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2025-08-31-accounts

WORCESTER CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TRUST

Accounts – 31st August 2025

WORCESTER CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TRUST

Charity number: 1171394

Accounts – 31st August 2025

INDEX

WORCESTER CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TRUST

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31st August 2025

The Trustees are pleased to present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st August 2025 .

The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and complies with the Charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (second edition) and Financial Reporting Standard FRS 102.

Reference and Administration Details

The charity’s name is Worcester Christian Education Trust and also operates under the name of The Brook School and The River School.

Charity Registration Number: 1171394

Registered Office: Oakfield House, Droitwich Road, Worcester, WR3 7ST

Trustees

The Trustees who served during the year and since the year end were as follows:

D Todorov C Hunt K Badger N Holman (appointed 24[th] September 2024) C Morgan (appointed 21[st] October 2025)

Senior Leadership Team

The trustees are assisted in the day to day running of the River School by the Senior Leadership Team. Members serving during the year were:

A T Parsonage (Headmaster) J Chester J Barron P Wood L Shirley L Parsonage S Wrigley

Objectives and Activities

The main objects of the charity are:

  1. To advance the education of children resident in the city of Worcester and the neighbourhood thereof by providing:

  2. a) Safe and satisfying group play for children primarily between the ages of 3-5 in which parents have the right to take part.

  3. b) A day school for children of 5 years of age and upwards.

  4. To advance the Christian faith of the residents of the City of Worcester and the neighbourhood thereof in any manner that may be thought fit.

The Worcester Christian Education Trust is a non-denominational body whose purpose is to promote the availability of Christian education for all children irrespective of social, financial or religious background. In furtherance of this aim the Trust administers The River School, an independent Christian school which was opened in 1985 to cater for children from the start of their school career through to GCSE examinations.

WORCESTER CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TRUST

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

for the year ended 31st August 2025 ( Continued)

In planning the activities of the charity, the trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of education and advancement of religion. The aim of the Charity is to enable young people to achieve their fullest potential and to equip them to make a valuable contribution to society.

Achievements and Performance

The whole school including the Nursery was inspected by ISI in January 2024. The school was found to be compliant in all areas and the report was very positive. Highlights included excellent pupil behaviour, good progress for all pupils across the school with strong GCSE results, and a strong close-knit community that reflected the Christian ethos of the school.

All sections of the school, early years, primary and secondary, are situated at Oakfield House on the northern edge of the city of Worcester, a large Georgian property with 8 acres of grounds. The school was established to provide a Biblical Christian education. The curriculum has Christian values pervading the approach to all subjects and is designed for a socially comprehensive school where Christian commitment and family life are positively upheld.

Our aim is to enable young people to achieve their fullest possible potential and to equip them to make a valuable contribution to society. Character qualities of discipline, compassion, respect, industry and initiative are encouraged as being of equal importance to academic achievement and the development of other life skills.

The Early Years Department aims to provide a loving, caring and disciplined environment where children can learn to socialise, to care for each other and respect their leaders. It aims to introduce the children to God through simple Bible stories and songs, to provide stimulus through play and music, writing and reading skills as the children progress. The Early Years Department accepts children, from the age of 2, with government vouchers and is inspected alongside the main school.

The school has developed its own curriculum to reflect the school's objectives and in keeping with the general framework of the National Curriculum. At secondary level, pupils are prepared for GCSE examinations. Pupils at 16 years of age normally take between five and nine subjects at GCSE and the results vary each year according to the strengths of different year groups. GCSE results for this year were good with strong grades achieved across a range of subjects.

The school is led by Mr A Parsonage as Headteacher; the Nursery by Mrs J Barron; the Primary by Miss Shirley and the Seniors by Mrs P Wood. The Headteacher, and therefore the school, are registered with the Independent School's Association (ISA) and are inspected by ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate).

The extensive grounds at The River School include woodland, orchards, a pond and open fields. The school’s grounds and small domesticated animals (guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens etc.) are used by the pupils to enhance their learning. In addition, the grounds are opened to the public twice a year as part of the National Gardens Scheme. Wedding receptions/parties take place in the grounds during weekends and school holidays.

