THE WELSH SCHOOLS TRUST LTD
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1167479 COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NUMBER 04783466
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
31 AUGUST 2025
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The Welsh Schools Trust
Registered charity number 1167479 Company limited by guarantee number 04783466
Reference and Administrative Details
Board of Trustees
(Company Directors)
Ms Glenys Roberts (Chair)
Mr Ceredig Thomas (Vice-Chair)
Ms Carole Boyce (resigned 28 January 2025) Ms Rhiannon Evans (resigned 28 January 2025)
Dr Lynne Sykes (resigned 23 September 2025)
Mr David Edwards (appointed 24 September 2024) Ms Gwendoline Jones
Mr Ceri Myers (appointed 24 September 2024, resigned 23 September 2025) Ms Beverley Williams (appointed 24 September 2024)
Registered Office
73, Cornhill, London EC3V 3QQ
Correspondence address
Hanwell Community Centre, Wescott Crescent, London W7 1PD.
Independent Examiner
194-204 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3TQ
Insurance Brokers
Hayes Parsons, Colston Tower, Colston Street, Bristol BS1 4XE
Bankers
HSBC UK
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The Welsh Schools Trust Ltd.
Trustees’ and Directors’ Report 31/8/25
Purpose of the charity:
The London Welsh School (Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain) was established in 1958 by a group of parents to provide an education for children between the ages of 3 and 11yrs. The school is an Independent School with charitable status and registered as a company limited by guarantee. Its objective is to provide children with a bi-lingual education in Welsh and English by following the National Curriculum of Wales. The school operates on a non-selective basis and admits pupils without reference to ability or aptitude. The school’s Fee Policy includes a dispensation process, so that no child is turned away on financial grounds. The Trustees therefore believe that the public benefit objectives of The Charity Commission’s guidance are met.
Whilst aiming for the highest standards of academic education, the school’s ethos is based on Christian principles, which provides the pupils with a sound moral compass and nurtures the pupils in the best of British values. The pupils are encouraged to aim for excellence in every endeavour, to develop an enquiring mind, and to acquire a love of learning and of the Welsh language and culture.
Achievements and performance:
The school’s academic performance is monitored by three Trustees who are members of the Curriculum and Standards Sub-committee. The group meets twice a term with the Lead teacher to scrutinise and support the standard of teaching and learning from Early Years to Year 6. It monitors pupil attainment and progress, drawing on both formative and summative data. A summary of this information is provided for the Board’s scrutiny. The Board is satisfied with the results.
Throughout the year, the Board has worked diligently to support and advise the Lead teacher and Staff with regular meetings held between the Chair of Directors and the Lead teacher in which the Lead teacher is held to account and matters such as CPD of staff, resourcing and marketing are discussed.
The number on roll is increasing slowly with new children joining in Nursery. The number of families in Miri Mawr, our parents, babies and toddlers group that feeds the school, has increased significantly from 5 families to 15.
The Welsh School is resilient and as we plan for the future we will work to our strengths to share our common goal which is to offer our pupils a sound, high quality bilingual education within a nurturing environment. Our ties with the wider Welsh community in London are being strengthened with an active and hardworking PTFA.
The pupils participate in a wide range of extra-curricular activities in London and Wales. These include participating in the annual St. David’s Day Service at The Palace of Westminster, competing at the Urdd National Eisteddfod and, at the end of the Summer Term, a three day visit to the Urdd’s recreational centre at Llangrannog, to name but a few. Ofsted has commended our Personal Development provision as outstanding.
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The Welsh Schools Trust Ltd.
Trustees’ and Directors’ Report 31/8/25 (continued)
The school’s financial statements accompany this report. The Income and Expenditure account for the financial year to 31 August 2025 reports a shortfall of £10,460. This compares with a shortfall of £54,156 for the financial year to 31 August 2024.
