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2023-08-31-accounts

The Gesher Trust (A Company Limited by Guarantee)

Incorporated in England and Wales No. 09223197 Registered Charity No. 1160465

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended

31 August 2023

The Gesher Trust

CONTENTS for the year ended 31 August 2023

Page
Trustees' Report 1
Auditors' Report 6
Statement of Financial Activities 10
Balance Sheet 11
Cash Flow Statement 12
Notes to the Financial Statements 13

The Gesher Trust REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 August 2023

Trustees A Durban
M Kutner
L Portnoi
S Sultman
H Zetter
Governors A Durban
S Sultman resigned on 11 August 2023
R Brown
M Cohen
S Daniels
A Davis resigned on 11 August 2023
P Hodgkinson
K Jowett
J Ornstein
J Rome
P Simonsson
S Ziff resigned on 11 August 2023
R Venchard
S Ben-Hur resigned on 11 August 2023
D Summers appointed on 8 March 2023
G Sherling appointed on 8 March 2023
P Soyemi appointed on 8 March 2023
L Ferreira appointed on 19 July 2023
B Hartstone appointed on 19 July 2023
J Mindell appointed on 19 July 2023
Co-Head Teachers T Yartu
N Webb-Hardy
Company registered number: 09223197
Charity registered number: 1160465
Registered Office: Gesher School
Cannon Lane
Pinner
HA5 1JF
Bankers: National Westminster Bank Plc
250 Bishopsgate
London
EC2M 4AA
Auditors: Moore Kingston Smith LLP
6th Floor
9 Appold Street
London
EC2A 2AP

Page 1

The Gesher Trust REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

for the year ended 31 August 2023

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements and independent auditors’ reports of the charitable company for the year 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023. This annual report serves the purposes of a Trustees' report, a Directors' report and a Strategic Report under company law.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the financial statements and comply with the company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), and in accordance with the requirements for a Directors’ report prepared for a small company under the Companies Act 2006.

As demonstrated in this report, we are very pleased to state that The Gesher Trust is still considered a ‘going concern’ and that we have met all regulatory and statutory compliance commitments.

Objectives and Activities

The primary objects of the Gesher Trust (‘’the Charity’’) are to advance, for the public benefit, the education of children with special educational needs in the United Kingdom, in particular by establishing, maintaining, carrying on, managing and developing a school or schools providing education for children with special educational needs following the principles of the Jewish faith.

The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the Charity should undertake.

Our longer-term aims include achieving our total capacity of 120 children on roll; maintaining the quality of education we provide to the children we serve; building a prayer room and a fully equipped life skills room; overhauling the external play and learning spaces; continuing to adapt and upgrade the school building; and building relationships with the community and employer partners.

On the 15th February 2023 the Trust purchased the freehold of the school site which will allow us the flexibility to adapt it to our needs.

Achievements and performance

This year we introduced Year 9 for the first time. By 31 August 2023, we had 35 pupils in Primary and 17 students in Secondary. During the year, pupils forged ahead with their ‘Project Based Learning’ (‘’PBL’’) which has enhanced the delivery of the National Curriculum whilst reflecting the range of needs of our pupils. The implementation of PBL across the school has provided opportunities to foster pupils' intrinsic motivation through a range of hands-on authentic experiences which have engaged the pupils and tapped into their areas of strengths. With feedback from the pupils, reflecting positive response including 85.2% (94.7% in 2021/22) pupils liked PBL. 40.7% students enjoyed more trips, 22.2% enjoyed the hands-on activities and 11.1% said they enjoyed PBL as it was more creative. Secondary data reflects the greatest progress in subject areas delivered through PBL.

Dining and lunch times are used to facilitate communication, social and life skills. More than 70% (70% in 2021/22) of the pupils are eating either a full meal or trying new foods daily, which is a real triumph for our pupils who were picky eaters. The following clubs are offered during lunchtimes to further support social skills: Creative Club, Football Club, Girls Club, Outdoor Explorers, Board Games and Pokeman Club. New clubs include Spanish Club, Basketball Club and Lego Club, which were introduced following a pupil survey at the end of last year.

This year saw the launch of Gesher’s very own podcast, The Chatterboxes, recorded weekly inside the Wolfson Makerspace, and which will be taken over by some students in our Y9 cohort this year.

Kvutzah/Crew Time (which is part of the SMSC curriculum and specifically tackle various social issues such as mutual respect, volunteering, conflict resolution and the importance of being part of both the Gesher community and the wider community in Britain and beyond) was introduced last year for both staff and pupils. Morning Kutzvah sessions continue to be a meaningful way for staff to lead and share a range of topics. Multiple reviews have taken place to ensure staff feel the sessions are meaningful. Feedback reflected that the team found the sessions helpful, especially those around neurodiversity, but sometimes it is a lot of information to process so early in the morning. Further adjustments will be made for next year, so staff have time for Kutzvah/CREW as a whole school team but also have time with the class team.

