Charity registration number: 1166708
National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Contents (continued)
| Reference and Administrative Details | 1 |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Report | 2 to 12 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 13 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 14 |
| Balance Sheet | 15 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 16 to 23 |
National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Reference and Administrative Details
Chair Susan Owen-Johnson, Chair Trustees Calvin Kipling, Communications Lead Carolyn Lawler, Vice Chair Fay Blyth, Research Lead Jancis Andrew, Extended Duties Lead Jennie Davies, CPD Lead Kate Leyshon, Honorary Secretary Lynsey Burridge, Honorary Treasurer Mary Holder, REDI Lead Matthew Cooke, Immediate Past Chair Sarah Ann Clark, Regional Lead Susan Owen-Johnson, Chair Charity Registration Number 1166708 Principal Office 1 Shrieves Walk Sheep Street Stratford upon Avon Warwickshire CV37 6GJ Independent Examiner Wenn Townsend Chartered Accountants 30 St Giles Oxford OX1 3LE Accountants CBSL Accountants Limited Rowan House North 1 The Professional Quarter Shrewsbury Busines Park Shrewsbury SY2 6LG
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National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Trustees' Report
The trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Trustees and officers
The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:
Trustees:
Anwen Foy, CPD Lead (resigned 4 July 2024) Calvin Kipling, Communications Lead Carolyn Lawler, Vice Chair (appointed 4 July 2024) Fay Blyth, Research Lead Jancis Andrew, Extended Duties Lead Jennie Davies, CPD Lead (appointed 4 July 2024) Julie Bunn, Past Chair (resigned 4 July 2024) Kate Leyshon, Honorary Secretary Lynsey Burridge, Honorary Treasurer Mary Holder, REDI Lead (appointed 4 July 2024) Matthew Cooke, Immediate Past Chair Natalie White, Policy Lead (resigned 4 July 2024) Patrick Ward, Extended Duties Lead (resigned 4 July 2024) Sarah Ann Clark, Regional Lead Susan Owen-Johnson, Chair (appointed 26 February 2024) Tina Henley, Regional Lead (resigned 4 July 2024)
Structure, governance and management
Nature of governing document
The charity is a incorporated under a constitution dated 22 April 2016, as amended 29 March 2018, on 4 April 2019, 5 April 2019, 13 April 2019 and 30 November 2023.
Recruitment and appointment of trustees
The trustees who served from April 22 2016 to March 22 2017 were foundation trustees. Subsequent trustees are elected by the membership and confirmed at the annual general meeting.
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National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Trustees' Report (continued)
Governance
NAVSH continues to enlist the support of a legal adviser. We continue to use an administration team, Setsquare who started from April 2022.
Changes have been made to the constitution this year, ratified by members at an Extraordinary General Meeting held 30th November 2023. NAVSH continues to review its governance arrangements at least annually using the Charity Commission Governance Checklist. This year we have maximised the use of on-line meetings and webinars to hold trustee meetings and to also engage the wider membership around exploring key issues linked to our objects. This includes the use of our annual survey, the results of which are shared ahead of our AGM at our annual conference.
Objectives and activities
Objects and aims
The objects of the charity are:
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To advance education for the public benefit in the care and education of looked after children, previously looked-after children and care leavers by the undertaking of research for the public benefit and the dissemination of the useful results thereof.
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To promote the care and education of looked after children, previously looked-after children and care leavers in particular, but not exclusively by, the provision of education and training for those employed in provision of care for looked after children.
Objectives, strategies and activities
1. RESEARCH
We have kept this objective very much to the forefront of our work as a Board in 2023/24 through our Research & CPD Leads and trustee involvement in various initiatives at a local and national level including the Institute of Education/UCL Promoting the Achievement of Looked After Children, the Oxford/Rees Centre Timpson research, published research by Professor David Berridge and Neil Harrison (now Exeter Uni) and the growing research base from the Bath Spa post-graduate programme.
Commissioning Research – Improving the Effectiveness of Virtual Schools NAVSH secured the support of Neil Harrison to undertake the research into effective VSH practice. The report below was published on November 22nd 2023.
Effectiveness of Virtual schools - What makes an effective Virtual school?
This exciting research provided an evidence base for promoting 10 principals of effectiveness linked to 10 recommendations.
Attendance Action Alliance
The NAVSH chair was invited to be a full member of the secretary of state for education’s Attendance Alliance in Summer Term 2023.
