Christian Connections in Schools (CCiS) Annual Report April 2025
CCiS Annual Report 2024-2025 Page 1
Christian Connections in Schools (CCiS) Annual Report
Christian Connections in Schools - Registered Charity No. 1150149 Slough Baptist Church Church Office Windsor Road SLOUGH SL1 2EJ
Office: 01753 201992
www.ccischools.org.uk
info@ccischools.org.uk
wayne@ccischools.org.uk beth@ccischools.org.uk
Christian Connections in Schools has a vision to make Jesus known in primary and secondary schools in Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead, through partnership with local churches and as a mission partner with Scripture Union. This is achieved through a broad spectrum of work, ranging from assemblies and lessons and supporting Christian groups, to large scale events.
Currently we employ Wayne Dixon who works in a number of secondary and primary schools in the area and was previously the Scripture Union schools worker for Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead for 25 years. We also employ Beth Gomm who joined us in September 2024. We aim to sustain them in continuing and enlarging this role, through administering the support offered by churches and individuals who value the outstanding relationships they enjoy with staff and students alike.
The Trust is governed by a Trust Deed which states that the object of the charity is to advance the Christian faith among children, young people and families, particularly in schools and in conjunction with the churches in the area of Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead.
Public benefits include advancing the Christian faith among children, young people and families through education, training and religious activities, achieved by undertaking school assemblies and lessons; Hanging Around Ministry; seasonal courses/teaching in schools and churches on occasions such as Easter and Christmas; working with and promoting the wider work and aims of Scripture Union; working with youth groups and churches; and planning, producing and leading specific campaigns/activities in wider areas such as Christianity Awareness Week.
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Trustees
Trustees are drawn from local churches and are appointed with regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the charity. Trustees are appointed for a term of three years, except for those who were responsible for setting up the trust, whose terms of initial appointment varied. Jenay Monds and Janice Hopkins are in their first terms of office; all other trustees are in their second or subsequent term of office.
Mr Alan Peter Symons (Chair) Mr Robert James Miles (Secretary) Mr Richard Geoffrey Thorogood (Treasurer) Revd Peter Thomas Cranch Mrs Pauline Catherine Scott (resigned 19 September 2024) Mr Grant Ian Hallam Mrs Jenay Lorraine Monds Mrs Janice May Hopkins
The Trust works with children and vulnerable people and trustees have jointly and individually declared that they have carried out all trustee eligibility tests that are required by law.
Mission Partner
Scripture Union England & Wales Trinity House Opal Court Fox Milne Milton Keynes MK15 0DF
Independent Examiner
Mrs Heidi Auero-Fox ACA
Bankers
NatWest 7 High Street Marlow Bucks SL7 1AY
CAF Bank 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill, West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ
Shawbrook Bank Lutea House Warley Hill Business Park The Drive Great Warley Brentwood Essex CM13 3BE
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Insurers
AXA Insurance UK plc 20 Gracechuch Street London EC3V 0BG
Policies and Procedures
Type of governing document: Trust Deed, adopted September 20[th,] 2012.
The Trust has documented policies covering safeguarding children and young people; work related stressors; parental, maternity and paternity leave; disciplinary, grievances and complaints; financial controls, financial reserves and investments; paying employees; conflicts of interest and anti-bribery. We are in the process of creating a social media policy.
Public benefit
In planning and overseeing the activities of the charity, the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and its guidance on the advancement of religion for the public benefit.
Reserves policy
The charity’s reserves consist of cash held as unrestricted funds. Its reserves policy is to seek to maintain reserves equivalent to at least 6 months’ total employment costs. At the year end, reserves held were £128,141 (2023-24: £135,802) , significantly in excess of the minimum required by the reserves policy.
In these circumstances, the reserves policy requires the trustees to exercise prudent stewardship of reserves while seeking opportunities to broaden and deepen CCiS’s activities consistently with its objects. The charity is also in compliance with this aspect of the policy, specifically in investigating ways to expand its activities in schools in the area and to prepare for the future.