Our Head of Kodesh has established a wider school network, with various organisations continuing to work with the school more regularly, including UJIA, All Aboard and Jewish Child's Day. We are excited that our relationship with JCD will continue following our successful Summer Fete, as this will become an annual partnership event moving ahead. We have recruited for a Community Liaison Role between the United Synagogue and Gesher and look forward to developing this role.

Page 2

The Gesher Trust REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED) for the year ended 31 August 2023

Our volunteer program has been successful this year, with 11 volunteers coming in regularly to support in several areas across the school. Feedback has been positive from staff, with areas for development including further training and a more concise timetable to meet the school's needs. The school has also seen a rise in young volunteers currently studying and wishing to get further experience within a range of SEND skills. We are continuing to develop partnerships with the local Jewish Secondary schools to engage students and share pathways for SEN career opportunities, and we continue to foster relationships with SEED, Tribe and other organisations bringing communities together.

Several external organisations have reached out to visit the school to learn from the work we are doing. Some travelled as far as Israel, Hong Kong and Gibraltar to observe our team and hear about the Gesher story.

The launch of Issue 3 of our in-house publication, ‘The Bridge’ (an educational journal for reflection, learning and continuous development for schools and staff), generated phenomenal interest in the school and the special school sector.

Our average attendance rate for the year was 92.7% (2021: 93.4%) against an aspirational target of 96%.

In the academic year 2023/24, we are planning further improvements to both the internal and external parts of the school to enhance the delivery of the curriculum.

In summary, on behalf of the Board of Trustees and our Governors, I’d like to express our greatest thanks and respect to all our staff who continue to do everything they can to give our children the best possible chance to fulfil their potential and improve their life chances.

Fundraising

Fundraising during 2022/23 was again focused towards updating some of the critical infrastructure at the school. This included the Wolfson Makerspace area, which is a versatile learning environment comprising four distinct zones: a cutting-edge manufacturing space, a dedicated reflection zone, a collaborative area for teamwork, and an immersive media zone. Each zone is thoughtfully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and tools, specifically designed to enhance and engage the learning experience. Most of these donations were supported by private benefactors and trusts and foundations. Our new fundraising activities are targeted to get us over the finishing line to complete the remainder of the building and to meet the operational costs of the school until our target number of pupils are with us.

Financial review

The financial performance of the Charity in 2022/23 resulted in surplus of income over expenditure of £123,397.

The Charity’s operational activities have been funded by a combination of donations from benefactors and charitable institutions and from local authorities paying fees pursuant to Education, Health and Care Plans (‘’EHCP’’) as well as parents paying fees privately where EHCPs are not available or have not yet been granted.

At 31 Aug ’23, the Charity had a bank balance of £798,791 (2022: £1,373,674 and 2021: £1,935,985).

During the year, the Charity purchased the freehold of the school site for £4million which was funded by donations and a £2,000,000 loan secured by a first mortgage over the school site and a debenture over the Charity from CAF Bank, repayable over 25 years, together with a second charge of £250,000 repayable over 3 years. As at 31 Aug ’23, the balances were £2,000,000 and £220,000 respectively.

Gesher Assessment Centre Limited

During the year, the Charity formed a wholly owned subsidiary, Gesher Assessment Centre Limited (“GAC”) which is a new assessment and diagnosis centre offering children and young people who may have ADHD, Autism, and specific learning difficulties, a bespoke multi-disciplinary assessment, diagnosis, and report service. GAC has been funded predominantly by a grant from the Charity, but it is intended that it will operate independently of the Charity, and in the fullness of time distribute surplus profits back to the Charity.

Reserves Policy

The Board continues to give consideration to maintaining a policy of keeping a proportion of surplus cash as free reserves. During the course of the year, the Trustees have opted to allow the value of free reserves to fall below 3 months’ expenditure as a result of committing funds to the capital expenditure on the purchase of the freehold of the school site and a continuing programme of building works adapting the building to the needs of the school. We will continually review our reserves policy in the event that funds are needed for the running of the school or for capital expenditure.

As at 31 August 2023, our total fund balance was £2,548,068 (2022: £2,424,672 and 2021: £2,321,335). £254,861 (2022: £149,358 and 2021: £55,337) of this total are restricted funds and not available for general purposes, as set out in Note 16. A further £2,131,997 (2022: £1,838,924 and 2021: £1,575,012) is held as designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the Trustees for specific purposes, as set out in note 16, leaving free reserves of £161,208 (2022: £436,390 and 2021: £690,986).