The school’s total income of £227,240 for the year to 31 August 2025 is derived from three sources. Income from parental fees and the Nursery Education Grant provided by London Borough of Ealing amounted to 19.7% of the school’s total income. A further 39.6% of income is derived from a grant received from the Welsh Government. This has just been renewed for a further 3 years and is subject to the completion of a monthly progress report against targets set by the Government. Donations from institutions (including the Radnor Walk and Kings Cross Chapel Trusts), private individuals as well as the fundraising events of the school’s Parents Teachers Friends Association (PTFA) constitute the remaining 40.7% of the school’s income. Whilst the Welsh Government has pledged its grant for a further 3 years, the Trustees recognise that the school’s income remains highly volatile and it cannot be assumed that donations will continue at the current level. The school continues its efforts to increase pupil numbers as this is key to ensuring the future success of the school.
The five expense categories that account for 92% of the school expenses are staff salaries, pension and training costs; rent and cleaning for the school building payable to London Borough of Ealing; educational materials; insurance and depreciation of fixed assets.
Management accounts are prepared three times a year by our accountants at the end of each term and the results compared with the budget. Significant variances are investigated and explained.
Financial Outlook for 2025/2026 and 2026/2027
The financial outlook for the academic year 2025/2026 is more stable thanks to the continued support of the grant from the Welsh Government. However, challenges remain due to:
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The school’s fee income remains lower than optimum due to the continued low level of pupils on the roll which have still not recovered to pre COVID levels. The school’s strategy is to increase the pupil numbers through encouraging attendance of children to the Miri Mawr sessions and various campaigns around raising awareness of the school and its facilities.
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Expenses are tightly controlled but some increases are outside the control of the school and are not dependent on the number of pupils.
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The continued support of the Welsh Government is critical to the future success of the school and it is essential that the returns required by the Government are completed on time in order to ensure the monthly claims are successful.
The school is grateful to the continued support of the Trusts of Radnor Walk and Kings Cross Chapels as well as the vigorous fundraising efforts of the school’s PTFA. Increasing pupil numbers is key to the continued success of the school and the Trustees are exploring marketing and strategies to raise awareness of the school.
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The Welsh Schools Trust Ltd.
Trustees’ and Directors’ Report 31/8/25 (continued)
Structure, Governance and Management
The Welsh Schools Trust Ltd. is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. The charity operates as a school known as The London Welsh School / Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain. The address of the school is Hanwell Community Centre, Wescott Crescent, London W7 1PD.
The school is regulated by Ofsted and is registered as a charity. The school is also incorporated as a company limited by guarantee. The affairs of the school are governed by a Board of Directors. The Directors of the company are also the Trustees of the charity. A list of names of the Trustees is provided in the Reference and Administrative Section above.
Appropriate training is given to Board members on a regular basis. Board meetings are held twice a term i.e. six times a year. Certain duties are delegated to Board sub-committees which meet on a more frequent basis. These sub-committees comprise of the Curriculum and Standards Sub-committee, the Finance Sub-committee, and the Risk Sub-committee.
The Board maintains a Risk Register which covers the key strategic, reputational, operational, regulatory and financial risks of the school. The Risk Register is reviewed annually, with risks being prioritised appropriately. Controls to mitigate the risks are included in the Register.
Appropriate risks are insured with Ecclesiastical through brokers Hayes Parsons, a Bristol based broker specialising in school insurance. The Ecclesiastical policy includes employers' liability cover for £10 million, and Public and Product liability for £10 million, as well as other insurable risks.
We employ Solomon Belay as the school’s Data Protection Officer (DPO) who reviews General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) requirements and ensures that the school is compliant. No data breaches have been detected or reported by the school since the GDPR introduction in May 2018. All sensitive electronic school data is stored on the school’s central data server. Paper based sensitive school data is appropriately marked and stored securely in locked filing cabinets.
Information Technology Security is reviewed on a regular basis by Solomon Belay. All computers at the school have anti-virus protection installed (Sophos Intercept) and are protected with the latest antivirus definitions and software. A Sonic Wall firewall is installed on the school network to prevent unauthorised access from the internet to school systems.
The school has a close relationship with the Parents Teachers Friends Association (PTFA) which is open to all parents, carers and friends to join. It organises fundraising events involving the school families, the wider local community and supporters from Wales. The school receives donations from the fund-raising activities of the PTFA, which is shown as part of the school’s donation income. PTFA is registered as a separate charity.
