Registered Charity No. 1156821 15 Queen Square Leeds LS2 8AJ
Annual Report and Accounts 2021
01 January to 31 December 2021
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
For 01 January - 31 December 2021
Foundation
The Institute was founded in January 2014 to help northern state students to reach the UK’s most selective universities where they are significantly under-represented.
This was the Institute’s eighth year of operation during which time, the charity has supported nearly 300 students giving them life-changing summer school experiences and personal mentoring.
Mission
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To grow friendly communities of intellectual curiosity for sparky but potentially isolated sixth formers at state schools across the north of England.
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To allow aspirations to grow in those communities.
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To give these students the same chance of getting to selective universities and courses as those at the UK’s best-performing schools.
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To do that by providing support from expert staff chosen by personal recommendation. That support will be warm, human, personalised, subject-specific and lasting.
Objectives in 2021
1. Maintain our previous success with the Partner Schools and Reach Higher programme
This objective has been broadly met despite all the challenges of the past two years with the COVID19 pandemic:-
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The number of schools increased from 10 in 2020 to 11 in 2021.
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Student participation increased from 61 in 2020 to 84 in 2021.
The collaboration with the Higher Education Progression Partnership South Yorkshire (HeppSY) was a major benefit in extending participation of schools in the Rotherham area during 2021.
In 2022 it is anticipated that growth will continue as the number of schools is projected to rise to 15 with 100 students participating in the summer school programmes.
2. Develop a 5 year Strategy
A new strategy was approved by the Board of Trustees in May 2020 and sets out ambitious growth targets in terms of both the number of schools and students over the next five years.
Annual Report & Accounts 2021
The Annual Report & Accounts 2021 cover the period 01 January to 31 December 2021. This is the first full year report since the change in reporting period which was aimed at improving the speed of reporting the outcomes and impact of the Linacre Reach Higher Programme.
● Impact for Beneficiaries (2021 student cohorts)
There is a time lag between students attending Linacre’s Reach Higher Programme in the summer of School Year 12 (2021) and university places being offered and accepted in Year 13 (2022).
This report covers the offered places and gives an indication of the final university destinations of the 86 students that participated in the Reach Higher programme during Summer 2021.
● Financial performance (January-December 2021)
In terms of financial performance, it is important to recognise the financial year does not entirely match the summer school and personal tuition cycle which continues into the next financial year i.e. 2022.
The information relating to income and expenditure reflects the performance of the charity in 2021 but is not comparable with the previous Annual Report & Accounts, which only covered a 9 month period from April 2020 to December 2020.
Activities for beneficiaries
Partner Schools
Partnering with secondary schools is a key aspect of how the Linacre Institute helps to raise aspirations and improve academic attainment. It is an essential part of the charity’s activities and builds strong long-term relationships with schools, students and local communities.
We are very grateful to these partner schools, many of which have worked with us since 2014.
Reach Higher Programme
Our flagship Reach Higher Programme is a highly personalised and intensive three-part programme which helps participating students form a “Community of Curiosity”, where it is normal to apply to and reach world-class universities in the UK and beyond.
Reach Higher would normally consist of three core elements:
Big Ideas , a six-day residential at Westminster School, in London, which is held in the first half of July, at the end of Year 12. It is aimed at stretching students’ horizons both intellectually and outside the classroom and includes workshops in places such as Parliament, the National Physical Laboratory, the Foreign Office and the Globe Theatre.
Stepping Stones to World-Class Universities , a ten-day residential at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, held in the second half of August, between Year 12 and Year 13 and aimed at building confidence in every aspect of applications to leading universities with additional subject-specific teaching and support from leading teachers and mentors.
Phone a Friend , involving fortnightly online tuition from a subject expert, starting in or before September of Year 13.
The Reach Higher Programme 2021 was delivered online, as it had been in 2020, due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Reach Higher programme was redesigned this year so that both summer schools were delivered. The personal tuition part of our programme was also delivered by our own bank of tutors and teachers without having to revert to using an external third-party organisation.
Impact – 2021 Student Cohort
The COVID-19 restrictions remained in force during the summer of 2021 and it was still not permissible to run residential summer schools. To provide students with valuable learning opportunities at a critical time in their education, the charity redesigned its summer schools and created an innovative and inspiring virtual programme. This required investment in a new Resource Bank and in the technology for extensive video conferencing events. The virtual common room was further developed to enhance the student experience.
We were successful in redesigning a full programme of two online summer schools (Big Ideas and Stepping Stones) and students had access to expert teaching and professional advice from specialist subjects ranging from biochemistry and physics to law and medicine.