Page 3

The Gesher Trust REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED)

for the year ended 31 August 2023

Risks attached to achievements of objectives

The Board of Trustees have continued to undertake a formal risk management process and carried out an assessment of business risks from which they have implemented risk management strategies and compiled a risk register which is monitored and tracked by the Board of Governors. The Board of Trustees have not identified any other material factors likely to affect the financial performance of the school going forward.

Structure, governance and management

The Charity is a charitable company limited by guarantee and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Trust was incorporated on the 8 September 2014. The Charity’s registration number as a charity is 1160465 and its company registration number is 09223197.

The Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of the financial statements were:

  1. Ali Durban

  2. Michael Kutner

  3. Sarah Sultman

  4. Joe Tager (resigned on 30 October 2023)

  5. Howard Zetter

  6. Lee Portnoi

Trustees are nominated and elected at meetings of the Board of Trustees. Newly elected Trustees are given information on the background of the Charity along with a description of their responsibilities as a Trustee. Four of the current six Trustees were previously Gesher School Governors and thus undertook Governor Induction Training. The remaining two Trustees are experienced and conversant in the role of a Trustee and Company Director and have not undertaken any formal training for this role.

The Board of Governors appointed by the Trustees to manage Gesher School (‘’the school’’) on their behalf during the 2022/23 year were:

  1. Ali Durban (Governor)

  2. Andrew Davis (resigned on 11 August 2023)

  3. Bradley Hartstone (appointed as Parent Governor on 19 July 2023) 4. David Summers (appointed as Associate Governor on 8 March 2023)

  4. Graham Sherling (appointed as Associate Governor on 8 March 2023)

  5. Jane Rome (appointed as Governor on 1 Nov 2022)

  6. Jonathan Mindell (appointed as Governor on 19 July 2023) 8. Jonathan Ornstein (Governor)

  7. Kirsten Jowett (Governor) 10. Leandri Ferreira (appointed as Associate Governor on 19 July 2023) 11. Mark Cohen (Parent Governor) 12. Nikeisha Webb-Hardy (Co-Headteacher) 13. Patricia Soyemi (appointed as Governor on 8 March 2023) 14. Paul Hodgkinson (Governor) 15. Per Simonsson (Governor) 16. Rama Venchard (Chair of Governors) 17. Ron Brown (Governor) 18. Sam Ziff (resigned on 11 August 2023) 19. Sarah Sultman (resigned on 11 August 2023) 20. Simi Ben-Hur (resigned on 11 August 2023) 21. Steven Daniels (Governor) 22. Tamaryn Yartu (Co-Headteacher)

Day to day decisions in respect of the running were made by the Headteachers and those were monitored by the Board of Governors who devolved a number of its functions to the following committees:

  1. People 2. Learning 3. Infrastructure 4. Pay

The Board met at least once a term and the committees met on an ad hoc basis but also at least once a term and fed information into the Board who ratified all decisions of the committees. These in turn were monitored by the Trustees.

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The Board of Trustees (who are also directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the Trustees must not approve the finhancial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

Page 4

The Gesher Trust

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED)

for the year ended 31 August 2023

· select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. Trustees also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Disclosure of information to auditor

Each of the Trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information.

The Trustees’ report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

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H Zetter

Date:

Page 5

The Gesher Trust INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE GESHER TRUST for the year ended 31 August 2023

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of The Gesher Trust (‘the company’) for the year ended 31 August 2023 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 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 August 2023 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including 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 charitable company'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.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. 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.

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 course of 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 themselves. 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.

Page 6

The Gesher Trust INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE GESHER TRUST

for the year ended 31 August 2023

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’ annual report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

· the trustees’ annual report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees’ annual report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where 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

· 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 exemption in preparing the trustees’ annual report and from preparing a strategic report.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 5, 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.

Page 7

The Gesher Trust INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE GESHER TRUST

for the year ended 31 August 2023

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 aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statement.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK) we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

· Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

· Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purposes of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the charitable company’s internal control. · Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the trustees.

· Conclude on the appropriateness of the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the charitable company to cease to continue as a going concern.

· Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

Page 8

for the year ended 31 August 2023

The Gesher Trust INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE GESHER TRUST

Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

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 of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.

The objectives of our audit in respect of fraud, are; to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud, through designing and implementing appropriate responses to those assessed risks; and to respond appropriately to instances of fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both management and those charged with governance of the charitable company.