The invitation elevated our role and increased the visibility of our children. It also cemented partnerships between NAVSH, ADCS, the Chief Social Worker and the Children’s Commissioner ensuring our children are not lost amongst national policy initiatives. The meeting in February 2024 was devoted to our children.
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National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Trustees' Report (continued)
Promoting the emotional, social and mental health of children in care and previously looked after children so that their well-being enables learning
NAVSH are a partner to the Attachment Research Community Call for Action to make all schools attachment and trauma aware by 2025. NAVSH are working through the regions to encourage wide nominations for the Alex Timpson Award and supporting ARC regional conferences to provide opportunities for Virtual School officers and School leaders across the country.
The chair of NAVSH was again invited to open the annual Attachment Research Community conference and to sit on an expert panel, which provided an opportunity to consider how the skills and knowledge that impact on the social, emotional and mental health needs of looked after and previously looked after children. The panel discussion was recorded and can provide useful CPD opportunities.
Having a NAVSH trustee on the advisory group provides insight into upcoming REES centre projects and ensure NAVSH are able to influence future policy. Through this partnership NAVSH has been able to make links with the Shadow Cabinet, including the Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Rosena Allin-Khan and the CEO of the Education Policy Institute, Natalie Parera.
Schools and Academies Show 2023
The NAVSH chair was asked to join an expert panel at this year’s Schools and Academies show hosted by the Editor of the TES. On stage was the ADCS president John Pearce, The Children’s Commissioner, Dame Rachel Da Souza and, Co- Chief Executive of the National Governance Association, Emma Balchin.
Pathways to University from Care
The Chair of NAVSH sits on the National Care Leaver Benchmarking Forum who represent care leaving services across the country.
NAVSH have links with the DfE lead for care leaver progression into HE and have been a part of the DfE advisory group working with partner agencies to support the recommendations coming for ‘stable homes built of love’ in relation to FE and HE support for care leavers.
Extension and Expansion to Virtual School Head duties
NAVSH were approached by the DfE requesting support for the implementation of an expansion to our duty in relation to children in kinship care. NAVSH supported the ambition and principal of reducing the inequality between children with Special Guardianship Orders who have, and who haven’t had, a period in care. NAVSH and the DfE worked collaboratively to shape guidance which achieved this aim, with guidance published as part of the national Kinship Strategy in December 2023.
NAVSH have continued to work together with the DfE to support the working group and the Programme Delivery Board of our extended duties in relation to children with a social worker.
Evaluation for the extension to duty is being provided by the Rees Centre Oxford-Leon Feinstein. Surveys for data capture were completed and Theory of Change workshops held with one VSH from each region and case studies for phase one. The evaluation report for phase 2 is expected to be published shortly after the NAVSH 2024 annual conference.
Post 16 National Roll-Out
NAVSH were very pleased with the extension of the 2-year pilot to a full national roll out providing all Virtual Schools with funding for Post 16 learners. The evaluation for this project is provided by the Rees Centre Oxford University in partnership with Cordis Bright with the research publication date due shortly after our 2024 annual conference.
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National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Trustees' Report (continued)
NCER database
The functionality within the NCER database continues to grow and be responsive to the needs of VSH and NCER are working closely with NAVSH to provide data on the CiN and CP cohort. NCER and NAVSH have a close working partnership. NCER created a bespoke webinar for Virtual School Heads which took place in February 2024 and the NAVSH chair will be delivering a keynote speech at the NCER national conference in the Summer term 2024.
Member Surveys
NAVSH has continued to use the Qualtrics to enable capture, analysis and tracking of our annual member survey which informs our discussions with DCS, and partners about the development of the Virtual School model. These surveys are a great opportunity to find out more about the experiences of Virtual School Heads ‘on the ground’ and to track how our role and our teams develop over time. The findings/themes are shared anonymously with partners at Ofsted, ADCS and DfE and contribute to national policy developments.
Huge thanks from the board goes to Calvin Kipling for his work in this area.
Peer Reviews
Since March 2023, to date, three NAVSH Peer Reviews have been held - Gateshead, Hertfordshire and Ealing, whilst a peer review for Lewisham was postponed due to the local authority receiving an ILACS inspection call. A further Review was planned for the Spring Term but did not proceed due to local circumstances.
