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## **TRUSTEES REPORT**
**AND AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
Registered Charity in England & Wales: 1148848 Registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee in England & Wales No. 07739831
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## **CONTENTS**
||Page|
|---|---|
|**Reference and administrative details of the Company, its Trustees and advisers**|1|
|**Trustees’ report**|2 - 20|
|**Independent auditor's report on the financial statements**|21 - 24|
|**Statement of financial activities**|25|
|**Balance sheet**|26|
|**Statement of cash flows**|27|
|**Notes to the financial statements**|28 - 43|
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## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE COMPANY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
**Trustees** Martin Hall, Chair David Bolton Paul Stone Joanna Cooney Jory Debenham Sarah Smith Peter Borg-Bartolo Oliver Wilson (appointed 6 May 2025) Eluned Mansell (appointed 6 May 2025)
**Company registered Number** 07739831 **Charity registered Number** 1148848 **Registered office** Unit 3, Holt Court Holt Street Birmingham B7 4AX **Company secretary** David Alcock **Chief executive** Sharon Bell **officer Independent auditor** Cooper Parry Group Limited Statutory Auditor Cubo Birmingham 4th Floor Two Chamberlain Square Birmingham B3 3AX
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## **WHY WE EXIST**
## **Our Vision and Mission**
Services For Education is a unique charity that uses the power of learning and of music to transform and enhance the lives of children, young people, adults, and our wider communities.
## _**We bring learning and music to life.**_
Our work encompasses a broad range of settings, including:
- Teaching pupils learning vocal and a diverse range of instruments – to build technical and performance skills alongside confidence and creativity, and encourage pursuit of music-based careers, as well as participation in a wide variety of musical experiences.
- Specialist work with SEND/disadvantaged groups – to increase engagement and attainment.
- Specialist work with Early Years settings – to promote a positive start to life and learning.
- Our Music School – to support lifelong learning and encourage the love of music amongst young people and adults.
- Working with adults – to promote wellbeing and positive mental health in later life.
- Bespoke consultancy, advice and professional development programmes – enabling school leaders, educators and governors to raise attainment levels, and develop and implement initiatives that improve health, wellbeing, standards and outcomes to ensure all children and young people realise their full potential academically, physically and emotionally.
- To enable schools, wider educational settings, and those organisations working with children and young people to develop safeguarding policy and practice that ensures the needs of all are recognised and met efficiently and effectively.
- Support, guidance, and development activities to those in the earliest stages of their teaching career to enable them to become highly skilled, leading-edge practitioners.
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## **Our Values**
Our values are extremely important to us as these underpin our vision and mission:
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## **CHAIR’S INTRODUCTION**
## **. Welcome to our 2024/25 Annual Report and Accounts**
This has been an invigorating year with several stand-out moments where we have pioneered new initiatives, celebrated our successes and successfully managed competing priorities.
We have had the opportunity to reflect on our past by reviewing the outcomes of our previous five-year strategy whilst also contemplating the future with the publication in September of our new 2025–2028 Strategy. This shifts from a fiveyear to a three-year planning horizon – reflecting a deliberate move towards greater agility and responsiveness in a rapidly changing educational landscape.
The new strategy was shaped through extensive stakeholder engagement and focuses on excellence, collaboration, and meaningful impact for children, young people, and educators in Birmingham and further afield.
I am deeply grateful for the contributions of our external stakeholders and colleagues whose insights and feedback have been invaluable in helping our Board of Trustees and Senior Leadership Team shape a strategy that is both grounded and forward-looking.
We couldn’t do the work we do without the support of multiple stakeholders, friends and supporters across Birmingham and beyond – thank you.
Together, _**we’re bringing music and learning to life.**_
Martin Hall
**Chair of Trustees**
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## **TRUSTEES REPORT**
The Trustees and Directors of Services For Education Limited present their annual and strategic report and audited financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025. The company trades under the name Services For Education (SFE) and will be referred to as SFE in the rest of this document.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 2 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Since the company qualifies as small under section 383, the strategic report required of medium and large companies under The Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Director's Report) Regulations 2013 is not required.
## **Our Approach to Safeguarding**
All staff undertake annual safeguarding training; for some experienced colleagues this will be refresher training. This is now offered as face-to-face training every year and is supplemented by the SFE online training course for those who cannot attend. All Music Staff also receive on-going face to face/online update training to help keep safeguarding at the forefront of people’s thinking and embed a professional curiosity. All new staff are required to undertake the online course before commencing delivery for SFE. We have also introduced new podcasts by way of ‘follow up/scenarios that we encounter’ to support all staff. The SFE Heads of Service jointly carry out an annual review of all training content to ensure this is in line with current policy and guidance (Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children). SFE has eight members of staff who are trained as Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL), two of whom are members of the Senior Leadership Team, and who are required to maintain their status through completing bi-annual update training. These eight members of staff manage all safeguarding queries and concerns, liaising with schools and external agencies as appropriate. SFE’s safeguarding policy is reviewed annually to capture all legislative changes.
SFE is represented on the Birmingham Safeguarding in Education group to ensure all company practice is aligned to the Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership structures and procedures. All colleagues are required to review key policies and guidance on an annual basis and sign to confirm that they have done so.
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## **Our Approach to Fundraising**
Services For Education is proud to be registered with the Fundraising Regulator, the independent organisation responsible for setting and upholding fundraising standards across the United Kingdom. We remain fully committed to the Fundraising Promise, ensuring that all our fundraising activities are conducted legally, transparently, ethically, and with respect. This and last year, we reviewed and updated our fundraising policies to ensure full alignment with the Regulator’s refreshed standards.