Despite the restrictions, a record 84 students participated and feedback remained positive with 98% saying they were ‘more likely’ or ‘much more likely’ to apply to highly selective universities after our presentations to them.
Partner Schools
The impact of COVID19 was unprecedented and extremely difficult for the charity, its partner schools and universities, but it was also encouraging to see an even greater demand for participating in the Linacre Reach Higher Programme.
Partner Schools increased again to 11 as we had established a strong relationship with the Higher Education Progression Partnership in South Yorkshire (HeppSY) that enabled us to attract students from additional schools in Rotherham.
| Partner Schools | Location |
|---|---|
| Hall Cross Academy | Doncaster,South Yorkshire |
| Wales High School | Kiveton Park,South Yorkshire |
| New College | Doncaster,South Yorkshire |
| Penistone Grammar School | Barnsley,South Yorkshire |
| Accord Sixth Form Ossett | Ossett,West Yorkshire |
| Thomas Rotherham | Rotherham,South Yorkshire |
| Burnside College | Wallsend,North Tyneside |
| WickersleySchool | Rotherham,South Yorkshire |
| Brinsworth Academy | Rotherham,South Yorkshire |
| BarnsleyCollege | Barnsley,South Yorkshire |
| Sheffield College | Sheffield,South Yorkshire |
University Offers
The 2021 student cohort were highly successful in attracting offers from leading universities.
| 021 student cohort were highly | successful | in attract |
|---|---|---|
| Benchmark | Number | % |
| Sutton Trust | 73 | 87 |
| Oxbridge | 6 | 7 |
| Other | 5 | 6 |
Final student destinations
| Sheffield | 16 |
|---|---|
| York | 12 |
| Durham | 7 |
| Newcastle | 6 |
| Cambridge | 4 |
| Leeds | 4 |
| LSE | 3 |
| Warwick | 2 |
| Manchester | 2 |
| Edinburgh | 2 |
| Lancaster | 2 |
| Liverpool | 2 |
| Exeter | 2 |
| Sheffield Hallam | 2 |
| Oxford | 1 |
| St Andrews | 1 |
| Imperial | 1 |
| Bath | 1 |
| Birmingham | 1 |
| Queens Belfast | 1 |
| Kings College London | 1 |
| Northern Royal College of Music | 1 |
| Nottingham Trent | 1 |
| The Universityof Surrey | 1 |
| The Universityof Southampton | 1 |
| Wakefield College | 1 |
| Unknown | 3 |
| GapYear/Resit A-levels | 3 |
| Total | 84 |
Final student destinations by university benchmark
| Benchmark | Number | % |
|---|---|---|
| Sutton Trust | 68 | 81.0 |
| Oxbridge | 5 | 6.0 |
| Other | 8 | 9.5 |
| GapYear/Res | 3 | 3.5 |
| Total | 84 |
Student experience (survey feedback)
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100% said they felt more confident approaching academic interviews
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92% said they felt more confident working on advanced problems or discussions in their subject
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95% said the teaching was stretching
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90% said they felt more challenged than they do in school
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100% said that the week had a positive impact on them
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83% said they would rather have done a face-to-face summer school, given the opportunity.
What our students said:
“The teaching was brilliant. You could tell that the teachers truly loved their subject which made them more enthusiastic and enjoyable to listen to.”
“I think this is the first time that I've been able to do university level work and it provided me with an opportunity to work on problems that are well out of the realm of my A-Level course.”
“The most important thing I took away from the week were the stories of the people who delivered the sessions and their university and career advice. I realise now that there are so many opportunities available and the future is more exciting than worrying. Whilst the summer school hasn’t changed my plans, it has made me more confident in my existing choices.”
“Big Ideas immensely widened what felt possible to me. All of a sudden, universities that I never thought would be a consideration for me felt attainable. Whilst the subject matter was challenging, it only seemed to enhance my love of my subject, and I am only more excited to study it at University. The challenge was also softened by the teaching, which was guided enough to clearly introduce me to new topics, but in a way that allowed me to stretch myself and form my own conclusions.“
“The staff have supported me immensely, giving quality advice, feedback and tutoring that were tailored to my own needs. Also, I now feel connected to a network of kind and selfless people that I can reach out to if I'm in need of guidance in the future. Linacre has raised my
confidence both academically and on a personal level, but also acted as a spur, pushing me to ambitions that I now realise are realistic and within my reach. Thank you!”
