**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 06759008 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1168587**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND**
## **UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **FOR**
## **THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
Chariot House Limited Chartered Accountants 44 Grand Parade Brighton East Sussex BN2 9QA
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
|||**Page**||
|---|---|---|---|
|**Report of the Trustees**|1|to|6|
|**Independent Examiner's Report**||7||
|**Statement of Financial Activities**||8||
|**Balance Sheet**|9|to|10|
|**Cash Flow Statement**||11||
|**Notes to the Cash Flow Statement**||12||
|**Notes to the Financial Statements**|13|to|27|
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st August 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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) (effective 1 January 2019).
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
## **Objectives and aims**
The Garden Classroom (TGC) is a multi award-winning charity based in North East London. We offer a wide range of nature connection experiences to some of the most nature-deprived people in the UK. We do what we do to support the long term health and happiness of our communities and to inspire and nurture a collective care of the environment.
Our aims are as follows:
- To advance education, particularly amongst children, young people and families from inner city areas, by providing creative outdoor experiences that inspire and educate while nurturing a respect for the natural environment.
- To provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation for such children, young people and families with the object of improving their mental health and well-being and enabling them to enjoy the physical, emotional and social benefits that come from having a connection with nature.
## Our Programme Areas
We have designed and delivered programmes across our five departments, each providing complementary approaches to meeting our overall stated aims.
**- Community** : a range of events and activities for the general community, ranging from families and under 5's, to activities for elders in local parks, to gardening and nature themed community events;
**- Countryside** : a range of opportunities for school groups to experience day and residential visits in the Kent and Sussex countryside;
**- Education:** providing curriculum-linked learning in areas covering STEM, literacy, and more; and extra curricular experiences to school groups in an outdoor setting;
**- Training** : providing Forest School Association (FSA) accredited Forest School training, ITC First accredited First Aid and other, specialised outdoor training throughout the year;
**- Urban Forest School** : offering schools a structured series (minimum 10 weeks) of child-led activities in hyper local urban green spaces.
## Our Volunteers
Volunteers are essential to the work and services of TGC. Among other services they provide:
- Direct support for TGC's Education, Urban Forest School, Community and Countryside programmes
- Strategic support from time to time with our operational activities, e.g. financial advice, systems advice.
All volunteers who work directly with our beneficiaries are DBS checked and receive a thorough induction and training prior to starting. Volunteers and freelancers have on occasion also moved into permanent roles with TGC.
This year, volunteers supported the work of TGC over more than 1400 hours.
Page 1
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **STRATEGIC REPORT Achievement and performance**
## **Charitable activities**
This year marked TGC's 15th anniversary and we are happy to report our highest ever delivery level: 1641 two-hour nature connection sessions for 11,049 members of our community. This is 42% more sessions than 22-23 and 32% more than 21-22, our previous busiest year.
We experienced a surge in demand in 20-21 after Covid lockdowns, when access to nature was a priority for urban communities. Four years have now passed, and demand for our work continues to grow despite the waning of this theme in public discourse amid the prevalence of other important issues.
Whilst our beneficiary numbers continue to trend upwards, the growth has not been linear. This is because for some programmes we have been prioritising repeated connection with the same beneficiaries for improved outcomes. For example, with the growth of our Urban Forest School department, where we offer a minimum of ten sessions per child; and our Education department where we successfully piloted new programmes with multiple visits for the same children.
## Sessional Traded Income
Historically, around 50% of our annual income is from schools who pay a subsidised fee towards the programmes their children attend. We supplement this with fundraised income from trusts, foundations, corporations and individuals to ensure our programmes are accessible.
In 23-24 nearly a quarter of inner London primary schools were in deficit which means there is considerable pressure on our customer base to cut costs. Despite this, we increased our school income by 35% from 22-23. This was achieved primarily through increased activity, though we also introduced modest price increases on the previous year.
## Fundraised Income
Our priorities for fundraised income in 23-24 continued to be maintaining good relationships with repeat funders, income diversification, and securing multi year funding where possible. We raised 10% more than the previous year from these sources.
## Looking forward
This year we finalised our three year programme strategy. This outlines our plan to continue running popular existing programmes whilst staying responsive to the changing needs of our community by piloting and developing new programmes each year. We created a corresponding three year finance and operational strategy which focuses on building financial resilience by achieving the right balance of traded and fundraised income, the right balance of payroll to freelance staff, building our unrestricted reserves, professionalising systems, and good governance.