We continue to work closely with an external fundraising consultant and bid writer who supports our grants and trusts programme, which remains our primary source of fundraising income. As we look ahead to 2026, our focus will be on strengthening our individual, corporate, and community fundraising by developing more engaging, story led and impact driven communications. This approach will help us build deeper, more meaningful relationships with donors, moving beyond a transactional approach to one rooted in shared purpose and long-term connection.
In 2024/25 SFE received no complaints about its fundraising activity.
## **Our Approach to Quality**
We pride ourselves in the quality of our services and the professionalism and skills of our highly talented colleagues. As we teach music to 28,000 children per week and deliver an extensive portfolio of training and consultancy products to school leaders, it is essential that our customer facing teams keep at the forefront of developments and best practice in their fields. These colleagues are supported by several teams of highly skilled individuals without whom their work would not be possible. The importance of quality and continuous improvement is a shared priority across the organisation.
## School Support
Over the last 12 months our School Support Service has continued to provide a wide range of products and services using both on-line and some face-to-face delivery. This approach has been informed both by customer feedback but also taking into consideration the subject matter and what is most appropriate for embedding the learning. Safeguarding Audits have proven to be a successful offer for both individual schools and working across Multi Academy Trusts. Delegate feedback is continuing to be closely monitored to ensure the quality of training and testimonials are received following consultancy work. Colleagues continue to be upskilled in digital delivery, to ensure a highly engaging and interactive learning experience as our online offer continues to grow. We have maintained our partnership with BPN, along with enhancing our bespoke, consultancy offer ensuring that Education Advisors remained current in their knowledge and understanding of present education issues impacting schools. This professional development for the School Support team is provided via regular CPD. The School Support Service has also developed its work with our music service, providing ongoing safeguarding CPD, and quality assurance of this aspect of work and more recently is contributing to the CPD programme for SFE’s music teachers. We maintain a positive working relationship with BCC through our work on the Statutory Assessment Duty. Our work with Mondelez continues to thrive with our Health For Life programme now working with its thirteenth cohort.
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## Music
We have continued our series of twilight CPD sessions for primary, secondary and special schools. These take place every term and have seen music coordinators sharing best practice from across the city. Sessions have been run in collaboration with hub partners, and are usually held at the CBSO centre. We delivered our schools’ Music Conference face to face in March at the MAC which was attended by 140 delegates. We are delighted to have appointed a number of Lead Schools to deliver our school based CPD from 2025/26. These are a mixture of schools from Primary, Secondary and SEND settings, and will enable our CPD offer to schools to be authentic, pedagogically sound and based on up to date school scenarios.
The CPD sessions across this year have included:
- A focus on high-quality teaching and learning and building and developing partnerships, progression and pathways for _**all**_ young people in Birmingham.
- Annual Safeguarding.
- Developing as an inclusive practitioner with practical case-studies from fellow music service colleagues.
- A trauma informed and trauma responsive approach.
- OHMI – How to make your teaching truly adaptable.
- Birmingham Teaching and Learning Framework and A Common Approach 2.0.
- WCIT Training – developing pedagogy.
- Introducing School / Area Ensemble Repertoire.
- Bringing music from all sources alive in the classroom.
- Trinity College and Sounds of Intent Accreditation.
- Creating the ultimate Primary Music Teacher Tool Kit.
- Composition in Primary Schools.
- Leadership/Management training for assistants/LP with Andy Hind.
- Singing – What is a musical school?
- Technology in the classroom – Charanga training.
- What the music curriculum looks like in a special school.
- Online resources.
- Support for ECT teachers in Birmingham.
Our internal music teams have continued to be receptive when focussing their development around the SFE standards. These standards have formed the basis of both PDR and training sessions, with each instrumental department having key standards that their work is based around. This has led to a much more joined up and consolidated approach to staff development, with staff able to see directly how CPD links to their development.
## Customer Feedback
Customer feedback is obtained from all course delegates in School Support Service– we asked the respondents to rate their experience of the course across several aspects: trainer delivery, quality of course materials, how well the course met expectations, and overall course rating. The graph below summarises the results. In summary, participants were overwhelmingly satisfied with the course, especially in terms of trainer delivery and overall experience.
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Number of completed responses = 861
As part of our funding agreement with Arts Council England we receive a quarterly feedback letter. During the financial year 2024/25 the risk rating for SFE was 5 (minor risk). Moving forward, although the risk score will continue to be communicated to us, there will not be a formal written report. We continue to have a very strong relationship with Arts Council England, and our Relationship Development Manager (Emma Cook) has been a strong advocate for the work of Birmingham within the ACE structure.
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## **OUR ACHIEVEMENTS AND**
## **PERFORMANCE**
The Trustees/Directors have taken note of the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit in reviewing the aims and objectives and in planning activities. In particular, the Trustees/Directors consider how the planned activities contribute to the charity's aims and objectives, and they ensure these are carried out for the public benefit by delivering services that are valued by the beneficiaries (school, pupils, teachers, parents) and which deliver clear and definable benefit to those beneficiaries.
## **2024/25**
2024/25 is year five of ‘Strategy 2025 – Creating Tomorrow Today’, which outlined our roadmap for a five-year period.
Our ambitions are:
- To revolutionise educational learning to maximise participation, through
- principles/evidence led educational practices.
- great teachers delivering great learning.
- offering personalised, flexible learning where appropriate.
- supporting the development of employability and skills.
- leading edge services and resources.
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- To be a key partner for raising standards and attainment in education in our city, region and nationally, through
- being the distinctive leader in our sector.
- providing agile and collaborative (resourceful, bespoke and/or individualised) solutions.
