## TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL LIMITED
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 AUGUST 2021
**COMPANY NUMBER 07941847 CHARITY NUMBER 1151902**
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TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) Financial statements for the year ended 28 August 2021
## **Contents**
||Page|
|---|---|
|Legal and administrative information|3|
|Report of the governors|4 - 7|
|Independent Examiner’s Report|8|
|Statement of financial activities|9|
|Balance sheet|10|
|Notes to the financial statements|11 - 13|
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TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) Financial statements for the year ended 28 August 2021 Legal and administrative information
## **Governors**
Chair Mr J Charles Others Rev N Jeffers Miss A Caldwell Mr A Singh Mr T Balsom Mrs N Moorcroft
## **Secretary**
Mr J Charles
## **Registered Office**
Sunbeam, Bere Court Road, Pangbourne, Reading, England, RG8 8JY
## **Bankers**
Barclays Bank PLC, 2-4 Church Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 7AE
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TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) Report of the Governors for the year ended 28 August 2021
The governors of Trinity Christian School Limited (company number 07941847) present their report, together with the financial statements for the year ended 28 August 2021.
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
## Governing document
The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 8 February 2012 and registered as a charity on 3 May 2013. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1. The total number of such guarantees at 28 August 2021 was five.
Recruitment and appointment of board of governors
The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company's Articles are known as members of the board of governors.
The trustees who served during the period were as follows:Rev Neil Jeffers Mr J Charles Miss A Caldwell Mr A Singh Mr T Balsom
No new trustees have been appointed since 28 August 2021. New members of the board of governors are appointed on the decision of the board of governors.
Trustee induction and training
It is our policy to appoint trustees (also known as school governors) from individuals already supportive of the charity. As a result, they will already be familiar with the history and aims of Trinity Christian School Limited. They are also often involved practically on a day-to-day basis. Additionally, new governors have a meeting with the chair of governors or one of the other governors, in which the role, responsibility and obligations of governors are discussed. We also perform DBS checks on all governors.
## Risk management
The governors examine the risks to the charity on an annual basis, and identify the probability of the risk event occurring and the impact to the charity if the risk event did occur.
## Organisational structure
The charity has a board of governors who meet periodically and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. As at 28 August 2021 the board has five members.
## **Objectives and activities**
The object of the charity is the establishment and ongoing provision of a school in the Reading area. The school will teach children from a curriculum designed around a Christian understanding of who we are and whose world we live in. The school will seek to bring glory to God by working with parents to teach their children about God and his world. The school will provide an understanding of the world from a biblical perspective and will aim to equip its pupils to live in a way which honours God and serves other people. The school welcomes children from both Christian and non-Christian backgrounds.
In setting our objectives the governors have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit and in particular to its supplementary public benefit guidance on advancing education and on fee-charging.
It is important to us that access to the education we offer is not restricted to those who can afford our full fees and that our fees are set at a modest level to maximise the access.
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## TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) Report of the Governors for the year ended 28 August 2021
## **Achievements and performance**
The school opened on 1 September 2013, in the year 2013/2014 there were three pupils. In November 2013 the school was inspected by Ofsted and awarded a “Good” rating in all areas. In May 2017 the school was inspected by Ofsted as part of the regular cycle of inspections and again received a “Good” rating overall with an “Outstanding” in relation to Personal development, behaviour and welfare. In January 2022 the school was inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (“ISI”) as part of the cycle of compliance inspections and judged to be in compliance with the Independent School Standards.
At Easter 2022 the school appointed a new head teacher, Pearl Linkens, after the retirement of the previous head teacher Nigel Steele following a period of ill health. The period of transition was managed by Naomi Moorcroft a governor who stepped in to support the school through the difficult period and oversaw the school’s successful inspection by ISI. The governors acknowledge their thanks to Nigel Steele and their fellow governor Naomi Moorcroft for her investment of substantial time and ability. The governors look forward to this new period of leadership and the opportunities it brings to develop the school.
Trinity Christian School continues to be an active and subscribing member of the Christian Schools’ Trust, a national charity, which supports and facilitates co-operation between Christian schools. In November 2016 the school became a member of the Independent School Association (“ISA”) and in October 2017 the school transferred to the ISI from Ofsted. Membership of the ISA and inspection by ISI have increased the school’s costs but these are considered to be significant steps in growing the school.