## Charitable Activity
Please refer to our 2023-24 Impact Report, available on our website, for full details of our charitable activity this year.
## **Financial review**
## **Financial position**
In 23-24 income was £691,328 (22-23 £575,244) and expenditure was £711,202 (22-23 £571,183) creating a loss of -£19,874 (22-23 surplus £4,061).
In 23-24 we sought to increase organisational stability by employing more staff and relying less on freelancers. This has enabled us to undertake key organisational development, such as the creation of the three year strategy which is now guiding our day-to-day operations. However, we realise that the seasonal and sessional nature of our work means we do still need to have a large freelance support available as is evidenced by a 14% increase in freelancer costs, despite the growth of the payroll team (as stated above, we also increased our delivery by 42% this year). This is a key operational area we are monitoring and refining.
Page 2
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **STRATEGIC REPORT**
## **Financial review**
## **Investment policy and objectives**
The Trustees have considered the most appropriate policy for investing surplus funds and have found that bank deposit accounts provide the appropriate combination of security, accessibility, and income growth.
## **Reserves policy**
The Trustees consider it prudent to maintain an adequate level of unrestricted reserves to cover the Charity's contractual commitments and provide sufficient working capital and to accumulate funds towards the costs of achieving future objectives of the Charity.
As at the year end, accounts showed funds of £106,956 (2023 - £126,830), of which £67,475 (2023 - £69,125) was restricted. The unrestricted funds held by the charity are £39,481 (2023 - £57,705).
The current level of unrestricted reserves is not considered sufficient and work is ongoing to bring reserves to a sufficient level. The Trustees have reviewed the circumstances of the charity for the foreseeable future and are of the view that the charity is a going concern.
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document**
The Garden Classroom is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee and not having a capital divided by shares. It is also known locally as the acronym 'TGC'.
The company was incorporated on 26th November 2008 and is a registered charity constituted as a Limited Company under the Memorandum and Articles of Association. The organisation registered as a charity with the Charity Commission on 3rd August 2016.
The charity is established under written Articles (filed 3rd August 2016) that established the objects and powers of the charity. The charity registration number is 1168587 and the company registration number is 06759008.
## **Recruitment and appointment of new trustees**
Individuals are sought who have an interest in one or more areas of work of TGC and can offer areas of specialism where appropriate. After a three-year term (as registered at Companies House and the Charity Commission), Trustees / Directors are able to retire from office or may proffer to extend their term for a further period deemed suitable by fellow Trustees. A Trustee / Director shall cease to hold office if (s)he is absent without permission of the Directors from all their meetings held within a period of six consecutive months, and the directors resolve that his / her office be vacated.
## **Organisational structure**
The Board of Trustees (who are also Directors) shall not be less than three. The charitable company is organised so that Trustees meet at least five times a year as a board with termly sub-committees to discuss health, safety & wellbeing, safeguarding, HR, fundraising and finance. Here any major risks to which the charity is exposed are reviewed and systems and procedures are established to manage those risks. If the need arises, there will be occasional extra meetings to discuss issues or challenges, which arise unexpectedly. Trustees host an annual meeting with the Senior Management Team to discuss the development and implementation of the development plan and to inform the decisions made by Trustees about the future direction of the charity.
The daily operations are the responsibility of the CEO, who has overall leadership for the various activities projects and reports formally, on a regular basis, to the board of trustees.
Page 3
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Induction and training of new trustees**
New Trustee / Directors are inducted to fully understand the work and culture of TGC and are provided with information on the roles and responsibilities of Trustee / Directors. They are also required to read key documents i.e. Charity Commission guidance on 'How To Be A Good Trustee'. The Trustees maintain a good working knowledge of charity and company law and best practice by attendance at charity and company courses run by outside providers. New Trustees are given copies of the Memorandum and Articles of Association as filed at Companies House and the Charity Commission.
## **Wider network**
The charity has partnerships with the following charities and organisations with which it co-operates in pursuit of its charitable objectives:
- London Borough of Islington
- King Henry's Walk Garden
- ITC first
- Boomars family
- Ryewell Wood
- Quadrangle Trust
- Council for Learning Outside of the Classroom
## **Risk management**
The Trustees actively review the major risks which the charity faces on a regular basis, and believe that our three year strategy for increasing unrestricted reserves from the current levels, combined with continued annual review of the controls over key financial systems will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse circumstances. The Trustees have also examined the operational and business risks faced by the charity and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks.