Our approach was as follows:

· We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to the charitable company and considered that the most significant are the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 2011, the Charity SORP, and UK financial reporting standards as issued by the Financial Reporting Council

· We obtained an understanding of how the charitable company complies with these requirements by discussions with management and those charged with governance.

· We assessed the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, including the risk of material misstatement due to fraud and how it might occur, by holding discussions with management and those charged with governance.

· We inquired of management and those charged with governance as to any known instances of non-compliance or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations.

· Based on this understanding, we designed specific appropriate audit procedures to identify instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. This included making enquiries of management and those charged with governance and obtaining additional corroborative evidence as required.

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. We are less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.

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 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 any party other than the charitable company and charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

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Date 30 April 2024

James Saunders (Senior Statutory Auditor)

for and on behalf of Moore Kingston Smith LLP, Statutory Auditor

6th Floor 9 Appold Street London EC2A 2AP

Page 9

The Gesher Trust

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (including the income and expenditure statement) for the year ended 31 August 2023

Notes
INCOME FROM:
Charitable Activities
School fees
3
Other educational income
4
Investments
Investment Income
5
Voluntary sources
Grants and donations
6
Total income and endowments
EXPENDITURE ON:
Costs of raising funds
Fundraising and development
7
Other trading costs
Interest and other costs
Charitable activities
Education
7
Total expenditure
7
Net operating income/(expenditure)
Net income/(expenditure)
Transfer between funds
Net movement in funds
Fund balances brought forward
Fund balances carried forward
16
Unrestricted /
Designated
funds
£
1,865,146
23,970
10,829
546,071
2,446,016
45,501
-
78,433
4,229,713
4,353,647
(1,907,631)
(1,907,631)
1,918,661
11,030
2,275,314
2,286,344
Restricted
funds
£
22,352
-
-
2,275,025
2,297,377
2,608
-
-
270,605
273,213
2,024,164
2,024,164
(1,918,661)
105,503
149,358
254,861
Total
2023
£
1,887,498
23,970
10,829
2,821,096
4,743,393
48,109
-
78,433
4,500,318
4,626,860
116,533
116,533
-
116,533
2,424,672
2,541,205
Total
2022
£
1,622,934
10,925
879
1,187,817
2,822,555
18,415
-
-
2,700,803
2,719,218
103,337
103,337
-
103,337
2,321,335
2,424,672

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses in the year and therefore a statement of total recognised gains and losses has not been prepared. All of the above amounts relate to continuing activities.

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

Page 10

The Gesher Trust

BALANCE SHEET as at 31 August 2023

e Gesher Trust
ANCE SHEET
31 August 2023
Notes
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
11
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year
13
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
CREDITORS:Amounts falling due after more than one year
14
NET ASSETS
FUNDS
Called up Share Capital
16
Restricted funds
16
Unrestricted funds – general
16
Unrestricted funds - designated
16
Approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees on ........................................... and signed on their behalf by:
H Zetter
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
Company Number: 09223197
2023
£
4,351,997
4,351,997
463,794
798,791
1,262,585
(853,377)
409,208
4,761,205
(2,220,000)
2,541,205
-
254,861
154,347
2,131,997
2,541,205
2022
£
1,188,924
1,188,924
608,840
1,373,674
1,982,514
(746,766)
1,235,748
2,424,672
-
2,424,672
-
149,358
436,390
1,838,924
2,424,672

Page 11

The Gesher Trust

CASHFLOW STATEMENT for the year ended 31 August 2023

e Gesher Trust
HFLOW STATEMENT
e year ended 31 August 2023
CASH FLOW STATEMENT
Notes
Net cash inflow from operating activities
22
Cash flows from investing activities:
Bank interest received
Interest paid
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
Payments to acquire fixed assets
Net cash outflow from investing activities
Financing:
Loans received
Loans repaid
Net cash outflow from financing activities
Increase/(decrease) in cash
beginning of the reporting period
end of the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the
Cash and cash equivalents at the
2023
£
542,428
10,829
(78,433)
1,003,299
(4,273,009)
(3,337,314)
2,250,000
(30,000)
2,220,000
(574,886)
1,373,674
798,788
2022
£
(262,805)
879
-
-
(300,385)
(299,506)
-
-
-
(562,311)
1,935,985
1,373,674

Page 12

The Gesher Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 August 2023

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Gesher Trust is a company limited by guarantee with registered number 09223197, incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales. Its registered office is Gesher School, Cannon Lane, Pinner, HA5 1JF.

1.1 BASIS OF PREPARATION

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). The Charitable Company is a public benefit entity for the purposes of FRS 102 and therefore the Charity also prepared its financial statements in accordance with the 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 (The FRS 102 Charities SORP), the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011.

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 pound.