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Annual report: April 2024 - April 2025
Aims and values
We aim to advance the Christian faith among children, young people and families, particularly in schools and in conjunction with the churches in the area of Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead.
We endeavour to do this through:
Partnership with local churches, individuals and Christians in schools.
Developing good Relationships with individuals and schools.
Respecting the school environment as a place of education and the beliefs of others.
Seeking for our work to be Relevant in how we communicate the good news of Jesus as it is revealed to us in the Bible.
What we do: https://player.vimeo.com/video/228468467
In everything we do, our intention is to engage with all those in schools (students, teachers and support staff) and to encourage and support Christians in schools by using words and actions.
❖ Hanging Around Ministry – HAM
HAM reinforces and complements schools’ ministry by providing an opportunity to spend time with pupils, staff and others at more informal occasions such as lunch and break times.
❖ Assemblies
Assemblies have proved to be an effective way to dispel some of the misconceptions that people may have about Jesus and Christianity. It provides a short opportunity (5-8 minutes) to share with a large group (approx. 200-250 at a time) some of what Jesus said or did, or a story that Jesus told.
❖ Lessons
Teaching time contributes to the school RE/PSHE curriculum and provides opportunities for discussion in a classroom setting. The lessons are always focused around Christianity and the teaching of Christianity.
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❖ Christmas Unwrapped and Easter Cracked
These significant initiatives started as a one-off church centenary celebration in 1994. Local schools are invited to send their Year 6 classes to these churchbased presentations of the great stories of the Gospel, which have proved to be so popular that more than 50 areas throughout the country are now involved in putting on their own events.
Each presentation aims to provide a warm welcome to the church and hopes to share something of both the Christmas and Easter miracles in a way that is memorable, interactive and engaging. Slough Baptist Church held the very first presentations and currently schedule Easter Cracked for March and Christmas Unwrapped for late November. The church provides an outline programme so that anyone wishing to hold their own event in their local area has all they need to get started.
Post-pandemic, these ministries are also available online:
Christmas Unwrapped : https://youtu.be/U-Icp5dOTaM (Recorded November 2020)
Easter Cracked : https://youtu.be/lv07rOYbI4M (Recorded January 2021)
❖ It’s Your Move!
It’s Your Move! provides a session and resources for year 6 pupils (age 10/11) preparing to move to senior school, and is held in primary schools during late May and June.
❖ School Christian Groups
Wayne Dixon’s schools work began when Slough Grammar asked him to help set up a Christian group in the school. Groups like this now meet in a number of local schools, including Altwood, Burnham Grammar (Explore), Cox Green (Ignite), Newlands Girls Schools (Revive) and Windsor Girls’ School (Big Questions and CU). These groups are publicised in assemblies at the beginning of the school year.
❖ Examattack
Examattack is a presentation held in most of the secondary schools Wayne visits and seeks to put exams into perspective for students. This initiative has been well received for its contribution to the life of a school in an area which is hugely important.
http://www.examattack.org.uk/
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❖ Inter Schools Soccer Sevens
Football competitions for boys and girls are held in June each year for local schools which enter boys’ and girls’ team of students and host the competitions. ‘Faith & Football’ booklets are provided for the players and PE staff attending. This connects with illustrations used in school lessons and assemblies referring to sport and particularly football.
❖ Youth & Children What’s On?
We send out a regular email that helps publicise events, resources and more that might help churches enhance their children’s and youth ministry. Churches or individuals who wish to publicise events, resources or training in their own area for anyone involved with children’s, youth or schools work may also send details to us and we will include them in future updates.
❖ Gatherings for school workers
In summer 2025, Beth is setting up regular gatherings for those doing school ministry in the Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead area. The vision is to create two communities; one for Maidenhead and Windsor and one for Slough to try and create smaller, specific communities. This is something that would happen regularly as a way to support and encourage those going into schools and also collaborate together in different areas.
