2023-08-31-accounts

Registered number: 10562182 Charity number: 1175704

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

CONTENTS

	Page
Reference and Administrative Details of the Charitable Company, its Trustees and Advisers	1 - 2
Headteacher's Annual Report	3 - 10
Trustees' Report (including Directors' Report and Strategic Report)	11 - 25
Independent Auditor's Report on the Financial Statements	26 - 29
Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities	30 - 31
Consolidated Balance Sheet	32 - 33
Charitable Company Balance Sheet	34 - 35
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows	36
Notes to the Financial Statements	37 - 62

Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITABLE COMPANY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Trustees and Directors	Susan Allan(Bursar)
	David Bunney (Clerk)
	Robert Lincoln(resigned 31 August 2023)
	Anton Maree (Head)
	Katherine Napier(appointed 1 September 2022,resigned 31 August 2023)
	Carol Rayner(Treasurer)
	Andrew Whiteley
	MaryHartshorne(appointed 1 September 2023)
	Andrew Penman(appointed 1 September 2023)
	Susan Raphael(appointed 1 September 2023)
Company registered number 10562182 Charity registered number 1175704 Registered office Ackworth School Ackworth Pontefract West Yorkshire WF7 7LT Company secretary Susan Allan Independent auditors BHP LLP Rievaulx House 1 St Mary's Court Blossom Street York North Yorkshire YO24 1AH Bankers Barclays Bank Plc 5 Market Place Pontefract West Yorkshire WF8 1AD Solicitors Weightmans LLP Westgate Point Westgate Leeds West Yorkshire LS1 2AX

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITABLE COMPANY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

School Committee Directors on the School Committee: David Bunney Carol Rayner Mary Hartshorne Andrew Penman Andrew Whiteley Susan Raphael Advisors to the Board but forming part of the School Committee: Rachel Belk Stephen Bunney Matthew Moore Digby Swift Belinda Walters Sal Wright

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

HEADTEACHER'S ANNUAL REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

The start of the new school year was affected by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Ackworth School would like to express our sincerest condolences on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty led a life centred on selfless service, demonstrating unwavering strength, warmth and kindness in leading the nation over seven decades. She gave all of us a sense of stability and constancy. Our thoughts are with all members of the Royal Family at this most difficult time. At our meeting recently we reflected on the passing of the Queen, and staff and pupils alike shared their feelings in what was a truly wonderful and touching occasion.

This year we celebrate in particular our excellent result in the most recent ISI inspection and also our new links with Harrogate Town Association Football Club.

We have certainly not stood still at school and have moved on with our plans to reduce our expenditure on energy by installing new central heating in the West Wing and in our Girl’s Boarding House. Sometimes the work done by our maintenance team during the summer is not visible, but they always accomplish the challenges they face with good humour and make an incredible difference to the school. Please do take note of the new lights along Back Lane, our new EYFS play area, and the improvements made to the entrance to Coram House.

This year we are delighted to welcome pupils from all over the world. It is a remarkable feature that sets us apart from other schools. We are a day and boarding school, and our boarding element allows us to enrich the school with incredible diversity. We have pupils from 21 different nationalities excluding British: Bermuda, China, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, France, Georgia, Germany, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Poland, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Ukraine, USA and Vietnam.

Community

We recognise that it is our duty to help our community and as a consequence we continue to give access to our swimming pool to 850 children per week. Learning to swim is essential if we are to prevent drowning in this country and we want to play our part in this project.

We also continue to allow Ackworth Junior Football Club access to our football pitches at no cost. Over 22 teams practice and play football three with more than 300 children involved. In this way we have made sure that football continues to have a focus at a local level.

Ackworth Tennis Club also continues to use our courts at low cost in order to further our relationship with the local community. Without the school’s initiative tennis would not survive at a community level. Every year we host the Senior Citizens Christmas Party at the school. We provide the facilities at no cost and the food at low cost. This year the event was attended by several hundred citizens who have come to know the school very well over the years. We also continue to provide both Table Tennis and Tennis to local schools. Table tennis works with 18 state primary schools and over 1,500 pupils and Tennis reaches 11 state primary schools and 1,700 pupils. All of this is achieved at no cost to these schools.

We regularly invite local primary schools to the school and this year had 140 state school pupils visiting to watch Legally Blonde. They took part in workshops, led by our Performing Arts Departments as part of our community partnership. Many of these pupils have never had the opportunity to watch a full-length production and visiting Ackworth is always a great experience. As part of our community partnership with our local primary schools we hosted an event in our Meeting House to raise funds for children in Turkey and Syria following the earthquakes earlier this year. What a pleasure it was to experience our school, at the centre of our community, through the medium of music. The Meeting House was almost as full as Open Day and I found myself tapping my foot in time to the music on several occasions but especially when Noah raised the roof with his rendition of New York State of Mind! We were delighted to welcome Bell Lane and Mill Dam primary schools, and they entertained us with their performances. It was wonderful to see their excitement and enthusiasm while performing.