These financial statements are prepared on the going concern basis, under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of investments and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and
applicable accounting standards in the United Kingdom. The principal accounting policies, which have been applied consistently throughout the year, are set out below.
1.2 GOING CONCERN
The Board of Trustees has a reasonable expectation that the Gesher Trust has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and have no material uncertainties. For this
reason, Trustees feel that the use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statement is appropriate. As such the School can expect to be able to meet its liabilities as they fall due
On this basis the Trustees have concluded that the School is a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that would result from the School not being able to meet its liabilities as they
fall due.
1.3 COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
The company is limited by guarantee.
1.4 FEES RECEIVABLE AND SIMILAR INCOME
Fees receivable are accounted for in the period in which the service is provided.
1.5 DONATIONS AND FUND ACCOUNTING
Donations received for the general purposes of the school are included as unrestricted funds. Donations restricted by the wishes of the donor or the terms of an appeal are taken to restricted funds. Donations
required to be retained as capital in accordance with the donor’s wishes are accounted for as endowments – permanent or expendable according to the nature of the restriction.
1.6 EXPENDITURE
Expenditure is allocated to expense headings, which aggregate all costs relating to the category either on a direct cost basis, or apportioned according to time spent. The irrecoverable element of VAT is included
with the item of expense to which it relates.
All costs associated with the provision of education are allocated to Charitable Expenditure. Only the costs directly associated with, or incurred solely in, Raising Funds are allocated to this category. For example,
the costs of kitchen and domestic staff who are employed on a short term basis during the school holidays are allocated to the Cost of Raising Funds whereas the costs of the permanent staff are allocated to
Charitable Expenditure because they would have to be paid in any event. Likewise, only premises costs that are incurred because of, or to support, the letting activities are allocated to the Costs of Raising Funds.
Governance costs comprise the costs of running the Trust, including strategic planning for its future development, external audit, and all other costs of complying with constitutional and statutory requirements.
1.7 TEACHING COSTS
Supplies of games equipment, books, stationery and sundry materials are written off when the expenditure is incurred.
1.8 FIXED ASSETS AND DEPRECIATION
All fixed assets are used in direct furtherance of the school’s objectives. Fixed assets are included in these financial statements at their original cost less depreciation and accumulated impairment losses provided
to date.
Assets that cost less than £2,500 are not capitalised and are written off in the year of purchase.
Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets, other than freehold land, at rates calculated to write off the costs less estimated residual value of each asset, by equal annual instalments, over their expected
useful lives which are considered to be:
Freehold property
-
100 years
-
5 years
Leasehold property
-
20 years
Plant and machinery
-
4 years
Fixtures and fittings
-
4 years
Motor vehicles
-
3 years
IT equipment
The cost of freehold property represents the cost of the land and buildings and the net cost of additions since that date. The trustees are of the opinion that the current value of the school's land and building is
equivalent to the figure shown in the financial statements.
1.9 PENSIONS
The school pays contributions into a Group Personal Pension Scheme for Teaching and Support staff. The Schemes are defined contribution pension schemes. The assets of the Scheme are held separately from
those of the School in an independently administered fund. The Pension Scheme charge represents contributions payable by the school in accordance with the rules of the Scheme.

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities evenly over the period of the lease. 1.11 INVESTMENTS Interests in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. The investments are assessed for impairment at each reporting date and any impairment losses or reversals of impairment losses are recognised immediately in profit or loss. A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the company. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. 1.12 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.

Page 13

The Gesher Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 August 2023

1.13 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The company 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 company's balance sheet when the company 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.

With the exceptions of prepayments and deferred income all other debtor and creditor balances are considered to be basic financial instruments under FRS 102. See notes 12 and 13 for the debtor and creditor notes.

The company is a registered charity and is exempt from taxation as afforded by Section 505 ICTA 1988.

The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense.

In the application of the company's accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an on-going basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised, if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

In the opinion of the Trustees, the estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are outlined below.

Critical judgements

Useful economic lives

The annual depreciation charge for property, plant and equipment is sensitive to changes in the estimated useful economic lives and residual values of the assets. The useful economic lives and residual values are re-assessed annually. They are amended when necessary to reflect current estimates, based on technological advancement, future investments, economic utilisation and the physical condition of the assets. See note 11 for the carrying amount of the property, plant and equipment and note 1.8 for the useful economic lives for each class of asset.

Valuation of property

The trustees have based the valuation of the property on the purchase price plus allowable transaction costs.

