Companies House
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust
Annual Report and Financial Statements
31 December 2023
Company registration number 08681480 (England and Wales)
Charity Registration number 1153762
Contents
Reports
| Reference and administrative details of | |
|---|---|
| the charity, its Trustees and advisers | 1 |
| Trustees’ report | 2 |
| Independent auditor’s report | 7 |
| Financial statements | |
| Statement of | |
| financial activities | 12 |
| Balance sheet | 13 |
| Statement of cash flows | 14 |
| Principal accounting policies | 15 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 18 |
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust
Reference and administrative details of the charity, its Trustees and advisers
| Trustees | Mr Richard Fairbairn |
|---|---|
| Mr Jean-Pierre Mustier | |
| Mr Arnaud Vaissié | |
| Ms Florence Gomez | |
| Mr Benjamin Vedrenne-Cloquet (appointed | |
| 13 March 2024) | |
| Mr Jack Bowles (appointed 9 May 2024) | |
| Registered office | 23 Cromwell Road |
| London | |
| SW7 2EL | |
| Charity registration number | 1153762 |
| Company registration number | 08681480 (England and Wales) |
| Auditor | Buzzacott LLP |
| 130 Wood Street | |
| London | |
| EC2V 6DL | |
| Bankers | HSBC |
| HSBC Holdings PLC HBEU | |
| West London Corporate | |
| 2ndFloor, Space One | |
| 1 Beadon Road | |
| Hammersmith | |
| London | |
| W6 0EA | |
| Banque Transatlantique | |
| 26 Avenue Franklin Roosevelt | |
| Paris | |
| Solicitors | Adam Perry & Co LLP |
| 10 Spaces Business Centre | |
| 15-17 Ingate Place | |
| London | |
| SW8 3NS | |
| Stone King LLP | |
| 16 St John’s Lane | |
| London | |
| EC1M 4BS |
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust 1
Trustees’ report 31 December 2023
The Trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023.
The report has been prepared in accordance with Part 8 of the Charities Act 2011 and constitutes a directors’ report for the purposes of company legislation.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 15 to 17 of the attached accounts and comply with the charitable company’s memorandum and articles of association, applicable laws and the requirements of 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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
Introduction
The charity was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee on 9 September 2013 as Wembley Educational Charitable Trust (“WECT”) and obtained charitable status on 11 September 2013. In the event of the winding up of the charity each member guarantees a sum not exceeding £10.
Objectives
The objectives for which the charity is established are to advance, for the public benefit, the education of pupils in the French education system. The objectives are in particular, but not limited to, the provision of premises and facilities for schools offering a French or a broader bilingual curriculum in the Wembley area, and ancillary educational and other charitable activities for the benefit of the community at large. The charity aims to provide assistance in establishing, maintaining, carrying on, managing and developing such schools.
In setting the charity’s objectives and planning its activities, the trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Review of the year
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust owns premises in Wembley that are leased to Lycée International de Londres Winston Churchill (LIL) and premises in Ealing that are leased to Ecole André Malraux (AM). As a landlord, WECT therefore collects rents from these two schools.
Ecole André Malraux is a 200-pupil primary school from 3 to 10 years of age. The school is managed by the French State-owned Lycée Français de Londres Charles de Gaulle. The deeply discounted rent paid by AM was negotiated a few years ago and its yearly increase is protected by a 3%-cap. There is limited interaction with the school apart from renewal of insurance, collection of rent and authorisation to do works or conduct valuations.
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust 2
Trustees’ report 31 December 2023
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)
Review of the year (continued)
Lycée International de Londres Winston Churchill opened in September 2015. It is an allthough school and has a board of governors who meets regularly to make key decisions for the school. WECT team members are often invited as observers during board meetings and other working groups.
Although still short of around 70 pupils this year in comparison with initial projections, the school’s number of registered pupils has improved to almost 830. The school’s financial situation therefore remains fragile but has been solidified by a diversification of its offer and a number of cost savings, including the lower level of rent which has been fixed for the next 30 years following the successful renegotiation of WECT’s State-guaranteed loan.
