avenues for reaching out to children and adults with autism. We are also justifiably proud of our increasing professional links with mainstream organisations.
During the year MEfA was saddened by the news of the death of Carol Mannion. Carol had been a staunch supporter of MEfA in every activity. She had made memorable contributions at most MEfA conferences and had been an inspiration at the Waldon courses. In her memory it was decided that the Waldon course to be held in November 2023 would be free of charge to all delegates. Donations totalling £1,000 were however made to MEfA in her memory by several delegates.
In 2023 the number of children registered to our various sessions at Montessori House remained below the level pre-pandemic. This was expected and our budgets were reduced accordingly. Building up to our prepandemic level of activity is taking time and, although as the year progressed, enquiries picked up and we are starting 2024 with moderate activity in all classes.
Financial matters
Funding
The total income of MEfA for 2023 was £97,294 (2022 - £101,373). Expenditure amounted to £108,029 (£106,512 in 2022). General overheads in 2023 amounted to £1,862 (2022 - £4,376). Every item of expenditure has been scrutinised and the reduction in overhead reflects this. The trustees believe that this level of overhead is acceptable for a charity of this size and includes: Subscriptions made, Insurance, Fundraising, Bank and credit card charges and Professional Fees.
These financial results reflect the ongoing challenging fundraising climate faced by MEfA in 2023, but also demonstrate the responsive manner in which the trustees have been able to match much of the expenditure to the income available. In line with many organisations in similar sectors, it is proving challenging to match our existing financial model to the increases in energy and utility costs. The trading loss of £10,700 in the accounts is accounted for by both a shortfall in parent donations for classes and increases in utility costs.
The trustees attach great importance and commensurate effort into raising as much of our financial needs from the activities run on a regular basis, and thereby minimise our dependence upon grants from outside donors. This policy will continue during 2024 and we expect the coming year to be equally challenging. Nevertheless, MEfA is extremely grateful to the donors listed below, and acknowledges that such donations will continue to be a vital part of our funding programme.
Page ten
Donations
Montessori Education for Autism
During 2023 grants, donations (including donations in kind) and funds were received from the following:
The Stephen Taylor Foundation The Bimal Family The Souter Charitable Trust Royal Borough of Greenwich (Neighbourhood Growth Fund) The Page Family The Elder Family The Arthur Family The Staal Family Design for Print Shalini Modi Babs Oduwale Mrs Anne Goodman Dr Asmita Mistry Paola Torrani
MEfA is grateful to all donors, including many whose time has been freely given but are not acknowledged above.
Expenditure
As noted elsewhere, trustees are not reimbursed in respect of their activities as trustees and no expenses have been reimbursed to trustees during the year.
In accordance with Charity Commission guidelines the accounts have been kept using the receipts and payments method. In the Financial Statements, Deposit rents paid to agents of the landlord in respect of the properties at 135 and 135A Westcombe Hill are carried forward as prepayments. Payment of insurance premia for 2024 has been made in December 2023 on behalf of the charity. The charge is carried forward as a prepayment whilst a creditor is carried forward for reimbursement of the payment to the insurer. Deposits received in advance of future year programmes are carried forward as creditors.
During the latter part of the year, our existing energy supply agreements terminated. The new contracts are not strictly comparable as the terms are not as ‘consumer-friendly’ as the expiring contracts. However, the initial indications are that energy costs will rise by at least 75%.
Reserves
The trustees are aware that the level of reserves is below an ideal level. All leaseholds are subject to three month notice of cancellation periods and the landlord holds deposits against much of this liability. Other than these leases the charity has no liabilities.
Page eleven
Investment Review
Montessori Education for Autism
MEfA funds not immediately required are held on a bank deposit account. Investment returns have, for some years, been negligible. However, the last six months of 2023 generated income and we hope that this will now accelerate. The trustees consider that any extra returns that may be earned by seeking other uses for funds are outweighed by the inherent risks in taking such action
Plans for the future and appreciation
At the time of preparation of this report, the outlook for 2024 remains very unclear, in spite of the success of the Covid vaccines programme there still remains the possibility of future infection.