- leading and stimulating debate on key issues facing the education sector.
- encouraging widening of participation and development of a love of life-long learning for all ages.
- developing a sustainable organisation for the long term that allows us to support and progress key initiatives.
- To make important contributions to our society and communities, particularly through our work with disadvantaged groups and young people, through
- innovation and application of our expertise.
- making a demonstrable impact.
- positive alumni and stakeholder engagement.
These ambitions will be delivered through six organisation-wide themes which all our colleagues can relate to in their work. They are intended to deliver a vibrant, resilient, and agile organisation fully equipped to deliver our vision and charitable purpose.
With 2024/25 being the final year of our current strategy, our focus was on reviewing the progress we had made in the period and considering the implications for future plans. We engaged a range of internal and external stakeholders in this work. Within the five years there have been some significant challenges including navigating the post pandemic period and the resulting cost of living crisis. A particular focus in 2024/25 was ensuring we met the requirements of being the Hub Lead Organisation for Birmingham (following a tender exercise in the prior year) and delivering against the requirements of the funding agreement as outlined by Arts Council England.
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## **Future Plans**
Our work is in an ever-changing external environment and so we have developed our next strategic plan to inform a three-year planning horizon 2025-28. Colleagues input was valuable and has informed a clear, one page overview which informs the next period.
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## **Sustainability**
SFE is committed to identifying areas whereby we can reduce the impact on the environment from our operations and service delivery. We will address this through:
- Developing colleague engagement and involvement.
- Reviewing our approach to timetabling and reducing commutes for staff where possible, in line with business need.
- Reviewing our operational activities through the lens of sustainability, in particular our approach to repairs and replacing instruments.
- Working with suppliers to reduce impact.
- Liaising with our hub partners to identify key areas of environmental impact, and how we can learn lessons from the approaches of others.
During 2024/25 SFE:
- Ensured that only digital programmes were available at all concerts.
- Influenced the packaging of instrument supply to the music education sector through discussions with key suppliers.
- Worked with Veolia/pBone Music to explore the possibility of making musical instruments from recycled ABS plastic waste materials.
- Replaced old emergency lighting units with more energy efficient LED options.
- Reduced use of single-use plastics .
- Ensured old electrical/computer equipment and excess cardboard packaging disposed of responsibly.
- Any musical instrument disposals were managed sustainably via a supplier’s recycling scheme.
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## **RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES**
The Directors have assessed the major risks to which the company is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the company and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate our exposure to the major risks. A thorough review is undertaken on at least an annual basis, with amendments made during the year as required:
The principal risks identified by the Trustees/Directors are:
- reductions in demand for Music and School Support services, caused by budgetary pressures as schools and other establishments respond to the current economic climate.
_mitigated by:_ working closely with customers to align delivery to their circumstances, regularly monitoring developments in the Education sector in order to respond/adapt our approaches.
- reductions in funding for music in schools through the Arts Council Grant and/or reductions in school funding which will result in reduced ability or willingness to purchase SFE’s services.
_mitigated by:_ expansion of services both in type of service and the geographical reach of delivery. Advocacy of the benefits and impact of SFE’s services.
- changes in education policy impacting income streams in the School Support Service.
_mitigated by:_ close monitoring of education landscape.
- significant increases in core costs such as rent, utilities, employment costs, cost of musical instruments purchase and repair.
_mitigated by:_ active management of suppliers and monitoring of costs through a robust budget planning and management approach.
- effective cash management to match the SFE business cycle and episodic revenue profile .
_mitigated by:_ close and frequent cash position monitoring combined with highly proactive invoice payment management and debt collection. Surplus cash balances are proactively invested in fixed-term deposit accounts via a savings platform operated by Flagstone Group Ltd whilst interest rates remain strong. Deposits span a variety of maturity dates (with fixed terms of between 1 and 24 months), which allows SFE to balance day-to-day liquidity requirements alongside realising the benefit of fixed-term investments. Balances are managed to ensure a 70:30 split between short and medium term maturities.
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## **FINANCIAL REVIEW AND RESULTS FOR THE YEAR**
## **General**
During 2024/25, our Finance team continued to deliver monthly management accounts to a strict reporting timetable with figures provided to the Senior Leadership Team on the 10th working day after each month end. Two budget reforecasts were performed during 2024/25 after production of December and February actuals providing the Board with updated views of the year end position. These were reviewed in detail at meetings of the Audit and Finance Sub-Committee.
There continues to be a strict focus on credit control. Debtor balances are reviewed at weekly meetings of the Senior Leadership Team and where appropriate customer facing colleagues are engaged in assisting recovery of difficult debts. Tracking debtor days on a weekly basis has continued which have consistently remained around 33 days during the year.
During 2024/25 we were able to continue placing cash on short term deposit in our Charities Aid Foundation account using their portal with Flagstone. Deposits were placed on a range of terms with an emphasis of maximising return at minimal risk. Interest received via these deposits amounted to £113,515 (2024: £106,668). The balance remaining on deposit at 31 August 2025 stood at £ 2,719,810 (2024: £2,297,287).
The statement of financial activities shows a net income for the year of £135,829 (2024: £157,522). The net income on unrestricted funds was £125,994 (2024: £169,173) and there was a net income of £9,835 on restricted funds (2024: net expenditure of £11,651).
## **Reserves**
It is the policy of the Board that cumulative unrestricted funds available to cover six months staff costs should be maintained. This reserves policy is reviewed annually by the Board in order to ensure its adequacy in relation to the scale of the Company’s operations.