3 FEE INCOME

The School’s activities are carried out within the UK.
The school's fee income comprised:
Gross fees
TA contributions
0156
4 OTHER EDUCATIONAL INCOME
Extras and disbursements
Other income
5 INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest received
Included within the above is an amount of £22,352 (2022: £21,525) which relates to restricted income.
2023
£
1,865,146
22,352
1,887,498
2023
£
9,656
14,314
23,970
2023
£
10,829
10,829
2022
£
1,601,409
21,525
1,622,934
2022
£
8,556
2,369
10,925
2022
£
879
879

Page 14

The Gesher Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 August 2023

6 DONATIONS AND GRANTS

Donations and gifts
Guarding reclaims
7 EXPENDITURE
(a)
Costs of Raising Funds
Trading costs
Marketing costs
Financing costs
Investment Management Fees
Total Costs of Raising Funds
Charitable expenditure
Teaching
Premises and Estates
Administration
Finance Costs
Governance
Total Charitable Expenditure
Total Expended
Costs of Raising Funds
Marketing costs
Total Costs of Raising Funds
Charitable expenditure
Teaching
Premises and Estates
Administration
Governance
Total Charitable Expenditure
Total Expended
(b)
Other Governance Costs include:
Auditors' remuneration
- Audit Fees
Included within the above is an amount of £2,297,377 (2022: £362,950) which relates to restricted income.
Included within Staff Costs and Other Charitable Expendiure is an amount of £270,605 (2022: £243,481) relating to re
£
-
19,611
-
-
19,611
£
1,668,668
88,072
267,178
-
-
2,023,918
2,043,529
£
-
-
£
1,415,697
80,441
231,246
-
1,727,384
1,727,384
Staff costs (note
8)
Staff costs (note
8)
Staff costs (note
8)
Staff costs (note
8)
stricted expenditure.
0207
Other
£
-
48,109
-
-
48,109
Other
£
66,536
1,998,312
267,069
78,433
18,238
2,428,588
2,476,697
Other
£
18,415
18,415
Other
£
96,089
427,850
147,775
15,232
686,946
705,361
2023
£
2,764,618
56,478
2,821,096
Depreciation
£
-
-
-
-
-
Depreciation
£
-
39,366
67,268
-
-
106,634
106,634
Depreciation
£
-
-
Depreciation
£
-
213,363
73,110
-
286,473
286,473
2023
£
17,980
2022
£
1,138,445
49,372
1,187,817
Total
2023
£
-
67,720
-
-
67,720
Total
2023
£
1,735,204
2,125,750
601,515
78,433
18,238
4,559,140
4,626,860
Total
2022
£
18,415
18,415
Total
2022
£
1,511,786
721,654
452,131
15,232
2,700,803
2,719,218
2022
£
15,232

Page 15

The Gesher Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 August 2023

(c)
Administration Costs
Salaries
National Insurance
Pension Costs
Staff Training
Other Staff Related Costs
Subscriptions
Staff travel
Operating Leases
IT support
Postage and stationery
Telephones
Marketing and advertising
Depreciation
Recruitment Costs
Legal and Professional Fees
Other Administration Costs
Grant to subsidiary
Bank charges and interest
Loan Interest
8 STAFF COSTS
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs
Other staff costs
Supply teachers
2008
Therapists
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
The number of employees whose emoluments amounted to over £60,000 in the year was as follows:
£60,000 - £70,000
£70,001 - £80,000
£80,001 - £90,000
Pension contributions for the year amounted to £17,608 (2022: £25,212) for these employees.
2023
£
185,822
19,270
6,355
26,402
29,329
10,218
3,515
3,958
30,325
7,873
3,057
35,042
67,268
10,335
47,153
38,386
75,000
2,207
78,433
679,948
2023
£
1,541,484
157,707
102,489
82,720
151,653
7,476
2,043,529
2023
No.
47
2023
No.
1
1
1
3
2022
£
169,532
15,943
5,366
22,772
17,633
13,510
849
4,402
12,744
5,544
17,532
14,002
73,110
-
53,681
23,391
-
2,120
-
452,131
2022
£
1,252,697
125,220
80,160
89,843
154,989
24,475
1,727,384
2022
No.
49
2022
No.
3
1
1
5

9 TRUSTEES AND GOVERNORS REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS There were no Trustees' or Governors' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 August 2023 nor for the year ended 31 August 2022.

No expenses (2022: £nil) for trustees and governors were paid by the charity during the year.

Key management personnel includes the headteachers. The total pay and benefits received by key management personnel were £185,810 (2022: £155,350).

