Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust
Registered Charity Number 1172358
Annual Report and Accounts
for the year ended 31[st] March 2025
Annual Report prepared by
Michael Bastable, Trustee Assisted by Ian Kemble, Director of Schools Work
Accounts prepared by
Claire Lim, Treasurer
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Sally McMahon
Sally McMahon – Chair of Trustees
Date: 1 July 2025
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Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust
Registered Charity Number 1172358 Trustees Sally McMahon (Chair from 14 May 2025) Timothy Barfoot Michael Bastable (Chair to 14 May 2025) Isabel Helen Burgess Joan Dewhirst (Resigned 31 July 2024) Jeffrey Fair Paul Hamilton Nicholas Higgs Address Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust 49 Coxtie Green Road Pilgrims Hatch Brentwood, Essex CM14 5PS Independent Examiner Nicholas Tavener Bankers Lloyds Nationwide Hampshire Trust Bank
In this report:
Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust, Charity Reference Number 1005207 is referred to as BSCWT.
Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust, Charity Reference Number 1172358 is referred to as BSCWT CIO.
This set of accounts is for BSCWT CIO.
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Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust
Registered Charity Number 1172358
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the period ending 31 March 2025. The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission's Public Benefit Guidance published in February 2014.
Objects of BSCWT CIO
BSCWT CIO is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation governed by its constitution. It is a Local Mission Partner of Scripture Union. We are supported by churches in the Brentwood area, 20 of whom have signed an agreement to support and have assented to the Basis of Faith of the Trust.
The Object of the CIO is, for the public benefit, to advance the Christian faith in Brentwood and other areas, in accordance with the Statement of Faith, by teaching and promoting the Christian faith in schools and other educational institutions or establishments and in such other ways as the Charity Trustees shall think fit.
Our mission is to serve school communities by providing Christian learning and support. This includes providing lessons, pastoral care, assemblies, lunch time groups and prayer spaces, and developing positive relationships with the schools and pupils we serve. We also encourage local churches to become more involved in their local schools.
Our Core Values are:
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A relational approach
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A prayerful spirit
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A servant heart.
Organisational structure and management
BSCWT CIO is administered by its Trustees, elected at Trustee meetings. We seek to be as representative of the local church community as possible. The Trustees meet bi-monthly and are responsible for the legal and financial affairs of the Trust.
During this period Joan Dewhirst resigned in July 2024. Joan was one of those who first had the vision about forming the Trust and went on with others to set up the Trust in 1991. Since then, she has served in several positions in the Trust, including a time as chair of Trustees. We thank Joan for her many years of dedicated service as a Trustee. She will continue to be a greatly valued part of the Trust as an Associate Worker.
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Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust
Registered Charity Number 1172358
In line with Charity Commission guidelines the Trustees ensure that the Trust has a Reserves Policy to cover its legal liabilities should the CIO be wound up. The Trust retains an amount of £55,000 to enable the payment of wage bills based on notice periods, national insurance, pension and redundancies as well as rent and other known expenses. This requirement has been met in 2024/25.
The reserve level is reviewed periodically and was increased for 2023/24.
As stated above, the Trustees have continued to meet bi-monthly and this has mostly been by a hybrid of in person and conference calls (zoom meetings). This is largely due to one of our Trustees being based in Norfolk making meeting in person for him difficult.
The work in schools by the Trust has continued in many areas during the year. To give a feeling for some of this work, during the 2025 Spring term the Trust delivered our Love Easter project at 15 schools and our Sadness to Joy project at 17 schools. We took 66 assemblies in 27 schools and carried out 30 OT/NT Mini lessons. We held Pop-up prayer spaces in two secondary schools and a whole day prayer space in a primary school. We ran lunchtime clubs in 5 schools and in partnership with the Chelmsford Diocese, took part in the Prayerfully Learning Together project connecting schools and churches. We also ran a Curiosity Trail for Year 1 pupils and 6 Question and Answer R.E. lessons with Year 11 pupils. The demand for pastoral support continues to increase from our local schools and we are currently supporting children in 8 schools. A more detailed description of the work in schools can be found in the review of activities later in this report.
