for the period
From August 2024 Period start date To July 2025 Period end date
Charity name: Richmond Dutch School
Charity registration number: 1162146
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The Charity provides Dutch language and Dutch/Flemish culture classes to primary school-aged children from homes with one or two Dutch-speaking parent(s), as a means to help these families maintain the Dutch language and retain links with their cultural heritage. The geographical limit of the charity is the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and close surrounding areas. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
During the year, the charity delivers Dutch language and Dutch/Flemish cultural education to primary school-aged children from families with one or two Dutch-speaking parents. Classes run once a week throughout term time, providing both structured language instruction and cultural enrichment activities such as celebrations of Dutch traditions, storytelling, music, and crafts. These activities support our charitable purpose by helping children maintain fluency in Dutch and fostering an appreciation of their cultural heritage. The charity’s services are delivered in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and the surrounding areas, and are accessible to families who share this cultural and linguistic background. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in carrying out the charity’s activities. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference n/a Para 1.38 Policy on grant making
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | n/a |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | The charity relies on the contributions of volunteers to support its activities. Trustees serve on a voluntary basis, giving their time to oversee governance, planning, and financial management. |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | During the year, the charity successfully delivered regular Dutch language and culture classes to children from Dutch- and Flemish- speaking families in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and surrounding areas. These classes helped children maintain and develop their Dutch language skills in a supportive and engaging environment, which is particularly important for bilingual development and long-term fluency. Through lessons and cultural activities - including celebrations of traditional Dutch holidays and customs - the charity enabled children to deepen their understanding of their cultural heritage, fostering a strong sense of identity and belonging. The charity also contributed to the well-being of the wider community by creating a space for Dutch-speaking families to connect and support one another. This sense of community helps reduce isolation among expatriate families and reinforces cultural links across generations. Overall, the charity’s work continues to make a meaningful difference in helping families preserve their language and cultural traditions, contributing to a more inclusive and culturally diverse local society. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | At the end of the financial period, the charity’s reserves have decreased due to ongoing operating losses. These losses are primarily attributable to a reduced number of pupils attending classes, which has led to lower tuition fee income, the charity’s sole source of funding. The charity continues to hold sufficient reserves to meet its current liabilities and commitments. However, the trustees are mindful of the need to restore financial sustainability and are actively taking steps to manage costs and increase income. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The charity aims to hold sufficient reserves to ensure that it can meet its ongoing commitments and liabilities, particularly to cover essential costs such as rent and staff salaries, in the event of fluctuations in pupil numbers or income. Reserves are held to provide financial stability and allow the charity time to implement strategies to increase income and reduce costs without compromising its charitable activities. The trustees regularly review the level of reserves to ensure they remain appropriate to the charity’s needs. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £15,902 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | The trustees have reviewed the charity’s financial position and future plans in light of recent operating losses and a reduction in pupil numbers. While these challenges create some uncertainty about the charity’s future financial sustainability, the trustees have taken proactive steps to reduce costs and are actively working to attract more pupils to increase income. Based on these measures and the charity’s current cash reserves, the trustees consider that the charity remains a going concern for the foreseeable future. The situation will continue to be closely monitored to ensure that appropriate actions are taken to secure the charity’s ongoing viability. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal
Para 1.47
| sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
||
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Trust deed |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Charitable trust |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Under the charity’s governing document, trustees are elected by the existing trustee body. All trustees are appointed in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, which sets out the process for election and the term of office. The trustees are responsible for identifying suitable candidates based on the skills and experience needed to support the charity’s governance and objectives. New trustees are provided with an induction and background on the charity’s work. There are no external bodies or individuals entitled to appoint trustees. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
Charity name Richmond Dutch School Other name the charity uses RDS
| Registered charity number | 1162146 |
|---|---|
| Charity’s principal address | 8 Warren Avenue RICHMOND Surrey TW10 5DZ |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sabine van Elsland | Chair | |||
| Tom Vanoverschelde |
Treasurer | |||
| Marieke Imhof | Secretary | |||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Marieke Johanna Imhof Position (eg Secretary, Secretary Chair, etc) Date 8 September 2025
Profit and Loss
Richmond Dutch School
For the year ended 31 July 2024
| Profit and Loss Richmond Dutch School For the year ended 31 July 2024 |
|
|---|---|
| 2024 | |
| Turnover | |
| Other Revenue | 220.50 |
| Sales | 16,066.05 |
| Tuition Fee | 10,194.25 |
| Total Turnover | 26,480.80 |
| Cost of Sales | |
| Direct Expenses | 35.00 |
| Direct Wages | 2,827.35 |
| Total Cost of Sales | 2,862.35 |
| Gross Profit | 23,618.45 |
| Administrative Costs | |
| General Expenses | 291.06 |
| IT Software and Consumables | 526.35 |
| Printing & Stationery | 125.00 |
| Professional Teaching Services - Bought-in | 16,606.00 |
| Rent | 2,312.50 |
| Total Administrative Costs | 19,860.91 |
| Operating Profit | 3,757.54 |
| Profit on Ordinary Activities Before Taxation | 3,757.54 |
| Profit after Taxation | 3,757.54 |
Profit and Loss Richmond Dutch School
13 Sept 2025 Page 1 of 1
Subject: Clarification Regarding Audit Requirement
Dear Sir/Madam
I would like to clarify that, under current Charity Commission regulations for England and Wales, our charity is not required to undergo a statutory audit . This is based on the following:
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Our annual income is below £30,000 , which is well under the audit threshold.
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We have no direct employees .
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Our gross assets are below £3.26 million .
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Our governing document does not mandate an audit , nor has any funder or the Charity Commission requested one.
According to the Charity Commission, an audit is only required if a charity’s gross income exceeds £1 million , or if its gross assets exceed £3.26 million and income exceeds £250,000 . For context, over the past years, we have been loss making most years due to a falling number of pupils and we need to be frugal on expenses.
Given our financial position and structure, we continue to meet our reporting obligations through annual submissions to the Charity Commission.
Please let me know if you need any further documentation or clarification.
Kind regards,
Tom Vanoverschelde
Treasurer Richmond Dutch School 07872180061
Tom_vanoverschelde@hotmail.com