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL (A Company Limited by Guarantee)

HEADTEACHER'S ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Refurbishment

We make very good use of school holidays to continue our process of refurbishment. We are indeed fortunate to have such an effective team who can strip a room, fix the electrics and heating, plaster, paint and then add a new carpet and curtains. The primary difficulty is that we have so many rooms in the school. One of our painters looked pretty pleased with himself whilst painting a room recently; he told me that he had now painted every room in the school whilst working for us. We have recently refurbished one of our buildings to create a Fifth Form Centre. WiFi has been added to make sure that pupils keep up to date with important things like world news and less important things like the World Cup during break and lunch time. The new Fifth Form Centre allows us to use our Middle Passage for the fourth form and our other pupils in the first, second and third forms all have existing areas.

This year our excellent maintenance team have replaced our main boilers, built a new roof over Richardson House, refurbished boarding accommodation and replaced the central heating system in the Andrews Wing during the Summer. This summer we undertake the massive task of replacing the heating plant and system in the Andrews Wing. This was an immense task with more than 120 radiators to replace and a few miles of piping to feed through the building including the six science laboratories. We are working on being more sustainable - the cost of heating our buildings with an old system and mostly single pane sash windows is high. It’s no good heating the place at cost only to allow most of it to depart through the windows.

Curriculum

We have introduced Computer Science and Government and Politics to our traditional and broad curriculum this year, and it was clear from interested pupils that this was a popular decision. We continue to offer the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). The EPQ is offered as both extension and enrichment to Sixth Form students. It is very much a passion project, with students applying the higher-level critical and research skills they have been taught to a project of their own choosing: this year, Mental Health in Art; the Olympian, Helen Glover; and the impact of coeducational/single-sex education on girls’ academic attainment. Anna, Darcey and Lucy have shown tremendous determination and high-quality research and critical thinking skills as they come to the end of their 10 months of research.

Drama

Drama continues to be a great success at Ackworth School with regular productions. Following on from their successful performance in July 2022’s Open Day, Grace Dibb and Adam Santosa reprised their production of Rick Wood’s powerful play “Try” in September in the Fothergill Theatre. As part of what is known as the Cawood Slot initiative (the opportunity for students to take greater ownership and autonomy of productions they want to put on), these two committed students re-rehearsed the play in the days preceding the start of term alongside their director, our Head of Drama, Ali Boucher. Sensitively acted with nuance, complexity and attention to detail, “Try” explored the impact that OCD, anxiety and depression has on individuals and relationships. The play provided a critical and important opportunity to reflect on the importance of mental health, and the need for better understanding and empathy with those whose problems are not as overt as a leg in a cast.

The whole school musical, “Legally Blonde”, was performed at the start of the Spring Term: It was a high- energy, funny and uplifting musical extravaganza with Ali Boucher as Director, Oliver McCarthy-Bell as Musical Director and Georgina Crowther as Choreographer! The main acts played their parts to perfection, along with excellent contributions from the enormous cast (29 pupils). The Sixth Form performed Margaret Edson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Wit”, this year as their contribution to productions.

National Theatre’s New Views Playwriting Competition

13 pupils were given the chance to learn the craft of Playwriting at Ackworth School. Ali Boucher, the Head of Drama entered them in the New Views Drama Competition. Several were commended and awarded certificates for their work. Grace Dibb’s play, “Parmesan”, was placed as Highly Commended by New Views. The readers and the New Views team felt that her work, in their words, ‘was a fantastic play that showed something unique and deserved special recognition’.

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

HEADTEACHER'S ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Grace has also been accepted as part of the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, securing her place amongst nearly 6000 young people applying. This is a fantastic achievement.

The Inter-house Drama Competition took place in March 2023. Every year of late, there has been a new twist to the Interhouse Drama Competition, and 2023 was no different - this was the first year when all four house productions were plays written by students at the school. This really was a wholly student-driven experience: student-led, student-written, student-performed and all the technical requirements were met by our pupils as well. All four productions were special indeed, the skills and talent and effort on show such that it seemed very unfair to select only one as the winner.

– White Poppies Junior drama production

Our junior production was Sue Saunders’ moving play about the First World War, White Poppies.