Unpaid Volunteers

During the year, the Trust benefitted from voluntary support of parents and other individuals who assist with teaching, gardening and maintenance. The support is gratefully acknowledged by the Trustees.

Financial Review

The total income for the year was £924,524 and total expenditure on charitable activities amounted to £905,350. The balance on unrestricted funds at the year end was £230,230 and on restricted funds £14,445.

The main source of income in the year was from school fees, supported by a revenue generating initiative, ’Oakfield Ventures’ with wedding receptions held in the school grounds and, rental income from the adjacent property owned by the Trust ‘Modern Lodge’

WORCESTER CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TRUST

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

for the year ended 31st August 2025 ( Continued)

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

The Trustees recognise a number of principal risks and uncertainties that continue to affect the school’s financial and operational resilience. The most significant of these arises from the introduction of VAT on independent school fees, which has placed additional pressure on fee affordability for families and may impact future pupil numbers. In addition, rising employment costs – particularly increases in employers’ National Insurance contributions – continue to add to the school’s cost base. The school is also facing higher non-staff overheads, including increases in business rates. Together, these factors create a more challenging financial environment and require ongoing monitoring, prudent budgeting, and the development of contingency plans to ensure the school remains sustainable while continuing to provide high quality education.

Reserves Policy

The trustees have examined the charity’s requirements for reserves taking account of the main risks to the organisation. It has established policy whereby unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity should be between 2 or 3 months of expenditure. The trustees consider that this should be in the region of £100,000 in general funds given the budgeted expenditure.

The reserves are required to meet the working capital requirement of the charity and the trustees are confident that at the level indicated above, the school would be able to continue the current activities of the charity in the event of a drop in funding.

Whilst the unrestricted funds are currently below the above target, the fixed assets which are principally comprised of the school buildings are valued at a significantly high market value. Careful monitoring of spending, and the adding of other sources of income aim to enable the trustees to begin to establish the kind of reserves they consider appropriate as above.

Structure, Governance and Management Governing Document

Worcester Christian Education Trust is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. It is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and was formed under a Deed of Trust dated 31st January 2017. With effect from 1st September 2017, it took over the assets and activity of a Charitable Trust with the same name and registered under reference 516511.

Appointment of Trustees

The trustees keep the composition of the board under review and will seek to appoint additional members with appropriate skills and expertise, mainly from parents who have had a long association with the school, should the need arise. Interested parties are given details of the background of the Charity in order to make them aware of current activities. New trustees are appointed by the existing trustees and there must be at least three and not more than eight trustees.

Bank Independent Examiners
HSBC Plc A J Carter & Co Limited
6 Broad Street Chartered Certified Accountants
Worcester 22b High Street
WR1 2EJ Witney
Oxon, OX28 6RB

Signed on behalf of the trustees by

K Badger ………………………………….. Trustee Worcester

16th April 2026

WORCESTER CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TRUST

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Worcester Christian Education Trust for the year ended 31st August 2025.

Responsibilities and Basis of Report

As the charity’s trustees 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 charity’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 the charity’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 the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

The examination has taken place instead of an audit (Regulation 31(f)) as an audit dispensation was granted for Worcester Christian Education Trust: 1171394 under Regulation 34(3)(b) of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. The dispensation was granted by the Charity Commission on 24[th] April 2025.

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:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable 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.

A P Williams BSc FCCA A J Carter & Co Limited Chartered Certified Accountants

22b High Street Witney Oxon OX28 6RB 17th April 2026

WORCESTER CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

(including an income and expenditure account)

for the year ended 31st August 2025

Note
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Other trading activities
5
Other
6
Total incoming resources
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
7
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure) and net
movement in funds for the year
Transfer between funds
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2025
£
£
£
8,125
2,007
10,132
879,176
15,625
894,801
10,000
-
10,000
4,809
4,782
9,591
902,110
22,414
924,524
880,438
24,912
905,350
880,438
24,912
905,350
21,672
(2,498)
19,174
-
-
-
21,672
(2,498)
19,174
208,558
16,943
225,501
£230,230
£14,445
£244,675
Total
Funds
2024
£
31,804
936,446
9,600
47,261
1,025,111
975,980
975,980
49,131
-
49,131
176,370
£225,501

