**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND**
## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **FOR**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST**
Ashdown Hurrey Auditors Limited Statutory Auditor 20 Havelock Road Hastings East Sussex TN34 1BP
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
**EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST**
## **CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|**Report of the Trustees**|1 to 35|
|**Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities**|36|
|**Report of the Independent Auditors**|37 to 40|
|**Statement of Financial Activities**|41|
|**Balance Sheet**|42 to 43|
|**Cash Flow Statement**|44|
|**Notes to the Cash Flow Statement**|45|
|**Notes to the Financial Statements**|46 to 62|
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2021. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities'.
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
## **Objectives and Activities**
During the reporting period the Charity continued to fulfil its objects by providing a range of services within its area of benefit to fulfil its charitable aims, advance education and increase educational attainment by supporting pupils, their families and communities within some of the most deprived areas in England. These education-based services have been developed to meet the needs of the beneficiaries, with the Charity ensuring that delivery takes place in the heart of the local community. Throughout the year, the Charity has had due regard to the commission's public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties.
The Charity has worked with children, young people, families and vulnerable adults in Hastings and Rye, focusing primarily in areas of deprivation or where families and children have identified need. In this financial year, the reach of the Trust has continued to meet the needs of some of the more vulnerable families in the outlying rural areas, as is permitted within the Articles of Association.
Renovation of The Firs site on Elphinstone Road as a suitable location for service delivery, has continued. A full planning application for the site was submitted in December 2019. and throughout the financial year, the charity has worked with Hastings Borough Council to progress the planning permission for the site. A number of issues have slowed the process, especially because of changes within the borough council’s planning department and because of the impact of the pandemic.
Plans have been developed across this year to ensure best value for the charity, and to ensure that any developments remain within the charity's objectives.
Access to the grounds at The Firs has helped meet the aims and objectives of the Charity by providing the space to deliver a wide range of provision. The ability to manage the facilities and establish processes to keep people safe, enabled staff to offer outdoor learning in line with
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
government restrictions. The different areas of site (football pitch, multi-games area, wooded space, Secret Garden) provided various options for delivery of courses and 1-1 work, whilst the volunteer workforce was able to work safely in the grounds. For many, accessing provision at The Firs provided the opportunity to improve their mental well-being and to re-engage with society.
During the year, the Charity undertook negotiations with East Sussex County Council to take over the West St Leonards Children’s Centre building on Bexhill Road. This site would provide the Charity with much needed indoor space and a venue for the early years Comic Relief project, as well as other group delivery. Lengthy negotiations over repairs were continuing at year end, though terms of service were agreed. Mayer Brown International supported the charity with lease negotiations throughout the period.
Over the period April 2020 - March 2021, the work of the Charity continued through the acquisition of funds from a range of funders and through commissioned work aligned to the Charity's public benefit. Reserves were utilised to maintain essential services when funding gaps arose, and also to fund the post of Business Manager from December 2020, in line with the reserves strategy.
Significant reserves remain allocated to the development of the therapeutic outdoor learning centre at The Firs: these have not yet been spent because of the delays in acquiring planning permission.
## **ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE**
## **Overview**
During the year, the Charity applied for and acquired resources from a range of sources to continue its work. Funding and support have been received from:
- Asda Foundation: Emergency Food Fund
- Children in Need: main grant and COVID Fund
- Comic Relief: Survive & Thrive Fund and Crisis Fund
- Co-operative Local Community Fund
- DEFFA/Hastings Food Bank: Crisis Food Provision
- East Sussex College Group Community Learning
- East Sussex County Council Family Learning and COVID Food Provision
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
- Hastings and Rother Clinical Commissioning Group: Reducing Health Inequalities funding
- Hastings Direct: charity fund
- Hastings Opportunity Area: summer school, literacy campaign, COVID keyworkers
- Henry Smith: Crisis support
- Lloyds Foundation: Invest
- Magdalen and Lasher
- Nationwide
- National Lottery: Awards for All and COVID Fund
- ParentZone
- Police Property Act Fund
- Sports England: This Girl Can
- Sussex Community Foundation: Crisis Fund
- TE Connectivity: Food Crisis Fund
- Youth Endowment Fund.
The Charity received benefit through pro-bono support or donations of goods from
- A4 Architecture (UK) Limited;
- Co-operative (Ore)
- Cranfield Trust;
- FareShare
- Mayer Brown International LLP;
- Morrisons;
- National Literacy Trust;
- Nationwide;
- Orbit Housing;
- Penguin Ransom House **;**
- Simon and Schuster
- TE Connectivity;
- Tesco (Little Ridge and Hollington)
- WHSmith.
**A4 Architecture** (UK) Limited has continued to support The Firs development since the outset, giving generously of staff time and expertise. Over the year, support has been given around planning needs; access to a surveyor and tender readiness.
The assistance from **Cranfield Trust** supported the Chief Executive in accessing additional support for the charity. During the year, through the links with Hastings Community Network Executive, the Chief
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
Executive was able to facilitate links with other local charities for Cranfield Trust.
The legal input from **Mayer Brown International LLP** has enabled the charity to investigate the lease and building issues for the ex-ESCC Children’s Centre in Bexhill Road. Complications with building repairs were being managed at the end of the year. In addition, the company continued to support the movement towards planning for The Firs.
A number of local firms have continued to provide volunteers to improve the Secret Garden at The Firs. At various times during the year, **Orbit Housing, TE Connectivity** and the **Nationwide Building Society** have provided volunteers to work on the land.
**Morrisons** and **Tesco** have continued to make donations of consumables to support projects and local families, especially throughout the pandemic. In addition, the **Co-operative** at Ore has supplied daily food donations for the food hampers.
Supplies of books have been crucial to local children during lockdown, and partnership working with the **National Literacy Trust** , resulted in a range of donations from **Penguin Ransom House** and **Simon and Schuster.** Additional resources from **WHSmith** contributed to the educational packs that were distributed to households in the deprived wards throughout the pandemic.
In addition, the charity received donations from individuals who wished to supply laptops that were distributed to 4 local families who would otherwise have been unable to access learning during COVID-19.
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF THE YEAR**
The work of the Education Futures Trust has continued to focus on the needs of the most vulnerable children, families and adults in Hastings, Rye and the surrounding area. Building on core strengths that have been delivered throughout the life of the Charity, the organisation continually adapts its programmes to meet local need.
Having established the work in schools and with partners, the Charity continues to offer services to schools to meet its aims. School involvement over the period has enabled the Charity to reach children and families across the area of benefit and meet the aims of the memorandum and articles. During the reporting period, the number of schools receiving the Charity's services remained consistent, whilst the schools/academies membership sat at 19 this year.
## Response to the pandemic
The Charity’s work continued throughout this reporting period, despite the pandemic. The office remained open for 5 days a week, as staff were classified as key workers and services were crucial to ensuring that vulnerable households had essential support and the provision of food and basic items. Some of the Charity’s projects were put on hold, and a proportion of the workforce were furloughed. Keyworkers, coaches and 2 managers worked throughout the periods of lockdown to support the delivery of essential services. The Keywork Manager worked entirely from home, supporting his team, whilst the Chief Executive worked in the office. This division ensured that, in the case of either manager catching the virus, the Charity would be able to continue to function.
Supervision for staff and meetings moved online, as did most of the support offered by staff to their caseload and those in need. At all times, government guidelines were followed.
Throughout the period the Charity worked with partners to align services and avoid duplication. Regular meetings and partnership bids meant that opportunities were shared and that funding was well managed; these new relationships continued beyond the financial year and have helped strengthen the services. The Chief Executive took part in a range of meetings, including Hastings Community Hub, the Charity Response Forum, Emergency Food Network meetings and chaired the Children,
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
Young People and Families Hub working group that ran throughout the pandemic.
The office space was transformed in April 2020 as soon as the need was evident: identified by those offering intensive support to families and adults on caseload. Food, books, learning materials and other basic items were stored and then distributed, as staff reported that many families and adults had become isolated and vulnerable as they lacked support networks and the finances to manage their lives.
Over the year, 3,331 **food hampers** were delivered to feed 11,419 individuals. Food was sourced from supermarkets and through FareShare, with funding provided by
- individual charitable donors;
- Sussex Community Foundation;
- DEFRA: through both East Sussex County Council & Hastings Foodbank;
- TE Connectivity;
- Henry Smith;
- Magdalen and Lasher;
- FareShare;
- Hastings Direct;
- Tesco;
- Hastings Food Alliance;
- Comic Relief.
As a result, 115,680 meals were delivered by the charity to households in Hastings and the immediate area. Hampers were delivered by volunteers and staff, and the deliveries were used to build relationships and undertake welfare checks on those we supported. Many of those receiving the food indicated that they had little contact with anyone else:
“Thank you for being there and staying there, As so many services are closed or oversubscribed its such a comfort to know you are still there for me.”
We also know that for some of the households, the deliveries provided much need practical and emotional support:
“Since I lost my job back in April because of Covid I have struggled to pay the bills. The food from EFT has helped some of the stress as I know I don't have to worry so much about feeding my children.”
“Really great, helps me out a lot during these dark times.”