Trustee report approved by:
Glenys Roberts (Chair)
15[th] May 2026
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Report of the Independent Examiner to the Trustees of The Welsh Schools Trust Ltd
I report on the accounts of The Welsh School Trust for the year ended 31st August 2025, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and the related notes, set out on pages 10 to 13.
This report is made solely to the Charity’s Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 8 of the Charities Act 2011. My examination has been undertaken so that I might state to the Charity’s Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity and the Charity’s Trustees as a body, for my examination, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The Charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity’s Trustees consider an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act; and
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To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes a consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 145 of the 2011 Act; and
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● to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
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have not been met.
I draw your attention to notes 2a and 2b that outline the uncertain status of the school beyond the completion of the summer term in 2025 and the basis of preparation of the accounts that takes this into account.
5, Market Yard Mews Thomas Ward FCA 194-204 Bermondsey Street Lonsdale Ward Limited London SE1 3TQ 15[[th]] May 2026
Lonsdale Ward Limited 15[[th]] May 2026
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The Welsh Schools Trust
Statement of Financial Activities (Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) For the year ended 31 August 2025
| Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ Notes Income from: Donations and legacies Grants received 3 107,789 Donations 85,103 Charitable activities Parental contributions 29,681 Sundry income 2,386 Investments Bank interest received 2,281 Total Income 227,240 Expenditure on: Charitable activities Educational materials 4,319 Support costs 4 233,381 Total Expenditure 237,700 Excess of expenditure over income (10,460) Total Funds Brought Forward 72,605 Total Funds Carried Forward at 31 August 2025 62,145 |
Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 100,703 78,139 34,649 232 3,708 217,431 6,494 265,092 271,586 (54,155) 126,760 72,605 |
|---|---|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 10 to 13 form part of the financial statements.
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The Welsh Schools Trust
Company registration number : 04783466
Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2025
Tangible Fixed Assets Current Assets Cash at bank Debtors Creditors, amounts falling due within one year Net Current Assets Net Assets Unrestricted Funds General funds Designated funds |
Note 7 8 9 9 |
2025 | £ 527 61,618 62,145 62,145 - 62,145 |
2024 | 2024 | £ 1,038 71,567 |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ 61,479 7,500 68,979 (7,361) £ £ |
|||||||||||
The company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year ended 31st August 2025 in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The Directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to small companies subject to the small companies regime and in accordance with the provisions of FRS 102 SORP.
Approved by the Board of Trustees on 15[th] May 2026 And signed on their behalf by:
Glenys Roberts - Director
The notes on pages 10 to 13 form part of the financial statements.
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The Welsh Schools Trust Ltd
Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ending 31 August 2025
| Note Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash (used)/provided by Operating activities10 Cash flows from investing activities Interest Change in cash and cash equivalents In the reporting period Cash and cash equivalents at the start of the reporting period Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period |
2025 £ (19,853) 2,281 (17,572) 79,051 £ 61,479 |
2024 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ (49,268) 3,708 (45,580) 124,631 79,051 |
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The Welsh School Trusts
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 August 2025
1. General information
The London Welsh School (Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain) is an Independent School with charitable status and registered as a company limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales. Its objective is to provide children with a bi-lingual education in Welsh and English by following the National Curriculum of Wales, and to nurture the children in the best of British values. The charity is a public benefit entity. The address of its registered office is 73, Cornhill, London EC3V 3QQ.
2 . Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
- (a) Basis of accounting
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and the Companies Act 2006.
The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies that have been applied to all periods presented in these financial statements are set out below.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with FRS 102 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the accounting policies selected for use by the Charity. Use of available information and application of judgement are inherent in the formation of estimates. Actual outcomes in the future could differ from such estimates.
- (b) Going concern
There are material uncertainties over whether the school will have adequate resources to enable it to continue after the completion of the summer term in 2026. The Trustees have adopted the going concern basis for preparing these accounts which assumes that the school will continue for at least 12 months from the date these accounts are approved by the board. In the opinion of the Trustees any adjustments to these accounts in the event that the school was required to close would not be material.