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number**
06759008 (England and Wales)
## **Registered Charity number**
1168587
## **Registered office**
Newington Green Park Building 2 Newington Green Islington London N1 4RF
Page 4
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **Trustees**
Ms G Adams M M Desai (appointed 26/9/2024) V Jain Miss J Martin (appointed 26/1/2024) Miss R Metcalf (appointed 26/9/2024) Miss S Nakayama (appointed 26/9/2024) R Patel Miss K A Snelling (appointed 26/1/2024) Ms S V Whitehouse Dr T M Willy (appointed 26/9/2024) R Burns (resigned 31/8/2024) S Khaled (resigned 18/8/2024)
## **Company Secretary**
Miss K A Snelling
## **Independent Examiner**
Dr Shona F Wardrop C.A. Chariot House Limited Chartered Accountants 44 Grand Parade Brighton East Sussex BN2 9QA
## **Senior Management Personnel**
Marnie Rose - Chief Executive Officer (resigned 31/8/2024) Senior Managers: Amy Haworth, Rohan Knox, Siri O'Neal, Millie Darling, Sarah Davies.
## **Banks**
The Co-operative Bank Skelmersdale WN8 6WT
CAF 30 Old Broad Street City of London London EC2N 1HT
Lloyds 98 Victoria Street London SW1E 5JL
## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES**
The trustees (who are also the directors of The Garden Classroom for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Page 5
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES - continued**
Company law 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 charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Report of the trustees, incorporating a strategic report, approved by order of the board of trustees, as the company directors, on 24[th] April 2025 and signed on the board's behalf by:
R Patel - Trustee
Page 6
**INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Garden Classroom ('the Company')**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31st August 2024.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or
4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).
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.
Dr Shona F Wardrop C.A. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
Chariot House Limited Chartered Accountants 44 Grand Parade Brighton East Sussex BN2 9QA
Date: 14[th] May 2025
Page 7
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
|Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
Donations and legacies
2
51,694
**Charitable activities**
4
Charitable activities
363,122
Investment income
3
2,002
Other income
1,390
**Total**
418,208
**EXPENDITURE ON**
Raising funds
5
48,533
**Charitable activities**
6
Charitable activities
387,899
**Total**
436,432
**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
(18,224)
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
Total funds brought forward
57,705
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**
39,481|Restricted
funds
£
89,051
184,069
-
-
273,120
-
274,770
274,770
(1,650)
69,125
67,475|2024
Total
funds
£
140,745
547,191
2,002
1,390
691,328
48,533
662,669
711,202
(19,874)
126,830
106,956|2023
Total
funds
£
138,144
433,451
919
2,728|
|---|---|---|---|
||||575,242|
||||45,756
525,425|
||||571,181|
||||4,061
122,769|
||||126,830|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 8
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **BALANCE SHEET 31ST AUGUST 2024**
|Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible assets
12
4,226
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
13
17,845
Cash at bank and in hand
33,731
51,576
**CREDITORS**
Amounts falling due within one year
14
(16,321)
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
35,255
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT**
**LIABILITIES**
39,481
**NET ASSETS**
39,481
**FUNDS**
15
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Restricted
funds
£
-
-
67,475
67,475
-
67,475
67,475
67,475|2024
Total
funds
£
4,226
17,845
101,206
119,051
(16,321)
102,730
106,956
106,956
39,481
67,475
106,956|2023
Total
funds
£
3,154
12,480
150,090
162,570
(38,894)
123,676
126,830
126,830
57,705
69,125
126,830|
|---|---|---|---|
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31st August 2024.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31st August 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for
- (a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
- (b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 24[th] April 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
The notes form part of these financial statements
continued...