Music

The Music Department’s Lunchtime Concert series, with performances from students across the school are a regular event. Pupils concentrate on classical music like Tchaikovsky’s Douce Rêverie, Allegro, by Mozart, Nuvole Bianche, by Einaudi and Night Song and Pantomime by Benjamin Britten. The concerts are very well received by both students and staff. Our choir performs regularly. Our Senior Choir participated in the Rothwell Music Festival and won an award for best choir.

Christmas Carol Concert

Our annual Christmas Carol Concert took place in December in the Meeting House. The choir sang beautifully, and the orchestra played their hearts out! It is the perfect way to end a year and puts everyone in the festive mood!

Inter-house Music

Our Inter-house music competition took place during the Spring Term. The range in the quality of performances was enormous as is the norm for these events, but much personal courage was on display. It is never easy to perform in front of your peers. The winning entries were very good; we have many talented and composed musicians at our school and those that keep their ability well-hidden and then put in a performance that delights and astounds.

Easter Concert

The Easter Concert ends the Spring Term and we appreciated the quality of our choirs and musicians who delivered a flawless performance. We were all struck by the timeless beauty of the music offered and the passion for music inspired by our Music Department.

Choir Performance at Wakefield Cathedral

We regularly perform at Wakefield Cathedral. It’s always so lovely to have the opportunity for the choirs to perform at a public venue, to a public audience. The Cathedral is always packed with audience members, some of the them regulars at all the lunchtime recitals, and they enjoyed a varied programme, from classical music to pop, and musical theatre to quintessential British music, inspired by the recent Coronation!

Sport

Our sporting prowess continues to develop. We are a school that does well at all sports but we focus on a few in particular; football, netball and hockey as well as table tennis and squash. Our grounds allow us to host the Wakefield schools’ cross-country championships. Sporting success is important for the general sense of well-being in a school, and it is good to have these areas of excellence and inspiration. Anyone working at a school should have as their aim the intention of making the school better tomorrow than it is today. Jane Donnelly is someone who works tirelessly at improving Girls’ Sport. An accomplished hockey player, Jane has transformed our girls’ sports teams. We compete against schools that have larger numbers to draw from but regularly emerge as the victors. Together with the PE Department she

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL (A Company Limited by Guarantee)

HEADTEACHER'S ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

has the responsibility for producing teams from amongst players who play at county standard and those who are being introduced to the sport for the first time. If you have played competitive sport, you will recognise how difficult this is to do and how much time and patience is required. We have exceptional performers at our school, none more so than Jack H who secured a gold medal in the high jump at the English Schools Athletics Championship in Birmingham with 1.94m.

We have formed an excellent bond with Harrogate Town Athletic Football Club who have offered to help with the development of our girls’ football teams. Simon Weaver, the Manager of HTAFC, is a former scholar. Dave Riley, the HTAFC Director of Football, led our first skills practice on Wednesday and Josh Falkingham, their first team captain, will lead training next week. I’m sure that interest in girls’ football at our school will grow over time as it has done nationally. Next year our Football Academy will be run by John McDermott as our new Director of Football. John is a very experienced football coach and professional footballer who most recently was assistant manager at National League North side Buxton. He is an UEFA A licence holder, the highest practical coaching qualification offered by the football association.

Founder's Day

Founder’s Day on the 18th October marked the occasion when the school was 244 years old. We celebrated by walking in year groups from the school to mark the occasion and to learn more about nature, ourselves and one another. Many schools do so little together nowadays, as pupils and staff, but we do this so well. Each year group walks a special and circuitous route with their tutors amongst them. Stronger relationships are formed along the way and differences resolved. The Nursery and Coram House also participate. Little ones can walk a mile and older ones can go further. When we return it is tradition to enjoy ’bangers and mash’ in the dining halls followed by donuts for all.

Charity

Ackworth School continues to support local charities. Every year we hold a Charity Week during which our sixth form pupils raise as much money as they can during break and lunchtime. This year our charities were, The Survivors Trust and RSPCA Leeds and Wakefield branch. The week culminates with the Staff-Sixth Form Entertainment, where all the performers’ hard work pays off in a great show. We managed to raise over £3,000 for our chosen charities. We also collected coats for Ukraine and managed to collect a huge number of garments, all of which were taken to Ukraine by a local charity. We know that our donations made a difference for many people this winter. The Pontefract Foodbank are also on our list of local charities that we support. As the Christmas holidays approach, we particularly remember others who are less fortunate. One notable fundraiser that was very successful and enjoyed by all was our annual reindeer run for Senior School and Coram House. Ken Grindrod attended on behalf of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Charity and was thrilled with the generosity of our school community in raising £876.80 to support this invaluable service. Even Father Christmas made an appearance.