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 8 to 15 form part of these financial statements

WORCESTER CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TRUST

BALANCE SHEET as at 31st August 2025

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
11
Total fixed assets
Current assets
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
Total current assets
Liabilities
Creditors falling due within one year
13
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors:falling due after more than 1 year
14
Total net assets
15
The funds of the Charity
Restricted income funds
16
Unrestricted income funds
16
Total charity funds
2025
£
558,925
558,925
34,288
256,705
290,993
279,753
11,240
570,165
325,490
£244,675
14,445
230,230
£244,675
2024
£
591,067
591,067
26,401
191,069
217,470
242,659
(25,189)
565,878
340,377
£225,501
16,943
208,558
£225,501

These accounts were approved by the trustees and authorised for issue on: 16th April 2026 and are signed on their behalf by:

K Badger ...................................................... Trustee

The notes on pages 8 to 15 form part of these financial statements

WORCESTER CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TRUST

CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2025

Note
Statement of Cash Flows
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of tangible assets
Purchase of tangible assets
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash inflows from new borrowing
Repayments of borrowing
Net increase/(decrease) in cash
Cash at bank at beginning of year
Cash in hand
Reconciliation of Net Income/(Expenditure)
to Net Cash Flow from Operating Activities
Net income/(expenditure)
Depreciation
Interest
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Net cash provided by operating activities
Analysis of Cash
Cash at bank and cash equivalents
2025
£
66,723
22,191
(7,139)
81,775
-
(16,139)
65,636
191,069
£256,705
2025
£
19,174
17,090
-
(7,887)
38,346
£66,723
2025
£
256,705
£256,705
2024
£
200,891
-
-
200,891
-
(14,992)
185,899
5,170
£191,069
2024
£
49,131
16,777
-
14,906
120,077
£200,891
2024
£
191,069
£191,069

WORCESTER CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TRUST

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

for the year ended 31st August 2025

1. Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

a) Basis of Preparation

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.

Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainty about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The accounts have been prepared on the going concern basis which assumes that the charity will be able to continue its activities for the foreseeable future. Despite the reserves being lower than would be ideal the trustees consider that the going concern basis remains appropriate given their careful budgeting.

b) Income Recognition Policies

Items of income are recognised and included in the accounts when all of the following criteria are met:

Income received in advance of a specific performance or provision of other specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.

c) Donated Services and Facilities

In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) the general time of volunteers is not recognised in the accounts.

WORCESTER CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TRUST

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

for the year ended 31st August 2025 (continued)

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

g) Operating Leases The Charity classifies the lease of photocopying equipment as operating leases: the title to the equipment remains with the lessor. Rental charges are charged on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.

h) Tangible Fixed Assets

Individual fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives as follows:

Asset Annual Category Rate Freehold buildings 20% on cost Furniture and equipment 10% reducing balance Soft furnishings 25% reducing balance Mini buses 25% reducing balance

i) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amounts due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid after taking account of any trade discounts due.

j) Cash at Bank and in Hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

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 trade discounts due.

l) Pensions

The Charity operates a defined contribution scheme, the assets of which are held outside the Charity. The contributions by the Charity in the year are detailed in note 8.

WORCESTER CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TRUST

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

for the year ended 31st August 2025 (continued)

2. Legal Status of the Charity

Worcester Christian Education Trust is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. It is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and was formed under a Deed of Trust dated 31st January 2017. With effect from 1st September 2017, it took over the assets and activity of a Charitable Trust with the same name and registered under reference 516511.

3. Income from donations

Income from donations
Gifts and grants 2025
£
10,132
£10,132
2024
£
31,804
£31,804

Of the £10,132 received in 2025 (2024: £31,804) £2,007 was restricted funds (2024: £3,625) and £8,125 (2024: £28,179) unrestricted funds.