Page 9
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **BALANCE SHEET - continued 31ST AUGUST 2024**
R Patel - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 10
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **CASH FLOW STATEMENT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
|Notes
**Cash flows from operating activities**
Cash generated from operations
1
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities
**Cash flows from investing activities**
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Interest received
Net cash used in investing activities
**Change in cash and cash equivalents in the**
**reporting period**
**Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning**
**of the reporting period**
**Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the**
**reporting period**|2024
£
(47,347)
(47,347)
(3,539)
2,002
(1,537)
(48,884)
150,090
101,206|2023
£
6,483
6,483
(2,981)
919
(2,062)
4,421
145,669
150,090|
|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 11
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **1. RECONCILIATION OF NET (EXPENDITURE)/INCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES**
|**Net (expenditure)/income for the reporting period (as per the Statement**
**of Financial Activities)**
**Adjustments for:**
Depreciation charges
Interest received
Increase in debtors
(Decrease)/increase in creditors
**Net cash (used in)/provided by operations**|2024
£
(19,874)
2,466
(2,002)
(5,365)
(22,572)
(47,347)|2023
£
4,061
2,577
(919)
(11,685)
12,449
6,483|
|---|---|---|
## **2. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS**
||At 1/9/23|Cash flow|At 31/8/24|
|---|---|---|---|
||£|£|£|
|**Net cash**||||
|Cash at bank and in hand|150,090|(48,884)|101,206|
||150,090|(48,884)|101,206|
|**Total**|150,090|(48,884)|101,206|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 12
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **Basis of preparing the financial statements**
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and on that basis the charity is considered to be a going concern.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the entity, and are rounded to the nearest £1.
## **Income**
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
## **Grant Income**
Grants are credited to the SoFA when the charity is entitled to the funds. Income is only deferred where there are time constraints imposed by the donor or the funding is performance related.
Where entitlement to grants receivable is dependent on fulfilment of conditions within the charity's control, the income is recognised where there is sufficient evidence that conditions will be met.
Grants supporting core activities of the charity and with no specific restrictions placed on their use are included with donations and legacies. Grants that have specific restrictions placed on their use are included within income from charitable activities.
## **Donations and Legacies**
Donations are recognised in the period in which they are received. Legacy income is recognised when the charity's entitlement is judged to be probable and there the amount can be reliably measured.
## **Contract Income**
Income from charitable activities includes income recognised as earned (as the related goods and services are provided) under contract.
## **Investment Income**
Investment income is included when receivable.
## **Expenditure**
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 a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
continued...
Page 13
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued**
## **Expenditure**
Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:
a) Cost of raising funds comprises costs of seeking grants and donations.
b) Expenditure on charitable activities includes expenditure associated with the main objectives of the charity and include both the direct costs and support costs relating to these activities.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a costs against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
## **Allocation and apportionment of support costs**
Support costs are those functions which assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back office costs, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs which support the charity's programme and activities. These costs have been allocated between the cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities. The basis on which support costs have been allocated are set out in the notes to the accounts.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Computer equipment - 33% on cost
Tangible fixed assets costing more than £700 are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
## **Taxation**
The Charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 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 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 accounting**
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
## **Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits**
The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
## **Volunteers and donated services and facilities**
Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102), the general volunteer time of the charity is not recognised in the main body of the financial accounts, but detail is contained in the Trustees' report.
continued...
Page 14
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued**
## **Volunteers and donated services and facilities**
On receipt, donated professional services, donated facilities and goods are recognised on the basis of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic value on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt, providing that it can be measured reliably.
## **Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty**
In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the charity is required to make judgments, estimates and assumptions about the carrying value 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 considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing 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 the current and future periods.
There are no estimates and assumptions that are considered to have a significant risk of causing a material adjustments to the financial statements in a future period.
## **Financial instruments**
The charity has only financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and are subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
## Financial Assets
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any discounts due.
## Financial Liabilities
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity 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 discounts due.
continued...