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
Whilst providing the practical support, staff used the period to identify longer term strategies to reduce the dependency on food hampers, and families were able to identify for themselves when they no longer required support:
“I lost my job back before Christmas but I’m going back to work today and I don’t need the hampers anymore. Thank you these have been a lifeline.”
Through the Get Hastings Reading **literacy campaign** , funded by Hastings Opportunity Area, the Charity distributed books to children throughout the pandemic. In April 2020, the project was adapted to enable volunteers to deliver books to children’s homes, to ensure that children had access to learning. Additional books were collected to meet the demand, as many parents lacked the resource and knowledge to support their children. By August 2020, the target of collecting and distributing 10,000 books was met, whilst, between September 2020 and March 2021, 5994 books were distributed to 2956 children, which exceeded the target for the full year.
Feedback from families regarding the book donations was very positive:
“We received our books today and we are so grateful, the children loved reading them.”
“With libraries being shut it has been difficult to get my children to read so when we got our bundles we were so pleased.”
## Keywork
During the pandemic, this service was crucial to meeting the needs of local families. In addition, keyworkers provided the Charity with significant intelligence about the needs of local families, especially those living in the most deprived areas, and those that were facing significant challenges. During the early period of lockdown, families faced desperate circumstances, with many lacking finance, support networks and, quite quickly, basic provisions. The Charity responded by redirecting resources to meet the need as described later in the report.
Across the year, the Trust employed eleven full time equivalent keyworkers in a mix of full and part-time roles. During the first lockdown, all keyworkers worked from home. Building on the small core staff team of school-funded keyworkers that provided focused support for families,
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
the charity also received additional commissions from the Hastings Opportunity Area (HOA). In total, the Charity held 4 different contracts for keywork during the reporting period:
1. school commissioned keywork (ongoing);
2. Hastings Opportunity Area (HOA) attendance keyworkers;
3. HOA emotional well-being contract (June – Aug 2020)
4. keyworkers co-located with ESCC.
The Trust continued its **school commissioned keywork** support in five primary academies where the keyworkers worked with the commissioning schools to provide directly to their families. From the beginning of lockdown, it became clear that schools were keen to maintain contact with the previously referred families as well as others, some of whom were ex- keywork caseload but most of whom were new families. Maintaining contact with those families was crucial. Not all of these were on the keyworker’s caseload, as academies asked for help to maintain links with a much wider cohort, and so family contacts made by keyworkers expanded massively in order to maintain some level of oversight of potentially vulnerable families. Records of these remote contacts, which were mainly by telephone and text appear to be an under-representation; families reached by four keyworkers in five schools totalled 182.
“I …shall always remember your help at what could have been a terrifying changing time in all my little family lives. I never felt judged or embarrassed as your attitude and warmth were very comforting, I would not hesitate to ask for help again...”
At the start of the reporting period, the Trust was also two thirds of the way through a **HOA contract to support and improve pupil attendance** in the borough, when the lockdown due to the pandemic was announced. The regulations resulted in the suspension of all regular keywork home visiting and schools were closed to all but identified children. This meant that negotiated action plans, to improve attendance, with targets set between children, parents/carers and keyworkers were suspended. Thirty key work cases were open at this time. All cases that related to attendance were closed and improvements in the targeted areas were calculated to that point. Keyworker support was then rerouted to provide support to the families who were struggling most during the pandemic.
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
“You have helped me in my dark moments, dealing with daily stress.” (parent)
In addition, the Charity was commissioned by Hastings Opportunity Area (HOA) to expand the keywork team for 3 months (June – Aug 2020) by an additional 3 full posts, so that **emotional well-being support** could be provided to additional families in need. Two experienced members of our existing keywork team increased their hours and other staff were appointed for this short period.
As a result of this contract, at the end of May 2020, the Trust approached ten local schools that were identified as having a need for family support during the first COVID-19 lockdown period. All but one school took up the offer and made referrals. 80 cases were referred and none were turned away. An additional 38 referrals were picked up after the mid -point of the project and Trust keyworkers were able to accommodate this.
Only four families disengaged from this support. 71 families (89%) who were supported across the full period made progress against targets. 13 of these families received weekly food hampers and 46 were given books and activity packs for their children. Making contact and establishing the service with some schools was a challenge and required persistence as senior school staff were exceptionally busy. Parental feedback:
"I understand what I need to be doing and will be putting these things into place before L goes back to school."
". . . just to say thank you so much for your help these last weeks it has helped me a great deal and is much appreciated."
Restrictions due to social distancing requirements limited the amount of work done directly with children and it was not possible to see children away from their parent/carers, as we would have liked.
7 schools involved in this additional short-term project responded: all have given very positive feedback about the keyworker, as have parents/carers. With the addition of at least 74 siblings, 154 children have had professional oversight during this particular project. School staff feedback includes:
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
“Very thorough assessment of the family’s needs, with actions to work on moving forward.”
“…can I just thank you wholeheartedly for all of the wonderful work you have done in supporting some of our most vulnerable children and their families throughout this Covid 19 crisis. You have been such an amazing source of emotional support and resources to so many and it has made an enormous difference to each and every one of them.”
All EFT keyworkers worked with identified schools in areas of deprivation to make welfare calls and identity the support required, primarily to keep children safe in this first period of lockdown. Whether commissioned by schools or by the HOA, practice was consistent, with keyworkers making regular calls, liaising with any remaining services and meeting basic needs. These shorter interventions did not yield full sets of data and are not included in the outcomes statistics: it was not possible to gather the required information: schools were under pressure and unable to provide data.
Early in the pandemic, during the first lockdown, official hygiene information was sometimes inconsistent which led to a variety of responses from keyworkers. This makes performance difficult to compare, as some worked completely from home and managed their caseload remotely because of their own vulnerabilities. Others preferred to have more direct contact by making doorstep visits. Risk assessments of working practices were strictly adhered to and regularly updated in line with latest government guidance.
From the start of the lockdown until August 2021, doorstep visits were carried out according to a strict protocol of ‘knock on the door, then stand back two metres’ whilst wearing a mask or visor. Across 3 schools, two keyworkers made 296 such visits.
Whether in person or remotely, between keyworkers were active in arranging or directly delivering over 800 food parcels to families who were experiencing hardship. These deliveries often provided a pretext for doorstep discussions to check on the welfare of children. Further deliveries were made to get books, learning and play resources supplied by the Trust to families who may not have been able to access the on-line learning resources offered by schools.
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
In September 2020, the Charity’s keywork team was reduced when the HOA projects for attendance and additional Covid support came to an end. From September to March 2021, thirty keywork cases were open to five keyworkers across six schools. This is roughly the same volume as pre-pandemic.
In addition, funding for keywork was secured from the Sussex Community Foundation Crisis Fund and closed at the end of the reporting period. Reporting on this work was possible, as data could be gathered. Of the 9 families, 8 engaged throughout the period, and of these 8 families:
- 89% fully met their targets;
- 100% partially or fully met targets;
On evaluation forms, all were asked about the effectiveness of the service:
- 97% of parents;
- 100% of school staff
- 100% of children
indicated that the service was ‘effective’ or ‘very effective’
Additional funding from Didymus Charity will fund 20 interventions over the next financial year.
It has become apparent during and since the pandemic crisis that the Education Futures Trust makes a unique and valuable offer of support to the children and families of Hastings, St. Leonards and the surrounding area. Its range of services and projects, from the practicalities of food parcels to the potentially life changing support given by our early years project and school and family keyworkers, overlap and form a safety net of provision that augments statutory services and goes further, to enhance and promote life opportunities which is the Trust’s mission.
“Having X as a keyworker has been pivotal in making the progress we needed as a family. For a long time we were stuck with trying to secure appointments for my children with ASD/ADHD. X not only managed to get these in place, she also provided desperately needed emotional support to myself. As a single mother I have found it challenging but knowing that X is just a call/message away has been so helpful. I am really grateful to have had such a caring and amazing keyworker.”
Joint work with ESCC: Emotional Well Being Keywork and Parenting
Over the reporting period, the Charity employed three keyworkers, two full time, one part time, who were co-located within the local authority
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
and work within the Short Term Keywork Team. Their caseload supervision was managed by a local authority manager and general supervision provided by the Charity's Keywork Manager. These keyworkers offer a therapeutic intervention of up to twelve weeks to school referred children presenting with emergent mental health needs. Because of the pandemic this delivery moved entirely online throughout the reporting period in line with ESCC policies.
## Early Years
Comic Relief funded the services of an Early Years Coach from September 2020. Relationships were built with local Health Teams, Early Help Services and Children’s Centres.
Out of the 19 families on caseload, 14 referrals came from health visitors. The families faced significant barriers that included housing problems, feelings of isolation, financial concerns, children with additional support needs, mental ill health, play, routines and difficulty in accessing community resources.
In order to overcome these issues, 14 referrals were made to wider services, with 100% uptake:
- 6 families were referred for fuel poverty;
- 5 families were awarded Disability Living Allowances;
- 4 benefit entitlement reviews took place, with 2 families engaging with debt management programmes;
- 5 children were referred for speech and occupational therapy;
- 3 successful grant applications were made for disability home adaptions and winter essentials;
- 3 families were supported to access two-year childcare funding;
- 4 parents were awarded Personal Independence Plans.
