2024-08-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From Period start date 01/09/2023 to Period end date 31/08/2024

Charity name: LA RECRE

Charity registration number: 1174400

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The object of the CIO is to enable French speaking children in Southampton and the neighbouring area to use and further develop their linguistic capabilities as well as knowledge of French language and culture in an extracurricular environment. The children will be able to complement the education they receive in English Schools, by following a programme based on the guidelines established by the French Education Ministry (Ministère de l’éducation nationale) for teaching French as a mother tongue. The supplementary education is aimed at children aged 18 months to 18 years old. The CIO also aims to be a meeting point and sharing environment for French speaking families through the provision of various activities.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	La Récré was founded in May 2015 as a community group, started its activities in June 2015 and became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in August 2017 (registration number 1174400). This report concludes the 7th year operating as a charity with both volunteers and self-employed members of staff. As in the previous years, sessions were held in person at Bitterne Park Secondary school. In line with post-covid recovery, LaRécré expanded by opening new classes and increased membership by 20%
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity	Para 1.18	We confirm the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and taken them into account when making any relevant decision.

Commission on public benefit.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making.	Para 1.38	Not Applicable
Policy on social investment including program related investment.	Para 1.38	- All staff are DBS checked and/or we check their French ‘extrait de casier judiciaire’ if they have been in the UK for less than 1 year. - To facilitate the integration of new staff, we provide an induction process, covering the ethos of our charity, the structure, the procedures and expectations. - La Récré continues its membership of Parapluie FLAM (Français Langue Maternelle or French as a mother tongue). This network enables us to exchange ideas and processes and provides training courses for the board, the teaching and administration staff. - All members of the education, administration and board teams undertook safeguarding training also organised by the FLAM network. - All staff are invited to attend FLAM meetings if interested and La Récré covers the session fees and expenses if applicable.
Contribution made by volunteers.	Para 1.38	La Récré has many volunteers ready to help and to support when needed, covering during the absence of other staff, and helping at the school library.
Other

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	La Récré’s number of registered pupils increased by 15% at the start of the year to 90 pupils and then raised to 101 by the 2nd half of the year after we opened a new “Babar” section, split from the “Barbapapa” class. This allowed us to reduce the waiting list in this age-group which had increased significantly. La Récré also opened two new classes for adults, one online and one in-person, geared towards non-French speaking members of French speaking families. La Récré was run by a team of 9 teachers and assistants. For the 6th year, La Récré continued to partially subsidise fortnightly two extra classes to prepare for three “Diplôme d'études en langue française” (DELF), namely DELF A2, DELF B1 and DELF B2. Since its creation La Récré has maintained an efficient running of the organisation and provides quality lessons to children by qualified and enthusiastic staff. This has not always been an easy task due to staff turnover and difficulties in recruitment. La Récré’s vision remains to expose children to the French language and culture whilst having fun and making friends.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set.	Para 1.41	This year, having sent our annual satisfaction survey to families a little bit earlier, we received a much better response rate with 21 members out of 67 families Noting that members response can include multiple children: 25 respondents were satisfied with the sessions, no one expressed a dissatisfaction. 21 respondents noticed significant progress in French, mainly in enthusiasm, speaking and vocabulary abilities. 24 respondents were satisfied with the teaching team, 1 was dissatisfied. It is to be noted that the dissatisfactioncamefroman

			adult student in the online class and that the
			Board took action to address the issue.
			20 respondents were also satisfied with how
			La Récré is run and none were dissatisfied.
			Overall, this survey shows that La Récré
			continues to achieve its goals, mainly by
			supporting and improving children’s learning
			of the French Language and their curiosity
			for French language and culture. We believe
			in an engaging and relaxed environment in
			small classes, managed by enthusiastic
			teachers and assistants and this is our key to
			this success which we are keen to maintain.
			No fundraising activities were organised.
	Performance of fundraising
	activities against objectives	Para 1.41
	set.
			Not applicable
	Investment performance	Para 1.41
	against objectives.
	Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	For the academic year 2023/2024, La Récré had healthy accounts, with a net balance of £15,109 at the end of the year. Membership during the period increased from 55 to 67 families. However, we have still to receive from Bitterne Park School the Term3 invoice estimated at £1100.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	These reserves will allow the school to open a new class in 2024/2025. They will also be used to organise special events such as theatre production or thematic sessions, with the remainder to be kept in case of hardship related to increased running costs.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	At the end of August 2023, we had£15,109left in reserve.
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	Not applicable
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	No funds were materially in deficit.
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	The main difficulties and uncertainties are still related to the recruitment of suitable teachers. However, we are lucky to have parent volunteers ready to step in, allowing us to maintain teaching quality and cover during the absence of other staff. The increase in running costs due to inflation and high energy costs (mainly rooms renting) is a concern and should the increase in rents not be sustainable, LaRécréshall look for alternative and cheaper spaces to rent.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	The principal sources of funds are membership and fees from participants
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	Not applicable

	A description of the principal	Para 1.46	The increase in running costs due to inflation
	risks facing the charity		and high energy costs.
			As the current managing team is faced with
			their own children outgrowing the school, the
			Board has recognized the need to recruit
			Board members amongst the intake of new
			parents to ensure the continued survival of
			La Récré.
	Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	CIO
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	Elected at the AGM by the members. Or appointed by Trustees until the next AGM

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees.	Para 1.51	A guidance document on the roles & duties is provided to all new trustees, in accordance with Charity Commission guidelines.
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works.	Para 1.51	La Récré works closely with Bitterne Park School in Southampton. La Récré rents the premises as the lessons are held in the 6th form building of Bitterne Park School.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51	La Récré is part of the UK FLAM (Français Langue Maternelle) network which regroups about 50 FLAM schools in the United Kingdom. This network is recognised and supported by the French Agency for the Teaching of French Language abroad.
Other		Risks: ● Considered by all board members. ● Regular policy review process. ● Particular attention is given to the safeguarding policy and its implementation.