Page 15
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES**
|Donations
Grants
Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:
Pinsent Masons LLP
Steve Edge
PBJ Management
B-SIDE MANAGEMENT
M&G Grant
The Big Give Trust
Crowdfunder Ltd
The City Bridge Trust
Postcode Lottery Fund
Garfield Weston Foundation
The Philip King Charitable Trust
Alchemy Foundation
Axis Foundation
Hindmeck Ltd
**3.**
**INVESTMENT INCOME**
Deposit account interest|2024
£
6,086
134,659
140,745
2024
£
28,400
-
-
-
3,500
5,608
-
54,143
-
30,000
-
1,000
2,008
10,000
134,659
2024
£
2,002|2023
£
2,561
135,583
138,144
2023
£
15,290
3,876
5,000
10,000
3,500
2,176
11,967
27,883
18,391
30,000
7,500
-
-
-
135,583
2023
£
919|
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 16
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **4. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**
|Activity
Session income/Traded
income
Charitable activities
Grants
Charitable activities
Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:
Clarion Futures
South Downs Trust
Goldman Sachs Gives/Boomaars Family
The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
The Cleary Foundation
The Nineveh Charitable Trust
Hedley Foundation
The Bryan Guinness Charitable Trust
National Lottery Community Fund
Responsible Travel
Richard Cloudesley
Enterprise Development Fund
London Borough of Islington
UBS Business Solutions
Grant income under £1,000
London Borough of Hackney
The Hobson Charity
Hubbub Foundation
The Bowerman Charitable Trust
Chapman Charitable Trust
Cobb Charitable Trust
Charles S French
Orpington Foundation
Robert McAlpine
Sussex Lund Trust
Groundwork London
Kusuma Trust UK
The Pixel Fund
Access Reach
Progress UK
South Downs Trust
Sainsburys|2024
£
317,020
230,171
547,191
2024
£
7,484
14,900
35,000
4,000
-
4,000
-
7,500
-
-
-
19,139
28,754
-
3,348
9,136
3,035
5,000
1,260
2,000
1,500
3,000
25,000
1,500
5,257
5,000
14,858
7,500
9,650
1,350
9,500
1,500
230,171|2023
£
238,165
195,286
433,451
2023
£
5,000
18,480
40,000
4,000
1,500
4,965
5,000
2,000
9,994
1,500
10,000
10,861
52,916
28,021
1,049
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
195,286|
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 17
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **5. RAISING FUNDS**
## **Raising donations and legacies**
|**Raising donations and legacies**|||
|---|---|---|
|Staff costs
Freelance Fundraiser
Support costs|2024
£
34,416
14,117
-
48,533|2023
£
39,246
-
6,510|
|||45,756|
A percentage of Support costs has not been allocated to Fundraising this year on the grounds that these will have fallen with the engagement of a Freelance Fundraiser.
## **6. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS**
|Support
Direct
costs (see
Costs
note 7)
£
£
Charitable activities
624,054
38,615
**7.**
**SUPPORT COSTS**
Governance
Management
costs
£
£
Charitable activities
31,376
7,239
**8.**
**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**||Totals
£
662,669|
|---|---|---|
|||Totals
£
38,615|
||||
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):
||2024|2023|
|---|---|---|
||£|£|
|Depreciation - owned assets|2,467|2,576|
|Independent examiners' fees|3,120|2,640|
continued...
Page 18
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **9. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS**
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31st August 2024 nor for the year ended 31st August 2023.
## **Trustees' expenses**
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31st August 2024 nor for the year ended 31st August 2023.
## **10. STAFF COSTS**
|**STAFF COSTS**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
Direct charitable work
Finance and administration staff||2024
£
363,742
25,717
9,147
398,606
2024
14
1
15||2023
£
290,460
22,021
7,307
319,788
2023
9
1
10|
||||||
||||||
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
The average number of employees on a Full Time Equivalent basis was 11 (2023: 9)
The key senior management personnel of the charity comprise the Trustees, the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Management Team. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £179,960 (2023: £81,846), being gross pay, employers' national insurance and employers' pension contributions.
## **11. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
|Unrestricted
fund
£
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
Donations and legacies
51,437
**Charitable activities**
Charitable activities
239,665
Investment income
919
Other income
2,728
**Total**
294,749|Restricted
funds
£
86,707
193,786
-
-
280,493|Total
funds
£
138,144
433,451
919
2,728|
|---|---|---|
|||575,242|
continued...
Page 19
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
|**11.**
**COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued**
Unrestricted
Restricted
fund
funds
£
£
**EXPENDITURE ON**
Raising funds
45,756
-
**Charitable activities**
Charitable activities
264,225
261,200
**Total**
309,981
261,200
**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
(15,232)
19,293
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
Total funds brought forward
72,937
49,832
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**
57,705
69,125
**12.**
**TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**
Fixtures
and
Computer
fittings
equipment
£
£
**COST**
At 1st September 2023
6,261
14,836
Additions
-
3,539
At 31st August 2024
6,261
18,375
**DEPRECIATION**
At 1st September 2023
5,095
12,848
Charge for year
292
2,175
At 31st August 2024
5,387
15,023
**NET BOOK VALUE**
At 31st August 2024
874
3,352
At 31st August 2023
1,166
1,988|Total
funds
£
45,756
525,425|
|---|---|
||571,181|
||4,061
122,769|
||126,830|
||Totals
£
21,097
3,539
24,636
17,943
2,467
20,410
4,226
3,154|
continued...