During the year ended 31 August 2025, six months staff costs amounted to £2,781,714 (2024: £2,730,758). As at 31 August 2025 there were unrestricted funds carried forward of £2,955,692 (2024: £2,829,698), which is deemed sufficient to cover six months staff costs hence the reserves policy has been met. The Trustees are comfortable that the current level of available funds would continue to cover six months staff costs given current staffing levels. Trustees continue to take a cautious approach to reserves given the underlying economic climate and in due course plan to adopt a risk-based approach to the reserves policy. A new policy was introduced in 2024/25 to allow grant proposals to be enhanced with a matched funding from SFE reserves. This has been capped at £75k.
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## **Going Concern**
The financial statements have been prepared under the going concern basis. The Directors reviewed and agreed on the budget for the financial year 2025/26 which indicated that, barring unforeseen circumstances, the charity will continue to be able to meet all obligations as they fall due, albeit that a deficit budget was agreed. The budget is subject to regular reforecasting during the year which allows for remedial action to be taken if deemed required. In recent years, the reforecasts have always led to an improved position (often as a result of actual music order book being known and/or some operational cost savings).
The Directors have paid close attention to the education landscape and the financial pressures faced by schools (the key customer group). School orders have been closely monitored, particularly in view of the ongoing cost of living crisis and the related pressure on school budgets. Income within school support is linked to national education policy and priorities, and the delivery portfolio adjusts accordingly. The Directors, therefore, have a reasonable expectation that SFE has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.
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## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **General**
Services For Education (formerly S4E Limited) is a registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1148848) and a company (No. 07739831) limited by guarantee. It was set up by a Memorandum of Association on 15 August 2011 and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. Services For Education (SFE) is a unique charity that uses the power of learning and music to create and build confidence amongst children, young people, adults and communities. We aim to bring learning and music to life.
The principal objects of the company are:
- the advancement of education, particularly through the promotion of high-quality teaching and learning.
- the advancement of the care, safety and upbringing of children and young people by: `o` supporting and assisting those in need, their families and carers
- promoting their health
- advancing their education
- the advancement of the arts and culture, particularly through the promotion and teaching of music.
- everything we do is delivered with passion and care.
The company continues to focus on the quality of all services provided and to seek to expand both the range of services as well as their geographical reach.
## **The Board**
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance of Services For Education and meet at least bi-monthly during the year. Two sub-committees of the Board exist: the Hub Lead Organisation Board (formerly Birmingham Music Education Partnership sub-committee) and the Finance and Audit sub-committee. Trustees are generally asked to join one of these after a couple of months in role, according to their areas of interest and expertise. New trustees are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Articles of Association and following an open recruitment process. The Board of Trustees is chaired by Martin Hall.
New trustees undertake a comprehensive induction process, which includes meetings with each member of the Senior Leadership Team and follow up meetings as required.
The membership of the Hub Lead Organisation (HLO) Board will increase during 2025/26 to include representatives from amongst the wider stakeholders of SFE (in addition to Trustees). This wider membership, along with an Independent Chair, is a requirement from Arts Council England to ensure good governance and scrutiny of public funding. Martina Gallagher was appointed as Independent Chair, on 17 June 2025. replacing Steve Ball who resigned on the 11 February 2025. In the interim period, one of our Board of Trustees, Joanna Cooney, fulfilled this position.
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## **Strategic management**
## Chief Executive
Authority to conduct the day-to-day activities of Services For Education is delegated to the Chief Executive, Sharon Bell, who is responsible for ensuring that the agreed strategy is implemented, and the necessary controls are in place to govern the organisation.
The Chief Executive is supported by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) which comprises Lindsay Allen (HR Director); Tracy Carlton (Director of Marketing and Business Development); Richard Mabbott (Head of Music Service); Jo Perrin (Interim School Support Lead); Sarah Marshall (Head of Shared Services); and Carl Black (Finance Manager).
The Senior Leadership Team meets weekly, with additional monthly sessions focussing on strategy and long-term planning. A Strategic Oversight Group meets on a fortnightly basis, comprising three members of the Senior Leadership Team.
## Remuneration Policy for Key Personnel
The remuneration of the Chief Executive is set by the Board of Trustees/Directors based on advice from market recruitment specialists.
The remuneration of senior staff is set by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair of Trustees and is based on both advice from market recruitment specialists and on industry benchmarks within the charitable sector depending on the discipline of the employee.
## **Employees**
During the FY2024/25 period, Services For Education employed 208 staff on average.
Regular weekly communications include a weekly written communication (In The Know) issued on a Wednesday. This is complemented by a monthly video briefing lead by the Chief Executive – whilst informal in style it follows a common structure.
Staff Forum meetings are normally held bi-monthly, with additional meetings as required. Minutes from all Staff Forum meetings are shared with staff, normally within 2 weeks of the meeting date, and archive copies are available through the SFE SharePoint pages at any time. Through these methods and local/departmental updates, colleagues have received regular and consistent information on business performance. Planned social gatherings in December 2024 and July 2025 were warmly received by staff.
66.7% of colleagues competed the staff survey in January 2025 (2024: 63.9%, 2023: 70.6%), resulting in an engagement score of 62% (2024: 73%, 2023: 72%). Working with the external provider to ensure colleague anonymity, the survey structure has enabled the findings to be reviewed through different lenses, including down to departmental level. This has enabled action planning to be built on the results seen at a local level and encourage engagement through departmental managers. Recognising the importance of the role of the line manager in positive employee engagement, line managers are actively involved in the development and cascade of the survey, alongside being supported with their action planning and accompanying implementation.