In addition, the coach sourced:
- furniture, bedding, clothes and shoes to meet basic needs;
- toys, books and sensory play to meet developmental and communication outcomes;
- weekly food/fresh produce hampers to feed 12 families.
At the end of the financial period, discussions with East Sussex County Council were underway to enable the Charity to lease the decommissioned West St Leonards Children’s Centre for the delivery of early years’ services.
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## Outdoor Learning
All projects delivered during this time aimed to promote well-being by increasing levels of emotional resilience, exercise, self-esteem, motivation, communication and connection to the local community. For those taking part, a safe and supportive framework was thoroughly adapted and risk-assessed to allow for maximum engagement by vulnerable participants during a global pandemic.
Adult participants were identified and referred by their Jobcentre Plus (JCP) coaches, by specialist employment advisers and health support workers. A small number of people self-referred.
Children and young people were signposted to the provision by Family Support Keyworkers, by external agencies such as academy trusts and with higher levels than normal levels of self-referrals generated by social media posts.
The outdoor settings supported safe interactions, reducing anxiety for both participants and staff, as well continuing to be both a solace and therapeutic environment as is recognised in practices such as ‘shinrin yoku’ or ‘forest bathing’.
Since the beginning of April 2020, EFT has delivered 24 distinct courses via 16 different projects.
## Adult offer
**Without Walls** is, on the surface, a conservation course, with a ‘survival’ element that goes deeper. The group met weekly between October and December 2020 to work together to maintain an area of local parkland in the morning, moving on to develop bush craft skills in the afternoon. Social time was spent in an informal socially distanced seating circle, which was returned to throughout the day. The project included completion of the John Muir Discovery award in conservation, a nationally recognised outdoor learning certificate. Signage was used to inform passers-by that this was a support group for those living with long-term health issues, and
COVID-security measures included propping open gates, regular sanitisation of hands and tools and a pre-session COVID safety briefing to reflect the current restrictions. The length of the final ‘celebration’ session was reduced and higher risk activity suspended as a response to rising local infection levels and reduced hospital capacity. This work was funded by CXK/ ESFA.
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
The final year for the **Lloyds Invest programme** has been challenging for both participants and the coach. The project supported adults with poor mental health and for many the isolation of the lockdowns worsened their already poor mental health and increased their vulnerability. The coach focused on supporting individuals to access basic needs and manage their wellbeing during these extreme circumstances.
Working together, participants and the coach adapted to navigate the changing situation and continue to build on their successes.
“This support has given me the confidence to find my own way in things which I have struggled with before. Being able to talk to someone was really helpful, it gives me confidence knowing my coach is there in the background. I was given options and choices and I felt in control. My Invest coach made it successful; she has great empathy, a kind voice and we quickly built up a rapport. I feel in a better place now.” SR, INVEST participant.
Despite the many challenges, many participants made progress. Participants reported how valuable the support was, especially during the lockdowns and how much they benefitted from the coach’s flexibility to continue to offer support in extreme circumstances. From food parcels, to puzzle swaps, group zoom support sessions to weekly phone calls, doorstep visits and emergency toilet rolls; the coach adapted to meet the needs of the participants.
“Having social contact from my coach during lockdown was so important.” JC, INVEST participant.
Through support from the Invest coach, three individuals completed appeals against the outcomes of their Personal Independent Payment (PIP) Assessments. All three had the decisions over turned by the court in their favour.
“Thanks to X’s support the PIP appeal was successful, meaning I now have more financial means to improve my independence. This has greatly improved my day to day life and mental health.’ NT, INVEST.
The coach supported numerous participants to access services including housing support, benefits advice and recovery from addition services.
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
“Having my coach to help me navigate agencies and organisations and her speaking to them on my behalf has reduced my stress. My coach has made me feel more supported and taken the pressure off my shoulders.” IK, INVEST participant.
The coach continued to run a social group for previous participants to maintain friendships, have a regular contact time and to encourage the cooperative support of one another. The coach facilitates the weekly group, moving it on to Zoom when lockdown restrictions meant that the group could not meet up.
“The best thing about Invest was the consistency of the support and the approach of the coach. Having her support has meant that I haven’t drowned.” JL, INVEST participant.
The **Lloyds INVEST Tuesday volunteer group** met on a weekly basis from mid-May when the first lockdown restrictions began to lift until the end of the year, when Hastings went into Tier 4. This small group of adults worked to maintain the Forest School area at the top of the Firs site, increasing its play value for younger people and improving access for all. The outdoor social space was valued, and all activities and interactions managed to ensure safety by the coach.
“This has been a life-line for me.” INVEST volunteer, October 2020.
East Sussex College Group’s **community learning contract** allowed us to continue to support local adults to make the most of our natural spaces to support their health during the lockdown in January 2021. We delivered four courses using a variety of media to suit a range of needs and interests. The **Sport and Wellbeing** course was delivered by a team that was made up of two sport coaches and a psychology student, and centred around a weekly Zoom-based session which included a presentation and discussion, with personalised plans actioned during one-to-one tutor time. This approach proved effective, with feedback including:
“It’s made me feel more motivated. When I work out with [the tutor] I feel better for the rest of the day. I knew I needed to do this but didn’t know where to start.” Participant, Sport and Wellbeing, February 2021.
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
The **Wellbeing in Mind** course centred around the Five Ways to Wellbeing (Connect, Take Notice, Be Active, Give, Learn), and incorporated positive creative and physical activity alongside simple mindfulness and self-regulation tools. These sessions were delivered via Zoom for those that were more confident and had digital access, and an amended version was sent as a hard copy to others. The tutor followed the sessions with regular supportive communication and follow-up.
The **Winter Wonders** course promoted a weekly walk with a clear focus, followed by a supplementary creative activity. Subjects included evergreen plants, birds, the seashore and marine conservation and wild food. The sessions were delivered via email or as hard copy, with a weekly Zoom tutorial session or a phone call as follow-up. This contact also served as a welfare check.
“I‘ve only just sat down after the chat and looked out of the window and was shocked to see a flock of over 30 lapwing which I’ve never seen before. The meetings are good, I really look forward to them.” Participant, Winter Wonders, February 2021.
Delivery to parents/carers and children under 5 proved more challenging during this period. Parents and carers reported feeling isolated, but were reluctant to expose the family to the virus. The **Forest Fun** course was transferred entirely online, and aimed to increase parents’ confidence to play outside with their children. Activities linked to well-known stories were modelled during a Zoom meeting, with self-directed tasks set and feedback gathered during a follow-up phone call.
## - School based delivery
Delivery in schools was much more limited during the year. Hastings Opportunity Area funding was used for an **outdoor nurture group** for keyworkers’ and vulnerable children at Sacred Heart Primary Academy at the end of the first lockdown. With a focus on creativity to support mental health, this offer continued through the reopening and then closing of the school, and utilised a valuable outdoor space with an airy wooden summerhouse providing COVID-secure shelter during more inclement weather. The group even enjoyed working in the snow!
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
Similar delivery took place at Dudley Infant Academy using the grounds at Sacred Heart. This group for up to 10 Year One pupils began at the end of 2020 and, after a brief suspension due to local restrictions, began again in the new year.
**Forest School** at West St Leonards Primary Academy for groups of up to 8 pupils, was recommissioned every afternoon when school reopened on 8[th] March 2021. The Forest School leader reflected:
“I was expecting the return to school to be difficult for many children, that they would take a long time to settle after so long spent at home. The opposite has in fact been true; they come into the woodland ready and keen to learn, and enjoy the time with their friends more than ever. There’s such a happy atmosphere. We have adjusted the sessions to allow a little more free time, so that they can lead their own learning and focus on rebuilding relationships.”
The **one-to-one alternative provision** for children unable to attend mainstream provision had to be delivered when restrictions permitted:
- a year 1 pupil at West St Leonards Primary Academy made good progress towards his targets of working positively in a classroom setting, and managing his responses in the playground by developing his expressive language skills.
- a year 4 pupil from Robsack Wood Primary Academy, who had been refusing to attend school, worked with an outdoor learning mentor between September 2020 and February 2021 with a focus on making positive choices. This resulted in him reintegrating into the classroom environment on a part-time basis.
Both pieces of work were commissioned by the schools.
At the end of this reporting period, Hollington Primary Academy commissioned a **small group alternative sport-based provision** for 6 of their Year 6 pupils who had been struggling to regulate their behaviour in the school setting. With topic discussions such as core beliefs, positive role models and managing emotions at its heart, this work had a positive impact and will be repeated in the summer term via the Youth Endowment Fund SWISH project.
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
- After school and holiday offers
During the first week of the school summer holidays in July 2020 we additionally delivered a week-long **transition project** funded by Hastings Opportunity Area which aimed to reduce anxiety and support the move to secondary school for year 6 pupils, in a COVID-secure outdoor social setting. This was significant for those children who had spent the previous 3 months learning from home with no contact with their peers.