Page 20
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **13. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
|Trade debtors
Other debtors
**14.**
**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
Trade creditors
Social security and other taxes
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income|2024
£
17,845
-
17,845
2024
£
1,516
9,761
1,884
3,160
16,321|2023
£
11,980
500
12,480
2023
£
6,339
-
1,401
31,154
38,894|
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 21
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **15. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**Restricted funds**
M&G Grant
Ths Big Give Trust
Crowdfunder Ltd
The City Bridge Trust 2023/24
Postcode Lottery Fund
Clarion Futures
National Lottery Community Fund
Enterprise Development Fund
London Borough of Islington
Alchemy Foundation
Axis Foundation
London Borough of Hackney
Hubbub Foundation
Orpington Foundation
Robert McAlpine
Groundwork London
The City Bridge Trust 2024/25
Pinsent Masons LLP 2024/25
South Downs Trust 2024//25
Sainsburys
Access Reach
**TOTAL FUNDS**|At 1/9/23
£
57,705
-
2,176
6,428
16,107
16,919
-
5,293
4,826
17,376
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
69,125
126,830|Net
movement
in funds
£
(18,224)
1,064
(2,176)
(6,428)
(15,796)
(16,919)
725
(5,293)
(4,826)
(12,376)
1,000
1,559
9,136
550
881
1,259
2,671
10,069
12,900
9,500
1,500
9,350
(1,650)
(19,874)|At
31/8/24
£
39,481
1,064
-
-
311
-
725
-
-
5,000
1,000
1,559
9,136
550
881
1,259
2,671
10,069
12,900
9,500
1,500
9,350
67,475
106,956|
|---|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 22
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **15. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**Restricted funds**
Pinsent Masons LLP 2023/24
M&G Grant
Ths Big Give Trust
Crowdfunder Ltd
The City Bridge Trust 2023/24
Postcode Lottery Fund
Clarion Futures
South Downs Trust 2023/24
Goldman Sachs Gives/Boomaars Family
The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
The Ninevsh Charitable Trust
National Lottery Community Fund
Enterprise Development Fund
London Borough of Islington
Progress UK
Alchemy Foundation
Axis Foundation
London Borough of Hackney
The Hobson Charity
Hubbub Foundation
The Bowerman Charitable Trust
Orpington Foundation
Robert McAlpine
Sussex Lund Trust
Groundwork London
Kusuma Trust UK
The Pixel Fund
The City Bridge Trust 2024/25
Pinsent Masons LLP 2024/25
South Downs Trust 2024//25
Sainsburys
Access Reach
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Incoming
resources
£
418,207
12,000
3,500
-
-
27,883
-
7,485
14,900
35,000
4,000
4,000
-
19,139
-
1,350
1,000
2,008
9,136
3,035
5,000
1,260
25,000
1,500
5,257
5,000
14,858
7,500
26,260
16,400
9,500
1,500
9,650|Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(436,431)
(18,224)
(12,000)
-
(2,436)
1,064
(2,176)
(2,176)
(6,428)
(6,428)
(43,679)
(15,796)
(16,919)
(16,919)
(6,760)
725
(14,900)
-
(35,000)
-
(4,000)
-
(4,000)
-
(5,293)
(5,293)
(23,965)
(4,826)
(12,376)
(12,376)
(1,350)
-
-
1,000
(449)
1,559
-
9,136
(3,035)
-
(4,450)
550
(1,260)
-
(24,119)
881
(241)
1,259
(5,257)
-
(2,329)
2,671
(14,858)
-
(7,500)
-
(16,191)
10,069
(3,500)
12,900
-
9,500
-
1,500
(300)
9,350
(274,771)
(1,650)
(711,202)
(19,874)|
|---|---|---|
||273,121
691,328|(274,771)
(711,202)|
continued...