Two colleagues, an Assistant Director Social Care and a Virtual School Head were given the opportunity to shadow the Ealing Review to experience firsthand the process and procedure. As a result of regional consultation, more VSHs will shadow peer reviews over the coming year with a view to joining a peer team, whilst further training will be held in the Summer and Autumn terms 2024.
NAVSH would like to thank Linda Mason for her leadership and delivery of this crucial work.
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National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Trustees' Report (continued)
2. EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Annual Conference
Virtual Schools - Celebrating 10 years of care experience success
The Annual NAVSH Conference remains the key event for supporting the work of virtual school heads and their teams. The opportunity to hear from a range of key partners, network with others from around the country and speak to organisations that support our work is an opportunity that many value. This has become a forum for celebrating the work Virtual School Heads do and engaging with partners to explore how we can continually improve in meeting our core goal of promoting the education of looked after, previously looked after and all children with a social worker.
It is testament to the work of the board over the years and our partnership with the DfE that we continue to have the support of the Minister for Children and Families as a guest speaker, illustrating that NAVSH does have the political ‘ear’ of those enabled to make policy decisions that impact on looked after and previously looked after children and the provision of care.
The 2024 conference will be held in person at the Birmingham Conference and Events Centre. An online viewing is also available at a reduced cost which many wider members of Virtual school Staff will be encouraged to view. The evaluations of this were hugely positive last year.
Development Days
The NAVSH board development sessions are an integral part of our annual calendar, enabling us to identify progress towards our development plan and charitable aims. Each year has brought us increased quality of data that is impacting on the daily work of VSH across the country, supported by colleagues at NCER.
A great deal of work has been completed on the development days in recognition that NAVSH needs administrative, legal, financial and governance support from specialist providers. The needs analysis and work on SLAs, reports received and an action plan ensured that the working practices of NAVSH are now much more effective.
A new website including a more efficient payment system for membership fees and conference booking has streamlined services for members.
Post-graduate course
The NAVSH post graduate study programme continues to be a great success and the 22 students who completed in June 2023, all passed with flying colours. They are warmly congratulated by the NAVSH board. This is the fourth successive group to complete the module and the June 2023 group were awarded more distinctions than any previous group. Everyone who passes earns 30 credits towards a master’s degree and we have high expectations that many will choose to follow the master’s pathway, if not immediately then at some time in the next four years.
A new PG course started in January 2024, with a slightly smaller group due to a lack of numbers and the need for a recruitment drive. The course is run by NAVSH in collaboration with Bath Spa University and it is now taught entirely online. Participants complete two assignments and are required to critically review key research literature on the education of care experienced children and on attachment, trauma and learning. We recognise that the assignments will provide an invaluable source of research for the organisation and the achievement of both our substantive charitable aims.
We wish all participants well and cannot wait to see where they take their learning. NAVSH would like to thank Glinys Weller for her invaluable leadership in this work.
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National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Trustees' Report (continued)
Scholarships
To strengthen the board’s commitment to promoting research, the board have enabled a scholarship award to those undertaking the post-graduate study pathway with Bath Spa. The award is also open to those who go on to study for a masters or PhD, at a recognised UK university, focusing on an aspect of the education of care experienced children. There is a requirement to host a webinar or conference workshop to share findings. This further promotes the charitable objectives of NAVSH.
Regional work
Regional leads have really developed in their role this year and have fed back lots of local research and training going on in their regions. The national profile of the board with strategic partners means that Ofsted and the DfE are regularly speaking and contributing to regional conferences.
West Midlands held their first regional Designated Teacher conference and developed sports and arts opportunities across the region through their foundation. The North West held their first regional conference for Virtual School officers and held a facilitated leadership development day for all 25 Virtual School Heads from the region. The London region have strengthened their connections to the London Marathon this year and have prepared videos in a range of languages to support our children arriving from other countries and have been forging links with the youth offending institutions. The Eastern region have been pooling resources to create a data toolkit to better support our work with education settings, particularly Multi-Academy Trusts that span several authorities.
NAVSH New to Role (NTR) Programme
So far this academic year, there have been 5 video conferences on topics including Reflection on the first year of VS headship from the previous cohort of new VS heads, Reporting on your VS Extended Duties, VS performance, Courageous Leadership, Relational Approaches. As a response to feedback from last year’s group we extended the time from an hour to an hour and a half to allow input from facilitators, guest speakers as well as time for participants to discuss and share good practice.
Approximately 18 new VS leaders have attended one or more of the video conferences this academic year.