The charity benefits greatly from the involvement and enthusiastic support of its many volunteers, details of which are given in our annual report. In accordance with FRS 102 and the Charities SORP (FRS 102) the economic contribution of general volunteers is not recognised in the accounts.

4. Income from charitable activities

Fees
Exam fees
School trips
2025
£
881,336
5,226
8,239
£894,801
2024
£
918,171
7,090
11,185
£936,446

Of the £894,801 received in 2025 (2024: £936,446) £15,625 was restricted funds (2024: £25,902) and £879,169 (2024: £910,544) unrestricted funds.

5. Income earned from other trading activity

Rental income
Income earned from other sources
Miscellaneous income
Oakfield Ventures - weddings
Job retention scheme grant
Unrestricted
2025
£
10,000
£10,000
2025
£
8,816
775
-
£9,591
Unrestricted
2024
£
9,600
£9,600
2024
£
14,551
32,710
-
£47,261

6. Income earned from other sources

Of the £9,591 received in 2025 (2024: £47,261) £4,782 was restricted funds (2024: £3,909) and £4,809 (2024: £43,352) unrestricted funds.

WORCESTER CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TRUST

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

for the year ended 31st August 2025 (continued)

7. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Educational costs
Staff costs
Teaching materials
Donations/gifts
Exam fees
School trips
Household costs
Establishment costs
Property maintenance
Services
General costs
IT support
School office and photocopying
Advertising
Telephone
Insurance
Bank charges and interest
Legal and professional
Oakfield ventures
Miscellaneous
Depreciation and loss on disposal of assets
Independent examination and accountancy fees
Total
School
2025
costs
Total
£
£
660,842
660,842
42,575
42,575
261
261
4,349
4,349
8,471
8,471
2,608
2,608
29,249
29,249
46,308
46,308
10,683
10,683
17,882
17,882
4,960
4,960
2,910
2,910
16,027
16,027
28,553
28,553
5,209
5,209
880
880
3,686
3,686
17,090
17,090
2,807
2,807
£905,350
£905,350
2024
Total
£
678,209
45,473
415
7,052
12,941
3,105
58,811
33,093
14,849
15,622
2,024
4,777
16,171
31,764
4,864
20,273
5,602
16,777
4,158
£975,980

Of the £905,350 expenditure in 2025 (2024: £975,980), £880,438 was charged to unrestricted funds (2024: £935,979) and £24,912 to restricted funds (2024: £40,001).

8. Analysis of staff costs and trustee remuneration and expenses

Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Employer contribution to Defined Contribution Pension Scheme.
2025
£
611,970
38,056
10,916
£660,942
2024
£
630,972
35,052
12,026
£678,050

No employees had emoluments in excess of £60,000 (2024: Nil). Pension costs are allocated to activities in proportion to the related staffing costs incurred and are wholly charged to unrestricted funds.

The charity trustees were not paid or received any other benefits from employment with the charity in the year (2024: £Nil). No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity (2024: £Nil).

No expenses were paid to trustees and their spouses in the year (2024: £nil reimbursed).

The Trust considers its key management personnel to comprise of the trustees and the Senior Leadership Team. The total employment benefits of the key management personnel in the year was £163,687 (2024: £162,445).

WORCESTER CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TRUST

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

for the year ended 31st August 2025 (continued)

9. Staff numbers

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

Teaching
Administration
Maintenance
Oakfield Events
2025
Number
33
4
2
1
40
2024
Number
35
3
2
-
40

10. Related party transactions

During the year the trustees and their spouses donated £nil to the charity in total (2024: £nil).