Within the current downgraded economic situation, the school is facing inflationary costs and will therefore need to further adjust its expense structure (including staff). Stress-test scenarios have also been prepared in the event of the school’s VAT status being affected by a change in government.
FINANCIAL REVIEW AND RESERVES
During the year, the charity earned rental income of £2,702,000 (2022 - £2,702,000) and interest from term deposits of £52,000 (2022 - £nil). There were no donations received (2022 - £448,000). Total income for the year was £2,755,000 (2022 - £3,150,000).
Costs relating to charitable activities in the year, excluding the impairment charge of £371,000 (2022 - £1,029,000) amounted to £1,724,000 (2022 - £1,992,000).
Net income for the year was £659,000 (2022 – £129,000). The property held as a programme related investment was valued at £44,900,000 (2022 - £45,271,000). The total funds as at 31 December 2023 were £7,793,000 (2022 – £7,134,000).
Reserves policy
The trustees regularly monitor the cash position of the charity to ensure that there are sufficient funds for capital projects and the running of the charity, including the servicing of bank finance. In particular, at the current time, the reserves need to be sufficient to enable the charity to operate in the current downgraded economic situation.
Financial position
The charity had total funds as at 31 December 2023 of £7,793,000 (2022 - £7,134,000). Once the programme related investments and loan are excluded, the charity had free reserves of £1,336,000 (2022 - £1,115,000). The free reserves represent approximately 1.3 times the net operating income (excluding the impairment charge). The trustees are of the opinion that this level of free reserves is adequate. The amount of cash at bank and in hand was £2,226,000 at 31 December 2023.
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust 3
Trustees’ report 31 December 2023
GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT
Organisation
The trustees meet officially in person or by video conference at least once a year. The last AGM was held on 29 February 2024. The Trustees also hold conference calls when required and there are at least monthly email exchanges regarding budgets. Any new trustees are inducted regarding their responsibilities and the activities of the WECT through detailed briefings.
It is understood that current trustees have a long-term commitment. The Trust is in the process of onboarding new Trustee(s) to bring fresh ideas and perspective, as well as ensuring governance continuity.
All trustees have agreed to adhere to the charity’s conflicts of interests’ policy and have signed a statement to this effect.
Trustees
The following trustees were in office at 31 December 2023 and served throughout the period:
Trustees
| Trustees | |
|---|---|
| Mr Arnaud Vaissié | |
| Mr Jean-Pierre Mustier | |
| Mr Richard Fairbairn | |
| Ms Florence Gomez | |
| Mr Benjamin Vedrenne-Cloquet | Appointed 13 March 2024 |
| Mr Jack Bowles | Appointed 9 May2024 |
Trustees’ field of expertise is complimentary and they have been involved since inception of the Trust. Any new appointments will need the full board approval.
Key management personnel
The trustees consider that they comprise the key management of the charity in charge of controlling, running, directing and operating the charity.
None of the trustees receive any remuneration for their services.
Trustees’ responsibilities statement
The trustees (who are also directors of Wembley Educational Charitable Trust for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees’ report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust 4
Trustees’ report 31 December 2023
GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT (continued)
Trustees’ responsibilities statement (continued)
-
observe the methods and principles in Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102);
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that 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 Companies Act 2006. 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.
Each of the trustees confirms that:
-
so far as the trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity’s auditor is unaware; and
-
the trustee has taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee in order to make himself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity’s auditor is aware of that information.
This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of s418 of the Companies Act 2006.
Risk management
The trustees have reviewed the risks faced by the charity and have procedures in place to mitigate the risks identified.
The key risk to the charity is the level of admissions at the tenant schools, this could be further affected by a potential change in VAT status given the general election scheduled for 4 July 2024, and could ultimately have the potential to affect the ability of its tenant schools to pay their rent in accordance with the lease agreements. The admissions numbers are monitored and the schools themselves are implementing their own communications strategies to ensure the schools operate at as close to full capacity as possible. One aspect of this is the introduction of the English International Programme which started at Lycée Churchill in September 2018.