The group have made connections with each other, shared ideas and had supportive conversations generated from the conferences. Feedback has been positive with a warm and open atmosphere / safe space for sharing good practice and discussing barriers and ways forward.
Coaching
6 new VSHs are currently accessing the coaching offer this academic year. Progress towards various personal, profession objectives is measured with coachees tracking their development at the beginning, middle and end. This will be anonymously collated at the end of the year.
There is still some capacity for those new to VS headship in the last two years who wish to access the coaching offer. The majority of coaching has been on line via teams but face to face where location allows.
NAVSH would like to thank Rachel Prior and Zoe Heyward for their tireless contributions and expertise in this area of work.
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National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Trustees' Report (continued)
The NAVSH App
NAVSH have continued to collaborate with a company called Anspear to both create a platform as well as collate resources to support the Virtual School Head and their officers in their work.
NAVSH Webinar Series
The NAVSH Webinar series has gone from strength to strength and is now an integral aspect of NAVSH and its communication and relationship with all our members and partners. The webinars make a significant addition and enhancement to how we can demonstrate achieving our charitable aims in both disseminating the most current research, providing a platform to showcase best practice and to provide VSH and their teams with learning and development opportunities outside of regional activity and the annual conference.
Policy digests and CWSW handbook
NAVSH have commissioned a series of guides in relation to various policy documents and high profile publications. These are available on the membership area along with a range of resources to support Virtual School Heads and their officers. NAVSH has also commissioned the creation of a handbook in relation to our CWSW duties which will be ready for publication in the Summer Term 2024.
Race, Equality and Diversity
NAVSH has developed our commitment to ensure that best practice in Race Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is a golden thread running through every aspect of NAVSH as an organisation. We will be working with leading experts in the sector to ensure that our culture, policies and day to day practice represent best practice in this area.
We aim for this to be a modelled expectation of all NAVSH members demonstrated in their daily conduct and practice to meet the needs of our children and staff colleagues. We have commissioned a report from the Institute for Change and CEO Saj Zafar will be presenting this report at our 2024 Annual Conference.
Public benefit
It is important to highlight the wider scope of the work of NAVSH to promote the education of looked after children and care leavers:
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The NAVSH website continues to provide an overview of the education of care experienced children and has sections for VSHs, schools, carers, social workers and young people. The website includes key updates, news and the Twitter feed continue to keep it relevant. We have also used the website to promote requests for expressions of interest and uploading webinars. NAVSH also make use of social media to highlight research, good news stories, the work of other aligned partners/organisations, promote the work of the board and individual VSH and support/challenge narratives and news stories about the experiences of children in care.
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Calvin Kipling, Communications Lead continues to work extremely hard to promote positive messages of the work of Virtual Schools. The communication and social media interest following our conference in March 22 was very pleasing and we are hopeful that this year will be as strong as NAVSH has presence on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Many of the regions have active Whatsapp groups, as does the board.
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We have extended the licence capacity of the Zoom app due to the demand of the webinar programme.
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NAVSH continue to receive invites to speak and/ or attend high profile events with key partners.
Full details of all the learning and development opportunities available to NAVSH members are available on the NAVSH website and are also updated and shared at each annual conference.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
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National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Trustees' Report (continued)
Working with Key Partners
Department for Education (DFE)
NAVSH continues to work closely with colleagues from the Department for Education supporting on a range of different work streams such as:
CiN and CP extension to duty Post-16 Pupil Premium Plus Pilot SEND Alternative Provision UASC Adoption and Special Guardianship Leadership Board NCER Database School Led tutoring Live attendance data Links with social care re New Framework
NAVSH would like to particularly thank Andrew Baxter for his support to the work of the board and members and Nicholas Budge, David Shreeves and Chris Walton all deserve our thanks for their support and brokerage of key contacts to a diverse range of other departments, consultations and policy makers. We continue to work with SC to shape the understanding of the importance of education.
Association of School and College Leaders
NAVSH now have a firm partnership with ASCL and were pleased to invite Margaret Mulholland to speak about inclusive practice at our conference in March 23. Training delivered to the Pastoral conference.
The Attachment Research Community CIO (ARC)
NAVSH and ARC are very closely aligned to core beliefs and values and over the years, VSH have ‘served’ both organisations. NAVSH became a ‘co-signator’ to The Call to Action - to make all schools attachment and Trauma Aware by 2025. ARC and NAVSH share a belief that relational approaches benefit all children, not just those who have experienced care and that, in light of the continued disruption to education being experienced universally by the majority of children and young people, there has never been a greater need for these approaches to be embedded.