Our Forest School continues to be developed and is evolving with an eye to the future. Elsewhere our plans are all focussed on preparation of the environment and, in particular, staff training , to ensure that we are well prepared as numbers of children attending MEfA continue to build up.
We are confident that, whatever challenges are encountered, we will continue to offer as full a range as possible of activities through 2024. MEfA, in turn, could not operate without the continuing efforts of our staff, volunteers, donors and families for which we place on record our heartfelt thanks.
This report was approved by the Trustees on 28[th] April 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
Wendy Fidler
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Montessori Education for Autism
Testimonials
I cannot thank you and the staff at MEfA enough for welcoming us in and giving A (and all of us!) those months of nurtured learning. I remember the warm and comforting atmosphere of your classrooms with fondness. I think it made the world of difference to be in that setting after A's bad experience and all of his family members who accompanied him there really appreciated that.
Dr R P
Hi Wendy . . . I just wanted to say thank you so much for your help with the girls. We reaally enjoy attending and we've learnt so much already. Sorry if I'm a bit distracted when you speak to me, I'm always making mental notes . . .
MF
We met when you came to X School some years ago to do some staff training . . . Your talk was fascinating and has stayed with me to this day. . . I now work at X College (Nursery through to 6th form) and wonder if you still offer staff training. It would be of great benefit to our SEND team and better equip us to meet the needs of some of our children?
Mrs S G
. . . I just wanted to thank you again for the most wonderful, captivating, emotional, inspiring and educational course I have ever been on. Your vast knowledgeof how to use Montessori materials for children with special needs is something I will never forget . . .
Katherine N. a delegate at the Bergen conference workshop day
I have just attended the lecture and heard your closing comments. I just wanted to share my excitement at having your voice heard. I feel you have opened my eyes into a world I was not fully aware of. . . . I would love to find ways to improve my abilities and learn more ways to help (these children) to integrate in the class.
D, a teacher from Israel
I'd like to enrol on the second part of the course as I really enjoyed Part 1. . . Cohort 23 has been for me life changing . . .
DC - An Italian student
I wish to convey my profound appreciation to my lecturer and thesis supervisor. Professor Wendy Fidler, Her continual source of inspiration, steadfast support, and intellectual provocations have not merely piqued my interest but have significantly broadened my comprehension and insight into the Montessori Pedagogy and MEfA Methodology.
PT - Another Italian student
Montessori Education for Autism
Testimonials
I Am currently pursuing my diploma course in SLD from India and just cannot forget the journey I had in MEFA. Thank you for the immense knowledge that you shared. As I'm doing my project I just can't stop thinking about my time in your school. Thank you so much
Sapna U. (SEN graduate)
Dear Wendy,
Thank you very much for the programme (for M, during Lockdown) . It is fantastic, we are implementing it well.
. . . .
Thank you very much for all your help, support and reassurance, having you in our lives is a great privilege!
M’s Mum (June 2020)
Dear Wendy,
I just wanted to send you, Rathi and the rest of your team a huge thank you for your support and tutelage since September. We really appreciate the time you have spent planning the sessio and personalising the activities for R. I think this has made an enormous difference and helped R to make some progress this term.
Thank you also for making J (sibling) so welcome.
Moreover, even in these uncertain waters, MEfA has always remained a steady and constant vess Your commitment and bravery is incredibly admirable and we have been very grateful for this.
L - a Mum (December 2020)
"I have such fond memories of your Montessori preschool at Mycenae House. I remember you introduced me to the concept of children working hard through observation, that they are constantly learning even when they don’t appear to be actively engaged."
The Mum of a former toddler pupil reaching his 11th birthday.
I discovered Montessori’s Method, fell in love with it and qualified as a Montessori teacher. After that I did a post grad diploma with Montessori Education for Autism. What I learnt gave me the confidence to dismantle the various methods, choose what I needed, and re- build them into my own version. . . ( Thank you Wendy Fidler)
Chi Boakye (SEN Training, Cohort 4)