❖ Prayer
We believe that the most significant contribution we can make to our schools is to pray for them. There are a number of opportunities each year for particular prayer events, including Education Sunday (early September), Prayday (November) and Pray for Schools (a fortnight in May).
❖ Primary Schools initiatives
This short video explains our Church/Primary School initiatives and how they have developed over the past 25 years. https://youtu.be/OvEBYlycwRA.
❖ The Jem Sewell Fund
Since its inception in October 2022, we have been administering the Jem Sewell Fund , which was set up to help children and young people from schools in Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead to attend a Scripture Union Holiday.
Jem’s daughter, Bryony, has recorded a video to explain the purpose of the fund: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjInB44MKVk
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What we achieved
Summer 2024
❖ It’s Your Move!
Since the book came out in 2001, Wayne has been very encouraged with the connections it makes with both Christmas Unwrapped and Easter Cracked , because so many of our local schools receive all three presentations. Praise God for this ministry, which we hope to provide for all the schools which would like it in the future; and for the generosity of individuals and churches whose financial support makes it possible.
‘This book has changed the way I now look at secondary school…... ‘It’s Your Move’ has boosted my confidence entirely and I no longer think of my new school as such a scary place. This book is incredibly helpful, with great toptips, fun activities and even a secondary school planner! It’s thought out beautifully, and I know it has helped many children biting their nails at the thought of moving up a school. It’s laid out in such a colourful, organised and encouraging way, making it fun to read in bitesize chunks – or all of it at once! ‘It's Your Move’ reminds me that I’m not alone…. If I had to describe this book in three words, they would be: uplifting, memorable and brilliant. Utterly brilliant. To finish this off, I leave you with a piece of advice - It really IS your move.’ (Year 6 pupil June 2023)
Autumn 2024
❖ Christmas Unwrapped
This programme continues to be very popular. The feedback from pupils and staff was very positive, and Wayne continues to learn that flexibility of approach pays dividends. Beth was able to accompany Wayne and observe the Christmas Unwrapped presentations herself for the first time.
❖ In the Classroom
These sessions give Wayne the opportunity to share something of his story and explain what Jesus means to him. He often finds time to share when he is in schools, whether he’s taking part in formal lessons or simply hanging around informally, perhaps at Christmas concerts, school proms and productions, sports days and around town. Wayne has also led lessons on how different people responded to Jesus. Beth led lessons at Upton Court Grammar on how a Christian’s belief impact their actions with a particular focus on forgiveness. The lessons so far have been very well received and she has been invited back for subsequent years to deliver these again.
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Spring 2025
❖ Easter Cracked
Some 50 schools, several local churches and thousands of pupils plus staff enjoyed and benefitted from Easter Cracked this year. After 30 years of providing these presentations, Wayne and Beth say that they, along with Christmas Unwrapped, are without doubt the most significant areas of ministry in which they have been involved, because of the way they have developed both locally and in many other areas.
Staff feedback:
One teacher from a school, which had never had Easter Cracked before said, “Why have we never had this before?”
"A great morning with Wayne and Beth. It is a session the children will remember."
"The children absolutely love having you. The whole presentation was very interactive and kept the children engaged"
"As usual, a great session - we love Wayne and Beth"
"Both Wayne and Beth were so enthusiastic and held the room's attention".
Throughout the year
❖ Encouragements
For Beth, some of the greatest encouragements have been the lessons. She has loved being able to get back into the classroom and deliver RE lessons. The lessons so far have been on the impact beliefs have on our actions with a focus on Christian beliefs about forgiveness, Jesus as our friend and what impact do Christians have on their local communities. Later in 2025, Beth will be delivering lessons on Christian festivals such as Christmas and Easter and Christian beliefs about creation! To be able to build relationships and do lessons with each individual class in these schools has been a privilege and something she hopes will continue to grow.
For Wayne here are some general encouragements that he has had during the past year. Thank you Jesus!