Pupil numbers and fees. The total number of full time pupils in the school by the end of the 2020-21 academic year was 17 (2019-20: 18). Pupil numbers dropped following the end of the period under review and as at September 2021 there were 15 full time pupils on the roll and two part time pupils. Our annual fees for the year under review were £4,950 per annum (2019-20: £4,900). These fees are less than half of the general level of fees for independent primary schools in the area.
## **Community Involvement**
We believe our pupils benefit from learning within a diverse community. A great deal of learning occurs through social interaction, conversation and shared experiences which helps our pupils develop an understanding of the perspectives of other people that will be vital in their adult lives. Our school is a part of a wider community and we are keen that our staff and pupils participate. Pupils have regularly visited a local residential care home for older people to talk to the residents. People who work in the local community regularly visit the school to tell the pupils about their work.
## **Financial review**
The results for the period are set out on pages 9 to 10. The School’s general reserves decreased by £1,383 from £15,793 to £14,410. In the following period pupil numbers have fallen slightly while staffing levels have remained broadly the same and the governors expect costs to continue to exceed fee income.
## Principal funding sources
In the year to 28 August 2021 the school was supported by a combination of pupil fees and voluntary gifts. The sources of income are set out in the statement of financial activities. The charity is also heavily dependent on volunteers for their donations of time, facilities, goods and fund raising efforts.
The governors are grateful for all the support and sacrifices made in serving the charity in the period. But above all the charity is again grateful to God for His goodness over the past year and we remain confident in Him for the year to come.
## Investment policy
The governors consider that it is appropriate for the funds of the charity to be retained in the bank current and savings accounts to meet the daily requirements of the charity's expenditure. They do not consider there are funds in excess of this requirement available for investment.
## Reserves policy
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## TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) Report of the Governors for the year ended 28 August 2021
The governors have established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets ('the free reserves') held by the charity should be three months of the resources expended. This would enable the charity to continue operating at the same level of activities in the event of a significant drop in funding, or major expenses becoming imperative, allowing time for alternative funding to be secured.
## **Plans for future periods**
The school had maximum pupil number for the current premises increased by the DfE to 20 pupils in July 2019. These spaces were filled through the year to 28 August 2020 with a mix of full and part time pupils, however since that point the school has not achieved full capacity. The governors are looking at options to increase the approved maximum pupil number through finding larger premises giving the school greater scope to grow.
The governors see a need to increase the size of the governing body and are seeking to identify individuals to become governors who have the appropriate skills and a vision for the development of the school.
It is difficult to assess the financial effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and cost of living increases. Whilst all parents have continued to be able to pay fees, increased costs of living or reduced earnings may contribute to parents not choosing a fee paying school.
As noted above, in the current period pupil numbers have dropped while staffing levels remained at the same level as the previous period. This has resulted in a forecast deficit for the current year to 28 August 2022 of approximately £9,400. This is a significant deficit for the school and will reduce the school’s reserves substantially. The governors have looked ahead to the year to 28 August 2023 and consider it is reasonable to prepare the accounts on a going concern basis. The school has had an increase in pupil applications following the appointment of a new head teacher at Easter 2022. Based on those pupils who have applied to join the school the forecast deficit for the year to August 2023 will reduce to £6,600. This forecast is based on a conservative estimate of giving for the year and assumes no further pupils joining. On this conservative forecast the school remains a going concern throughout the next twelve months. From previous experience the governors hope to recruit a further pupil before September 2022 which would reduce the forecast deficit forecast for the year to August 2023 to £1,600.
## **Responsibility of the board of governors**
Company law requires the governors to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charitable company as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing those financial statements, the governors should follow best practice and:
- Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
- Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the company will continue on that basis.
The governors are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The governors 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.
Members of the board of governors
Members of the board of governors, who are directors for the purpose of company law and trustees for the purpose of charity law, who served during the period and up to the date of this report, are set out on page 3.
In accordance with charity law, as the trustees, we certify that:
As the trustees we have taken all the steps that we ought to have taken in order to make ourselves aware of any relevant accounting information.
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TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) Report of the Governors for the year ended 28 August 2021
## **Small company rules**
This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice — Accounting and Reporting by Charities and in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime and with the Financial Reporting Standard for smaller entities.