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust 5
Trustees’ report 31 December 2023
Raising funds
The charity does not actively fundraise although it welcomes donations. The charity aims to achieve best practice in the way in which it communicates with donors and other supporters. It takes care with both the tone of its communications and the accuracy of its data and never sells data, it never swaps data and ensures that communication preferences can be changed at any time. The charity manages its own fundraising activities and does not employ the services of professional fundraisers. The charity undertakes to react to and investigate any complaints regarding its fundraising activities and to learn from them and improve its service. During the year, the charity received no complaints about its fundraising activities.
FUTURE PLANS
A reflection has started on the benefits and challenges of merging the two Propcos Wembley Educational Charitable Trust (WECT) and KT Educational Charitable Trust (KTECT) which own respectively the school premises leased to Lycée Churchill and Ecole Andre Malraux, and the one leased to College Français Bilingue de Londres. The Trustees from WECT and KTECT realise that a number of frictional costs result from maintaining both trusts whilst they share the same lending bank and aim at the development of French schools. Discussions were initiated by the Trustees with the lender Banque Transatlantique and the French State regarding the impact this could have on both Trust’s respective State-guaranteed loan.
Given the limited rent level from Ecole Andre Malraux combined with its solid financial situation, the Trust’s priority will focus on supporting the Lycée Churchill’s sustainability. A review of possible synergies and collaborations that may lead to cost savings or revenues optimisation has started in 2023 and will continue in 2024.
As landlord, WECT is also supporting the school to ensure that the planned maintenance works to the buildings are duly implemented and provisioned in the school’s budget.
The above report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions as set out in Financial Reporting Standard FRS102 and Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Approved by the Board of Trustees:
J P Mustier (Trustee)
Approved on: 12 June 2024
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust 6
Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2023
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Wembley Educational Charitable Trust
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Wembley Educational Charitable Trust (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 December 2023 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows, the principal accounting policies and the notes to the financial statements. 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 December 2023 and of 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 UK, including the FRC’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 charity’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.
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust 7
Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2023
Other information
The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report and financial statements, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. 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.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
-
the information given in the trustees’ report, which is also the directors’ report for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
-
the trustees’ report, which is also the directors’ report for the purposes of company law, has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In light of the 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 the 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 from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust 8
Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2023
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.
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 to irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below:
How the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities including fraud
Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:
-
The engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
-
We identified the laws and regulations applicable to the charity through discussions with management and from our knowledge and experience of the charity sector;
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We focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the accounts or the activities of the charity. These included but were not limited to the Charities Act 2011; Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019); and The Companies Act 2006; and
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust 9
Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2023
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts (continued)
How the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities including fraud (continued)
- We assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management and review of minutes of trustees’ meetings.
We assessed the susceptibility of the charity’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:
-
Making enquiries of management and trustees as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and
-
Considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations.
To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:
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Performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;
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Tested and reviewed journal entries to identify unusual transactions;
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Tested the authorisation of expenditure;
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Assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates were indicative of potential bias; and
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Investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.
In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:
-
Agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
-
Reading the minutes of meetings of trustees; and
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Enquiring of as to actual and potential litigation and claims.
There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.
Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.
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.
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust 10
Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2023
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
2 July 2024
Catherine Biscoe (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of Buzzacott LLP, Statutory Auditor 130 Wood Street London EC2V 6DL
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust 11
Statement of financial activities (incorporating the income and expenditure account) Year ended 31 December 2023
| Notes | 2023 Total funds £’000 |
2022 Total funds £’000 |
|---|---|---|
| Income and expenditure Income from: Donations and legacies 1 Charitable activities . Provision of premises and facilities 2 Interest receivable Total income Expenditure: Expenditure on charitable activities . Provision of premises and facilities 3 Total expenditure Net income Net income and net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward at 1 January 2023 Total funds carried forward at 31 December 2023 |
— 2,702 52 |
448 2,702 — |
| 2,754 | 3,150 | |
| 2,095 | 3,021 | |
| 2,095 | 3,021 | |
| 659 | 129 | |
| 659 | 129 | |
| 7,134 | 7,005 | |
| 7,793 | 7,134 |
All of the charity’s activities derived from continuing operations during the above two financial periods.
All recognised gains and losses are included in the above statement of financial activities.
All funds of the charity are unrestricted.
The notes on pages 18 to 22 form part of these financial statements.
