2024-03-31-accounts

Business Plan and Financial Statement

Sefton CU Trust

Academic Year 2024-25

Sefton CU Trust is a Registered Charity (no. 1147624) and a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England and Wales (no. 07745834)

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Contents

Page

3 Sefton CU Trust Chairman’s Foreword 4 Vision, Values and Strategic Plan 2024 - 25 6 Business S.W.O.T. Analysis 11 Financial Statement and Review 13 Notes to the Accounts Annex 1 Sefton CU Trust Board Membership

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Chairman’s Foreword

“Sefton Children’s University Charitable Trust is making a real difference to the lives of young people and their families in our area. The organisation promotes lifelong learning by validating and rewarding learning outside the classroom and there are thousands of pupils involved in the scheme across the Sefton borough.

Children love the opportunities that are offered both in and out of school. Schools value the structure that is provided to the curriculum outside the school day and parents support the messages of commitment that the system brings.

As a Board of Trustees, we are all very proud to be part of a growing organisation that makes a difference to the lives of young people each and every day. Children’s University raises their aspirations and allows young people to reach and realise their potential. We aim to keep delivering a successful, independent Children’s University for every young person and their families in the Sefton area.”

Adrian Antell

Head Teacher Farnborough Road Junior School, Southport Chair of Board, Sefton CU Trust

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2024 – 25 Business Plan

Executive Summary

Sefton Children’s University is a local charitable organisation giving 5 to 14 year olds exciting and innovative learning activities and experiences outside normal school hours. Children’s University’s innovative Passport to Learning encourages children from the age of 5 to try new learning experiences outside of school - at after school clubs, local community clubs, grassroot activities, in the local library, museum or further afield.

Culminating in an inspirational graduation ceremony, this adventure encourages children to see the joy of learning, giving a sense of wonder in the world around them and develops their confidence and aspirations for the brightest futures. Raising children's aspirations is important to us and we aim to develop the understanding that learning can be the satellite navigation to better places in life!

Sefton Children’s University is part of a national network of Children’s University Centre’s, who are supported by Children’s University Trust; a charity that sits at the heart of the network supporting delivery.

Our Vision

We exist to celebrate learning, raise aspirations, boost achievement, and encourage life-long learning for Sefton schools, students and their families.

Our Strategic Objectives

• Promote exciting and innovative extra-curricular learning opportunities, outside of the classroom

• Encourage children, young people and families to participate in life long, independent learning and enrichment

• Raise aspirations and broaden horizons

• Accredit and celebrate participation, attendance and achievement in voluntary, extra-curricular learning

• Raise awareness of Higher Education pathways and the opportunities it provides, supporting social mobility and the Widening Participation Agenda

• The advancement of education, enrichment and lifelong learning in such ways as the trustees see fit

• Support our local schools to deliver high quality, extra-curricular learning

• Support schools to deliver their statutory Ofsted requirements supporting The Education Inspection Framework in the following areas –

• Quality of Education - Intent; giving learners the culture capital they need to succeed in life and skills for the future learning and employment.

• Personal Development requirements, providing learners with “broader development enabling then to develop and discover their interests and talents”.

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Our Short Term Objectives (1-2 years)

• Enhance and promote the use of CRM system and school dashboards to provides schools with more meaningful data and analysis

• Utilise data analysis from new CRM system to inform delivery within Sefton and gaps in provision

• Deliver a high-quality service underpinned by a commitment to continuous improvement

• Delivery of funding contracts and commitments

• Increase school participation to 60% of Primary Schools

• Promote and encourage the use of Passports to Learning in schools, with parents and with Learning Destinations

• Publish a school newsletter and Head Teacher update termly

• Maintain and develop relationships with Learning Destinations, validating new activities as required and actively seeking new opportunities

• Create a Learning Destination Comms resources to promote partnerships

• Increase presence through targeted marketing and increased social media presence, with support from new Marketing and Communications Lead at Elevate EBP

• Create a website within Elevate EBP platform

• Align Children’s University with enrichment, careers and aspiration raising agenda within primaries

• Seek Sponsorship Opportunities for Graduations and Annual Sponsors

• Continue to deliver monthly Masterclasses and learning opportunities across the borough in partnership with local Learning Destinations

• Launch our “CU in a Box” initiative; continue to establish a bank of resources and materials (including virtual activities) for schools to utilise, engaging with partners when possible