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## Diversity and Inclusion
SFE is committed to valuing diversity, encouraging inclusion and eliminating discrimination in both its role as an employer and as a provider of services. Our aim is that our employees are truly representative of the communities we engage with and work in an environment where everyone is respected and able to perform to the best of their ability.
Our policy is to provide equality and fairness for all in our employment and in our provision of services, and not to discriminate on grounds of gender, marital status, race, ethnic origin, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, religion or age.
SFE opposes all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination. It is our policy to provide a suitable environment for people with disabilities. All reasonable facilities will be provided for employees with disabilities to perform their roles without difficulty or disadvantage. SFE is also supportive of our neurodiverse workforce and are continually developing our approach to ensuring all colleagues feel able to adjust their working arrangements to suit their needs, be this in connection with neurodiversity, menopause or other factors.
We will not tolerate direct or indirect discrimination against any person on grounds of age, disability, gender/gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, whether in the field of recruitment, terms and conditions of employment, career progression, training, transfer or dismissal.
It is also the responsibility of all employees in their daily actions, decisions and behaviour, to endeavour to promote these concepts, to comply with all relevant legislation and to ensure they do not discriminate against colleagues, customers, suppliers or any other person associated with the business.
In adopting these principles, SFE:
- will not tolerate acts that breach this policy and all such breaches or alleged breaches will be taken seriously, fully investigated and may be subject to disciplinary action, where appropriate.
- fully recognises its legal obligations under all relevant legislation and codes of practice.
- will allow staff to pursue any matter through the internal procedures which they believe has exposed them to inequitable treatment within the scope of this policy. Copies of these procedures are available to all staff through the website.
- will ensure that all managers understand and maintain their responsibilities and those of their team under this policy.
- will offer opportunities for flexible working patterns, wherever operationally feasible, to help employees to combine a career with their domestic responsibilities.
- will provide equal opportunity to all who apply for vacancies through open competition.
- will select candidates only on the basis of their ability to carry out the job, using a clear and open process.
- will provide all employees with the training and development they need to carry out their job effectively.
- will provide all reasonable assistance to employees who are or who become disabled, making reasonable adjustments wherever possible to provide continued employment. We will ensure an appropriate risk assessment is carried out and that appropriate specialist advice is obtained when necessary.
- will distribute and publicise this policy statement throughout the company.
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## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES**
The Directors (who are also Trustees of SFE for the purposes of charity law) are responsible for preparing the Directors' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they 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 these financial statements, the Directors are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP.
- make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and 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.
The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
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## **DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO AUDITORS**
Each of the persons who are Directors at the time when this Directors’ report is approved has confirmed:
- That so far as that Director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company’s auditor is unaware, and
- that Director has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a Director in order to be aware of any information needed by the charitable company's auditor in connection with preparing this report and to establish that the charitable company's auditor is aware of that information.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Martin Hall **Chair of Trustees**
Date: 23 March 2026
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**SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED (A company limited by guarantee) SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
## **Opinion**
We have audited the financial statements of Services for Education Limited (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 August 2025 which comprise the Statement of financial activities, the Balance sheet, the Statement of cash flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 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 August 2025 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 Auditor's 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 United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard, 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 twelve 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.
21
Docusign Envelope ID: FCC52E6F-0855-4B11-ADE0-6B8180E1720D
**SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
**(A company limited by guarantee) SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED (CONTINUED)**
## **Other information**
The other information comprises the information included in the Annual 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.
## **Opinion 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 for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.
- 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 our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees' Report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- adequate 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.
## **Responsibilities of trustees**
As explained more fully in the Trustees' responsibilities statement, 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 charitable 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 charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
22
Docusign Envelope ID: FCC52E6F-0855-4B11-ADE0-6B8180E1720D
**SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED (A company limited by guarantee) SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED (CONTINUED)**
## **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:
Our assessment focussed on key laws and regulations the charitable company has to comply with and areas of the financial statement we assessed as being more susceptible to misstatement. These key laws and regulations included but were not limited to compliance with the Companies Act 2006, Charities Act 2011, taxation legislation, date protection, anti-bribery and employment legislation.
We are not responsible for preventing irregularities. Our approach to detecting irregularities included, but was not limited to, the following:
- obtaining an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the charitable company and how the charitable company is complying with that framework, including agreement of financial statement disclosures to underlying documentation and other evidence;
- obtaining an understanding of the charitable company's control environment and how the charitable has applied relevant control procedures, through discussions with Trustees and other management and by performing walkthrough testing over key areas;
- obtaining an understanding of the charitable company's risk assessment process, including the risk of fraud;
- reviewing meeting minutes of those charged with governance throughout the year; and
- performing audit testing to address the risk of management override of controls, including testing journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business and reviewing accounting estimates for bias.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditor's report.
23
Docusign Envelope ID: FCC52E6F-0855-4B11-ADE0-6B8180E1720D
**(A company limited by guarantee) SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
## **SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED (CONTINUED)**
## **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 its members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
**Glen Bott (Senior statutory auditor)**
for and on behalf of
## **Cooper Parry Group Limited**
Statutory Auditor Cubo Birmingham 4th Floor Two Chamberlain Square Birmingham B3 3AX
Date: 21 April 2026
24
Docusign Envelope ID: FCC52E6F-0855-4B11-ADE0-6B8180E1720D
## **SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
## **(A company limited by guarantee) SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
|**Note**
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
4
Charitable activities
5
Investment income
6
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
7
**Total expenditure**
**Net movement in funds**
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
**Total funds carried forward**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
19,695
4,966,478
128,356
5,114,529
4,988,535
4,988,535
125,994
2,829,698
125,994
2,955,692|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
2,057,448
-
-
2,057,448
2,047,613
2,047,613
9,835
40,901
9,835
50,736|**Total**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
2,077,143
4,966,478
128,356
7,171,977
7,036,148
7,036,148
135,829
2,870,599
135,829
3,006,428|
|---|---|---|---|
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. The notes on pages 28 to 43 form part of these financial statements.