While the Trust currently has a level of assets held in reserve, it continues to run a negative operational budget with our regular payments exceeding our current regular receipts. The difference is currently covered by previous legacies and a large gift from a local church that we have received in the last few years. These legacies and the large gift are held in one unrestricted fund and money transferred to the General Fund throughout the year as agreed in the budget to cover the projected deficit.
Over the last six years the Trust has been blessed by several large donations from legacies, churches and individuals. The Trustees decided not to ‘sit’ on large amounts in the bank, but to use gifts to introduce more children to the love of God and support local schools. This has enabled us to greatly increase the work we do in schools in the Brentwood area.
However, we are reaching a point where we will have to reduce our work to previous levels, to match our regular giving. This will inevitably mean fewer assemblies, clubs, projects, prayer spaces and pastoral groups in fewer schools.
As a result, the Trustees together with the staff, have decided to look for a new generation of supporters who will give regularly to BSCWT. The aim is to enrol 200 new people to give £25 a month. Going forward, this would enable our work to continue as now.
The Trustees will meet in December 2025 to finalise the shape of our work from September 2026.
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Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust
Registered Charity Number 1172358
We thank all our many donors for their ongoing prayer and financial support this year. Without your prayers and financial support, the team would not be able to carry out as large a Christian witness in the schools of Brentwood.
We want to thank our staff for all their wonderful work during the period. The Trustees would also like to thank the Associate Workers (AW) who have continued to support the Trust during this time. Without the support of AW’s, the Trust would not be able to deliver many of the projects that we run in so many schools.
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Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust
Registered Charity Number 1172358
Review of Activities
The year from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025 has been another season of opportunity for the Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust (BSCWT) as we continue to serve the school communities of the Brentwood area. We are deeply grateful for the dedication of our staff, volunteers, partner churches and supporters, whose commitment makes this ministry possible.
Assemblies / Collective Worship
Throughout the year, our team led nearly 200 assemblies across 28 schools.
In primary and specialist schools, our assemblies have explored Bible stories from the life of David, focusing on themes such as friendship, loyalty, forgiveness, making the right choices, coping with worries and asking for help. These stories provided pupils with relatable examples and practical wisdom for everyday life.
In secondary schools, our assemblies addressed topics relevant to young people today, including gratitude, peace, learning, forgiveness, success, using your talents, and coping with exam stress. We have encouraged students to reflect on their values, choices and wellbeing whilst offering opportunities to reflect on Biblical stories and Christian beliefs.
One senior teacher introduced members of our team about to take an assembly by saying to the pupils: “YouÕre in for a treat. Their assemblies are always great!”
“Their assemblies are always great!”
Lessons, Projects and Prayer Spaces
Our ItÕs Your Move project reached 25 primary schools in the summer term of 2024, with lessons designed to help more than 850 Year 6 pupils prepare for the transition to secondary school. As in previous years, we were able to provide each pupil with an ItÕs Your Move book (published by Scripture Union), thanks to the generous sponsorship of local churches.
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It’s Your Move
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This year, we delivered 59 OT/NT Mini lessons (formerly known as Bible Explorer ) in 5 schools, helping primary school pupils gain a deeper understanding of
the Bible’s Old and New Testament stories. In one secondary school, we provided a series of ‘Question & Answer’ lessons, supporting students as they prepared for their Religious Education GCSE exams.