• Continue to seek funding and sponsorship opportunities, key focus on graduations

• Develop further our partnerships with Sefton Local Authority and Higher Education institutions, in particular Edge Hill University

• Perform an In-depth Evaluation with schools to review our offer of service

Our Medium and Long Term Objectives (2-5 years)

• Ensure CU is financially viable, with a sustainable source of income and funding to meet our charitable objectives

• Increase school participation to over 70% of Primary Schools

• Seek additional funding sources and bidding opportunities

• Assist in the raising of standards and achievement in Sefton schools through an excellent and innovative quality programme and structured impact measurement

• Support School Improvement Plans were possible and a whole school approach to the “development of the whole child”

• Become an integral part of school support with their Ofsted requirements, Cultural Capital Agenda, Pupil Premium Agenda, PE and Sports Premium requirements, Character Education and enrichment provision.

• Operate an effective, efficient and value for money service to all customers

• Keep abreast of Statutory, Government and National CU Trust priorities, using this to plan for the future.

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S.W.O.T. Analysis

Strengths

• Beneficial and valued programme by schools, children and families

• Large number of schools participating in CU across borough

• Commitment and drive from Board of Trustees and Partners

• Responsive to customer needs

• Professional service given

• Excellent reputation and relationships with our customers

Weaknesses

• Need to increase impact measurement through structured evaluations and use of CRM system on a local level, with support and guidance from National CU Trust

• • Staffing is small

• Need to improve our exposure across Sefton Schools and families

• Need to increase our media presence in the local area

• Established systems and practices

• • Management support given from Elevate EBP, dedicated and skilled team

• Developed marketing expertise from Elevate EBP

• Charitable Status

• Successful in receiving numerous funding streams to deliver small projects

• Passports to Learning and large number of Learning Destinations

• Positive feedback to changes and growth

• Strong branding throughout borough

• Sefton business model being replicated in other boroughs

• • Tangible outcomes and impact for schools who participate in CU activities (See National Evaluation)

• Supports schools’ statutory requirements

• Masterclass development and take up

• • New CRM data system and school dashboards, measuring reach more accurately

Opportunities

Threats

• No long term secured funding

• Enrichment agenda is high priority at the No long term secured funding moment following Education and • Falling budgets in schools Enrichment report 2024 • Falling on-roll figures at schools due to drop

• • Future policy changes in birth rate • Alignment with careers and aspirations • Other competitors and initiatives agenda • School curriculum pressures and changes

• • Increasing participating schools • Current economic climate • New Head Teachers joining schools who • Changes to government Education agenda may be interested • New Head Teachers at schools

• • Supporting Multi Academy Trust’s with • Primaries moving to Multi Academy Trusts whole MAT agenda • Management changes with National

• • Utilising the analysis of data from new Children’s University and shift in leadership system to inform delivery and share skillset successes • Membership changes with CU Trust could

• • Charitable Status allows us to access lead to potential issues with MAT’s that funding and bidding opportunities cover more than one geographical area

• • Supporting the Ofsted Framework • Individual Membership Model to be • Further Sponsorship opportunities introduced nationally

• Falling budgets in schools

• • Falling on-roll figures at schools due to drop in birth rate

• School curriculum pressures and changes

• • Current economic climate • Changes to government Education agenda

• • New Head Teachers at schools • Primaries moving to Multi Academy Trusts • Management changes with National Children’s University and shift in leadership skillset

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• Building on our reputation and existing networks • Increasing our marketing and social media presence • Maintaining and building on our relationships with partners including local Learning Destinations • Digital Platform

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Financial Statements & Review

Sefton Children’s University is offered to all schools in the borough with a set pricing structure based on school size for annual membership. Our main source of income is from School Membership however Sefton CU also receives irregular income from other sources including funding, sponsorship and passport sales – See Financial Statements for more details.

During the 2023/24 financial year, Sefton Children’s University generated an income of £51,800.

The charity maintained a healthy balance sheet to cover planned activities in the coming year. We do not have any loans or other liabilities in relation to buildings either owned or leased. In our opinion the financial statement gives a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as of 31[st] March 2024.