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust 12
Balance sheet 31 December 2023
| Notes | 2023 £’000 |
2022 £’000 |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed assets Programme related investments 8 Non-current assets Debtors 9 Current assets Debtors 10 Cash at bank and in hand Liabilities: Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 11 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Creditors:amounts falling due after one year 12 Total net assets The funds of the charity: Unrestricted funds Total charitable funds |
44,900 | 45,271 |
| 1,977 | 2,021 | |
| 1,977 117 2,226 |
2,021 83 1,924 |
|
| 2,343 (1,893) |
2,007 (1,746) |
|
| 450 | 261 | |
| 47,327 (39,534) |
47,553 (40,419) |
|
| 7,793 | 7,134 | |
| 7,793 | 7,134 | |
| 7,793 | 7,134 |
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by: J P Mustier (Trustee) 12 June 2024
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust
Company Registration Number 08681480 (England and Wales)
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust 13
Statement of cash flows 31 December 2023
| Notes | 2023 £’000 1,156 (854) (854) 302 1,924 2,226 |
2022 £’000 |
|---|---|---|
| Cash flow from operating activities: Net cash provided by operating activities A Cash flow from financing activities: Repayment of borrowing Net cash used in financing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 2023 B Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 2023 B |
1,177 | |
| (825) | ||
| (825) | ||
| 352 1,572 |
||
| 1,924 |
Notes to the cash flow statement for the year to 31 December 2023.
A Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities
----- Start of picture text -----
2023 2022
£’000 £’000
Net movement in funds (as per the statement of financial activities) 659 129
Adjustments for:
Impairment of programme related investments 371 1,029
Decrease in debtors 10 47
Increase (decrease) in creditors 116 (28)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 1,156 1,177
----- End of picture text -----
B Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
| Analysis of cash and cash equivalents | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 £’000 |
2022 £’000 |
|
| Cash at bank and in hand Total cash and cash equivalents |
2,226 | 1,924 |
| 2,226 | 1,924 |
C Analysis of changes in net debt
| Analysis of changes in net debt | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| At 1 January 2023 £’000 |
Cash flows £’000 302 (31) 885 1,156 |
At 31 December 2023 £’000 2,226 (885) (39,534) (38,193) |
|
| Cash Loans falling due within one year Loans falling due after more than one year Total |
1,924 | ||
| (854) (40,419) (39,349) |
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust 14
Principal accounting policies 31 December 2023
The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are laid out below.
Basis of preparation
These financial statements have been prepared for the year to 31 December 2023, with comparative information for the year ended 31 December 2022.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policies below or the notes to these financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (Charities SORP FRS 102) issued on 1 January 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements are presented in sterling and are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds.
Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement
Preparation of the accounts requires the trustees and management to make significant judgements and estimates.
The items in the accounts where these judgements and estimates have been made include the valuation of programme related investment properties.
Assessment of going concern
The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these accounts. The trustees have made this assessment in respect to a period of one year from the date of approval of these accounts.
The trustees of the charity have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, and have concluded that the charity will have sufficient reserves to meet liabilities as they fall due.
Income recognition
Income is recognised in the period in which the charity has entitlement to the income, the amount of income can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust 15
Principal accounting policies 31 December 2023
Income recognition (continued)
Income comprises donations, rental income and interest receivable.
Corporate donations are recognised when the charity has confirmation of both the amount and settlement date. In the event of donations pledged but not received, the amount is accrued for where the receipt is considered probable. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.
Rental income on assets leased under operating leases is recognised on a straight line basis over the lease term.
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity. This is normally on notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
Expenditure recognition
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to make a payment 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.
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Expenditure comprises direct costs and support costs. All expenses, including support costs, are allocated or apportioned to the applicable expenditure headings. The classification between activities is as follows:
-
Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure associated with raising funds for the charity.
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Expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs associated with furthering the charitable purposes of the charity through the provision of its charitable activities. Such costs include direct and support costs in respect to the provision of premises and facilities for schools offering a French or broader bilingual curriculum in the Wembley area and providing assistance with establishing, maintaining, managing and developing such schools, including governance costs.