Quaker Pilgrimage

Staff took 6 Sixth Form Students on the Quaker Pilgrimage, alongside students and staff from Bootham School and Newtown School. They visited three Meeting Houses and the Quaker Tapestry, as well as sites related to George Fox, including Pendle Hill and Fox’s Pulpit on Firbank Fell. All students got a great deal out of the weekend, including meeting new people and learning about the origins of Quakerism.

RSE Day 2023

Coram House won a national competition to host the launch of RSE Day on the theme “Let’s launch into kindness”. The aim is to open up conversations between parents and children about healthy relationships.

Remembrance Day

The school always attends the local Remembrance Day service at Ackworth Moortop. Several pupils from Coram House accompanied the Head to remember all those whose lives are lost and affected by war. We held in our thoughts the 108 Ackworth Old Scholars who died during the World Wars. Many of them were volunteers, others were conscientious

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ACKWORTH SCHOOL

HEADTEACHER'S ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

objectors and they suffered in prisons and labour camps because of the way they chose to act upon their conscience.

Visiting Speakers

We have many visiting speakers during the year. We particularly enjoyed welcoming into the school Verity Watts and Jo Baynham, both Quakers from Leeds, who talked to us about Remembrance in the Meeting House as well as the meaning of the different poppies available for people to wear (Red, White, Purple and Black). It is always refreshing to invite visiting speakers to address our pupils. Verity and Jo also spoke to pupils in Coram House. It is important to hear the views of others as we form and develop our own opinions. We also enjoyed meeting Sarah Waine and Julie Lewis who are both AOS who left the school more than 50 years ago. They returned to speak to the whole school about their visit to Antarctica in December 2022. They also spoke about their time at school and how it had shaped them as adults. Roy Leighton, a founding director of Positive Peace, an organisation which works to reduce conflict amongst pupils in school, also visited Ackworth to meet with our pupils to understand and appreciate how deeply embedded peace is within and amongst pupils and how it is sustained. Roy was profoundly moved by what he saw and heard during conversations with pupils from Coram and the Senior School. He sent an email in which he said, “I was genuinely uplifted and deeply moved by the wisdom and compassion of your children. They are a credit to your community and are, and I hope will continue to be, a positive force for peace in the world”. Roy would like us to contribute to his studies and understanding by participating in a Peace Audit developed by Cambridge University.

Pupil Voice

Our Student Council meets regularly to discuss matters of concern. I am struck by the way in which they represent their peers, never mentioning their own personal matters, but always seeking to improve upon things for others. The Head and Pastoral Leads all have regular meetings with pupils at break time to give them an opportunity to show us how well they are doing at Ackworth School and to marvel at the quality of marking and feedback from colleagues. Pupils voice is increasingly important to the changing framework for inspection and it is something that we have always been very good at.

Anti-Bullying Week

Ackworth School takes part in the national Anti-Bullying Week, as members of the Anti-Bullying Alliance. The purpose of the week is to raise awareness of the bullying of children and young people and to highlight ways of preventing it. The theme for this year’s Anti-Bullying Week was ‘Reach Out’. Whether it’s in school, at home, in the community or online, we need to encourage students to:Reach Out… and show each other the support they need Reach Out… to someone they trust if they need to talk Reach Out… to someone they know is being bullied Reach Out… and consider a new approach.

250th Anniversary

One of our ambitions is to raise funds towards our 250th anniversary in 2029. This will enable the refurbishment of our swimming pool and adjacent buildings so that we can provide for our pupils and continue to share our facilities with our community. Our sister Quaker schools in the USA, tell us that their parents donate regularly because they believe that it is their duty to do so, having had their children benefit from the philanthropy of others. They raise millions this way from their fee-paying parents. Our plan is simple: if 1,000 donors each donate £250 per year for the next 7 years, we will raise £1,750,000.

Sixth Form Ball

Our pupils are very good at organising events at school. Our Sixth Form ball was their responsibility, and they had a great time and all looked fantastic. The food from Thomas Franks was delicious, and the decorations really made the event special.

New Head

You will have seen the letter announcing the appointment of Martyn Beer, Senior Deputy Head at Bootham School in York. Martyn has been known to the school for years through his work at Bootham and through our regular Heads and

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ACKWORTH SCHOOL (A Company Limited by Guarantee)

HEADTEACHER'S ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Deputies meetings of Quaker Schools. Martyn’s deep understanding of a Quaker School and his appreciation of the internal and external factors that impact on schools will help to propel and galvanise Ackworth as we face the future. As the new Head Martyn will have all the positive energy and momentum created by our excellent ISI Report, links with Harrogate Town AFC and effective recruitment of new boarders.