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Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust
Registered Charity Number 1172358
Sadness to Joy Our Christmas and Easter projects continue to be an important aspect of our offering to schools. During the Christmas season \ Eh | 2024, we engaged over 1,000 pupils across 19 schools. The ; B i S Christmas Wonder and Darkness to Light projects included 34 sessions with Year 6 and Year 2 respectively, helping pupils learn about and reflect on Christian beliefs regarding the birth of Jesus. More than 1,000 pupils in 19 schools also participated in our Easter —— aN Pe Projects, _Love Easter (for Year 6) and Sadness to Joy (for Year 2). The 32 sessions provided opportunities for pupils to explore the (i — “te ’ 4 - significance of Easter in : >. Y \ vs the Christian faith through “I used to think Easter creative and reflective was about chocolate A, activities. At the end of .» one session, a pupil but now I realise it’s ’ r commented: “I used to_ about forgiveness!” think Easter was about chocolate but now I realise itÕs about forgiveness!” Our ‘prayer spaces’ work continues to flourish, offering pupils interactive ways to reflect on life’s big questions and their own spiritual journeys. In addition to our Wonder Space club and our Christmas Wonder and Love Easter projects (all of which are types of ‘prayer spaces’), we provided 28 other ‘prayer spaces’ in schools during the year. These took a variety of formats (including outdoor spaces, whole-school spaces and ‘pop-up’ spaces) and explored various themes, such as the Kingdom of God, forgiveness, loss, thankfulness and peace.
Our Christmas and Easter projects continue to be an important aspect of our offering to schools. During the Christmas season 2024, we engaged over 1,000 pupils across 19 schools. The Christmas Wonder and Darkness to Light projects included 34 sessions with Year 6 and Year 2 respectively, helping pupils learn about and reflect on Christian beliefs regarding the birth of Jesus. More than 1,000 pupils in 19 schools also participated in our Easter Projects, Love Easter (for Year 6) and Sadness to Joy (for Year 2). The 32 sessions provided opportunities for pupils to explore the
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Love Easter
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Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust
Registered Charity Number 1172358
One of these ‘prayer spaces’ was our whole-day LifeSpace event, a vocation-themed ‘prayer space’ for over 200 Year 10 students. For some of our ‘prayer spaces’, we are delighted to have been involved in the Prayerfully Learning Together initiative, working in partnership with the Diocese of Chelmsford. This project aims to equip local churches to help schools nurture pupils’ spiritual formation in school and beyond.
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LifeSpace
iF
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Pupil Support
Our Chaplaincy team continues to be warmly welcomed into schools, providing vital support to pupils facing a range of challenges. This year our Chaplains served in 8 schools, including two specialist schools, supporting over 100 pupils through nearly 800 one-to-one sessions. Through the sessions, we have been able to help these young people and children navigate a wide variety of challenging issues including
“Thank you… for helping me overcome my worries.”
anxiety, family breakdown, grief, low self-esteem, anger, friendship difficulties, loneliness and more. One pupil wrote: “Thank you for being that person I needed to speak to when times were difficult and for helping me overcome my worries.”
In addition to individual support, we ran several small group interventions supporting 17 pupils on key themes including loss (our Caterpillars course), exam stress and bereavement, as well as friendships and resilience.
Clubs
During the year, we ran lunchtime clubs in 5 primary schools and 1 secondary school, with a total of 77 sessions delivered. These clubs provide a welcoming space for pupils to explore questions of faith and spirituality, and to build friendships. Sessions covered topics such as the Lord’s Prayer, what Jesus said about himself, as well as other themes from the Bible relevant to pupils’ everyday experiences.
Our secondary school club has continued to offer a reflective space for older students, encouraging open discussion and personal spiritual growth.
We are always seeking new volunteers to join us as Associate Workers, enabling us to expand this valuable aspect of our work.
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Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust
Registered Charity Number 1172358
And Finally...
Prayer remains at the heart of all we do. Our weekly Team Prayer Meetings have continued, and we have encouraged local churches to pray for schools during key times such as Pray for Schools Fortnight (in May), Back to School Sunday (in September), and Schools Ministry Sunday (in February). Regular video updates, termly newsletters and prayer calendars, as well as weekly prayer updates, have kept our supporters informed and engaged.
We have maintained strong links with local churches and other Christian organisations working together to serve the schools of Brentwood. We are thankful for all those individuals and groups from our local Christian community who serve schools alongside us. Our team has also benefited from ongoing training and opportunities for reflection and development.