Allocation of support and governance costs
Support costs represent indirect charitable expenditure. In order to carry out the primary purposes of the charity it is necessary to provide support in the form of personnel development, financial procedures, provision of office services and equipment and a suitable working environment.
Governance costs comprise the costs involving the public accountability of the charity (including audit costs) and costs in respect to its compliance with regulation and good practice. Support costs and governance costs are apportioned based on the proportion of time spent on the activity.
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust 16
Principal accounting policies 31 December 2023
Programme related investments
Programme related investments comprise freehold property used by other charitable organisations for purposes consistent with the charity’s objectives. They are stated at fair value. The properties are periodically independently valued by a professional chartered surveyor on a fair value basis which takes into consideration rental charge and the current use of the premises as schools. The value is considered each year and any impairment is written off and treated as charitable expenditure in the statement of financial activities.
Debtors
Debtors are recognised at their settlement amount, less any provision for non-recoverability. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash receipt where such discounting is material.
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand represents such accounts and instruments that are available on demand or have a maturity of less than three months from the date of acquisition.
Creditors and provisions
Creditors and provisions 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. Creditors and provisions are recognised at the amount the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash payment where such discounting is material.
Bank loans are a basic financial instrument and are recognised at their transaction value, which is normally the principal amount advanced plus transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, loans are stated at amortised cost with any difference between cost and redemption value being recognised through the statement of financial activities using the effective interest method.
Funds structure
The funds of the charity are unrestricted and can be expended at the discretion of the trustees in line with the governing document of the charity.
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust 17
Notes to the financial statements 31 December 2023
1 Income from donations and legacies
| 2023 Total funds £’000 |
2022 Total funds £’000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Donations Total funds |
— — |
448 448 |
2 Income from charitable activities
| 2023 Total funds £’000 |
2022 Total funds £’000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Rental income | 2,702 | 2,702 |
3 Expenditure on charitable activities
| Direct costs £’000 |
Support costs £’000 |
2023 Total funds £’000 |
Direct costs £’000 |
Support costs £’000 |
2022 Total funds £’000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provision of premises and facilities . Charitable donations . Governance costs (note 4) . Accountancy . Interest payable . Bank charges . Premises costs Impairment of programme related investment Total funds |
— — — 1,497 1 — 371 1,869 |
— 194 17 — — 15 — 226 |
— 194 17 1,497 1 15 371 2,095 |
107 — — 1,483 2 — 1,029 2,621 |
— 329 16 — — 55 — 400 |
107 329 16 1,483 2 55 1,029 3,021 |
4 Governance costs
| 2023 Total funds £’000 |
2022 Total funds £’000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Legal and professional fees Administrative fees |
9 185 |
9 320 |
| 194 | 329 |
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust 18
Notes to the financial statements 31 December 2023
5 Staff costs, remuneration of key management and trustees expenses and remuneration
The charity employed no staff during the period (2022 - none).
The key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the charity comprises the trustees. None of the trustees received any remuneration for their services during the period (2022 - none). No trustees (2022 – none) were reimbursed for expenses incurred relating to travel and accommodation in the performance of their duties (2022 - £nil).
6 Net income and net movement in funds
This is stated after charging:
| 2023 Total funds £’000 |
2022 Total funds £’000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Auditor’s remuneration | 13 | 12 |
7 Taxation
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust is a registered charity and therefore is not liable to income tax or corporation tax on income derived from its charitable activities, as it falls within the various exemptions available to registered charities.
The charity registered for Value Added Tax in August 2016 with the effective date of 30 September 2013. Therefore expenditure is recorded exclusive of VAT where applicable.
8 Investments
| Programme related investment property 2023 £’000 |
Programme related investment property 2022 £’000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| At 1 January Impairment At 31 December |
45,271 (371) 44,900 |
46,300 (1,029) 45,271 |
The original property (54 Forty Lane, Wembley Park, HA0 9HD) is rented to Lyceé International de Londres Winston Churchill, a registered charity, for purposes consistent with the charity’s objectives; running a bilingual (French and English) school in Wembley, therefore the property is classified as a programme related investment.