“Coming to this has really helped [my daughter] to remember what is good about school. She’s looking forward to starting at [the new school] in September.” Parent, July 2020
The UK Youth funded ‘Go Wild’ **after-school club and holiday offer** supported the delivery of ‘camping skills’ and sports-based sessions, which were designed following consultation with groups of young people. This project ran in all weathers and conditions; from putting up a tent in the baking heat of July to practising ball skills in the rain to playing wide games in the dark using head torches developed the resilience of the young participants, cemented relationships and prompted lots of laughter! This also allowed the development of a peer mentorship model, as training sessions were provided for members of Hastings Youth Council, many of whom were returning to support others to take part in holiday activities this year as a direct result of attending.
“Lockdown has caused squabbles with my family, I’ve got no privacy. It’s calm, judgement-free here. We’ve got common ground.” Participant, Go Wild! July 2020.
The Sports4U after-school club, funded by Children in Need, relies on a face-to-face groupwork delivery framework. Following suspension during the first period of lockdown this popular provision reopened, with high numbers of participants returning alongside new ones. The cohort was split into a younger primary-aged group, and an older secondary-aged one, running on two different evenings a week, which will resume after the Easter break.
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
The ever-changing environment required a flexible response, which the **Youth Endowment Fund** supported. The **SWISH** offer (Sport, Wellbeing, Information, Support and Health) was designed to meet the needs of 10-16-year olds who are at risk of becoming involved in crime or gang-related activity, with the aim of promoting positive change. The original sport-based proposal has been varied to include an ‘in the wild’ session, using the camp fire as a safe space in which to include visitors (for example officers from the police and the RSPCA) and to discuss issues and challenges. The delivery accommodated a suspension of face-to-face delivery, which was replaced by two weekly online Zoom sessions. The project lead commented:
“The sessions are designed to be relaxed and all about having fun, and include a topic discussion and a games night. This breaks up the week, is something to look forward to while they have to isolate from friends. Myself and a younger volunteer provide positive role models for relationships.”
Face-to-face delivery resumed towards the end of the financial year, delivering a mix of sport, games and bush craft skills. The sessions were supplemented by the two online offers, increasing the range and the reach of the project.
“It has been really good for me as I have been able to talk to people outside of my school and make friends with them. Even when we learn about something it’s been super chill, it’s never boring.”
“[I’ve learnt] managing emotions and how to deal with certain situations when feeling the more negative emotions such as anger and sadness, and that I can always talk to someone.”
## Outcomes and impact of outdoor learning
The feedback that participants, school staff and caregivers provide is used to reflect on and adjust the offers, and gives valuable insight into the personal impact of attendance:
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
“He’s had a hard time since going back to school as friendship groups have changed, he’s been a bit lonely and quiet. After SWISH on Tuesday I asked how things went and he said “it went really well…and I mean really really well.” That made up his mind about wanting to come to meet people face-to-face. It was great for me to see him happy and smiling after the group, especially after the week he was having. He also talked about the suggestions for dealing with feelings of anger and sadness that were discussed during the session and came up with some ideas that he could use to distract him when he’s feeling negative. He definitely seemed like a much happier boy after the session!” Parent, SWISH participant.
“S absolutely loved it! He talked about it all the way home, eagle eye, waterproof nests, getting wet in the rain. He loved everything and can’t wait to come back!” Parent, Go Wild! participant.
“It’s great for the children to have the chance to squeeze through narrow spaces between plants, crawl under a fallen tree, get muddy and wet and have close contact with nature.” Primary school head teacher.
Attendance at courses varied, depending on the
- weather;
- health of those participating;
- method of delivery;
- impact of the pandemic.
Courses were adjusted to minimise these barriers. Attendance overall during the reporting period was 84.2%, which could be considered to reflect high levels of commitment and resilience.
Levels of enjoyment are thought to impact positively on learning, and 98% of participants who completed feedback forms reported high or very high levels of enjoyment.
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
|**Project**|**Enrolled**|**Completed**|**Attendance**|
|---|---|---|---|
|Without Walls|10|9|88%|
|INVEST volunteers|5|3|83%|
|Adult Sport|5|5|75%|
|Forest Fun|3|1|66%|
|Wellbeing in Mind|10|10|86%|
|Winter Wonders|7|5|66%|
|Forest School WSL|30|30|100%|
|Transition WSL|26|26|100%|
|Nurture Sacred H|45|45|100%|
|Nurture Dudley|40|40|100%|
|121 AP|2|2|100%|
|Group AP|6|6|100%|
|Transition Firs|20|17|82%|
|Go Wild!|130|110|72%|
|Sport4U|42|30|70%|
|SWISH|44|37|86%|
|||||
|**Totals**|**425**|**376**|**84.2%**|
Staff noted some unexpected outcomes, such as high levels of empathetic support and advice, peer-led knowledge sharing and open communication about the personal impact of the global health pandemic. They also appreciated the opportunity to work creatively to adapt core materials and activities to suit a ‘blended learning’ environment.
“I hope the courses carry on teaching people about the wild places that are just outside their doors, and opening peoples’ eyes.” Without Walls participant.
9 adult participants achieved the John Muir Discovery award for nature conservation, with 3 committing to the additional 50 hours required to complete the Explorer award in future sessions.
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## Sports Provision
The Charity has provided community courses for children and young people, aged between 7 and 14 years, to access and engage in a variety of sports and games sessions specifically designed to help develop their confidence, self-esteem and social skills. Another aim of has been to improve the mental health and well-being of children in Hastings through engagement in physical activity and by facilitating increased awareness of the benefits of exercise and sport.
Due to lockdown in late March 2020, all delivery was postponed. In June restrictions were eased, which allowed for delivery in smaller groups than before. There was a much greater need for support within the community: everyone had been separated for months and children were not getting the exercise or stimulation they needed for development. It was a priority to get children within our community back outside and interacting in a safe environment.
**Sports4u!** courses, funded by Children in Need, allowed participants to create new friendships and learn social skills, as well as learn and build on practical skills that they learned from staff with expertise in sports. The courses gave children access to sports and equipment that many would not be able to afford as well as sports coaching to increase the chance for learning.
Sports and activities were chosen to encourage enhanced social skills through participation in team games such as football, universal hockey, dodgeball, tennis, table tennis, stool-ball, ultimate frisbee, cricket and, rounders. Other activities were included to support informal learning and group discussions which were embedded into each session with a focus on raising awareness around the benefits of being active; managing emotions; forming positive relationships and building resilience. With the effect of COVID, new safety measures were put in place in line with government guidelines, as well as increased support to children who needed knowledge and reassurance around safety during these times.
From June 2020 to March 2021, a total of 49 children across 5 groups, averaged 92.8 % attendance.
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
Of the participants, 79.2% of the children lived in an area of deprivation according to the 2019 Index of Multiple Deprivation. 14.5% of these children were in care, whilst 14.5% of disadvantaged children declared they suffered with additional special educational needs.
60% of the children said they suffer with anxiety/low confidence/low self-esteem, whist 12.5% were seen to have behavioural needs.
“ _During lockdown, I didn’t realise how much it had affected my well-being; I was quite happy playing my Xbox and it’s only now that I realised through the topic discussions how unhealthy it has been for me to be isolated, not only physically but mentally too.” Sports participant_
_“Having the opportunity to join the sports club I’ve been able to make new friends which I keep in contact with, as well as have fun playing sports I enjoy.” Sports participant_
_“Coming to the sports club here is the best I always have fun and, I love it when the staff play games with us too.” Sports participant_
## **Adult Sports & Well-being**
The Charity’s Sports & Well-being course had to change to online delivery due to COVID. Although this proved challenging initially, the course was a success with great positive from participants. Learners’ needs were taken into consideration, and the objectives allowed for all participants to be included and learn something new.
All sessions were presented over Zoom with PowerPoints as well as information sheets and videos to support learning. 100% of our participants said they enjoyed every session and learnt something new. The course allowed staff to provided 1-1 support for our learners to identify and discuss their needs; allowing for a much more personalised approach to help support all areas of their life.
Within our sessions we had a key focus of supporting our learners with strategies to manage:
- stress and anxiety;
- positive thinking and recognising unhelpful thinking patterns;
- identification of positive role models and inspirational people;
- SMART targets and goal setting;
- to understand the benefits of sport & exercise;
- a healthy balanced diet;
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
- an active lifestyle.
100% of our learners were considered to be at a disadvantage, with 80% informing us that they had been diagnosed with anxiety and depression; 20% with special educational needs and 20% with other health complications. Feedback from Sports and Well-being participants:
“Taking part in this course has given me more confidence in myself to achieve goals I have in education and employability. Speaking with X about going back into education has given me the idea of studying Phycology which is something I have always been passionate about.”
“I think having the 1-1 helped me come out of my shell especially being able to speak to someone else about my personal life; I have also been able to answer unknown calls when previously I wouldn’t have done so. I have also learnt how to meal plan effectively. The yoga and meditation sessions have taught me to take some time for myself and not feel guilty to want to relax.”
“Through taking part in this course I now know that other are in a similar situation to me and there is help there. The course has also helped me with my personal fitness and now I try to work out 3 times a week with regular walks ...it’s shown me there are opportunities to keep learning and opening new doors is endless.”