Ackworth Old Scholar events

We hosted two events for former scholars this year, one in Leeds and one in London at King’s Cross. It was striking to reflect upon how well our former scholars had done in life, doctors, lawyers, fund managers and airline pilots. In individual conversations we asked what part Ackworth had played in their success. The answer was simple and shared across the many conversations we had; the establishment of self-esteem and confidence by staff who cared and who were supportive to those who needed it, and the realisation of the potential that lurked within each of them. It is my very firm belief that they would find the same nurturing instinct today and that they would immediately identify with our teachers and pupils.

Mentoring and Wellbeing

Our Sixth Form mentoring program is functioning well, with over 20 trained mentors to add to the service that Hannah Ellis provides so well as our Operational Designated Safeguarding Lead. We also have counsellors that visit the school. Next year will see the official opening our our new Wellbeing Hub. It has already started work at the school and pupils and staff are benefiting from the intervention and support from well-chosen experts. We regard Children’s Mental Health Week as an important week to mark. We are very fortunate to have Hannah Ellis working for us as well as visiting counsellors. In addition, the school has a nurture room, and the visiting counsellor works from a suitable space next to Hannah’s office. All these initiatives have been introduced by Nancy Newlands-Melvin in recognition of declining levels of mental health and the impact of lockdown.

ISI Inspection

We were inspected in February 2023 by the ISI and were awarded an Excellent by the inspectorate. Inspectors appreciated the Quaker values and the impact that they have upon all of us, and they marvelled at the opportunities offered to our pupils at such a small school. Boarding and the Autism Resource in particular were given the highest praise possible, and this is due to the work done by Nicola Gilbert and her team and Lynne Ward and her incredible team. There was much praise for the way our pupils conduct themselves across the school and the way in which they make progress. This is down to the exceptional teaching and pastoral care delivered by teachers in both the Senior School and Coram House, and the regulatory compliance achieved by Sue Allan, Katherine Cordon and their team. I am delighted to be able to inform you that we have received an 'excellent' rating in all areas. This inspection confirms what we have all known since our last full inspection, that Ackworth is an excellent small school that produces thoughtful and mature students who go on to do well beyond school. This is the result of the hard work and dedication of our staff, students, and parents, who have all played a vital role in our success. We are committed to providing our students with the best possible education, and we will continue to work tirelessly to maintain these high standards.

New school website and logo

We have been working to refresh our branding and new website which launched in April 2023. As well as presenting the school in a more modern and accessible way it features a dedicated parents' and guardians’ section where they are able to find useful information such as term dates, our popular ‘week at a glance’, and access to the parent portal. The introduction of the new logo was a gradual one to prevent waste and cost to parents.

Autism Acceptance Week

National Autism Acceptance Week is always celebrated at Ackworth. Alongside a sensory display in the Vestibule, pupils discussed Neurodiversity issues and contributed their ideas, questions, statements and ideals on sheets - coloured to represent an aspect of the Neurodiversity logo - and raised these together in Meeting. This whole-school symbol of engagement and solidarity was moving to see and highlights that Ackworth, the only HMC school with an Autism

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ACKWORTH SCHOOL

HEADTEACHER'S ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Resource, is at the forefront of understanding, inclusion, and the celebration of diversity.

Timeline

We are also working on a small part of our plans for our 250th celebration in October 2029, with the installation of a timeline in Centre Passage. With help from one of our parents we have traced a map of Seaton’s Farm in the London Metropolitan Archives dating back to March 1757 when the land was purchased by the Foundling Hospital. We are very grateful for the help which is so willingly given.

2023 Leavers

It is always a sad day when we say goodbye to the pupils who have reached an end to their education at Ackworth School. But there is always the excitement of the road ahead. Their journey will continue elsewhere but they will take with them the values, knowledge, and skills they have learned and developed. This was particularly brought home to us during our final Meeting for Worship with the departing sixth form. Five of them had been here for 16 years and they have a friendship that has stood the test of time and they have befriended many others who may not have been here for as long. Our sixth form are a diverse group; they come from the UK, China, Poland, Ukraine, and Vietnam to name but a few but they all regard Ackworth as being of pivotal importance in shaping their lives. For our famous five, this is all they have known. Some of our leavers have had to deal with matters that would have stifled even the strongest willed and they have triumphed over adversity.

Jeffrey Swales

We held a function in July in honour of Jeffrey Swales who worked for the school for 17 years, during which time, amongst other notable achievements, he catapulted the school into a new age in terms of the use of educational technology and was instrumental in the provision of education online during Covid. Jeffrey was always there when needed and has been a wonderful servant to the school. It is often suggested that nobody is irreplaceable, but Jeffrey came very close to being the exception to the rule.