10 NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR

NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR
2023 2022
£ £
Net income is stated after charging:
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 106,634 286,473
Operating lease rentals – other 3,958 4,402

Page 16

The Gesher Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 August 2023

11 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Freehold
Freehold
Property
Property
£
£
Cost:
At 1 September 2022
-
Additions
4,104,369
Disposals
-
Transfer
At 31 August 2023
-
4,104,369
Depreciation:
At 1 September 2022
-
Charge for year
18,490
Disposals
-
Transfer
At 31 August 2023
-
18,490
Net book value:
At 31 August 2023
-
4,085,879
At 1 September 2022
-
-
Leasehold
Property
Improvements
£
1,214,070
17,706
(1,231,776)
-
-
228,474
-
(228,474)
-
-
-
985,596
Fixtures
&
Fittings
£
98,353
23,525
-
(45,740)
76,138
14,978
17,150
-
(2,936)
29,192
46,946
83,375
Plant
&
Equipment
£
-
46,317
-
45,740
92,057
-
3,726
-
2,936
6,662
85,395
-
IT
Equipment
£
135,858
81,092
-
-
216,950
45,282
57,991
-
-
103,273
113,677
90,576
Motor
Vehicles
£
72,208
-
-
-
72,208
42,831
9,277
-
-
52,108
20,100
29,377
Total
£
1,520,489
4,273,009
(1,231,776)
-
4,561,722
331,565
106,634
(228,474)
-
209,725
4,351,997
1,188,924

A fixed and floating charge over the freehold property is held by CAF Bank in respect of the mortgage on the property. A fixed charge is held by one of the governors in respect of a bridging loan provided for the purchase of the freehold property.

12 DEBTORS

Fees and extras
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
Amount due from group undertaking
13 CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade creditors
Taxation and social security costs
Fees in advance
Other creditors
Accruals
Deferred income:
Brought forwards
Released in year
Received in year
Carried forwards
Deferred income relates to schools fees received in advance for the following term.
2023
£
368,120
5,915
35,093
54,666
463,794
2023
£
9,898
57,944
738,852
3,202
43,481
853,377
2023
£
597,306
(597,306)
738,852
738,852
2022
£
581,387
13,953
13,500
-
608,840
2022
£
73,174
47,694
597,306
10,380
18,212
746,766
2022
£
512,231
(512,231)
597,306
597,306

Page 17

The Gesher Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 August 2023

14 CREDITORS DUE AFTER ONE YEAR

Amounts falling due after more than one year:
Bank loan
Other loan
Movement on loans
In one year or less
Between one and two years
Between two and five years
After five years
2023
£
2,000,000
220,000
2,220,000
2023
£
-
220,000
108,859
1,891,141
2,220,000
2022
£
-
-
-
2022
£
-
-
-
-
-

During the year the Trust obtained a mortgage loan of £2,000,000 from CAF Bank PLC. Interest is payable on this loan at the greater of 2.7% and the Bank of England base rate plus 2.7%. The loan is repayable by February 2048. It is secured by a charge over the property.

During the year the Trust obtained a loan of £250,000 from one of the governors of the school. Interest is payable on this loan at the Bank of England base rate plus 4.7% from February 2025. The loan is repayable by February 2026. It is secured by a second charge over the property.

15 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Carrying amount of financial assets
Measured at amortised cost
Carrying amount of financial liabilities
Measured at amortised cost
STATEMENT OF FUNDS
Gains/
(losses)
£
Unrestricted funds:
General reserve
-
Designated fund:
Fixed asset fund
-
New school project
-
Total designated
-
Restricted funds:
Capital contribution
-
Learning materials & resources
-
Security grant
-
Teaching assistant claim
-
Big Build
-
School building fund
Makerspace
DWP Access to Work
Building capital works
Other small funds
Total restricted
-
Total endowment
-
Total funds
-
£
436,390
1,188,924
650,000
1,838,924
41,940
15,335
-
-
82,963
9,120
149,358
-
2,424,672
At 1 September
2022
Income
£
2,446,016
-
-
-
-
7,760
56,478
22,352
-
1,764,000
154,000
5,915
250,000
36,872
2,297,377
-
4,743,393
Expenditure
£
(2,709,225)
(1,644,422)
-
(1,644,422)
-
(22,194)
(56,478)
(22,352)
-
(87,943)
(36,299)
(5,915)
-
(42,032)
(273,213)
-
(4,626,860)
Transfer
Between
Funds
£
(18,834)
2,587,495
(650,000)
1,937,495
(41,940)
-
-
-
(82,963)
(1,676,057)
(117,701)
-
-
-
(1,918,661)
-
-
2023
£
374,035
71,044
Gains/
(losses)
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2022
£
595,340
131,248
£
154,347
2,131,997
-
At 31 August
2023
2,131,997
-
901
-
-
-
-
-
-
250,000
3,960
254,861
-
2,541,205