25
Docusign Envelope ID: FCC52E6F-0855-4B11-ADE0-6B8180E1720D
**(A company limited by guarantee) SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
## **SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
**(A company limited by guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 07739831**
|**BALANCE SHEET**
**AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025**
**Fixed assets**
**Note**
Tangible assets
11
**Current assets**
Debtors
12
964,710
Cash at bank and in hand
3,541,635
4,506,345
**Current liabilities**
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
13
(1,642,452)
**Net current assets**
**Total assets less current liabilities**
**Net assets excluding pension asset**
**Total net assets**
**Charity funds**
Restricted funds
14
Unrestricted funds
14
**Total funds**|**2025**
**£**
142,535
142,535
2,863,893
3,006,428
3,006,428
3,006,428
50,736
2,955,692
3,006,428|692,136
3,312,437
4,004,573
(1,361,211)|
|---|---|---|
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
## **Martin Hall**
Chair of Trustees
Date: 23 March 2026
The notes on pages 28 to 43 form part of these financial statements.
26
Docusign Envelope ID: FCC52E6F-0855-4B11-ADE0-6B8180E1720D
## **SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
## **(A company limited by guarantee) SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
|**STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
**Cash flows from operating activities**
**Note**
Net cash used in operating activities
16
**Cash flows from investing activities**
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
11
**Net cash used in investing activities**
**Cash flows from financing activities**
**Net cash provided by financing activities**
**Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year**
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
**Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year**
17|**2025**
**£**
238,144
(8,946)
(8,946)
-
229,198
3,312,437
3,541,635|
|---|---|
The notes on pages 28 to 43 form part of these financial statements
27
Docusign Envelope ID: FCC52E6F-0855-4B11-ADE0-6B8180E1720D
**SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED (A company limited by guarantee) SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **1. General information**
Services For Education Limited is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered and domiciled in England. The address of the registered office is Unit 3, Holt Court, Holt Street, Birmingham Science Park, Aston, Birmingham, B7 4AX.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional and presentational currency of the Charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The company is a company limited by guarantee. The members of the company are the Directors named on page 1. In the event of the company being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member.
## **2. Accounting policies**
## **2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements**
The financial statements 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), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Services For Education Limited meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
## **2.2 Going concern**
The financial statements have been prepared under the going concern basis. The Directors reviewed and agreed on the budget for the financial year 2025/26 which indicated that, barring unforeseen circumstances, the charity will continue to be able to meet all obligations as they fall due and will over time be able to build suitable reserves. The budget is subject to regular reforecasting during the year which allows for remedial action to be taken if deemed required.
The Directors have paid close attention to the education landscape and the financial pressures faced by schools (the key customer group). School orders have been closely monitored, particularly in view of the current cost of living crisis and the related pressure on school budgets. Music delivery has now exceeded pre pandemic levels, although prices have not risen in line with inflation mindful of the need to ensure affordability. Income within school support is linked to national education policy and priorities, and the delivery portfolio adjusts accordingly. The Directors, therefore, have a reasonable expectation that SFE has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.
28
Docusign Envelope ID: FCC52E6F-0855-4B11-ADE0-6B8180E1720D
**SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED (A company limited by guarantee) SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **2. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **2.3 Income**
All income is recognised once the Company has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Income for services is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities on a receivable basis on completion of the service.
Grants are included in the Statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.
## **2.4 Expenditure**
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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 classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Company's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
## **2.5 Interest receivable**
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Company; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.
## **2.6 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation**
Tangible fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.
Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives.
Depreciation is provided on the following basis:
Short-term leasehold property - over the term of the lease Fixtures and fittings - 25% on a straight line basis Computer equipment - 33.3% on a straight line basis Music instruments - 10%-13.3% on a straight line basis
29
Docusign Envelope ID: FCC52E6F-0855-4B11-ADE0-6B8180E1720D
**SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED (A company limited by guarantee) SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **2. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **2.7 Debtors**
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
## **2.8 Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of six months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
## **2.9 Liabilities and provisions**
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Company anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.
## **2.10 Financial instruments**
The Company only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
## **2.11 Operating leases**
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of financial activities on a straight line basis over the lease term.
Benefits received and receivable as an incentive to sign an operating lease are recognised on a straight line basis over the lease term, unless another systematic basis is representative of the time pattern of the lessee's benefit from the use of the leased asset.
## **2.12 Pensions**
The Company operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the Company to the fund in respect of the year.
30
Docusign Envelope ID: FCC52E6F-0855-4B11-ADE0-6B8180E1720D
**SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
**(A company limited by guarantee) SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **2. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **2.13 Fund accounting**
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Company and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Company for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.
## **3. Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgment**
The Company makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.
Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
Critical accounting estimates and assumptions:
The key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year include depreciation rates for tangible fixed assets and their residual values.
## **4. Income from donations and legacies**
|Donations
Grants|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
19,695
-
19,695|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
27,922
2,029,526
2,057,448|
|---|---|---|
Included within Grants there is £2,029,526 from Arts Council England.
31
Docusign Envelope ID: FCC52E6F-0855-4B11-ADE0-6B8180E1720D
**(A company limited by guarantee) SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
## **SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **4. Income from donations and legacies (continued)**
|Donations
Grants|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
14,466
-
14,466|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
53,402
1,969,729
2,023,131|
|---|---|---|
Included with Grants there is £1,969,729 from Arts Council England.