Sessions for **Hastings Youth Council** moved on line at the end of March 2020 so that members could continue to meet. As time passed, members adapted to the meeting format and recognised the value of time together, including active engagement in discussions on the WhatsApp group. All indicated that the sessions helped with mental well-being, but were keen to meet physically as soon as possible, as Covid-19 had limited their access to both their educational settings and their peers.
Through the year, the members hosted a variety of guest speakers including from Hastings Police Youth Engagement Team, My Time (FSN) and Hastings Pride. They took part in a Geocache project in partnership with Hastings Contemporary and Culture Shift; creating a well-received geocache which was launched as part of the wider project to make geocaching a creative experience and encourage families and young people to take part in a 'Geocache Art Tour'.
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
In a consultation with the Hastings Contemporary, members looked at youth engagement and barriers to accessing creative spaces. They also worked with a local artist to draw on themes of ' young lives in Hastings.'
As mental health is one of the manifesto themes, significant links have been made across the town: with My Time (FSN), HVA over the gathering of the young people's views on loneliness, isolation and mental health of young people and one Youth Council members has become part of a Mental Health Review Panel, to support schools to complete a self-review, evaluating ease of access for services, as well as the effectiveness of these services for vulnerable young people.
The young people have felt that being part of Hastings Youth Council has supported them to have transferable skills and has had positive impact on their employment and education opportunities.
The Charity continued its CCG funded work as the **Health and Well-being Hub** for North-East Hastings **.** Using The Firs as the base for the work, services were focused on residents in the most deprived areas; especially food and learning materials. The Well-being Hub remained open throughout the pandemic to receive queries; liaise with households and link with any remaining services.
The pandemic brought about the permanent closure of **Our Café @Ore** at the Ore Community Centre. The community centre’s situation became destabilised, and it was apparent that the café would no longer be viable for the Charity in the future. During the year it was not possible to deliver the services normally offered at the cafe but, going forward, alternative provision will be needed.
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
A significant focus for the Hub was that of the identification and management of the volunteers who were able to support the pandemic relief work. Without this support, the Charity would have struggled to meet the need: the commitment of individuals across this difficult period was extraordinary. At a time of food shortages, strict government restrictions and heightened fear, the commitment of volunteers in collecting, purchasing, sorting and delivering essential items was remarkable. They gave time, resource and creativity to ensure that vulnerable residents were supported regardless of the challenges. As lockdowns and regulations changed, volunteers adapted their support and built new relationships.
## **Volunteering at EFT**
The pandemic resulted in a changed picture for volunteering at the Charity. Many of our usual volunteers stayed at home to keep themselves safe, though a small number volunteered even more than usual, by giving their time to help with upkeep of the grounds and the designated conservation area in Alexandra Park. As a result, we awarded these regular volunteers with our bronze, silver and gold volunteer awards to thank them for all their help.
“The benefits of ‘giving’ have always outweighed any problems I have experienced, and I have grown as a person by keeping company with all EFT staff. And by meeting and guiding the people taking advantage of EFT opportunities.”
Despite this drop in regular volunteers, the number of volunteers has been much higher than in previous years. Driven by the pandemic, and our work in delivering food, books, basic items and learning packs, local people volunteered their time and energy to support others.
“EFT has helped me gain confidence, talk to new people and something to look forward to coming to each week”
We were able to secure the help of 49 ‘ad-hoc’ volunteers who offered their services for short periods during COVID, but made a real difference to the Charity’s ability to deliver its services. 12 helped in our garden to help keep this under control during lockdown so that groups could resume as soon as they were able, whilst 37 helped in our food and books delivery. Many of these were from local businesses, and included Hastings Mayor:
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
“As a former teacher, getting involved in a Literacy Project was joyous, crowned by delivering books and seeing the pleasure on the faces of the recipients. I have a fantasy of the books being passed on and circulated until they fall apart due to love and overreading!!!”
In addition, this year the Charity welcomed 25 new volunteers who offered sustained support: 21 of these have been to help with our Sustain and Thrive project; helping to collect, sort, pack and deliver food, books and craft packs to local families and individuals who were struggling financially during the pandemic.
These volunteers were crucial to the delivery of the Sussex Community Foundation’s **Ready Recipe** project that aimed to support families in understanding how to cook and manage on a tight budget. Beginning in December 2020, with a Christmas special alternative to Christmas pudding, 307 recipe bags were sent out through this project, providing meals for 626 adults and 513 children.
Recipe bags contained all the ingredients to make a recipe from store cupboard ingredients that would likely be available in a food hamper. A recipe card was provided along with an online video to be as inclusive as possible. Recipes were designed by the Charity’s nutritionist so that children could be involved in making the dishes, and all contained healthy balanced dishes. Many families joined the project and sent feedback of their children cooking:
“My daughter (9) made the recipe with a little help from me. She loves these and enjoys making them.”
“All 7 children enjoy the hampers and all guess what recipe will be in there………Thank you”
“My daughter made these from the delivery boxes we receive, she had a lot of fun baking and cooking”
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
## **Financial review**
The Trust received income of £957,692 throughout the year. Grants and commissions totalled £820,035. The remaining income was made up from donations, general fundraising and investment income.
Expenditure throughout the year amounted to £687,322 and after deducting this from the income the result was a net surplus of £270,370 of which £95,829 is restricted funds leaving £174,541 to enable the Charity to deliver activities where a need is identified and external funding is not available.
As at 31 March 2021 the Charity held total reserves of £869,035 of which £740,011 were unrestricted funds. These reserves are held in line with the Charity's reserves policy which is amended annually. Currently the reserves are being held to support the development of The Firs grounds which will enable the charity to secure its future and continue to meet its charitable aims. Delivery has been delayed because of the pandemic and it is anticipated that work will begin in the coming financial year as the s106 has been agreed.
## **Reserves policy**
It is the policy of Education Futures Trust to maintain in reserves, adequate funds to cover the following costs:
- £43,500 will be used from reserves to fund the Business Development Manager in 2021-22 to take forward The Firs development.
- £55,500 will be moved into the budget for 2021-2022 to cover the identified planning fees and will be removed from reserves. This is work that has been delayed and can now go ahead.
- **Property Reserve** (£305,000) - for the refurbishment of existing premises. The Charity is developing The Firs area. Wherever possible, the Charity will seek matched funding to make best use of its own reserves. A commitment has been made to match CHART capital funding once planning permission is granted;
- **Support Reserve** (£39,655) - for the purpose of enhancing the sustainability of the organisation and The Firs; this year particularly for projects that arise as a result of the acquisition of the premises;
- **ICT Reserve** (£30,000) - for the improvement of IT and Communications including the transfer to Office 365; migration to a cloud system and acquisition of new equipment. This will complement any premise
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
development, but the primary purpose is to ensure the efficient running of the Charity as equipment and systems are being replaced on a cyclical basis;
- **Redundancy and Closure Reserve** (£145,000) - for meeting the costs of redundancy of staff should the occasion arise;
- **Restricted Reserves** (£129,024) - remaining restricted funds received from Lloyds Bank Foundation, Magdalen and Lasher, National Lottery Community Fund and UK Youth;
- **Designated Reserves** (£17,845) – funding that has been raised for specific projects that were still underway at the end of the financial year. This funding will be carried forward in order to complete the projects as agreed with funders or donors.
- **Operational/Free Reserves** (£103,511) - the remaining free reserves are held in line with current guidance and against the possibility of an emergency or other unexpected need such as unforeseen operational costs.
The reserves policy is reviewed annually. The statement of financial activities reflects the level of reserves as at 31st March 2021 and their purpose.
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Governing document**
The Charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
The Charity is a not-for profit company with charitable status. The memorandum of articles provides the structure and underpins all work undertaken by the Charity.
## **Organisational structure**
The Board of Trustees meets on a monthly basis. Agendas are approved by the Chair of the Board and papers are issued to trustees the week prior to the meeting. Decisions made by the Trustees provide strategic steer and direction, with the authority delegated to the Chief Executive and other staff members clarified in the Delegated Powers Policy.
## **Induction and training of new trustees**
Induction processes are in place for new trustees, who are appointed in line with the Appointment of Trustees Policy which is available upon request. All trustees undertake enhanced CRB/DBS checks.
## **Staff**
During the reporting period the Charity employed 38 staff across the year, all of whom held enhanced DBS checks, and used the services of 77 volunteers. Staff numbers were less consistent than usual across this year, primarily as a result of the pandemic. This had implications for the financial position as staffing numbers fluctuated more than usual due to
- additional contracts awarded to respond to the pandemic increased the numbers of employees for a short period (June – August 2020);
- a number of staff indicated that the pandemic had made them review their work life balance. Some sought term time only contracts and others reduced their hours. Wherever it was possible to facilitate change, this was done, though such changes involved the recruitment of additional staff.
- one member of staff resigned as a result of contracting ‘long Covid’;
- four staff were made redundant as the delivery of projects changed as a result of the pandemic.
In addition, the charity took advantage of the furlough process when
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
staff were unable to deliver programmes during lockdown. This protected staff jobs, and then allowed staff to return flexibly as soon as the conditions permitted. The office remained open throughout the pandemic in order to provide services to families and vulnerable household in the borough. Initially this was staffed by the Chief Executive, who took responsibility for managing projects and delivery until additional staff were able to return safely.