11. Tangible fixed assets

Cost:
As at 01.09.2024
Additions
Disposals
As at 31.08.2025
Depreciation:
As at 01.09.2024
Charge for year
On disposals
As at 31.08.2025
Net book value:
As at 31.08.2025
As at 31.08.2024
Freehold
Furniture
land and
Motor
and
Soft
buildings vehicles
equipment
furnishings
£
£
£
£
732,662
400
101,220
5,897
-
-
7,139
-
-
-
(33,823)
-
732,662
400
74,536
5,897
177,416
400
65,440
5,856
12,788
-
4,292
10
-
-
(11,632)
-
190,204
400
58,100
5,866
£542,458
£-
£16,436
£31
£555,246
£-
£35,780
£41
Total
£
840,179
7,139
(33,823)
813,495
249,112
17,090
(11,632)
254,570
£558,925
£591,067

12. Debtors

Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
Other debtors
2025
£
4,988
4,161
25,139
£34,288
2024
£
22,084
4,317
-
£26,401

WORCESTER CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TRUST

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

for the year ended 31st August 2025 (continued)

13. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors
Accruals
Fees paid in advance
Taxation and social security costs
Loans
Other creditors
2025
£
23,268
4,293
142,500
9,439
13,739
86,514
£279,753
2024
£
10,267
3,635
49,800
7,479
14,992
156,486
£242,659

14. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

Bounce back loan (falling due in less than 5 years)
Loan (falling due in less than 5 years)
Loan (falling due after 5 years)
2025
£
-
17,487
308,003
£325,490
2024
£
8,165
14,812
317,400
£340,377

15. Analysis of net assets between funds

Tangible fixed assets
Cash at bank and in hand
Other net current assets/(liabilities)
Creditors of more than one year
Total
General
Restricted
Fund
Funds
Total
£
£
£
558,925
-
558,925
242,260
14,445
256,705
(245,465)
-
(245,465)
(325,490)
-
(325,490)
£230,230
£14,445
£244,675

16. Analysis of charitable funds

Analysis of movements in restricted funds

School trips
Exam fees
Statemented pupils premium
accounts
Restricted gifts
Funds for giving
Total
Balance
Incoming
Resources
Funds
01.09.2024
resources
expended
Transfers
31.08.2025
£
£
£
£
£
-
7,879
(7,879)
-
-
667
5,226
(4,349)
-
1,544
5,338
2,520
(7,476)
-
382
10,938
6,528
(4,947)
-
12,519
-
261
(261)
-
-
£16,943
£22,414£(24,912)
£-
£14,445

WORCESTER CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TRUST

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

for the year ended 31st August 2025 (continued)

16. Analysis of charitable funds

Analysis of movements in restricted funds (continued)

Name of restricted fund Description, nature and purposes of the fund

School trips Income and expenditure relating to trips organised by the school. Exam fees Income and expenditure relating to examination fees. Statemented pupils premium accounts Funding from the LEA for statemented pupils. Restricted gifts Gifts given to the charity for specific purposes. Funds for giving Fund raising by the school for either donations to other organisations or for its own use.

Analysis of movements in unrestricted funds

General fund
Total
Name of unrestricted fund
Balance
Incoming
Resources
Funds
01.09.2024 resources
expended
Transfers
31.08.2025
£
£
£
£
£
208,558
902,110
(880,438)
-
230,230
£208,558 £902,110 £(880,438)
£-
£230,230
Description, nature and purposes of the fund

General fund The 'free reserves' after allowing for all designated funds.

17. Analysis of changes in net debt

Cash at bank and in hand
Debt due within 1 year
Debt due after 1 year
Total
Cash at bank and in hand
Debt due within 1 year
Debt due after 1 year
Total
At
Cash
At
01.09.2024
Flows
31.08.2025
£
£
£
191,069
65,636
256,705
(14,991)
1,252
(13,739)
(340,377)
14,887
(325,490)
£(164,299)
£81,775
£(82,524)
At
Cash
At
01.09.2023
Flows
31.08.2024
£
£
£
5,170
185,899
191,069
(15,746)
755
(14,991)
(354,614)
14,237
(340,377)
£(365,190)
£200,891
£(164,299)

WORCESTER CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TRUST

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31st August 2025 (continued)

18. Other commitments and secured assets

At 31st August 2025 the charity had commitments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:

Photocopier - over the remaining 2 years of the lease totalling £6,563.

Telephone equipment - over the remaining 5 years of the lease £9,619.