The Independent Care Review
The review presents a huge opportunity to address some of the remaining barriers to the progress of care experienced children and young people including SEND, admissions and the independent sector. NAVSH look forward to responding to the consultation publication of Stable Homes, built on Love.
The SEND Green Paper
NAVSH look forward to the publication of the Green paper and to work with wider partners on its implementation.
Extension to 25
A group of Virtual School Heads from outside the NAVSH board have been contributing to the DfE’s initial work in relation to a role for care leavers up to the age of 25. This invaluable consultation has enabled the views of Virtual School Heads to be considered at the very beginning of this long-term development.
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National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Trustees' Report (continued)
Achievements and performance
The work of the board this year has understandably been overwhelmingly focussed on the continuing implementation of the extended duties ensuring that colleagues are supported well and that they are supported to make the most effective use of the funding and that it comes directly to the VSH. The funding announcements have been at very short notice, and we have supported members to take a pragmatic and positive approach.
Thank you once again to Alan Clifton for acting as our returning officer in the elections for trustees for 2023-24. We have had good interest this year and hope to secure all key posts at an exciting time for NAVSH and its future engagement in significant national work responding to Stable Homes, built on Love.
The core function of NAVSH is to promote the education of looked after and previously looked after children and to strategically improve outcomes for all children with a social worker, throughout this year the extended board have sought opportunities to engage with the media to promote NAVSH messages.
The National Association of Virtual School Heads has grown in profile and influence in a relatively short time but we can only continue to do this work through the support and commitment of our members.
The strength of NAVSH is its representation of all local authorities and all Virtual Schools. We hope that members feel assured that there is an organisation that exists to represent their voice, to raise the profile of the work we do, to help us do a better job by supporting research and getting us the tools we need to be more effective.
It is essential that the board continue to champion collaborative working, even when national policy and decision making has challenged some of our core values and beliefs. We look forward to implementing the recommendations from the Care Review, Stable Homes, Built on Love.
We are ensuring we do not lose sight of the voice of children and young people as NAVSH exists to champion the best in research and practice for them, leading by example and include this in our mission statement.
Financial review
Income from charitable activities increased from £258,013 to £315,337 following an increase in membership fee rates and conference fees as the charity continued to expand its support for members. Conference income increased from £131,938 to £165,118 to cover the increasing costs of running the event.
Expenditure increased from £301,269 in 2023 to £309,851, which included £164,315 (2023 - £127,927) for the conference. The other significant costs for the charity relate to the full time administrative function through Set Square, providing support to the members and the board, as well as one off costs of the Research Symposium event and the Equality Diversity and Inclusion project funded by the charity.
At the year end the charity had bank balances of £219,622 (2023 - £206,315) and net assets of £185,494 (2023 - £176,102) - all funds are unrestricted.
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National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Trustees' Report (continued)
Policy on reserves
An important part of the work done this year has been to maintain a firm financial base to enable NAVSH to meet its charitable objectives and financial obligations.
To this end, NAVSH needs to have reserves in place.
The NAVSH annual conference is an essential part of how we fulfil our charitable objectives, and the organisation needs to have sufficient funds in place to meet the upfront costs of arranging this conference.
NAVSH also needs to have sufficient reserves in place to fulfil any financial commitments and liabilities, should it be necessary to disband the organisation at a future time.
NAVSH will therefore maintain a minimum unrestricted reserve of £50,000. The charity has a level of free reserves significantly in excess of this following research and resource development projects having reduced over the last few years. The Trustees have plans in place to ensure reserves are used for charitable activities, including increased members' support and research projects over the coming few years.
Principal risks and uncertainties
The trustees regularly review the key risks faced by the charity, the establishment of systems and procedures to address those potential risks and mitigate any impact on the charity if they materialise.
NAVSH ensures financial probity by - ensuring that financial statements and records are reviewed by a trustee other than the treasurer at regular intervals; - considering a financial report at every trustees meeting; - presenting the accounts at the Annual General Meeting; - completing the detailed annual return for the Charity Commission which will be submitted later in 2023/24.
Financial instruments
Objectives and policies
The charity’s activities expose it to a number of financial risks including credit risk. The charity does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.