In 2019 Ealing Educational Charitable Trust transferred the Ecole Andre Malraux building to the charity. The property is let for purposes consistent with the charity’s objectives; running a bilingual (French and English) school in Ealing, therefore the property is classified as a programme related investment.
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust 19
Notes to the financial statements 31 December 2023
8 Investments (continued)
On 31 December 2023 the properties in Ealing and Wembley were valued by Gerald Eve LLP. The valuations were prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Valuation – Global Standards 2022 and the national standards and guidance set out in the UK national supplement (November 2018), the International Valuation Standards and Financial Reporting Standard 102.
9 Debtors: amounts falling due after one year
| 2023 £’000 |
2022 £’000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Other debtors | 1,977 | 2,021 |
Other debtors in both current and long-term debtors relate to a deposit held by ANEFE (Association Nationale des Ecoles Françaises de l’Etranger) as security against the bank loan (note 13).
10 Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
| Debtors: amounts falling due within one year | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 £’000 |
2021 £’000 |
|
| Trade debtors Other debtors Accrued income |
9 70 38 117 |
9 74 — 83 |
11 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
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2023 2022
£’000 £’000
Trade creditors 17 35
Deferred income 667 667
Accruals 66 48
Bank loan (note 13) 885 854
VAT liability 258 142
1,893 1,746
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Income has been deferred because Wembley Educational Charitable Trust received rent from Lycée International de Londres Winston Churchill in December 2023 for the period covering 1 January 2024 to 31 March 2024, therefore this income will appear in next year’s accounts ending 31 December 2024. The movements in deferred income are analysed below:
| 2023 £’000 |
2022 £’000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Brought forward Released in year Deferred in year |
667 (667) 667 667 |
667 (667) 667 667 |
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust 20
Notes to the financial statements 31 December 2023
12 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year
| 2023 £’000 39,534 |
2022 £’000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Bank loan (note 13) | 40,419 |
13 Loans
Loans repayable, included within creditors are analysed as follows:
| 2023 £’000 |
2022 £’000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Wholly repayable: within five years Not wholly repayable: within five years |
5,016 35,403 40,419 |
5,610 35,663 41,273 |
In 2021 the terms of the loan with Banque Transatlantique were renegotiated: the total loan facility was reduced to £42.5m from 23 July 2021 on a 30 year term, expiring June 2051, at a fixed interest rate of 3.549%. The French State has guaranteed the repayment of the loan up to the value of £47 million. The deposit held by ANEFE forms part of the security against the loan.
14 Related party transactions
KT Educational Charitable Trust
Three of the charity’s trustees are also trustees of KT Educational Charitable Trust (Company Registration Number 07057043 England and Wales).
During the current year, any administrative fees paid by Wembley Educational Charitable Trust on behalf of KT Educational Charitable Trust were reinvoiced by Wembley Educational Charitable Trust to KT Educational Charitable Trust totalling £89,972 (2022 - £107,072). There were no amounts outstanding at the year end (2022 - £nil). Wembley Educational Trust did not receive any donation from KT Educational Charitable Trust during the year (2022 - £448,000).
Lyceé International de Londres
Lyceé International de Londres is a registered charity (Company Registration Number 09033139 England and Wales) which has a common trustee, Mr Vaissié, with Wembley Educational Charitable Trust. In his roles Mr Vaissié acts in a manner which will avoid any conflicts of interests.
Rent of £2,666,667 (2022 - £2,666,667) for the year ended 31 December 2023 was charged to Lyceé International de Londres. At 31 December 2023 £667,000 (2022 - £667,000) of rent relating to 2024 had been received and is included in creditors.
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust 21
Notes to the financial statements 31 December 2023
15 Net assets
The total unrealised gains as at 31 December 2023 constitutes movements on revaluation and are as follows:
----- Start of picture text -----
2023 2022
£’000 £’000
Unrealised gains:
On programme related investment properties 3,937 4,308
Total unrealised gains at 31 December 2023 3,937 4,308
Reconciliation of movement in unrealised gains:
Unrealised gains at 1 January 2023 4,308 5,337
Impairment (371) (1,029)
Total unrealised gains at 31 December 2023 3,937 4,308
----- End of picture text -----
Wembley Educational Charitable Trust 22