We are immensely grateful to our Trustees, Associate Workers, Church Reps, Support Teams (including our Treasurer) and Panel of Reference. The generous giving of their time and commitment is vital to the continuation of this work. We thank Trinity Church for providing our office base and all those in the wider Christian community who share in this mission by praying for us and supporting BSCWT financially. And, of course, our appreciation also goes to our hard-working and dedicated staff team.
Above all, we give thanks to God for sustaining and guiding us, and for the privilege of serving the children, young people and schools of Brentwood.
Ian Kemble, Director of Schools Work
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Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust
Registered Charity Number 1172358
REPORT OF TREASURER
Basis of the accounts:
These accounts have been prepared on a “receipts and payments” basis in accordance with section 133 of the Charities Act 2011.
Financial Review:
On 15[th] March 2017 a new CIO charity was set up namely Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust Charity Reference Number 1172358. These accounts refer to this charity.
Between 1[st] April 2023 and 31[st] March 2024, a number of donations were received by BSCWT, which were transferred to BSCWT CIO bank account.
General Fund receipts for BSCWT CIO 2024/25 were £72,399 and General Fund payments were £132,061 giving a net deficit of £59,662.
An amount of £68,150 was budgeted and transferred from the Legacy and Gifts Unrestricted Fund to the General Fund to cover the deficit.
During 2024/2025, £3,988 (2023/2024, £471) was paid by Church of England, Chelmsford Diocese for our contribution to the work on the “Prayerfully Learning Together” project. The money received has been included in the receipts from “Other organisations” in the accounts.
£5,000 was paid from the Mulberry Trust fund to cover the cost of various items including staff salaries, training and resources.
The Current Assets are held in four separate bank accounts.
Lloyds current account for day-to-day receipts and payments.
Lloyds deposit account where surpluses from the current account are transferred and earn a small interest.
Nationwide 90-day account
Hampshire Trust Bank (where the Reserves funds are kept)
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Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust
Registered Charity Number 1172358
Restricted Fund
There is one Restricted Fund set up to manage donations made for specific purposes. Records are kept to confirm the money is spent on the specified purposes.
Mulberry Trust Restricted Fund
A £5,000 donation was made by the Mulberry Trust for the purpose of Pastoral 1:1 support during the financial year 2024/2025. This was spent on staff salaries, training and resources for this support.
Unrestricted Fund
Legacy and Gifts Unrestricted Fund
A balance of £108,419 was carried forward from 2023/2024. A generous donation of £16,000 was made by an individual and a legacy of £5,028 was received. £68,150 was transferred to the General Fund during the year leaving a balance to be carried forward of £61,297.
Legacy and large Gift Policy
Legacies and Gifts of £5,000 and above are held within either a Restricted or Unrestricted Fund. Any amounts received that are under £5,000 are put into the General Fund unless there is a restriction to their use.