Credit risk
The charity’s principal financial assets are bank balances and cash and trade and other receivables. The charity’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. The amounts presented in the balance sheet are net of allowances for doubtful receivables. An allowance for impairment is made where there is an identified loss event which, based on previous experience, is evidence of a reduction in the recoverability of the cash flows.
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National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Trustees' Report (continued)
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.
The law applicable to charities requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 24 January 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
......................................... Susan Owen-Johnson Chairman and trustee
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National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH) for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)'s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
Since National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)'s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of , which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH) as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair 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 report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
...................................... B Hayes BSc FCA Wenn Townsend Chartered Accountants
30 St Giles Oxford OX1 3LE
24 January 2025
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National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
| Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies 2 Charitable activities 3 Investment income 4 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 5 Total expenditure Net income Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 15 Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities 3 Investment income 4 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 5 Total expenditure Net expenditure Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 15 |
Unrestricted funds £ 3,000 315,337 906 319,243 (309,851) (309,851) 9,392 9,392 176,102 185,494 Unrestricted funds £ 29 258,013 361 258,403 (301,269) (301,269) (42,866) (42,866) 218,968 176,102 |
2024 £ 3,000 315,337 906 |
|---|---|---|
| 319,243 | ||
| (309,851) | ||
| (309,851) | ||
| 9,392 | ||
| 9,392 176,102 |
||
| 185,494 | ||
| 2023 £ 29 258,013 361 |
||
| 258,403 | ||
| (301,269) | ||
| (301,269) | ||
| (42,866) | ||
| (42,866) 218,968 |
||
| 176,102 |
All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2023 is shown in note 15.
The notes on pages 16 to 23 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 14
National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
(Registration number: 1166708) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | |
| Current assets | |||
| Debtors | 12 | 36,975 | 37,936 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 13 | 219,622 | 206,315 |
| 256,597 | 244,251 | ||
| Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year | 14 | (71,103) | (68,149) |
| Net assets | 185,494 | 176,102 | |
| Funds of the charity: | |||
| Unrestricted income funds | |||
| Unrestricted funds | 185,494 | 176,102 | |
| Total funds | 15 | 185,494 | 176,102 |
The financial statements on pages 14 to 23 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 24 January 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
......................................... Susan Owen-Johnson Chairman and trustee
The notes on pages 16 to 23 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 15
National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
1 Accounting policies
Statement of compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
Basis of preparation
National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH) meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.
The presentational currency is £.
Going concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
Income and endowments
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.
Income from charitable activities includes income from memberships, conference income of both delegates and exhibitors, peer reviews and attendance on the post graduate course.
Donations and legacies
Donations and legacies are recognised on a receivable basis when receipt is probable and the amount can be reliably measured.
Grants receivable
Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.
Expenditure
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Charitable activities
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
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National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
Grant provisions
Provisions for grants are made when the intention to make a grant has been communicated to the recipient but there is uncertainty about either the timing of the grant or the amount of grant payable.
Support costs
Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Governance costs
These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees meetings and reimbursed expenses.
Taxation
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
Fund structure
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Financial instruments
Classification
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the charity after deducting all of its liabilities.
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National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
Recognition and measurement
All financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at transaction price (including transaction costs), except for those financial assets classified as at fair value through profit or loss, which are initially measured at fair value (which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs), unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction. If an arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, the financial asset or financial liability is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are only offset in the statement of financial position when, and only when there exists a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and the charity intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Financial assets are derecognised when and only when a) the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire or are settled, b) the charity transfers to another party substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset, or c) the charity, despite having retained some, but not all, significant risks and rewards of ownership, has transferred control of the asset to another party.
Financial liabilities are derecognised only when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expires.
2 Income from donations and legacies
| Grants, including capital grants; Grants from other charities Total for 2024 Total for 2023 |
Unrestricted funds General £ 3,000 3,000 29 |
Total funds £ 3,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 3,000 | ||
| 29 |
During the year the Charity received funds of £3,000 from the University of Exeter in respect of their contributions to the KPMG Foundation project.