## **5. Income from charitable activities**
|Music
School support
Other
Music
School support
Other|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
4,273,791
692,687
-
4,966,478
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
4,183,255
763,227
375
4,946,857|
|---|---|
32
Docusign Envelope ID: FCC52E6F-0855-4B11-ADE0-6B8180E1720D
**(A company limited by guarantee) SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
## **SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
**STATEMENTS AUGUST 2025**
|**6.**
**Investment income**
Investment income
Investment income - local cash|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
128,356|
|---|---|
||**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
119,843|
## **7. Analysis of expenditure by activities**
|Music
School support
Other|**Activities**
**undertaken**
**directly**
**2025**
**£**
4,654,187
507,407
-
5,161,594|**Support**
**costs**
**2025**
**£**
1,646,648
226,386
1,520
1,874,554|
|---|---|---|
Of the total expenditure of £7,036,148 during the year, £4,988,535 was unrestricted and £2,047,613 was restricted.
|Music
School support
Other|**Activities**
**undertaken**
**directly**
**2024**
**£**
4,600,118
564,136
-
5,164,254|**Support**
**costs**
**2024**
**£**
1,552,654
228,960
907
1,782,521|
|---|---|---|
33
Docusign Envelope ID: FCC52E6F-0855-4B11-ADE0-6B8180E1720D
**SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
**(A company limited by guarantee) SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **7. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)**
Of the total expenditure of £6,946,775 in the prior year, £4,911,993 was unrestricted and £2,034,782 was restricted.
## **Analysis of direct costs**
|Staff costs
Depreciation
Music resources
Performance costs
Venue hire
Project costs
Travel & subsistence
Training
Consultancy
Staff costs
Depreciation
Music resources
Performance costs
Venue hire
Project costs
Travel & subsistence
Training
Consultancy|**Direct costs**
**- Music**
**2025**
**£**
4,117,445
87,269
30,543
194,694
113,398
-
40,175
7,728
62,935
4,654,187|**Direct costs**
**- School**
**Support**
**2025**
**£**
437,702
-
-
-
-
40,950
-
-
28,755
507,407|
|---|---|---|
||**Direct costs**
**- Music**
**2024**
**£**
4,041,779
124,003
32,187
181,046
131,501
-
38,992
5,260
45,350
4,600,118|**Direct costs**
**- School**
**Support**
**2024**
**£**
490,032
-
-
-
350
37,800
-
-
35,954
564,136|
34
Docusign Envelope ID: FCC52E6F-0855-4B11-ADE0-6B8180E1720D
**SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
**(A company limited by guarantee) SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **7. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)**
## **Analysis of support costs**
|Staff costs
Other staff costs
Depreciation
Project costs
Travel & subsistence
Training
Office costs
Premises costs
Insurance
Marketing and publicity
Professional fees
Bank charges
Irrecoverable VAT
Governance costs|**Direct costs**
**- Music**
**2025**
**£**
887,286
107,214
5,614
13,629
4,316
37,112
70,973
262,579
25,313
52,028
32,182
5,359
129,447
13,596
1,646,648|**Direct costs**
**- School**
**Support**
**2025**
**£**
120,994
14,620
766
5,326
589
5,061
8,051
35,806
3,452
7,095
4,389
731
17,652
1,854
226,386|**Direct costs**
**- Other**
**2025**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,520
-
-
1,520|
|---|---|---|---|
35
Docusign Envelope ID: FCC52E6F-0855-4B11-ADE0-6B8180E1720D
## **SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
## **(A company limited by guarantee) SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **7. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)**
## **Analysis of support costs (continued)**
|Staff costs
Other staff costs
Depreciation
Project costs
Travel & subsistence
Training
Office costs
Premises costs
Insurance
Marketing and publicity
Professional fees
Bank charges
Irrecoverable VAT
Governance costs
**8.**
**Auditor's remuneration**
Fees payable to the Company's auditor for the audit
accounts
Fees payable to the Company's auditor in respect of:
All non-audit services not included above|**Direct costs**
**Direct costs**
**- School**
**- Music**
**support**
**2024**
**£**
**2024**
**£**
818,141
111,565
105,750
14,421
5,272
719
35,927
18,356
2,992
408
42,518
5,798
91,736
16,286
213,426
29,103
24,673
3,365
55,824
7,612
27,382
3,734
4,198
573
111,835
15,250
12,980
1,770
1,552,654
228,960
of the Company's annual
|**Direct costs**
**- Other**
**2024**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
907
-
-
907
**2025**
**£**
14,150
1,300|
|---|---|---|
36
Docusign Envelope ID: FCC52E6F-0855-4B11-ADE0-6B8180E1720D
**SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED (A company limited by guarantee) SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **9. Staff costs**
|Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes|**2025**
**£**
4,737,619
433,660
392,148
5,563,427|
|---|---|
During the year the Charity incurred a total of £18,200 (2024: £Nil) in redundancy payments to 1 (2024: Nil) employee.
The average number of persons employed by the Company during the year was as follows:
|Music
School support
Administration
Fundraising|**2025**
**No.**
180
7
20
1
208|
|---|---|
The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was:
||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|
||**No.**|**No.**|
|In the band £60,001 - £70,000|1|3|
|In the band £70,001 - £80,000|1|-|
|In the band £80,001 - £90,000|1|1|
|In the band £90,001 - £100,000|1|2|
|In the band £100,001 - £110,000|1|-|
The total employee benefits received by key management personnel in the year was £596,561 (2024: £614,347).
## **10. Trustees' remuneration and expenses**
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2024 - £NIL).