Financial Statements & Review Sefton CU Trust Company No: 07745834

Financial Statements Y/E 31 March 2024

Receipts and Payments Account

	Unrestricted	Designated	Restricted	Endowment	Total	Total
	Funds	Funds	Funds	Funds	2024	2023
Receipts
School subscriptions	40,336				40,336	38,128
Grants	10,555				10,555	2,577
Passport Sales To Schools	909				909	4,936
Sponsorship	0				0	0
Management Recharge	0				0	0
Other	0				0	2,910
	51,800	0	0	0	51,800	48,551
Payments
Sefton EBP Management Fees	30,005				30,005	29,452
Graduation Ceremony	0				0	0
Sefton CU Passports	2,934				2,934	3,079
National CU Subscription	1,670				1,670	1,561
Legal Fees	0				0	0
Accountancy Fees	550				550	425
Sundries	8,918				8,918	11,144
Travel	0				0	0
	44,077	0	0	0	44,077	45,661
Defitict of Receipts Over
Payments	7,723	0	0	0	7,723	2,891

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Statement of Assets and Liabilities

As At 31 March 2024

	Unrestricted	Designated	Restricted	Endowment	Total	Total
	Funds	Funds	Funds	Funds	2024	2023
Current Assets
Nat West Current Account	32,512				32,512	24,012
Trade Debtors	939				939	1,115
Passport Stock	569				569	485
	34,020	0	0	0	34,020	25,612
Creditors Falling Due
Within 1 Yr	-12,769				-12,769	-12,084
Nett Assets	21,251	0	0	0	21,251	13,528
Opening Capital b/f	13,528				13,528	10,637
Nett Revenue
Retained	7,723				7,723	2,891
Total Funds	21,251				21,251	13,528

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Notes To The Accounts

1) Basis of Accounts

The accounts have been prepared under the accruals basis in accordance with the SORP and s386 OF 2006 Companies Act.

2) Incoming Resources

a) Subscriptions

Each subscribing school pays an annual membership, this year a short year from. September. The financial years are in line with the fiscal year hence enabling accounting based upon a full years subscription.

b) Other Income

Sponsorship and the sale of passports to schools are the two other minor income sources. These are accounted for on a receipts basis due to their occassional nature. The effects of covid restrictions has meant reduced income and opportunities for young people thus reducing demand for sundries such as passports, stamps and sponsorship.

2) Resources Expended

Expenditure is accounted for on an accurals basis as the liability is incurred and this is also nett of reclaimable vat.

Trade Debtors

At the year end, trade debtors were recorded:

St Philips	939
	939
Creditors Due In Under 1 Year
Trade Creditors	-12,930
Vat	162
	-12,768
Retained Funds
Capital b/f	13,528
Net Surplus YE 31.03.24	7723
	21,251

The trust has been independent of the local education authority since April 2011.

As such,it has the status of a private company, limited by guarantee.

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Annex 1

Board Membership (October 2024)

Board of Trustees

Member Name	Organisation	Position
Adrian Antell	Head Teacher, Farnborough Road Junior School	Chair of Board
Lewis Dinsdale	Head Teacher, English Martyr’s Catholic Primary School	Vice Chair of Board
Richard Miller	Head Teacher, St Luke’s Halsall C E Primary School
Christina Greaves	Head Teacher, Kew Woods Primary School
Claire Bucks	Senior Lecturer Primary Education, Edge Hill University

Board Members

Member Name	Organisation	Position
Laura Grigsby-Blackburn	Elevate Education Business Partnership	Sefton Children’s University Manager
Laura Ashcroft	Elevate Education Business Partnership	Sefton Children’s University Coordinator/Minute taker
Jacqui Patterson	Sefton MBC, Principal School Improvement Officer, School Improvement Team	Representing Patricia Davies
Mrs Helen Guest	H Guest Accounting	Accountant

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Contact –

Adrian Antell, Chair of Board Farnborough Road Junior School Farnborough Road Southport PR8 3DF Tel: [phone]

Laura Grigsby-Blackburn, Children’s University Manager Elevate Education Business Partnership Sefton House Bridle Road Bootle Liverpool L30 4XR Tel: [phone] - Laura.grigsby@elevate ebp.co.uk

Twitter - @SeftonCU

Facebook – Sefton Children’s University

www.childrensuniversity.co.uk

Sefton CU Trust is a Registered Charity (no. 1147624) and a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England and Wales (no. 07745834)

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Sefton Childrens University Trustees Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 31 March 2024