● With the increase of members and of responsibilities, the board continues to hold a trustee’s insurance.

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	La Récré
Other name the charity uses	La Récré Southampton
Registered charity number	1174400
Charity’s principal address	36 Salisbury Street Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 1AF

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

		Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any)
	1	Jeanne-Francoise Williamson	Chair		Members
	2	Sandrine Morawek	Secretary		Members
	3	Caryl Takvorian	Trustee		Members
	4	NellyPayne	Trustee		Members
	6	Sandra Vado	Trustee	Resigned in October 2023	Members
	7	Maggie Adams	Treasurer		Members
	8	Lina Rebaine	Trustee		Members
	10	Christine Courtier	Trustee	Joined in November 2023	Members
	11
	12
	13
	14
	15
	16
	19
	20

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees Signature(s) ~~a~~ Caryl Takvorian Full name(s) Sandrine Morawek ~~a~~ Position (eg SECRETARY/TRUSTEE TRUSTEE Secretary, Chair, etc) ~~esee~~ Date 14/11/2024 14/11/2024 ~~ee ee~~

La Recre 1174400 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period 01/09/2023 To 31/08/2024 from Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted Endowment Restricted funds Total funds Last year funds funds to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts Membership (all members) 804 - - 804 648 Student fees 24,857 - - 24,857 20,168 Interest 120 - - 120 45 Donation 20 Grant 3,032 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sub total (Gross income for AR) 25,781 - - 25,781 23,913 A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). == ~~S 2222~~ - Sub total - Total receipts 25,781 - - 25,781 23,913 S ~~SS 5—~~ A3 Payments Hire of rooms 3,240 - - 3,240 3,000 Stationary and Teaching ressources 604 - - 604 487 DELF Exam fee 180 Teaching Staff 12,636 - - 12,636 9,077 Insurance 936 - - 936 909 Adminstration Staff 2,485 - - 2,485 2,644 Training 17 - - 17 586 Heath and Safety 47 - - 47 250 Marketing & Com 424 - - 424 178 FLAM membership 117 117 35 Events 248 248 316 m ~~eee~~ 20,753 - - 20,753 17,662 A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) - - - - ~~6~~ - Sub total - ~~==~~ Total payments 20,753 - - 20,753 17,662 Net of receipts/(payments) 5,028 - - 5,028 6,251 A5 Transfers between funds - - - - - A6 Cash funds last year end 10,081 - - 10,081 3,829 Cash funds this year end ~~===——=>~~ 15,109 - - 15,109 10,080 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted Restricted funds Endowment Categories Details funds funds to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ B1 Cash funds 15,109 - - - - - ~~——~~

~~SS~~	~~SS~~	~~SS~~	~~SS~~	~~SS~~	- ~~SS~~ ~~SS~~	~~SS~~ ~~SS~~	- ~~SS~~ ~~SS S=~~	~~SS~~ ~~S=~~	- ~~SS~~ ~~S=~~
~~SS~~	Total cash funds ~~SS~~			~~SS~~	15,109 ~~SS~~ ~~SS~~	~~SS~~ ~~SS~~	- ~~SS~~ ~~SS S=~~	- OK Endowment funds ~~SS~~ ~~S=~~	- ~~SS~~ ~~S=~~
~~SS~~	(agree balances with receipts and payments account (s)) ~~SS~~			OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds ~~SS~~ ~~SS S=~~
~~SS~~	~~SS~~			~~SS~~		~~SS~~ ~~SS~~		~~SS~~ ~~S=~~
—___	Details —___			—___	to nearest £ —___	—___	to nearest £ —___	—___	to nearest £ —___
B2 Other monetary assets —___	—___			—___	- —___	—___	- —___	—___	- —___
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—___	—___			—___	—___	—___ SS	—___	—___ =	—___
SS	Details SS				Fund to which asset belongs SS		Cost (optional) SS=		Current value (optional) =
B3 Investment assets SS	SS				SS	SS	- SS=	=	- =
	SS				SS	SS	- SS=	=	- =
	SS				SS	SS	- SS=	=	- =
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SS	SS				SS	SS	SS=	=	=
SS	Details SS				Fund to which asset belongs SS	SS	Cost (optional) SS=	=	Current value (optional) =
B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use mse	mse			mse	mse	mse	- mse	mse	- mse
	mse			mse	mse	mse	- mse	mse	- mse
	mse			mse	mse	mse	- mse	mse	- mse
	mse			mse	mse	mse	- mse	mse	- mse
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	mse			mse	mse	mse	- mse	mse	- mse
	mse			mse	mse	mse	- mse	mse	- mse
	mse			mse	mse	mse	- mse	mse	- mse
	mse			mse	mse	mse	- mse	mse	- mse
mse	mse			mse =====	mse	mse =====	mse	mse =====	mse
=====	Details =====				Fund to which liability relates =====		Amount due (optional) =====		When due (optional) =====
B5 Liabilities =====	=====			=====	=====	=====	- =====	=====	=====
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Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees =====	Signature =====			=====	Print Name =====			=====	Date of approval =====
=====	=====			=====	Sandrine Morawek, trustee =====			=====	30/03/2025 =====
=====	Marguerite ADAMS =====			=====	Marguerite ADAMS, Treasurer/Trustee =====			=====	30 March 2025 =====

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF LA RÉCRÉ

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of La Récré (the Charity) for the year ended 31 August 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the Charity 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

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 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.

Mr J P Foxwell FCCA FCIE independent-examiner.net

PO Box 9846, Poole, BH15 9JZ

Date: 11 April 2025