At the end of the period of reporting, the Trust employed 16 full time equivalent staff, which consisted of 25 staff members.
## Partnership
The Trust values the opportunity to work in partnership. In particular the work with schools is fundamental to its core purpose and charitable aims. Additionally, developing relationships with partners and local organisations is key to ensuring that residents' needs are met, and that the best available support is provided. With this in mind, the Chief Executive attends local and county meetings to develop and extend partnership work.
Over this year, the Chief Executive has continued in the role of Chair of the Local Strategic Partnership, whilst continuing to Chair the Hastings Community Network Executive Group. In addition, alongside Graham Peters, a leading figure on the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, the Chief Executive was elected to co-Chair the Town Deal board.
Representation this year has continued with the Hastings Opportunity Board, the CHART Local Action Group and pandemic specific groups, which included chairing the Children, Young People and Families working party. It was necessary, however, to step down from Chair to Vice-chair of the local Skills and Learning in the Community charity which enables working collaboratively with other adult skills sector partners to strengthen the local adult offer.
The Charity has continued its involvement in local events and conferences, through presentations and representation in order to raise the profile of the Charity and to advocate for improved outcomes for children, families and vulnerable adults
The Charity continued to facilitate communication and partnership activity with schools by providing the Joint Headteachers' Forum, a termly network for headteachers and principals. The meetings moved
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
online for the year and provided opportunities for discussion as well as quality speakers, such as the local Member of Parliament and the Head of Delivery for the Opportunity Area in Hastings. This year focused particularly on the impact of the pandemic on education and learning.
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number**
07852922 (England and Wales)
## **Registered Charity number**
1146171
## **Registered office**
The Firs Elphinstone Road Hastings East Sussex TN34 2AX
## **Trustees**
A M Baines Chair C S Galbraith Trustee G M Burt Trustee K Forward Trustee - resigned 20.7.20 K J Sinfield Trustee M Yeandle Secretary P W Ashenden Trustee R E Ashenden Trustee S G Hubbard Trustee S J Manwaring Treasurer
## **Auditors**
Ashdown Hurrey Auditors Limited, Statutory Auditor 20 Havelock Road Hastings East Sussex TN34 1BP
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**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **Solicitors and Legal Advisers**
Ashvind Kaur David Harrison Erin Brayshaw Spencer James Tim Baines Mayer Brown International LLP 201 Bishopsgate London EC2A 2ED
## **Banks**
The Co-operative Bank PO Box 101 1 Bolton Street Manchester M60 4EP
Virgin Money Jubilee House Gosforth Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 4PL
CAF 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ
COIF Charities Deposit Account Senator House 85 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4ET
## **COMMENCEMENT OF ACTIVITIES**
The trust was incorporated on 18 November 2011 and has provided services from January 2012.
Page 34
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **EVENTS SINCE THE END OF THE YEAR**
Information relating to events since the end of the year is given in the notes to the financial statements.
## **AUDITORS**
The auditors, Ashdown Hurrey Auditors Limited, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 16 December 2021 and signed on its behalf by:
A M Baines - Trustee
Page 35
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST**
## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
The trustees (who are also the directors of Education Futures Trust for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) including Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland"
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 consistently;
- 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.
In so far as the trustees are aware:
- there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware; and
- the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information.
Page 36
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171 REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **Opinion**
We have audited the financial statements of Education Futures Trust (‘the charitable company’) for the year ended 31 March 2021 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
- give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2021 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
## **Basis for opinion**
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC's Ethical Standard, and the provisions available for small entities, in the circumstances set out in note 21 to the financial statements, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
## **Conclusions relating to going concern**
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least 12 months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Page 37
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171 REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **Other information**
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, including the trustees’ report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon.
The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.
## **Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006**
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
- the information given in the trustees’ report, which includes the directors’ report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the directors’ report included within the trustees’ report has been prepared in
- accordance with applicable legal requirements.
## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception**
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors’ report included within the trustees’ report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- adequate and proper accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
- certain disclosures of trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
- the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies’ exemptions in preparing the trustees’ report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.
Page 38
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171 REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **Responsibilities of trustees**
As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 36 the trustees who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
## **Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements**
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
During the planning stage of this audit we considered the likelihood of irregularities around laws and regulations relevant to the charitable company, including enquiry of management and those charged with governance. These were also discussed during the audit planning meeting held by the team. We reviewed the charitable company's systems and controls in place, and formed an assessment as to their operational effectiveness.
We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that are applicable to the entity and determined that the most significant are those that relate to:
- The financial reporting standard; FRS102
- Health and safety
- Employment Law
Based on the results of our risk assessment we designed our audit procedures to identify non-compliance with such laws and regulations identified above.
Page 39
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
**REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
During the course of this audit the team discussed this area with senior members of the charitable company's staff, including directors, and also carried out a review of legal expenses for evidence of any issues.
We considered the risk of fraud through management override and, in response, we incorporated testing of manual journal entries into our audit approach.
We are therefore of the opinion that given the risk level identified, our procedures planned and undertaken, are adequate for detecting irregularities.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
## **Use of our report**
This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Mr S R Sampson BFP FCA FCIE DChA (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Ashdown Hurrey Auditors Limited Statutory Auditor 20 Havelock Road Hastings East Sussex TN34 1BP
Date: 22 December 2021
Page 40
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
|||||31.3.21|31.3.20|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Unrestricted|Restricted|Total|Total|
|||fund|funds|funds|funds|
||Notes|
£|£|£|£|
|**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**||||||
|Donations and legacies|3|40,249|-|40,249|3,582|
|**Charitable activities**|7|||||
|Operation of charitable services||546,735|285,313|832,048|819,731|
|Other trading activities|4|1,215|-|1,215|14,975|
|Investment income|5|916|-|916|2,158|
|Other income|6|83,264|-|83,264|-|
|**Total**||672,379|285,313|957,692|840,446|
|**EXPENDITURE ON**||||||
|**Charitable activities**|8|||||
|Operation of charitable services||497,838|189,484|687,322|785,809|
|**NET INCOME**||174,541|95,829|270,370|54,637|
|**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**||||||
|**Total funds brought forward**||565,470|33,195|598,665|544,028|
|**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**||740,011|129,024|869,035|598,665|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 41
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2021**
|**BALANCE SHEET**
**31 MARCH 2021**|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||31.3.21|31.3.20|
|||Unrestricted|Restricted||Total|Total|
|||fund|funds||funds|funds|
|||£|£||£|£|
||Notes||||||
|**CURRENT ASSETS**|||||||
|Debtors: amounts falling due|16|92,610||-|92,610|74,232|
|within one year|||||||
|Cash at bank and in hand||665,808|129,024||794,832|557,711|
|||758,418|129,024||887,442|631,943|
|**CREDITORS**|||||||
|Amounts falling due within one|17|(18,407)||-|(18,407)|(33,278)|
|year|||||||
|**NET CURRENT ASSETS**||740,011|129,024||869,035|598,665|
|**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES**||740,011|129,024||869,035|598,665|
|**NET ASSETS**||740,011|129,024||869,035|598,665|
|**FUNDS**|19||||||
|Unrestricted funds|||||740,011|565,470|
|Restricted funds|||||129,024|33,195|
|**TOTAL FUNDS**|||||869,035|598,665|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 42
## **REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171 EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07852922)**
## **BALANCE SHEET - continued 31 MARCH 2021**
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 16 December 2021 and were signed on its behalf by:
A M Baines - Trustee
S G Hubbard - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 43
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
**EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST**
## **CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
|||31.3.21|31.3.20|
|---|---|---|---|
||Notes|£|£|
|**Cash flows from operating activities**||||
|Cash generated from|1|236,205|73,936|
|operations||||
|Net cash provided by/(used in) operating||236,205|73,936|
|activities||||
|**Cash flows from investing activities**||||
|Interest received||916|2,158|
|Net cash provided by investing activities||916|2,158|
|||||
|**Change in cash and cash**||||
|**equivalents in the reporting**||237,121|76,094|
|**period**||||
|**Cash and cash equivalents at**||||
|**the beginning of the reporting**||557,711|481,617|
|**period**||||
|**Cash and cash equivalents at**||||
|**the end of the reporting period**||794,832|557,711|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 44
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **1. RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES**
|**OPERATING ACTIVITIES**|||
|---|---|---|
||31.3.21|31.3.20|
||£|£|
|**Net income for the reporting period (as per the**|||
|**Statement of Financial Activities)**|270,370|54,637|
|**Adjustments for:**|||
|Interest received|(916)|(2,158)|
|Decrease/(increase) in debtors|(18,378)|21,545|
|Decrease in creditors|(14,871)|(88)|
|**Net cash provided by/(used in) operations**|236,205|73,936|
## 2. **ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS**
||At 1.4.20|Cash flow|At 31.3.21|
|---|---|---|---|
||£|£|£|
|**Net cash**||||
|Cash at bank and in hand|557,711|237,121|794,832|
|**Total**|557,711|237,121|794,832|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 45
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **1. STATUTORY INFORMATION**
Education Futures Trust is an incorporated charity, limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales. The charity's registered number and registered office address can be found in the Report of the Trustees.
