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Charity registration number 1156110 (England and Wales)
SMART SCHOOL COUNCILS COMMUNITY
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
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SMART SCHOOL COUNCILS COMMUNITY
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees
James Teasdale Andrew Moffat Sam Hockman
Charity number (England and Wales)
1156110
Principal address
86 - 90 Paul Street London EC2A 4NE
Independent examiner
Peter Watters FCA BFP McPhersons CFG Limited 23 St Leonards Road Bexhill-on-Sea East Sussex TN40 1HH
SMART SCHOOL COUNCILS COMMUNITY
CONTENTS
Page
Chairman's statement
Trustees' report
Independent examiner's report
Statement of financial activities
Statement of financial position
Notes to the financial statements
1
2-5
6
7
8
9-17
23/05/2025
SMART SCHOOL COUNCILS COMMUNITY
TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2024.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)".
Objectives and activities ~~Objectives and aims~~
The principal objective of the organisation is to advance children in life and help children and young people who from time to time may participate in school councils and other forms of student representation and action through:
(a) Providing support and activities which develop their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as responsible individuals;
(b) Providing support and activities which develop the skills, capacities and capabilities of those who work with children and young people to listen to and engage with young people.
Public benefit The Principal Activity during the year continued to be that of providing Education about active involvement in democracy to school children and teachers.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
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SMART SCHOOL COUNCILS COMMUNITY
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
Achievements and performance Significant activities and achievements against objectives We continue to believe that everyone’s voice should be valued and included in a democracy. And that schools are fantastic places to achieve that. We’re really proud that more schools are taking the steps to involve everyone in democracy and debate, not just a small group of pupils. With 500 member schools in our membership, we are really proud to be supporting so many brilliant, hard-working institutions, young people and educators. We are helping around 180,000 young people to find their voice in school.
In our final year of our three-year Strategic Plan, we have enjoyed the clarity of trying to grow our impact as a techfocused charity. Our platform now helps 13,000 young people to participate in democratic meetings every day. Finally, we are proud that our membership has continued to show strong growth in trading revenue.
Impact Our programme has four key aims:
- To significantly more young people in pupil voice and democracy 2. To increase the number of young people who feel listened to in school 3. To help young people build better speaking and listening skills 4. To support young people most in need
| Goal | Impact this year |
|---|---|
| To help more young people to be actively involved in democracy through pupil voice |
The average percentage of pupils involved in pupil voice before the programme is 6%. After the programme, it is 87%. |
| To help more young people feel listened to | The average percentage of pupils who felt listened to before the programme is 36%. After the programme, it is 89%. |
| To help young people build better speaking and listening skills |
94% of teachers ‘strongly agree’ or ‘agree’ that their Smart School Council is having a positive impact on speaking skills. 92% of teachers ‘strongly agree’ or ‘agree’ that Smart School Council is having a positive impact on listening skills. |
| To support a disproportionately high number offOur young people in Alternative Provision (SEN orjsettings PRU settings) |
offOur programme supports a growing number ofAP orjsettings - more than 5x the national average (5%). 25% of our membership are from PRU or SEN settings. |
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SMART SCHOOL COUNCILS COMMUNITY
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
This year, we spent a lot of time and effort bringing clarity to our membership offer.
To that end, we have merged our two programmes into one. Big Debate Clubinitially our pandemic offering that took off in schools across the country - is now a part of our membership, rather than a separate programme. This strengthens our offer and is helping us to run a more efficient organisation. Financial review During the year the organisation received income of £220,422 (2023: £227,961) of which £76,344 (2023: £111,856) was restricted grant income. In the same period the Expenditure totaled £231,732 (2023: £247,764) of which £76,344 (2023: £111,856) was restricted. The small net deficit in unrestricted funds of £11,310 arose mainly due to the reduction in restricted income, which made a fundamental difference in terms of contribution to the charity’s core operational cost. The management team monitored the financial position closely throughout the year and put in place cost saving measures to help mitigate the challenges of fundraising for core costs. Smart School Councils Community operates a Reserves Policy which aims to retain unrestricted reserves equivalent to a minimum of three months' worth of ordinary running costs. The reserves policy is reviewed annually by the trustees to ensure it meets the demands and requirements of current charity performance. Based on the planned expenditure for the year to July 2025 the Trustees would aim to hold minimum unrestricted reserves at the start of the year of £50,921 (2023: £61,095). The actual unrestricted reserves balance on 31 July 2024 was £21,392 (2023: £32,702). The charity has invested additional resources into fundraising and aims to build back reserves over the forthcoming 3 years.
Reserves policy
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised.
Structure, governance and management The charity is constituted as a Charity Incorporated Organisation and is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales with registration number 1156110. The Charity is governed by the standard constitution document which includes voting members other than its charitable trustees which is dated 14 August 2014. The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: James Teasdale Lucy Macnab (Resigned 17 June 2024) Andrew Moffat Sam Hockman
Recruitment and appointment of trustees Trustees are appointed by the decision of the members at the annual general and rotate by resignation of one third of their number on an annual basis.
The two founder members of the Charity, Asher Jacobsberg and Greg Sanderson are not Trustees. Greg Sanderson is an active Manager within the Organisation, and Asher Jacobsberg left the Organisation in July 2017. Organisational structure Additional Governance Matters Smart Schools Councils employs three full time members of the staff, Greg Sanderson, Director, on a full-time basis. The trustees are responsible for managing and assessing Greg's performance.
The organisation also employs a number of associates to deliver training and provide expert support on an ad hoc basis. Associates are managed by Greg Sanderson, the Director. The trustees regularly review the risks faced by the Charity at the Trustees' meetings and have developed an Organisation risk register to formalize the procedures.
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23/05/2025
SMART SCHOOL COUNCILS COMMUNITY
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF SMART SCHOOL COUNCILS COMMUNITY
| report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Smart School Councils Community (the charity) for the year ended 31 July 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
| report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination | have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
Independent examiner's statement Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the financial statements in accordance with the relevant version of the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn. | understand that this has been done in order for the financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. | have completed my examination. | confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Act 2011. 2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or 3 the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of financial statements set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. | 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 financial statements to be reached. Peter Watters FCA BFP
McPhersons CFG Limited 23 St Leonards Road Bexhill-on-Sea East Sussex TN40 1HH Date: beseeeees
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& 160 76,344 76,504 2,500 111,856 114,356
% 142,207 - 142,207 113,277 - 113,277
1,711 - 1,711 328 - 328
144,078 76,344 220,422 116,105 111,856 227,961
- 1,605 7 1,612 1,626 95 1,721
. 153,783 76,337 230,120 134,282 111,761 246,043
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SMART SCHOOL COUNCILS COMMUNITY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
1 Accounting policies
Charity information
Smart School Councils Community is a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
1.1 Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Memorandum of Association, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a statement of cash flows.
The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn. The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. 1.2 Going concern
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
1.3. Charitable funds Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity.
1.4 Income Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received. Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
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SMART SCHOOL COUNCILS COMMUNITY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
1 Accounting policies
(Continued)
1.5 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Amortisation Amortisation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Intangible fixed asset - Computer Software Fully depreciated
1.6 Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities. 1.7 Financial instruments
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments. Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method. Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
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