Staff Leavers

There are other members of staff leaving us at the end of the year; Lynne Ward, who is retiring after many excellent years of leading the Autism Resource, Nicola Gilbert, has accepted a promotion post at Dallam School, Mike Windsor is moving further south to be with his family, Dan Wiseman has accepted promotion as a Deputy Head at a school in Leeds and Jane Donnelly is joining Hill House in Doncaster, June Pease is retiring after 40 years of selfless work in the Autism Resource, Elena Clarke is changing career paths after leading many successful school trips all over the world, and Carl Pearson our inspirational Head of Physics, who is leaving teaching for the time being. Thank you must also go to Catherine Cooper and Allain Baigent-Brown for their maternity cover and the professionalism they brought to the school, and to Lee Whittaker for his help with learning support.

Party on the Green

Despite a small shower in the afternoon, the weather was kind to us for Party on the Green; which was just as well, as the musical programme seemed to have a fairly season- appropriate theme. We heard “Summertime” performed by Senior Orchestra, a flute solo entitled “Holiday Time” and “Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot” by Coram Percussion group, to name a few. The performances were very well received by the audience, and the musicians definitely earned their ice creams by the end of the night! A fairly large number of students were involved in the performance last night, with orchestra, choirs, percussion groups and soloists from both Coram House and Senior School. In addition, we heard from our String Orchestra, and Guitar Quartet (which grew to a sextet for the occasion!) and a band specially put together for the evening. It never fails to amaze me how much talent we have here at Ackworth, both in Coram and Senior School. We had students as young as 7 and 8 performing, for some of whom this will have been their first live performance, all the way to our Upper Sixth, who we shall greatly miss when they begin their next adventure.

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ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

HEADTEACHER'S ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Signer ID: L5SUOAFROX...

Anton Maree Headteacher

Date: 5 March 2024

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ACKWORTH SCHOOL

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

The Trustees present their report and the audited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2023. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and 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 published in October 2019.

The directors of the charitable company are its trustees for the purpose of charity law.

General overview

a. Background

Since our last report there has been a welcome return to normality in the regular life of the School, but the time taken to reach this point reflects the fact that Ackworth was late into the economic downturn due to covid and lockdowns and late out of the slump that followed. The slow recovery has meant that the financial results are not we want to see, giving rise to serious conversations with the auditors about whether Ackworth is a going concern. However, the trustees are clear that the business remains a going concern, as the improvement in the current year suggests.

Some of the deficit can be seen in the accounts. Boarding numbers were lower than planned, with a reluctance to travel as well as a deterrent effect on potential Chinese parents of the proposed policies for the independent education sector of Labour party policies. High levels of staff illness meant increased, and unbudgeted, levels of supply costs. During the lockdowns we were innovating on the style of teaching for pupils working from home, using IT, and this has required additional spend to ensure that the equipment, and the offer to pupils, remained state of the art.

Wellbeing is an important part of our provision for all those in our community, and the demand for support has led to the establishment of a well-being hub. This is available to both young people and staff where they can find a calm and caring atmosphere away from the pressures of the classroom. The costs of maintaining an aging but valued campus are reflected in a significant spend to replace the heritage heating system. The initial outlay is high but there are expectations that more efficient heating systems will provide savings especially as the favourable gas supply deal in place will require renewal in 2025.

Parts of the spend in the year under review have either been capitalised or are one offs spent against a plan to increase revenue or to meet essential needs for the community. This is our legacy to our successors even if we are the generation to manage the continuing impact of Covid.

The School Committee recently held an ‘Away Day’ in conjunction with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) which allowed a full review of our purpose, our vision and our aims, and how these might be reflected in the Strategic Plan. It is important to us to regularly review the future, especially as there are challenges ahead that we need to prepare for. The most obvious area is politics, as represented by the Labour Party aims to take funding for state schools from the private education sector in the form of VAT on school fees and the ending of business rate relief. The end result would be that schools such as Ackworth would still be charities, regulated by the Charity `Commission, but having lost a significant level of fee revenue. We are still reviewing options, including an increase in fees, but at a time of significant economic hardship in the wider community, this has to be managed very carefully. It is important that our communications with parents and staff are established and maintained to ensure that no-one is taken by surprise when decisions have to be made.

There are many positives that auger well for the future, some already apparent in the current financial year results to date but also from within the discussions of our Away Day.