Anticipated risks
Safeguarding children
Our primary beneficiaries are under 18 when we start working with them and they are legally deemed to be children. As a result we have a comprehensive Safeguarding Policy and Procedure to mitigate any risks and work with specialist advisors to constantly review and make improvements.
All of our 2021 students were surveyed and 100% agreed that the programme had a positive impact on them.
Finances
The charity operated effectively and returned a surplus on its operating account to December 2021.
Cash reserves remain positive and the charity closed 2021 with sufficient funds for further expansion of the Reach Higher programme in 2022.
Further information required under Charities Act 2011
Objects
The agreed charitable objects of the Institute are
To further the education of children in northern England who, in particular but not exclusively, are disadvantaged as a result of being a member of a socially and economically deprived community.
We do this primarily but not exclusively by means of residential courses, out-ofschool hours teaching and individual mentoring.
In setting our objectives and planning our activities our Trustees have close regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit, and in particular to its public benefit guidance on advancing education.
Charity trustees
As at 31 December 2021, the Charity Trustees were:
Ali Jaffer (Chair, appointed 1 Dec 2019) Jessica Asato (11 Mar 2019) Henry Davies (21 Mar 2018) Pippa Dodgshon (7 May 2015) Richard Kowenicki (22 Jan 2014)
Structure, governance and management
The Charity is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Its founding document is the constitution agreed on 22 January 2014 and revised on 29 April 2014.
Trustees are appointed via an open recruitment process and final decisions on any appointments are made by a majority vote of the current board of trustees.
Charitable activities
The charity works with a network of schools in northern England as detailed in the previous sections of this report.
The charity has a fair and multi-dimensional process for selecting students to participate in its Reach Higher programme from these partner schools. Every student in the sixth form at those schools is given a chance to apply for our courses, which are widely publicised within the schools. Where possible, more than one interviewer was involved in assessing student applications and input from their schools was invited.
Whilst a relatively small proportion of the actual total costs are paid by partner schools, all benefits are provided totally free of charge to students and every effort is made to assist students with travel costs and learning resources including the provision of relevant books and temporary laptops.
The trustees are confident that access to its charitable activities are not unreasonably or unfairly restricted and every effort is made to ensure that every effort is made to encourage and assist students from disadvantaged backgrounds so that they can benefit from this experience.
Public Benefit
Activities undertaken for the public benefit in pursuit of the Institute’s charitable objects during 2021 included:
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Visiting schools in northern England to provide information about elite universities and to encourage students to fulfil their academic potential.
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Running summer schools for able students at schools in areas that rank low in England for progression to leading universities.
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Providing on-going tutoring and support for those students.
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Providing training for teachers on how best to support students aiming for elite universities.
Beneficiaries
The Institute’s principal beneficiaries are students and, in particular, those who participate in its programmes (as described earlier in this report).
In 2021, 58% of Linacre student home postcodes were in POLAR4 Quintiles 1 and 2.
Trustee benefits and donations
Benefits and payments
No trustees or trustee family members received any benefit from a free place on our summer schools.
Besides the instances detailed below, all trustees gave of their time freely and no remuneration or expenses were paid in the year.
Donations from and payments to Trustees and related parties
As disclosed in Note 15 to the Accounts, the total amount of donations made by the trustees during the 2021 financial year (whether they were trustees for the full year or otherwise) and their close family members totalled £258.
No payments were made to Trustees.
Policy on reserves
The Institute’s policy is to seek to maintain reserves at levels which the Trustees view as prudent in view of likely forthcoming costs and incoming monies. This is balanced with the desire quickly to apply as much as possible of the Institute’s financial resources directly to activities for beneficiaries.
The 2021 financial year brought a £23,335 increase in the Institute’s reserves.
The charity’s funds are all unrestricted.
It holds no investments.