“ We cannot speak highly enough of Wayne. He is part of our school community! His assemblies are the best ones we have in any academic year. They are engaging, funny, interesting and yet educational. The Christian message is clear, but delivered in a way that does not overwhelm…..Seeing Wayne in our school at break and lunchtime, talking to the students, remains a pleasure and he is part of the furniture in the nicest possible sense.”
“ The children are always so engaged when listening to Wayne and look forward to his visits. His material is delivered in such a way to be inclusive to children of all faiths, or none at all. All in all, Wayne is an absolute joy to work with! “
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“ Wayne is always so engaging and the pupils remember his delivery because it is interactive and inspiring. The use of photographs and music, along with Wayne’s delivery ensured that the pupils remained engaged “
❖ Hanging Around Ministry (HAM)
It could be a School Sports Day, Year 11 or Year 13 Prom, music concert or dance show but the common thread at all these events is the opportunity they give Wayne to listen and chat with pupils, staff, parents and carers on a variety of issues, including ‘ what makes Christianity different ?’ and ‘ will Arsenal win The Premier and Champions Leagues ?’! He has spoken with pupils who have specific questions about Jesus, the Christian faith, church and the Bible.
Wayne continues to remind both himself and the pupils he talks to about how important it is to listen, both to each other and to God. Ongoing conversations with a variety of school staff, parents, carers and most importantly children and young people, have shown that listening to some of the joys and pains currently being faced by most of us is vital. Their stories are mostly to do with what happens in school, but others take place at school proms, sports days, school productions and even the high street. He is often reminded of the words written by the apostle Peter, who said: But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15) The lesson remains to listen first and then much wisdom is required.
❖ Assemblies
Assemblies are a powerful way to be able to speak to whole year groups or even whole schools about Christianity. This year the topics have included thankfulness, appreciating God’s creation, inspiration, forgiveness, identity in God and many more. At a time when we often hear about schools being cautious about inviting Christian speakers in, it’s been amazing to be able to do so many assemblies in such a large number of schools. One parent gave the feedback that these assemblies are having an incredible impact in their children’s lives and has led to many discussions about Jesus between them, their classmates and even their parents!
❖ Lessons
Lessons are a great way to serve the local schools in how they deliver their RE curriculum. This year we have delivered lessons on the following topics: Vocation and Commitment, how people respond to Jesus, impact of Christian beliefs of their actions, why Easter is important to Christians, was Jesus a good friend and how Christians impact their local communities. The lessons have all been well received and led to some good discussions about Christianity with a variety of pupils.
Trustee changes
This year saw the resignation of Pauline Scott who has moved away from the area. Pauline had been a trustee since the formation of the trust in 2012 and the
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trustees have been very grateful for her wise and thoughtful counsel over the years. She has also made an enormous contribution to our communications and our sustained and ultimately successful efforts to recruit an additional schools worker.
During the year we have been pleased to welcome two new trustees, Jenay Monds and Janice Hopkins.
Communication
CCiS communicates through a variety of sources, including regular termly newsletters, delivered either electronically or through the post. Our website is at http://www.ccischools.org.uk
Wayne sends news of his own and other initiatives through regular monthly emails to all his contacts. These include his Youth and Children’s What’s On update and Pause to Pray , where the need to pray for particular concerns is highlighted. Beth also sends out a weekly email during term time to share what has happened each week as well as any praise or prayer points from the week.
Giving
To maintain and develop the work in our schools we are looking for individuals and churches prayerfully to consider giving to CCiS in the following ways:
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Set up a regular donation, which enables the trustees to plan most effectively for the future. Contact the Treasurer at the address below or treasurer@ccischools.org.uk for a standing order form and gift aid declaration if required
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Visit https://ccischools.org.uk/how-you-can-help/
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Make a bank transfer to Christian Connections in Schools , sort code 40 52 40, account number 00032898
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The Treasurer, CCiS, Westfield, 3c College Avenue, Maidenhead SL6 6AR
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Leave a bequest to CCiS, using our charity name Christian Connections in Schools and registered number 1150149
The trustees are very grateful to all those who support us in their different ways, most especially over these recent difficult years.