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TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

General overview (continued)

The most significant moment was the outcome of the ISI inspection which took place in February 2023. After two inspections that left the school in a tricky situation, starting in 2014, it was just reward for the work of the staff, led by Anton Maree and Susan Allan and committee colleagues, that Ackworth was rated as ‘Excellent’ in all areas. We had known this in our view of the school and from the feedback from parents whose children saw the school as a place of safety and care, but an official, and public, recognition is good for the morale of everyone. The onus now is on the school to maintain this high standard in everything that it does.

From April 2024 Ackworth will have a new Head, when Martyn Beer, currently deputy Head at Bootham will succeed Anton Maree. Anton will have then completed 10 years of valuable and unstinting service to the school, during which the school has had to wrestle with many challenges presented by the Covid pandemic and associated lockdowns. There was a point just prior to the first lockdown in March 2020 when the school was looking at a much healthier financial performance as plans prepared over the previous 2 to 3 years were coming to fruition. However, the lockdowns put paid to that ‘promised land’ much to the frustration of us all. Again, it was the partnership of Anton and Susan Allan that has seen us through some difficult financial circumstances and now we can start to see some genuine improvement in performance, but not yet reflected in the financial results. We thank Anton, and his wife Alison, for their leadership and care of our community, and for the work they have done to increase and improve relations with the wider community. We wish them a long, rewarding and happy retirement.

Boarding numbers have increased significantly in the current year, with prospects looking much brighter for the foreseeable future. Whilst this will require the recruitment of more staff around the boarding houses it is a very encouraging position to be in when we can say that current boarding numbers mean that the school is full.

Boarding numbers, a key influence on revenue, are up on the previous year and the signs are positive that the appetite for an English education remains. Europe and Africa are proving good areas to recruit boarders although the China market is now beset by political issues together with a poor payment record in recent years. Visa issues arising from Brexit still cause administrative problems. Against a forecast deficit of £604k the results for 2022/23 were down on budget. This was a disappointing result that reflected very difficult trading conditions. The bad debt provision has been maintained as this is the judgment of the unlikelihood of seeing future payments from a limited number of debtors, especially when set against the relative high cost of pursuing such debt. Most parents pay in line with the requirements of the parental contract, and there have been some notable successes in recovering some long-term debt.

The final deficit stands at £787K.

The trading figures are supported by a long term, and low price, energy contract taking us to 2025 but pressures on the cost side make their mark, as reflected in: higher food costs; increased salaries and the impact of labour market competition; raw material shortages and increased costs for maintenance and upgrades; and the increased demand for bursary support.

Salaries were increased by about 10% for those staff on National Minimum Wage and this process will continue in April 2024. Salaries for other staff were increased, on average by 2.5%, but in the present economic climate this was not as much as staff, teaching and non-teaching need or want. Keeping staff fully engaged and committed to the school is challenging in these circumstances, when a new Head needs to support of experienced classroom practitioners, and it highlights the need for a much sounder and positive financial outcome in future years.

Savings have been achieved by slowing down refurbishment projects, seeking efficiencies in making new appointments and reductions in the level of bursary support. Ultimately increased revenue is the key to a sustainable financial base. There were several successful recruiting visits during the period, notably to African countries, representing a significant shift in focus, and it was pleasing to see that local recruitment for day pupils was holding up as other schools were facing

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TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

General overview (continued)

similar challenges to our own.

There is still a demand from prospective parents for a challenging curriculum within a caring environment. The provision of support for helping both pupils and staff facing mental health issues is now seen as an essential part of our community focus on well-being.

The financial performance in the current year (2023/24) is showing a significant improvement over the period of review and with a broader range of lettings in the Summer may yield an improved level of revenue.

The arrival of a new Head, working with a changed Senior Leadership team (SLT), allows us the opportunity to look at the options for how the School is managed and led, and to see and plan how a sustainable future can be established that will see the School flourish over the coming decades. The away-day has proven very constructive in helping our thinking about the direction in which we would like to see the school develop but we are clear that the best long term prospect remains for a modern day and boarding school that recognises the needs of the individual across the community with a firm foundation in the Quaker ethos.

We wish Martyn Beer and the SLT well in their endeavours on behalf of the Ackworth School community in the coming years.

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TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Strategic report

Reference and administrative information

a. Incorporation

The Charity was founded in 1779 and was registered with the Charity Commission under charity number 529280. In January 2017 the school incorporated and from 1st September 2018 has traded as a company limited by guarantee under the charity number 1175704. The charitable objects of this new charity remain unchanged from the objects of the old charity. The Directors, Governors (also the Trustees), executive officers and principal address of the Charity, along with the particulars of the Charity’s professional advisers for the reporting period, are given on page 1.