Page 23
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **15. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
## **Comparatives for movement in funds**
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**Restricted funds**
Ths Big Give Trust
Crowdfunder Ltd
Garfield Weston Foundation
The City Bridge Trust 2023/24
Postcode Lottery Fund
Steve Edge
National Lottery Community Fund
Enterprise Development Fund
London Borough of Islington
Progress UK
**TOTAL FUNDS**|At 1/9/22
£
72,937
-
-
30,000
-
-
5,002
-
-
10,414
4,416
49,832
122,769|Net
movement
in funds
£
(15,232)
2,176
6,428
(30,000)
16,107
16,919
(5,002)
5,293
4,826
6,962
(4,416)
19,293
4,061|At
31/8/23
£
57,705
2,176
6,428
-
16,107
16,919
-
5,293
4,826
17,376
-
69,125
126,830|
|---|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 24
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **15. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**Restricted funds**
Pinsent Masons LLP 2023/24
M&G Grant
Ths Big Give Trust
Crowdfunder Ltd
Garfield Weston Foundation
The City Bridge Trust 2023/24
Postcode Lottery Fund
The Philip King Charitable Trust
Clarion Futures
South Downs Trust 2023/24
Goldman Sachs Gives/Boomaars Family
Steve Edge
The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
The Cleary Foundation
The Ninevsh Charitable Trust
Hedley Foundation
The Bryan Guinness Charitable Trust
National Lottery Community Fund
Richard Cloudesley
Enterprise Development Fund
London Borough of Islington
UBS Business Solutions
Progress UK
Grant income & __< 1,001
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Incoming
resources
£
294,749
15,290
3,500
2,176
11,967
-
27,883
18,391
7,500
5,000
18,480
40,000
-
4,000
1,500
4,965
5,000
2,000
9,994
10,000
10,861
52,916
28,021
-
1,049
280,493
575,242|Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(309,981)
(15,232)
(15,290)
-
(3,500)
-
-
2,176
(5,539)
6,428
(30,000)
(30,000)
(11,776)
16,107
(1,472)
16,919
(7,500)
-
(5,000)
-
(18,480)
-
(40,000)
-
(5,002)
(5,002)
(4,000)
-
(1,500)
-
(4,965)
-
(5,000)
-
(2,000)
-
(4,701)
5,293
(10,000)
-
(6,035)
4,826
(45,954)
6,962
(28,021)
-
(4,416)
(4,416)
(1,049)
-
(261,200)
19,293
(571,181)
4,061|
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 25
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **15. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
## **Description, nature and purpose of restricted funds:**
**The Bryan Guinness Charitable Trust** - Grant towards pilot programme at The Quadrangle Trust, Kent.
**Charles S.French Charitable Trust** - Islington young carers' camping residential.
**The Cleary Foundation** - Grant towards recovery and wellness sessions for schools.
**The City Bridge Trust (Bridging Divides)** - Grant towards Community Education Manager and Finance Officer salary and on costs.
**Garfield Weston Foundation** - Grant towards salary costs and grant towards the review processes and policies and premises signage costs.
**Goldman Sachs Gives / Boomaars Family** - Grant towards Countryside Experience project at Hobbs Hill Farm.
**The Hedley Foundation** - Young Carer's camping residential.
**London Borough of Islington** - Several grants received for different purposes.
**The National Lottery** - Little Explorers drop in parent and toddler group.
**The Nineveh Charitable Trust** - Grant towards the salary of the Away Manager.
**The Orpington Foundation** - Donation towards Education and Community manager salary, insurance, accountancy, comms and Line events for teachers.
**The Philip King Charitable Trust** - Grant towards consultant support for CEO and Senior Management Team.
**Pinsent Masons PPL** - Grant towards a programme of Urban Forest School for a Hackney School.
**Progress UK** - For TGC to deliver Nesta Theory of Change Level II work.
**South Downs National Park Trust** - Grant towards school residentials.
**The Swire Charitable Trust** - Grant towards Urban Forest School Programme and a grant towards the salary of the Senior Management Team.
**The Tree Council** - Grant towards Growing among Tress project.
**Steve Edge** - Donation towards bees' education sessions for schools and towards equipment for TGC's Countryside residential camping programme.
**Grants and donations <£1,001** - Grants and donations towards costs of gardening projects.
**Victoria Community Fund** - Grant towards Newington Green Garden maintenance and extension.
**Siemens** - Grant towards the salary of Director of Education.
continued...
Page 26
**THE GARDEN CLASSROOM**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **15. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
**London Response Fund / The City Bridge Trust** - Grant towards salary of the core team and for wellness and recovery sessions.
**Chapman Charitable Trust** - Grant towards countryside residential camping.
## **Description, nature and purpose of unrestricted funds:**
**General funds** : General fund represents funds available to spend at the discretion of the Trustees.
**Designated funds** : Staff contingency funds to cover the cost of staff redundancy and continuation of services.
## **16. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES**
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31st August 2024.
Page 27