- (c) Income recognition
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the Charity becomes legally entitled to the income, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
Income from government and other grants are recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.
- (d) Expenditure recognition
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required, and the
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amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. All expenditure is charged to the SOFA on an accruals basis.
The Welsh Schools Trust Ltd Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 August 2025
2 . Accounting Policies (continued)
(e) Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulative impairment losses. Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost, less any residual value, of each asset evenly over its estimated useful life as follows:
Land and buildings Equipment
33% straight line 33% straight line
(f) Gifts in kind
Gifts in kind are brought into account at their estimated market value at the time the relevant gifts are made.
(g) Debtors
School fee and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due less any impairment losses for bad or doubtful debts.
(h) Creditors and provisions
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the School has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
- (i) Financial instruments
Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at amortised cost. Financial assets comprise cash at bank and in hand, together with trade and other debtors. A specific provision is made for debts for which recoverability is in doubt. Cash at bank and in hand is defined as all cash held in bank accounts and used as working capital. Financial liabilities held at amortised cost comprise all creditors except social security and other taxes and provisions.
(j) Pensions
Contributions to defined contribution plans are expensed in the periods to which they relate.
(k) Fund accounting
The general funds of the School represent unrestricted funds expendable at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds which have been set aside by the Trustees for a specific purpose.
3. Grants
| Welsh Government London Borough of Ealing Other local authorities |
2025 90,000 15,489 2,300 |
2024 90,000 8,403 2,300 |
|---|---|---|
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£ 107,789 £ 100,703
The Welsh Schools Trust Ltd Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 August 2025
4. Charitable expenditure – support costs
| Staff costs Property costs Administrative expenses £ |
2025 176,470 25,448 31,463 233,381 £ |
2024 201,890 28,601 34,592 265,092 |
|---|---|---|
Administrative expenses include an independent examiner’s fee of £750 (2024 - £690).
5. Salaries
| Staff costs Wages and salaries Social Security Costs Pension costs £ |
145,405 6,897 24,168 176,470 £ |
170,551 9,178 22,170 201,890 |
|---|---|---|
The average number of employees during the year was 6 (2024: 6), engaged in the management and operation of the school.
During the year no employee received emoluments above £60,000 (2024: Nil).
Key management is considered to be the Trustees. No trustees received any remuneration or were reimbursed for expenses incurred.
6. Taxation
The Trust is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
7. Fixed assets
| ixed assets | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost As at 1st September 2024 Additions At 31stAugust 2025 Depreciation As at 1st September 2024 Charge for the period As at 31st August 2025 Net book value As at 31st August 2025 |
Land and Buildings £ 14,000 - 14,000 14,000 - 14,000 - |
Equipment £ 15,176 15,176 14,138 511 14,649 527 |
Total £ 29,176 |
|||
| 29,176 28,138 511 |
||||||
| 28,649 527 |
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As at 31st August 2024 - 1,038 1,038
The Welsh Schools Trust Ltd Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 August 2025
8. Creditors – amounts falling due within one year
| Creditors – amounts falling due within one year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other taxation and social security payable Accruals £ |
2025 1,891 5,470 7,361 £ |
2024 2,812 4,672 7,484 |
2024 | |
9. Summary of Funds
| As at 1stSeptember 2024 Deficit for the year At 31st August 2025 |
General Funds 72,605 (10,460) 62,145 |
Designated Funds - - |
Total Funds 72,605 (10,460) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62,145 |
All funds are unrestricted.
10. Notes to the cash flow statement
Reconciliation of net income to net cash inflow from operating activities:
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Net (expenditure)/income | (10,460) | (54,155) |
| Bank interest receivable | (2,281) | (3,708) |
| Depreciation | 511 | 896 |
| (Increase)/Decrease in debtors | (7,500) | 6,308 |
| Increase/(Decrease) in creditors | (123) | 1,371 |
| –––––––– | –––––––– | |
| Net cash provided (used) by operating activities |
(19,853) | (49,288) |
| –––––––– | –––––––– |