Approved by the board of governors on 26 May 2022 and signed on its behalf by:
Mr J Charles Trustee
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## TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) Independent Examiner’s Report for the year ended 28 August 2021
I report on the unaudited financial statements for the year ended 28 August 2021 which are set out on pages 9 to 10.
## **Respective responsibilities of the board of governors and the independent examiner**
As described on page 6 the company’s governors are responsible for the preparation of the report of the governors and the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom law and accounting standards, and they consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
- follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
- state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission.
An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the governors concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the financial statements present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention
1. which give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
- to keep accounting records in accordance with s.130 of the 2011 Act; or
- to prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records have not been met; or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
26 May 2022
Chris Taylor, BSc
23 Hawthorn Close, Oxford
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## TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 28 August 2021
The notes on pages 11 – 13 form part of these financial statements.
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## TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) Balance sheet as at 28 August 2021
For the year ended 28 August 2021, the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.
Signed on behalf of the board of directors 26 May 2022:
Mr J Charles Chair of Governors
The notes on pages 11 – 13 form part of these financial statements.
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TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 28 August 2021
## _**1 Accounting policies**_
The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the period.
## _**Basis of accounting**_
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008), the Companies Act 2006 and the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities.
## _**Fund accounting**_
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
## _**Incoming resources**_
All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable.
## _**Resources expended**_
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include accountancy and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.
## _**Fixed assets**_
The cost of tangible fixed assets is their purchase cost, together with any incidental expenses of acquisition. Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £200.
Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets, at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation of each asset, over its expected useful life, the annual rates are as follows:
Furniture and fixtures 33.3% of cost Plant and equipment 33.3% of cost
## _**Pensions**_
The charity makes defined contributions into the pension scheme managed by National Employment Savings Trust for each of its employees. Costs are charged against income on the basis of contributions payable to the schemes in respect of the financial period.
## _**2 Staff costs and numbers**_
Staff costs includes the following:
|**_2 Staff costs and numbers_**
Staff costs includes the following:|||
|---|---|---|
||2021|2020|
||£|£|
|Salaries|50,879|49,319|
|Social security costs|Nil|Nil|
|Pension costs|1,370|878|
No employee received emoluments of more than £50,000 in the current or preceding accounting period.
The salaries costs in the year ended 28 August 2021 were reduced by furlough payments received by the school from HMRC under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. These payments total £1,367 (2020: £989).
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## TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 28 August 2021
The average weekly number of employees of the company during the period, calculated on the basis of full time equivalents was as follows:
|time equivalents was as follows:|||
|---|---|---|
||2021|2020|
|Teaching and administration|2.6|2.3|
|**_3 Net (outgoing)/incoming resources for the period_**|||
|This is stated after charging:|||
||2021|2020|
||£|£|
|Depreciation|Nil|Nil|
|Board of governor's remuneration|Nil|Nil|
|Accountancy|1,008|342|
## _**4 Taxation**_
The charitable company is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
## _**5 Tangible fixed assets**_
|**Cost**
At 29 August 2020
At 28 August 2021
**Depreciation**
At 29 August 2020
Charge for the year
At 28 August 2021
**Net Book Value**
At 28 August 2020
At 28 August 2021
**_6 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year_**
Taxation and social security
Other creditors and accruals|Plant &
Equipment
Total
£
£
1,022
1,022
1,022
1,022
1,022
1,022
1,022
1,022
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
2021
2020
£
£
638
581
277
80
915
661|Plant &
Equipment
Total
£
£
1,022
1,022
1,022
1,022
1,022
1,022
1,022
1,022
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
2021
2020
£
£
638
581
277
80
915
661|
|---|---|---|
||||
||||
||||
||||
||||
|||915
661|
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## TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 28 August 2021
## _**7 Analysis of net assets between funds**_
|||General|Designated|Restricted Total|Restricted Total|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||£|£|£|£|
|Tangible fixed assets||-|-|-|-|
|Current assets||15,576|-|-|15,576|
|Current liabilities||1,166|-|-|1,166|
|Net assets at 28 August 2021||14,410|-|-|14,410|
|**_8 Movement in funds_**||||||
||At 28 Aug|Movement in resources||Transfer|At 28 Aug|
||2020
£|Incoming
£|Outgoing
£|£|2021
£|
|Unrestricted funds:||||||
|General|15,793|73,298|(74,681)|-|14,410|
|Total Funds|15,793|73,298|(74,681)|-|14,410|
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