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Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust
Registered Charity Number 1172358
General Fund (Unrestricted)
| General Fund (Unrestricted) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| BSCWT | BSCWT | Notes to the | |
| CIO | CIO | accounts | |
| 2024/2025 | 2023/2024 | ||
| Receipts | |||
| Individuals | 33,023 | 34,588 | |
| Transfer of General Funds from BSCWT (Individuals) | 401 | 454 | |
| Churches | 16.265 | 23,797 | |
| Charitable Trusts | 3,000 | 3,000 | |
| Transfer of General Funds from BSCWT (Charitable Trusts) | 0 | 0 | |
| Other organisations | 5,002 | 858 | |
| Income Tax Recovered | 9,196 | 5,383 | |
| Bank interest paid (Lloyds and Nationwide) | 4,100 | 3,396 | |
| Bank interest paid (HTB) | 383 | 213 | 1 |
| Amazon Smile donations | 0 | 42 | |
| It’s your move contributions | 1.029 | 917 | |
| Legacies | 0 | 0 | |
| Total income | 72,399 | 72,648 | |
| Payments | |||
| Office and Admin | 10,517 | 7,303 | |
| Staff salaries and pensions | 115,777 | 107,455 | |
| Staff activities | 2,889 | 2,159 | |
| Staff support and training | 471 | 294 | |
| Subscriptions and donations | 650 | 645 | |
| Equipment, computers, software and website | 575 | 1,464 | |
| Premises Improvements | 0 | 0 | |
| Bank charges and Interest | 124 | 120 | |
| Professional fees | 1,058 | 1,088 | |
| Total payments | 132,061 | 120,528 | |
| Surplus / (Deficit) | (59,662) | (47,880) | |
| Transfer from unrestricted funds | 68,150 | 74,864 | |
| Surplus / (Deficit) after transfer of unrestricted funds | 8,488 | (27,984) | |
| Balance brought forward | 141,343 | 114,359 | |
| Balance at year end | 149,831 | 141,343 |
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Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust
Registered Charity Number 1172358
Summary of Restricted and Unrestricted funds
| Summary of Restricted and Unrestricted funds | ||
|---|---|---|
| BSCWT | BSCWT | |
| CIO | CIO | |
| 2024/2025 | 2023/2024 | |
| Mulberry Trust Restricted Fund | ||
| Receipts | 5,000 | 0 |
| Stafftraining,Resources,Activities and Salariespayments | 5,000 | 186 |
| Surplus / (Deficit) | 0 | (186) |
| B/F balance | 0 | 186 |
| C/F balance | 0 | 0 |
| Legacy and Large Gifts Unrestricted Fund |
| Legacy and Large Gifts Unrestricted Fund | ||
|---|---|---|
| Receipts | 21,028 | 65,000 |
| Payments | 0 | 0 |
| Surplus / (Deficit) | 21,028 | 65,000 |
| Transferred to General Fund | 68,150 | 74,864 |
| B/F Balance | 108,419 | 118,283 |
| C/F Balance | 61,297 | 108,419 |
Summary of Receipts, Payments and Transfers in 2024/25
| General Fund | Mulberry Trust Fund | Legacy & Gifts Fund |
Totals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts | 72,399 | 5,000 | 21,028 | 98,427 |
| Payments | 132,061 | 5,000 | 0 | 137,061 |
| Surplus / (Defiicit) | (59,662) | 0 | 21,028 | (38,634) |
| Transfers to G/F | 68.150 | 0 | (68,150) | 0 |
| B/F Balance | 141,343 | 0 | 108,419 | 249,762 |
| C/F Balance | 149,831 | 0 | 61,297 | 211,128 |
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Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust
Registered Charity Number 1172358
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Assets
| ssets | ||
|---|---|---|
| BSCWT | BSCWT | |
| CIO |
CIO | |
| 2024/2025 | 2023/2024 | |
| Interest from Nationwide | 282 | 307 |
| Lloyds current account | 10,056 | 19,252 |
| Lloyds deposit account | 30,790 | 60,203 |
| Nationwide savings account | 85,000 | 85,000 |
| Hampshire Trust Bank | 85,000 | 85,000 |
| Total assets | 211,128 | 249,762 |
Fixed Assets
BSCWT CIO owns computers and other equipment used in its work. The insured value of general contents is £52,000 and computer equipment is £10,446.
Reserves Policy
In line with Charity Commission guidelines the Trustees ensure that the Trust has a Reserves Policy to cover its legal liabilities should the CIO be wound up. The Trust retained an amount of £55,000 to enable the payment of wage bills based on notice years, national insurance, pension, redundancies as well as rent and other known expenses. This requirement was met.
Notes to the Accounts
-
Hampshire Trust Bank issue a statement in April after the year end confirming the interest earned from savings in the period covered by these accounts. Interest figure given is that for the previous financial year.
-
No payments were made to the Trustees.
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Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust
Registered Charity Number 1172358
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of
Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust (charity 1172358)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 Trust’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
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:
- accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records.
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.
Nicholas Tavener Signed
Name: Nicholas Tavener
Address: Shenfield Brentwood Essex
Date
2 July 2025
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