## **2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **Basis of preparing the financial statements**
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to make an assessment of the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees have prepared a cash flow forecast for the charity which covers the 12 month period from the date of signing these financial statements. Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 Pandemic a "reverse stress" test has been applied to the forecasts, seeking to establish the level of liquidity headroom the charity is expected to have during this 12 month going concern period.
On the basis of these forecasts and the fact that the charity has substantial net current assets and net assets, the trustees are confident that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence and to meet its liabilities as they fall due for the foreseeable future. As a result of the above, the trustees have concluded that it remains appropriate to adopt a going concern basis of preparation in these financial statements.
## **Income**
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Income is deferred in relation to invoices raised for services provided after the reporting period.
continued...
Page 46
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **Expenditure**
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Computer - 33% on cost equipment
## **Taxation**
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
## **Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits**
The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
continued...
Page 47
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
**EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued**
## **Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits**
The charity operates a money purchase scheme, administered by the Pension Trust Co, which is also open to all employees.. The charity has agreed to match an employee's contributions, within the range of minimum 6% to a maximum 8% when they identify their own pension scheme. Staff will be encouraged to contribute, but will be able to opt out if they wish.
## **Government Grants**
In accordance with s24 of FRS 102 these are treated using the accruals model and so are recognised in income on a systematic basis over the periods in which the charity recognises the related costs for which the grants are intended to compensate.
|**3.**|**DONATIONS AND LEGACIES**|||
|---|---|---|---|
|||31.3.21|
31.3.20|
|||£|£|
||Gift aid and donations|40,249|3,582|
|**4.**|**OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES**|||
|||31.3.21|
31.3.20|
|||£|£|
||Fundraising events and cafe|1,215|14,975|
|**5.**|**INVESTMENT INCOME**|||
|||31.3.21|
31.3.20|
|||£|£|
||Interest receivable - trading|916|2,158|
## **6. OTHER INCOME**
The entity has received the following from the UK government in respect of COVID 19 grants and reliefs:
|Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Small Business Grant Fund|31.3.21
£
73,264
10,000
83,264|31.3.20
£
-
-|
|---|---|---|
|||-|
continued...
Page 48
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **7. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**
|**7.**|**INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||Year|Year|
||||Ended|Ended|
||||31.03.21|31.03.20|
||||£|£|
||Grants and services invoiced||820,035|813,094|
||Other income||12,013|6,637|
||||832,048|819,731|
|**8.**|**CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS**||||
|||Direct|Support||
|||Costs (see|costs (see||
|||note 9)|note 10)|Totals|
|||£|£|£|
||Operation of charitable services|681,922|5,400|687,322|
|**9.**|**DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**||||
||||31.3.21|31.3.20|
||||£|£|
||Staff costs||497,861|540,569|
||Establishment costs||29,815|23,449|
||Staff travel and training||6,011|9,023|
||Office running costs||34,630|42,148|
||Bad debts||-|2,015|
||Projects & courses||113,605|163,823|
||||681,922|781,027|
## **10. SUPPORT COSTS**
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been included under expense categories that aggregate all costs for allocation to activities. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular activities they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of the resources.
Overheads have been allocated on the basis of allocation.
continued...
Page 49
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **11. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):
||31.3.21|31.3.20|
|---|---|---|
||£|£|
|Auditors' remuneration|3,600|3,600|
|Auditors' remuneration for non audit work|1,800|780|
## **12. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS**
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2021 nor for the year ended 31 March 2020.
## **Trustees' expenses**
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2021 nor for the year ended 31 March 2020.
## **13. STAFF COSTS**
|**STAFF COSTS**|||
|---|---|---|
||31.3.21|31.3.20|
||£|£|
|Wages and salaries|456,976|483,171|
|Redundancy|1,132|-|
|Social security costs|21,851|32,673|
|Other pension costs|17,902|24,725|
||497,861|540,569|
||31.3.21|31.3.20|
|The average monthly number of employees during the|26|30|
|year was:|||
|The average number of full time equivalent employees|19|22|
|during the year was:|||
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
## **Key management roles**
Total employee benefit under FRS102: £148,717
continued...
Page 50
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
|**FOR**|**THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**|**THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**|**THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**14.**|**COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**||||
|||Unrestricted|Restricted|Total|
|||funds|funds|funds|
|||£|£|£|
||**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**||||
||**Charitable activities**||||
||Donations and Legacies|447|-|447|
||Operation of charitable services|714,009|105,722|819,731|
||Other trading activities|18,110|-|18,110|
||Investment income|2,158|-|2,158|
||**Total**|734,724|105,722|840,446|
||**EXPENDITURE ON**||||
||**Charitable activities**||||
||Operation of charitable services|711,200|74,609|785,809|
||**NET INCOME**|23,524|31,113|54,637|
||**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**||||
||**Total funds brought forward**|541,946|2,082|544,028|
||**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|565,470|33,195|598,665|
continued...
Page 51
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
|**FOR**|**THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**|||
|---|---|---|---|
|**15.**|**TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**|||
||||Computer|
||||equipment|
||||£|
||**COST**|||
||At 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021||1,415|
||**DEPRECIATION**|||
||At 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021||1,415|
||**NET BOOK VALUE**|||
||At 31 March 2021||-|
||At 31 March 2020||-|
|**16.**|**DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**|||
|||31.3.21|31.3.20|
|||£|£|
||Trade debtors|86,917|72,345|
||Other debtors|1,682|-|
||Prepayments|4,011|1,887|
|||92,610|74,232|
|**17.**|**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**|||
|||31.3.21|31.3.20|
|||£|£|
||Trade creditors|1,718|2,137|
||Other creditors|3,107|25,303|
||Social security and other taxes|7,448|-|
||Deferred income|1,250|1,458|
||Accrued expenses|4,884|4,380|
|||18,407|33,278|
continued...
Page 52
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **18. LEASING AGREEMENTS**
Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall due as follows:
||31.3.21|
31.3.20|
|---|---|---|
||£|£|
|Within one year|8,500|7,500|
|Between one and five years|38,500|37,000|
|In more than five years|180,000|190,000|
||227,000|234,500|
continued...
Page 53
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **19. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
|**MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|||Net||
|||movement|
At|
||At 1.4.20|
in funds|31.3.21|
||£|£|£|
|**Unrestricted funds**||||
|General fund|565,470|156,696|722,166|
|Designated funds|-|17,845|17,845|
|**Restricted funds**||||
|Magdalen & Lasher|4,664|(4,651)|13|
|Lloyds Bank Investment Trust|5,446|6,300|11,746|
|UK Youth - Go Wild|14,226|(14,623)|(397)|
|BBC Children in Need|(63)|57,506|57,443|
|CXK|(1,073)|3,213|2,140|
|Defra|-|(36)|(36)|
|BBC Children in Need Booster|-|43|43|
|Comic Relief Core|-|7,934|7,934|
|YEF|-|(1,261)|(1,261)|
|Lloyds Covid Support|-|(76)|(76)|
|National Lottery Covid Support|-|1,568|1,568|
|Nationwide|-|49,934|49,934|
|CHART|-|(18,629)|(18,629)|
|Comic Relief|-|3,831|3,831|
|Live Work Thrive|-|4,776|4,776|
|National Lottery Community Fund|9,995
|-|9,995|
||33,195|95,829|129,024|
|**TOTAL FUNDS**|598,665|270,370|869,035|
continued...
Page 54
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **19. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
||Incoming|Resources Movement|Resources Movement|
|---|---|---|---|
||resources|expended|in funds|
||£|£|£|
|**Unrestricted funds**||||
|General fund|654,534|(497,838)|156,696|
|Designated Funds|17,845|-|17,845|
|**Restricted funds**||||
|Magdalen & Lasher|-|(4,651)|(4,651)|
|Lloyds Bank Investment Trust|24,820|(18,520)|6,300|
|UK Youth - Go Wild|-|(14,623)|(14,623)|
|BBC Children in Need|70,172|(12,666)|57,506|
|CXK|4,873|(1,660)|3,213|
|Defra|16,926|(16,962)|(36)|
|BBC Children in Need Booster|3,000|(2,957)|43|
|Comic Relief – Core|30,000|(22,066)|7,934|
|YEF|24,303|(25,564)|(1,261)|
|Lloyds Covid Support|9,936|(10,012)|(76)|
|National Lottery Covid Support|9,997|(8,429)|1,568|
|Nationwide|49,934|-|49,934|
|CHART|-|(18,629)|(18,629)|
|Comic Relief|20,032|(16,201)|3,831|
|Live Work Thrive|21,320|(16,544)|4,776|
||285,313|(189,484)|95,829|
|**TOTAL FUNDS**|829,593|(607,391)|222,202|
continued...