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Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The Charities Act 2011 requires the trustees to prepare a statement of accounts for each financial year, which comply with the regulations made under that act.
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
Charity law in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its financial activities for that period.
In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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State whether the policies adopted are in accordance with the appropriate SORP on Accounting by Charities and the Accounting Regulations and with applicable accounting standards, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Accounting Standards and Statements of Recommended Practice and the regulations made under s145 of the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approval
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Annual Report above and the Financial Report for the period 6[th] April 2024 to 5[th] April 2025. The trustees authorised Mr Alan Peter Symons (Chair) to sign on their behalf.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees:
Alan Symons
Alan Peter Symons (Chair)
Date: 27/11/25
CCiS Annual Report 2024-2025 Page 12
| Charity Name | No (if any) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Connections in Schools | 1150149 | ||
| Receipts andpayments accounts | CC16a | ||
| Period start date For the period from 06/04/2024 ~~es~~ ~~ee~~ |
Period end date To 05/04/2025 ~~eeee~~ |
Section A Receipts and payments
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Endowment funds |
Total funds | Last year | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | |||||
| A1 Receipts | ||||||||||
| Donations | 60,270 | 11,479 | - | 71,749 | 71,235 | |||||
| Gift Aid | 4,594 | - | - | 4,594 | 7,754 | |||||
| Interest | 3,875 | - | - | 3,875 | 2,469 | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | (Gross income for AR)68,739 | 11,479 | - | 80,218 | 81,458 | |||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). - - - - - - - - - - Sub total - - - - - Total receipts 68,739 11,479 - 80,218 81,458 ~~SSS55~~ |
||||||||||
| A3 Payments | ||||||||||
| Employment-related | 66,119 | - | - | 66,119 | 43,301 | |||||
| Travel | 4,533 | - | - | 4,533 | 3,313 | |||||
| Telephone | 72 | - | - | 72 | 72 | |||||
| Insurance | 539 | - | - | 539 | 518 | |||||
| IT support,payrollprocessing, bank charges | 2,018 | - | - | 2,018 | 842 | |||||
| Stationeryand resources | 3,023 | 7,743 | - | 10,767 | 26,371 | |||||
| Recruitment | 4 | - | - | 4 | 525 | |||||
| Other services | 91 | - | - | 91 | - | |||||
| Donations | - | - | - | - | 2,000 | |||||
| **Sub total ** | 76,400 | 7,743 | - | 84,143 | 76,943 | |||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) - - - - - - - - - - Sub total - - - - - Total payments 76,400 7,743 - 84,143 76,943 ~~—SSS55~~ |
||||||||||
| Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
- 7,661 - 135,802 128,141 ~~==~~ |
3,736 - 6,472 10,208 ~~=~~ |
- - - - ~~SS~~ |
- 3,925 - 142,274 138,349 ~~=~~ |
- | 4,515 - 137,759 142,274 |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
03/12/2025
1
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B1 Cash funds |
Details Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Cash at bank Details Details Computer equipment Details R G Thorogood Signature Alan Symons |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 128,141 10,208 - - - - 128,141 10,208 OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) Unrestricted - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name A P SYMONS R G THOROGOOD |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
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| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
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- |
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| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| When due (optional) |
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| Date of approval |
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| Alan Symons | A P SYMONS | 27/11/2025 | |
| R G Thorogood | R G THOROGOOD | 27/11/2025 |
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
03/12/2025
2
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees
I report on my examination of the accounts of the charity Christian Connections in Schools for the period from 6 April 2024 to 5 April 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Heidi Auero-Fox
Heidi Auero-Fox ACA
Date: 01/12/25
CCiS Independent Examiner’s Report 2024-2025 Page 1