Signed (Ali Jaffer (Chair))
AJaffer
The Trustees of the Linacre Institute
The Linacre Institute
Statement of Financial Activities
For the year ended 31 December 2021
| Notes Incoming resources 3 & 4 Donations and grants Funds raised for charitable activities Investment income Total Resources expended 5 Cost of raising funds Charitable activities 6 Core costs Total Net incoming / (outgoing) resources Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
2021 £ 95,671 25,700 3 121,374 13,886 70,251 13,902 98,039 23,335 23,335 35,447 58,782 |
9 months to 31 Dec 2020 £ 46,465 9,200 12 |
|---|---|---|
| 55,677 | ||
| 12,753 30,627 6,262 |
||
| 49,642 | ||
| 6,035 | ||
| 6,035 29,412 |
||
| 35,447 |
The Linacre Institute
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2021
| Notes | 2021 | 9 months to 31 Dec 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Fixed assets | ||
| Computer equipment 11 |
453 | - |
| Current assets | ||
| Debtors 12 |
203 | 94 |
| Cash at bank and in hand 14 |
59,743 | 36,229 |
| Total current assets | 59,946 | 36,323 |
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 13 |
(1,617) | (876) |
| Net current assets | 58,329 | 35,447 |
| Total assets less current liabilities | 58,782 | 35,447 |
| Net assets | 58,782 | 35,447 |
| Funds of the Charity | ||
| Unrestricted funds | 58,782 | 35,447 |
| Total funds | 58,782 | 35,447 |
The Linacre Institute
Statement of Financial Activities
For the year ended 31 December 2021
Note
1 Basis of preparation
1.1 Basis of accounting
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) issued on 16 July 2014, and with the Charities Act 2011.
The accounts present a true and fair view and the accounting policies adopted are those outlined in note 2.
1.2 Going concern
The accounts have been drawn up on the basis that the Charity is a going concern. There are sufficient reserves to enable the Charity to continue with its activities for the coming year and the trustees continue to work to raise additional funds.
1.3 Changes to accounting estimates
No changes to accounting estimates have occurred in the reporting period.
2 Accounting policies
2.1 Income
Recognition of income -
Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when:
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the charity becomes entitled to the resources;
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it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources; and
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the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Offsetting -
There has been no offsetting of assets and liabilities, or income and expenses, unless required or permitted by the FRS 102 SORP.
Grants and donations -
Grants and donations are only included in the SoFA when the general income recognition criteria are met (5.10 to 5.12 FRS 102 SORP).
The Linacre Institute
Statement of Financial Activities
For the year ended 31 December 2021
2.1 Income (continued)
Tax reclaims on donations and gifts -
Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donation is considered to be part of that gift and is treated as an addition to the same fund as the initial donation unless the donor has specified otherwise.
Contractual income and performance related grants -
This is only included in the SoFA once the charity has provided the related services or met the performance related conditions.
Donated services and facilities -
Donated services and facilities are not included in the SoFA. Donated services and facilities are consumed immediately and therefore have no impact on the funds carried forward. Any donated services and facilities are described in note 4 to the accounts.
Support costs -
Support costs are written off when incurred.
Volunteer help -
The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in note 4 to the accounts.
2.2 Expenditure and liabilities
Liability recognition –
Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.
Core costs –
Governance costs comprise all costs involving public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice. Support costs include central functions and have been allocated between raising funds, governance and charitable activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Deferred income –
No material item of deferred income has been included in the accounts.
Creditors –
Creditors are measured at settlement amounts.
The Linacre Institute
Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31 December 2021
2.3 Assets
Tangible fixed assets -
Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulative depreciation. Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value, of each asset evenly over its expected useful life, as follows:
- Computer equipment – over three years
Debtors and accrued income –
Debtors and accrued income are measured at the cash amount expected to be received.
3 Analysis of income
| Donations and grants: Donations (including gift aid) General grants provided by other charities Total Charitable activities: Fees paid by participating schools Total Investment income: Interest earned on deposit account Total Total income |
2021 £ 44,671 51,000 95,671 25,700 25,700 3 3 121,374 |
9 months to 31 Dec 2020 £ 30,066 16,400 |
|---|---|---|
| 46,466 | ||
| 9,200 | ||
| 9,200 | ||
| 12 | ||
| 12 | ||
| 55,677 |
Statement of Financial Activities
The Linacre Institute
For the year ended 31 December 2021
4 Donated facilities and services
The Charity relies on a number of volunteers to provide some teaching, administration support and fundraising. Although these services are of significant benefit to the Charity, no value has been attributed to them for accounting purposes.
5 Allocation of central costs
| Cost Type Employee costs Staff pension costs Consultants' fees Insurance Advertising and marketing IT Office rent Office administration costs Travel Depreciation |
Total Charitable Raising Core costs allocated activities funds 58,184 34,910 11,636 11,638 2,387 1,432 477 478 136 81 27 28 437 262 87 88 987 592 197 198 2,137 1,281 427 429 1,695 1,016 338 341 3,243 1,945 648 650 24 14 4 6 226 135 45 46 |
|---|---|
| 69,456 41,668 13,886 13,902 |
Central costs are apportioned on the basis of time spent by permanent staff on activities within the different administrative areas of the Trust.
Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31 December 2021
The Linacre Institute
6 Analysis of charitable expenditure
| Expenditure Programme development and co-ordination on charitable Educational trips activities: Selection interviewer fees Summer school staff fees Teacher and tutor fees DBS and safeguarding Other programme costs Allocated core costs Total expenditure on charitable activities Analysis of charitable expenditure by programme event Reach Higher Programme: Big Ideas Summer School Cambridge Stepping Stones Phone-a-Friend Other direct costs Total expenditure on charitable activities |
2021 £ 1,437 1,005 717 3,275 18,410 3,100 639 28,583 41,668 70,251 4,425 11,378 4,850 7,930 28,583 |
9 months to 31 Dec 2020 £ 3,933 - 365 720 6,690 84 69 |
|---|---|---|
| 11,861 18,766 |
||
| 30,627 | ||
| - 10,893 884 84 |
||
| 11,861 |
As described in the Report of the Trustees, the delivery of the Charity’s “Reach Higher” programme is at the core of its activities. Expenditure on charitable activities is, accordingly, analysed to reflect this.
The total salary costs, including employer pension contributions, amounting to £60,571 (9 months to 31 Dec 2020: £20,321) have been allocated 60% (2020: 60%) to charitable activities, 20% (2020: 20%) to raising funds and 20% (2020: 20%) to governance.
The Linacre Institute
Statement of Financial Activities
For the year ended 31 December 2021
7 Support costs
Central costs are apportioned on the basis of time spent by employed staff on activities with the trust. Core costs of £13,902 (9 months to 31 Dec 2020: £6,262) include allocation for governance costs.
Support costs attributable to charitable activities have been included in that category. All other costs, such as rent, have been allocated 20% each to fundraising and governance and 60% to charitable activities.
8 Fees for examination of the accounts and other tax and legal work
No amounts have been paid to the Independent Examiner for the scrutiny of the accounts (2020: £Nil)
All tax and legal advice has been provided on a pro bono basis.
9 Paid employees
During the period under review there were two employees: The Executive Director, full time, and Programmes Director, part time.
The Linacre Institute
Statement of Financial Activities
For the year ended 31 December 2021
10 Staff costs
| 10 Staff costs |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 months to 31 Dec 2020 |
|||
| 2021 | |||
| £ | £ | ||
| Salaries and wages | 57,911 | 18,669 | |
| Employers’ insurance | 273 | - | |
| Pension costs(defined contribution scheme) | 2,387 | 1,652 | |
| 60,571 | 20,321 |
The Charity fulfils its obligations to provide a pension scheme for its employee by making contributions into personal pension plans as required under auto-enrolment pension regulations.
11 Tangible fixed assets
| Cost At 1 January 2021 Additions At 31 December 2021 Depreciation At 1 January 2021 Charge for the year At 31 December 2021 Net book value At 31 December 2021 At 31 December 2020 12 Debtors Analysis of debtors Other accrued income Total |
£ - 679 679 - 226 226 453 - 2021 £ 203 203 |
9 months to 31 Dec 2020 £ 94 |
|---|---|---|
| 94 |
The Linacre Institute
Statement of Financial Activities
For the year ended 31 December 2021
13 Creditors and accruals falling due within one year
| Analysis of creditors Accruals and deferred income PAYE and National Insurance Total 14 Cash at bank and in hand Cash at bank Total |
2021 £ 355 1,262 1,617 2021 £ 59,743 59,743 |
9 months to 31 Dec 2020 £ 294 581 |
|---|---|---|
| 875 | ||
| 9 months to 31 Dec 2020 £ 36,229 |
||
| 36,229 |
15 Related party transactions and trustees' expenses and remuneration
Donations from trustees and related family members were £258 in 2021 (9 months to 31 Dec 2020: £983).
No other related party transactions occurred.
No trustees were paid.
Independent examinerfs report on the accounts to the trustees of The Linacre Institute Registered Charity No. 1156821 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Linacre Institute 1.the Institute"I forthe year ended 31 Detember 2021. Responsibiltties and basis of report A5 the charity trustees of the Institute you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charitie5 Art 20111.the Acfl. I report in respect of my examination of the Institute's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Direction5 given by the Charity Commission under section 145151{bl of the Act. Independent exarninerfs sLitement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Att: or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records: or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the fomi and ontent of accounts Set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reportsl Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this port in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be aChed. 2022 Andrew Clements CA Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland ZO Granby Road Edinburgh EH16 5NL