Page 55
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **19. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
## **Comparatives for movement in funds**
|**Comparatives for movement in funds**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|||Net||
|||movement||
|||At||
||At 1.4.19|in funds|31.3.20|
||£|£|£|
|**Unrestricted funds**||||
|General fund|541,946|23,524|565,470|
|**Restricted funds**||||
|Magdalen & Lasher|-|4,664|4,664|
|Lloyds Bank Investment Trust|2,082|3,364|5,446|
|UK Youth – Go Wild|-|14,226|14,226|
|BBC Children in Need|-|(63)|(63)|
|CXK|-|(1,073)|(1,073)|
|National Lottery Community Fund|-|9,995|9,995|
||2,082|31,113|33,195|
|**TOTAL FUNDS**|544,028|54,637|598,665|
|Comparative net movement in funds,|included in the above are as||follows:|
||Incoming|Resources Movement||
||resources|expended|in funds|
||£|£|£|
|**Unrestricted funds**||||
|General fund|734,724|(711,200)|23,524|
|**Restricted funds**||||
|Magdalen & Lasher|4,664|-|4,664|
|Lloyds Bank Investment Trust|24,627|(21,263)|3,364|
|Wrap – Litter Innovation|9,756|(9,756)|-|
|UK Youth – Go Wild|14,226|-|14,226|
|FLAG – Aspiring Chefs|32,708|(32,708)|-|
|CXK|9,746|(10,819)|(1,073)|
|National Lottery Community Fund|9,995|-|9,995|
|BBC Children in Need|-|(63)|(63)|
||105,722|(74,609)|31,113|
|**TOTAL FUNDS**|840,446|(785,809)|54,637|
continued...
Page 56
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **19. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
Designated funds
**Restricted funds**
Magdalen & Lasher
Lloyds Bank Investment Trust
Wrap – Litter Innovation
UK Youth – Go Wild
FLAG – Aspiring Chefs
CXK
National Lottery Community Fund
BBC Children in Need
Defra
BBC Children in Need Booster
Comic Relief – Core
YEF
Lloyds Covid Support
National Lottery Covid Support
Nationwide
CHART
Comic Relief
Live Work Thrive
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Net movement
At
At 1.4.19
in funds
31.3.21
£
£
£
541,946
-
180,220
17,845
722,166
17,845
-
13
13
2,082
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
9,664
-
(397)
-
2,140
9,995
57,443
(36)
43
7,934
(1,261)
(76)
1,568
11,746
-
(397)
-
2,140
9,995
57,443
(36)
43
7,934
(1,261)
(76)
1,568
-
49,934
49,934
-
(18,629)
(18,629)
-
3,831
3,831
-
4,776
4,776
2,082
126,942 129,024
544,028
325,007
869,035|
|---|---|
continued...
Page 57
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
**EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **19. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
Designated funds
**Restricted funds**
Magdalen & Lasher
Lloyds Bank Investment Trust
Wrap – Litter Innovation
UK Youth – Go Wild
FLAG – Aspiring Chefs
CXK
National Lottery Community Fund
BBC Children in Need
Defra
BBC Children in Need Booster
Comic Relief – Core
YEF
Lloyds Covid Support
National Lottery Covid Support
Nationwide
CHART
Comic Relief
Live Work Thrive
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£
£
£
1,389,258
17,845
(1,209,038)
-
180,220
17,845
4,664
(4,651)
13
49,447
9,756
14,226
32,708
14,619
9,995
70,172
16,926
3,000
30,000
24,303
9,936
9,997
(39,783)
(9,756)
(14,623)
(32,708)
(12,479)
-
(12,729)
(16,962)
(2,957)
(22,066)
(25,564)
(10,012)
(8,429)
9,664
-
(397)
-
2,140
9,995
57,443
(36)
43
7,934
(1,261)
(76)
1,568
49,934
-
49,934
-
(18,629)
(18,629)
20,032
(16,201)
3,831
21,320
(16,544)
4,776
391,035
(264,093)
126,942
1,798,138 (1,473,131)
325,007|
|---|---|
continued...
Page 58
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
## **EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **20. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES**
Steve Manwaring (Trustee) is the CEO of Hastings Voluntary Action an infrastructure organisation which has supported the Charity since its inception. He serves as a board member of the Town Deal Board to which the Charity has applied for funding. A detailed conflict of interest policy has been adopted by EFT and the Town Deal board. HVA has offered occasional storage space to EFT in the area of emergency food provision to support its work. Steve sits on the Local Action Group of the Community Led Local Development (CLLD) programme. This has funded a project (Skills and Learning in the Community) in which EFT is a delivery partner. In its infrastructure role HVA also used resources it holds to match fund this initiative to enable its delivery under the terms of a funding agreement with the Lead Partner. During the reporting period EFT contracted with HVA to deliver funded activity as part of a food project, as part of the wider response to COVID-19
Kim Forward (Trustee) is a councillor for Hastings Borough Council, from whom the trust rents their premises. There is currently a cost of £7,500 per annum included in respect of rents paid throughout the year. The charity also had expenditure in relation to rates of £136 and planning application costs totalling £256 payable to Hastings Borough Council. During the year the Charity received grant income from the council of £48,930 for the CCG funded Health and Well-being Hub, £10,000 in hospitality grant and £2,000 for emergency food parcels.
Simon Hubbard (Trustee) was the Director of Operational Services at Hastings Borough Council, from whom the trust rents their premises. There is currently a cost of £7,500 per annum included in respect of rents paid throughout the year. The charity also had expenditure in relation to rates of £136 and planning application costs totalling £256 payable to Hastings Borough Council. During the year the Charity received grant income from the council of £48,930 for the CCG funded Health and Well-being hub, £10,000 in hospitality grant and £2,000 for emergency food parcels. Simon was also a governor at East Sussex College Hastings, from whom the Trust is commissioned to deliver a range of adult learning, income from this source totalled £13,720 during the year.
Kevin Sinfield (Trustee) is the Director of A4 Architecture (UK) Limited that has offered consultancy services for the Planning Application and Support Services for the FIRS Project. Kevin is also a governor at Icklesham Community Primary School from whom the charity received £250 for services.
continued...
Page 59
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
**EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **20. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES - continued**
Clive Galbraith is Chairman of Let's Do Business Group, which operates the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce. These may have areas of mutual interest with the Charity. He serves as a board member of the Town Deal Board to which the Charity has applied for funding. He is also a Trustee at The Magdalen & Lasher Charity, to whom EFT make bids for grants.
All trustees are required to declare any interest at the beginning of any trustee meetings, along with abstaining from any decision relating to the organisations to which they are linked.
## **21. FRC ETHICAL STANDARD - PROVISIONS AVAILABLE FOR SMALL ENTITIES**
In common with many other businesses of our size and nature we use our auditors to prepare and submit returns to the tax authorities and assist with the preparation of the financial statements.
## **22. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS**
Work on The Firs will bring about additional expenditure for the Charity. Planning permission has been submitted and reserves funding has been identified to support this development. Additional funding bids have been submitted to support the initial phases.
The charity has committed match funding to a capital development project for the period 2 September 2020 to 31 March 2022. The commitment totals £122,984.
continued...
Page 60
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
**EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020**
## **23. RESERVES**
As at 31 March 2021 the Charity held total reserves of £869,035 of which £740,011 were unrestricted funds. These reserves are held in line with the Charity's reserves policy which is amended annually. Currently the reserves are being held to support the development of The Firs grounds which will enable the charity to secure its future and continue to meet its charitable aims.
## **Reserves policy**
It is the policy of Education Futures Trust to maintain in reserves, adequate funds to cover the following costs:
- £43,500 will be used from reserves to fund the Business Development Manager in 2021-22 to take forward The Firs development
- £55,500 will be moved into the budget for 2019-2020 to cover the identified planning fees and will be removed from reserves
- **Property Reserve** (£305,000) - for the acquisition of new premises or refurbishment of existing premises. The Charity is working with Hastings Borough Council to develop The Firs area. Wherever possible, the Charity will seek matched funding to make best use of its own reserves. A commitment has been made to match CHART capital funding once planning permission is granted;
- **Support Reserve** (£39,655) - for the purpose of enhancing the sustainability of the organisation and The Firs; this year particularly for projects that arise as a result of the acquisition of the premises;
- **ICT Reserve** (£30,000) - for the renewal of IT and Communications equipment on a cyclical basis, or acquisition of new equipment. This will complement any premise development, but the primary purpose is to ensure the efficient running of the Charity as equipment and systems are being replaced on a cyclical basis;
- **Redundancy and Closure Reserve** (£145,000) - for meeting the costs of redundancy of staff should the occasion arise;
- **Restricted Reserves** (£129,024) - remaining restricted funds received from Lloyds Bank Foundation, Magdalen and Lasher, National Lottery Community Fund and UK Youth;
Page 61
**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171**
**EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **23. RESERVES - continued**
- **Designated reserves** (£17,845) – funding that has been raised for specific projects that were still underway at the end of the financial year. This funding will be carried forward in order to complete the projects as agreed with funders or donors.
- **Operational / Free Reserves** (£103,511) - the remaining free reserves are held in line with current guidance and against the possibility of an emergency or other unexpected need such as unforeseen operational costs.
The reserves policy is reviewed annually. The statement of financial activities reflects the level of reserves as at 31st March 2021 and their purpose.
## **24. PENSIONS**
Over the year, Education Futures Trust contributed to a Deferred Contribution Scheme with the People's Pension Fund for a total of 27 staff.
Page 62