Financial Statements & Review Sefton CU Trust Company No: 07745834 Financial Statements Y/E 31 March 2024

Receipts and Payments Account

	Unrestricted	Designated	Restricted		Endowment	Total	Total
	Funds	Funds	Funds		Funds	2024	2023
Receipts
School subscriptions	40,336					40,336	38,128
Grants	10,555					10,555	2,577
Passport Sales To Schools	909					909	4,936
Sponsorship	0					0	0
Management Recharge	0					0	0
Other	0					0	2,910
	51,800	0		0	0	51,800	48,551
Payments
Sefton EBP Management Fees	30,005					30,005	29,452
Graduation Ceremony	0					0	0
Sefton CU Passports	2,934					2,934	3,079
National CU Subscription	1,670					1,670	1,561
Legal Fees	0					0	0
Accountancy Fees	550					550	425
Sundries	8,918					8,918	11,144
Travel	0					0	0
	44,077	0		0	0	44,077	45,661
Defitict of Receipts Over Payments	7,723	0		0	0	7,723	2,891

Statement of Assets and Liabilities As At 31 March 2024

	Unrestricted	Designated	Restricted	Endowment	Total	Total
	Funds	Funds	Funds	Funds	2024	2023
Current Assets
Nat West Current Account	32,512				32,512	24,012
Trade Debtors	939				939	1,115
Passport Stock	569				569	485
	34,020	0	0	0	34,020	25,612
Creditors Falling Due Within 1 Yr	-12,769				-12,769	-12,084
Nett Assets	21,251	0	0	0	21,251	13,528
Opening Capital b/f	13,528				13,528	10,637
Nett Revenue Retained	7,723				7,723	2,891
Total Funds	21,251				21,251	13,528

Notes To The Accounts

1) Basis of Accounts

The accounts have been prepared under the accruals basis in accordance with the SORP and s386 OF 2006 Companies Act.

2) Incoming Resources

a) Subscriptions

Each subscribing school pays an annual membership, this year a short year from. September. The financial years are in line with the fiscal year hence enabling accounting based upon a full years subscription.

b) Other Income

Sponsorship and the sale of passports to schools are the two other minor income sources. These are accounted for on a receipts basis due to their occassional nature. The effects of covid restrictions has meant reduced income and opportunities for young people thus reducing demand for sundries such as passports, stamps and sponsorship.

2) Resources Expended

Expenditure is accounted for on an accurals basis as the liability is incurred and this is also nett of reclaimable vat.

Trade Debtors

At the year end, trade debtors were recorded:

St Philips	939
	939
Creditors Due In Under 1 Year
Trade Creditors	-12,930
Vat	162
	-12,768
Retained Funds
Capital b/f	13,528
Net Surplus YE 31.03.24	7723
	21,251

The trust has been independent of the local education authority since April 2011.

As such,it has the status of a private company, limited by

guarantee.

Independent examlner's report to the trustees of Sefton Chlldren's Unlverslty I report on the accounts of Sefton Children's University for the year ended 31" March 2024, which are set out on the previous pages. Respectlve responslbllltles of trustees and examlner The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company lawl are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustee5 consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. Having satisfied mysew that the tharity is not subject to audlt under company law andls eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to.. examlne the a¢count5 under sectlon 145 of the 2011 Act.. to follow the procedures laid down in the general Dirertions given by the Charitv Commission under sertlon 14515llbl of the 2011 Act,. and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. 8asls ol Independent examlnerfs report My examination was carrled out In accordance with the general Dlrectlons glven by the Charlty Commlssion. An examination includes a review of the accountin8 records kept by the charity and comparlson of the accounts presented with those record5. It also Includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The pr¢xedures undertaken do not promde all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view, and the report is limfted to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examlne¢s ststement In connectlon wlth my examination, no matter has come to my attention.. 111 which gives me reasonable cause to belleve that in any materlal respect the requlrements: to keep accountln8 records In accordance with sertion 386 of the Companies Act 2006,. and to prepare accounts which accord wrth the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of seciion 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice.. Accounting and Reporting bv Charities have not been met,. or 121 to vthich, in my opinion. attention should be drawn in orderto enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Name: Carina Baylis Address: 46 Daneway, Ainxlale, Southport, PR8 2QW th Date: 11 November 2024