During the year ended 31 August 2025, no Trustees expenses have been incurred (2024 - £42.70).
37
Docusign Envelope ID: FCC52E6F-0855-4B11-ADE0-6B8180E1720D
## **SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
## **(A company limited by guarantee) SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **11. Tangible fixed assets**
|**Short-term**
**leasehold**
**property**
**£**
**Cost or valuation**
At 1 September 2024
93,406
Additions
-
Disposals
-
At 31 August 2025
93,406
**Depreciation**
At 1 September 2024
93,406
Charge for the year
-
On disposals
-
At 31 August 2025
93,406
**Net book value**
At 31 August 2025
-
At 31 August 2024
-|**Fixtures and**
**fittings**
**£**
150,079
8,946
(13,164)
145,861
137,915
6,379
(13,164)
131,130
14,731
12,164|**Computer**
**equipment**
**£**
93,919
-
(93,919)
-
93,919
-
(93,919)
-
-
-|**Musical**
**Instruments**
**£**
3,265,298
-
(51,042)
3,214,256
3,050,225
87,269
(51,042)
3,086,452
127,804
215,073|
|---|---|---|---|
## **12. Debtors**
|**Due within one year**
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income|**2025**
**£**
720,516
1,074
243,120
964,710|
|---|---|
38
Docusign Envelope ID: FCC52E6F-0855-4B11-ADE0-6B8180E1720D
**SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED (A company limited by guarantee) SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **13. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
|Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Deferred income at 1 September 2024
Resources deferred during the year
Amounts released from previous periods|**2025**
**£**
37,383
188,922
1,416,147
1,642,452
**2025**
**£**
920,008
1,424,685
(1,183,888)
1,160,805|
|---|---|
Deferred income relates to income received in advance of service delivery for 2025/2026.
39
Docusign Envelope ID: FCC52E6F-0855-4B11-ADE0-6B8180E1720D
**(A company limited by guarantee) SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
## **SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
14. Statement of funds
Statement of funds - current year
Balance at 1 Balance at
September 31 August
2024 Income Expenditure 2025
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General Funds - all funds 2,829,698 5,114,529 (4,988,535) 2,955,692
Restricted funds
Arts Council England - 1,959,449 (1,959,449) -
Arts Council England Capital Fund - 70,077 (70,077) -
Other 40,901 27,922 (18,087) 50,736
40,901 2,057,448 (2,047,613) 50,736
Total of funds 2,870,599 7,171,977 (7,036,148) 3,006,428
**----- End of picture text -----**
40
Docusign Envelope ID: FCC52E6F-0855-4B11-ADE0-6B8180E1720D
## **SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED (A company limited by guarantee) SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **14. Statement of funds (continued)**
**Statement of funds - prior year**
|**Unrestricted funds**
General Funds - all funds
**Restricted funds**
Arts Council England
Other
**Total of funds**|**Balance at**
**1**
**September**
**2023**
**£**
2,660,525
-
52,552
52,552
2,713,077|**Income**
**£**
5,081,166
1,969,729
53,402
2,023,131
7,104,297|**Expenditure**
**£**
(4,911,993)
(1,969,729)
(65,053)
(2,034,782)
(6,946,775)|
|---|---|---|---|
Arts Council England fund is core grant funding to support delivery of the music service.
Arts Council England capital fund is for the purchase of musical instruments, equipment and technology, including adapted/adaptive instruments for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities and provision for music technology.
Other restricted funds are an aggregate of smaller donations for specific aspects of our services.
## **15. Analysis of net assets between funds**
## **Analysis of net assets between funds - current year**
|**Analysis of net assets between funds - current year**|||
|---|---|---|
|Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
**Total**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
142,535
4,455,609
(1,642,452)
2,955,692|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
-
50,736
-
50,736|
||||
41
Docusign Envelope ID: FCC52E6F-0855-4B11-ADE0-6B8180E1720D
**(A company limited by guarantee) SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
## **SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
|**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE**
**YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**|**NTS FOR THE**
**025**||
|---|---|---|
|**15.**
**Analysis of net assets between funds (continued)**
**Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
Tangible fixed assets
227,237
Current assets
3,963,672
Creditors due within one year
(1,361,211)
**Total**
2,829,698
**16.**
**Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities**
Net income for the year (as per Statement of Financial Activities)
**Adjustments for:**
Depreciation charges
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
**Net cash provided by operating activities**
**17.**
**Analysis of cash and cash equivalents**
Cash at bank and in hand
**Total cash and cash equivalents**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
227,237
3,963,672
(1,361,211)
2,829,698|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
-
40,901
-
40,901|
|||
**2025**
**£**
135,829
93,648
(272,574)
281,241
238,144
**2025**
**£**
3,541,635
3,541,635|
42
Docusign Envelope ID: FCC52E6F-0855-4B11-ADE0-6B8180E1720D
## **SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
## **(A company limited by guarantee) SERVICES FOR EDUCATION LIMITED**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **18. Analysis of changes in net debt**
|Cash at bank and in hand|**At 1**
**September**
**2024**
**£**
3,312,437
3,312,437|**Cash flows**
**£**
229,198
229,198|
|---|---|---|
## **19. Pension commitments**
The Company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the company to the fund and amounted to £392,148 (2024: £393,441).
## **20. Operating lease commitments**
At 31 August 2025 the Company had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:
|Not later than 1 year
Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years|**2025**
**£**
89,656
801
90,457|
|---|---|
During the year £94,487 (2024: £44,536) has been recognised as an expense in the Statement of financial activities.
## **21. Related party transactions**
There have been no related party transactions which require disclosure.
43