3 Income from charitable activities
| Membership Conference Post Graduate course Peer review |
Unrestricted funds General £ 114,150 165,118 28,500 7,569 315,337 |
2024 £ 114,150 165,118 28,500 7,569 315,337 |
2023 £ 74,975 131,938 39,100 12,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 258,013 |
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National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
4 Investment income
| Interest receivable and similar income; Interest receivable on bank deposits 5 Expenditure on charitable activities Note Membership Conference Post Graduate course Peer review Grant funding of activities Staff costs Allocated support costs 6 Governance costs 6 The membership costs are analysed as follows: Note Membership support costs Webinar & other training course costs IT and software costs Website costs Subscriptions and licences Research and development Advertising and PR External consultants' fees |
Unrestricted funds General £ 906 Unrestricted funds General £ 95,650 164,315 8,967 5,554 6,000 - 25,485 3,880 309,851 Unrestricted funds General £ 5,833 16,604 6,764 2,664 9,185 16,900 12,855 24,845 95,650 |
2024 £ 906 2024 £ 95,650 164,315 8,967 5,554 6,000 - 25,485 3,880 309,851 2024 £ 5,833 16,604 6,764 2,664 9,185 16,900 12,855 24,845 95,650 |
2023 £ 361 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 £ 55,232 127,927 35,008 19,397 6,000 10,034 26,254 21,417 |
|||
| 301,269 | |||
| 2023 £ 4,998 6,236 4,643 20,497 7,830 245 5,283 5,500 |
|||
| 55,232 |
For the year ended 31 March 2024, the research and development costs related to the Research Symposium held in February 2024 and the external consulting costs were primarily in relation to the Charity's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Project.
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National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
6 Analysis of governance and support costs
Support costs allocated to charitable activities
| Administration costs Development days Insurance Office expenses Trustee and board support Travel and subsistence Accountancy fees Bad debts written back Bank charges |
Administration costs £ 11,605 4,076 467 396 4,998 549 4,500 (1,914) 808 25,485 |
2024 £ 11,605 4,076 467 396 4,998 549 4,500 (1,914) 808 25,485 |
2023 £ 7,108 2,905 466 1,466 17,065 454 2,880 (6,708) 618 26,254 |
|---|---|---|---|
Following a review of financial processes of the Charity, the Trustees improved the collection of outstanding customer invoices from over the last four years and hence the write back of the previous bad debt provision during the period.
Governance costs
| Independent examiner fees Examination of the financial statements Legal fees Other governance costs |
Unrestricted funds General £ 880 3,000 - 3,880 |
2024 £ 880 3,000 - 3,880 |
2023 £ 820 18,597 2,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21,417 |
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National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
7 Grant-making
Analysis of grants
The support costs associated with grant-making are £Nil (31 March 2023 - £Nil).
Below are details of material grants made to institutions.
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name of institution | Activity | £ | £ |
| Attachment Research Community CIO Membership | 6,000 | 6,000 |
8 Trustees remuneration and expenses
No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.
No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the charity during the year.
9 Staff costs
The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:
| Staff costs during the year were: Wages and salaries |
2024 £ - |
2023 £ 10,034 |
|---|---|---|
The monthly average number of persons (including senior management / leadership team) employed by the charity during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows:
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | No | |||
| Administration | - | 1 |
No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year
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National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
10 Independent examiner's remuneration
| 10 Independent examiner's remuneration | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Examination of the financial statements | 880 | 820 |
11 Taxation
The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.
12 Debtors
| 12 Debtors | ||
|---|---|---|
| Trade debtors Prepayments |
2024 £ 21,606 15,369 36,975 |
2023 £ 25,622 12,314 |
| 37,936 |
13 Cash and cash equivalents
| Cash at bank 14 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Accruals |
2024 £ 219,622 2024 £ 61,585 9,518 71,103 |
2023 £ 206,315 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 £ 30,035 38,114 |
||
| 68,149 |
Page 22
National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH)
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
| 15 Funds Unrestricted funds General Unrestricted funds General |
Balance at 1 April 2023 £ 176,102 Balance at 1 April 2022 £ 218,968 |
Incoming resources £ 319,243 Incoming resources £ 258,403 |
Resources expended £ (309,851) Resources expended £ (301,269) |
Balance at 31 March 2024 £ 185,494 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at 31 March 2023 £ 176,102 |
16 Analysis of net assets between funds
| 16 Analysis of net assets between funds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Current assets Current liabilities Total net assets Current assets Current liabilities Total net assets |
Unrestricted funds General £ 256,597 (71,103) 185,494 Unrestricted funds General £ 244,251 (68,149) 176,102 |
Total funds at 31 March 2024 £ 256,597 (71,103) |
| 185,494 | ||
| Total funds at 31 March 2023 £ 244,251 (68,149) |
||
| 176,102 |
17 Related party transactions
There were no related party transactions in the year.
Page 23