16 STATEMENT OF FUNDS

Page 18

The Gesher Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the year ended 31 August 2023

e Gesher Trust
ES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
e year ended 31 August 2023
Unrestricted funds:
General reserve
Designated fund:
Fixed asset fund
New school project
Total designated
Restricted funds:
Capital contribution
Learning materials & resources
Security grant
Teaching assistant claim
Big Build
Other small funds
Total restricted
Total funds
£
690,986
1,175,012
400,000
1,575,012
31,238
24,099
-
-
-
55,337
2,321,335
At 1 September
2021
Income
£
2,213,708
-
-
-
55,122
18,667
49,372
21,525
455,041
9,120
608,847
2,822,555
Expenditure
£
(2,198,384)
(286,473)
-
(286,473)
(7,312)
(27,431)
(49,372)
(21,525)
(128,721)
(234,361)
(2,719,218)
Transfer
Between
Funds
£
(269,920)
300,385
250,000
550,385
(37,108)
-
-
-
(243,357)
(280,465)
-
Gains/
(losses)
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
£
436,390
1,188,924
650,000
At 31 August
2022
1,838,924
41,940
15,335
-
-
82,963
9,120
149,358
2,424,672

Designated funds

The fixed asset fund represents the net book value of tangible fixed assets less associated loans. The Trustees wanted to show the assets that are not readily available in a separate fund.

The new school fund has been utilised to cover the set up costs of the new school and to defray any operating deficit in the first few years of occupation, if required.

Restricted funds

Restricted funds relating to capital contribution represents grants and donations to finance the building and other assets of a capital nature for the school.

Learning materials and resources represents a fund for curriculum resources.

Security grants are funds reclaimed from CST for security of the school grounds.

Teaching assistant claims are funds claimed from parents to cover the costs of additional teaching assistants required by the students during the year.

Big Build are funds towards the costs of relocating to the new school.

The School building fund is made up of funds for the purchase of the school site.

The Makerspace funds are a grant for the creation of the Wolfson Makerspace area.

Building capital works are funds towards the improvements required at the school.

Transfers in the year are made up of a transfer of restricted capital expenditure less associated loans into the designated fixed asset fund and the release of the New School Project designated fund following completion of building development works and the purchase of the freehold.

Page 19

The Gesher Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 August 2023

17 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

Endowment
fund
£
Tangible fixed assets
-
Investments
-
Current assets
-
Current liabilities
-
Long term liabilities
-
Total net assets
-
Endowment
fund
£
Tangible fixed assets
-
Current assets
-
Current liabilities
-
Total net assets
-
Unrestricted
funds
£
-
-
1,007,724
(853,377)
-
154,347
Unrestricted
funds
£
-
1,183,156
(746,766)
436,390
Designated
funds
£
4,351,997
-
-
-
(2,220,000)
2,131,997
Designated
funds
£
1,188,924
650,000
-
1,838,924
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
254,861
-
-
254,861
Restricted
funds
£
-
149,358
-
149,358
2023
Total
£
4,351,997
-
1,262,585
(853,377)
(2,220,000)
2,541,205
2022
Total
£
1,188,924
1,982,514
(746,766)
2,424,672

18 COMMITMENTS UNDER OPERATING LEASES

At 31 August 2023, the company had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

2023
2022
Land &
Land &
Buildings
Buildings
Due within one year
-
-
Due between two and five years
-
-
-
-
2023
Office
equipment
744
1,302
2,046
2022
Office
equipment
3,304
-
3,304

19 RELATED PARTIES

During the year, one trustee advanced a loan to the charity of £250,000 (2022: none). This loan is repayable by January 2026 and is interest free until 2025.

20 SUBSIDIARY

The Trust has control over its subsidiary, The Gesher Assessment Centre, by virtue of its trustees holding the full share capital of the company in trust for the Gesher Trust. Each of the six trustees holds one share of the Gesher Assessment Centre. The company is registered in England & Wales number 14370772 and provides assessments to young people with SEND. Its taxable profits are distributed under the rules of the gift aid regime to the school subject to the working capital requirements of the company.

21 CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

At 31 August 2023, the company had capital commitments totalling £nil (2022: £567,000) in respect of ongoing leasehold imporvements work at the school site.

22 NOTES TO THE CASHFLOW STATEMENT

Reconciliation of operating result to net cash inflow from
operating activities
Net movement in funds
Depreciation
Bank interest received
Interest payable
Increase/(Decrease) in creditors
(Increase)/Decrease in debtors
2023
£
116,533
106,634
(10,829)
78,433
106,611
145,046
542,428
2022
£
103,337
286,473
(879)
-
(614,583)
(37,153)
(262,805)

Page 20