Structure, governance and management

a. Governing document

The Charity is governed by its Trust Deed dated 20th April 1799 as amended by a subsequent deed dated 9th August 1873 and its Articles of Association dated 11th August 2017.

b. Organisation, Governance and Management

Ackworth School was founded by John Fothergill (and others) on behalf of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in the latter part of the 1770’s, the first pupils arriving on 18th October 1779, a day still traditionally celebrated as Founders’ Day. The Founders intended that the school should provide an education for the children of Friends who were “not in affluence”. Much has changed since then, but Quaker values still underpin the school which now educates children of all faiths, denominations and backgrounds.

The school company is monitored by Ackworth General Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) which appoints the School’s Governing Body, known as the School Committee. Ackworth General Meeting meets at the School in May each year to receive the annual accounts and to hear reports from the School Committee and the Head.

As previously mentioned, incorporation took effect from 1st September 2018. In support of this process Directors were appointed as follows to reflect their positions on the School Committee:

• •Clerk to the School Committee

• •Deputy Clerk

• •Treasurer

• •Clerk of the Education and Pastoral Sub Committee

• •Clerk of the Estate and Domestic Sub Committee

• •Clerk of the Compliance and Policies Sub Committee

• •Head (Executive Director)

• •Bursar (Executive Director)

Ackworth General Meeting continues to be the responsible body for spiritual matters and will continue to be drawn from all the Area Meetings in Britain Yearly Meeting.

The School Committee carries out its responsibilities in accordance with the published Rules for Government which Ackworth General Meeting has the power to amend on the recommendation of the School Committee.

The Directors of the school are legally responsible for the overall management and control of the school, but they take their guidance from the wider School Committee who meet six times a year, three times in full session (when all Sub

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Structure, governance and management (continued)

Committees meet) and three times as one Committee for a one-day session. The work of implementing Committee policies is carried out by six Sub Committees:

• The Finance Sub Committee (Clerk – Carol Rayner) scrutinises revenue, the budget and capital expenditure. This Committee also supervises and finalises the audited financial statements and annual report for approval by the Governing Body.

• The Education and Pastoral Sub Committee (Clerk – Andrew Penman) considers educational and pastoral strategy, issues and policies.

• The Planning Sub Committee (Clerk - David Bunney) considers proposals for the development of the School and the risk associated with the operation of the school as well as advising senior management of the strengths and weaknesses of strategic options.

• The Estate and Domestic Sub Committee (Clerk – Andrew Whiteley) oversees and monitors capital building projects, and reviews maintenance programmes, as well as those activities not related to teaching.

• The Compliance and Policies Sub Committee (Clerk – Sue Raphael) reviews the School’s policies ensuring that they are updated regularly and appropriately as legislation and regulations require.

• The Salaries and Wages Sub Committee (Clerk – David Bunney) makes recommendations to the full Committee about the pay of senior executives as well as considering the pay award across the wider staff.

Whilst the School Committee is responsible for governing the School it delegates the day-to-day management of the School to the Head, supported by his Senior Management Team. The Head and the Bursar attend all meetings of the Governing Body and Deputy Heads attend as required. Delivery of Ackworth School’s charitable vision and purpose is primarily dependent on our key management personnel and staff costs are the largest single element of the School’s expenditure.

All meetings are conducted in accordance with the Quaker Business method as described in Quaker Faith and Practice. Individual members of the Committee with a special interest have linked themselves with the school department to reflect such interest. The Clerk to the School Committee maintains regular contact with the Head and the Bursar and other staff members, either by email, telephone or personal visits; similarly, the Treasurer has regular contact with the Bursar. The Clerks of the main sub-committees (Education and Pastoral, Estate and Domestic, Compliance and Policies) keep in touch, as the need arises, with, respectively, the Head and the Bursar and others. Any Committee member is welcome in the school at any time, particularly at special school functions, it being understood that such visits shall be made in accordance with the usual courtesies and shall not be seen to be interfering with the management of the School. We remain very conscious of the separation of Governance and Management of the School.

The School Committee and the School community is grateful that volunteers are still prepared to give of their time in service of the School as members of the School Committee. This year we are saying farewell to Kate Napier, Gwyneth Lindley-Jones, Stewart Huntington and Robert Lincoln and we thank them for their unstinting service. We look forward to welcoming their successors at the start of the new year in September 2023.

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Structure, governance and management (continued)

c. Recruitment and training of Governors

Members of the School Committee are appointed by Ackworth General Meeting. Nine members, who must be Friends, and the Treasurer, who need not be a Friend, are nominated by a Nominations Committee drawn from Ackworth General Meeting. In addition, four members have been nominated by Ackworth Old Scholars, these names being approved at Ackworth General Meeting. It is proposed that changes are made to the nominations process, which will lead to a process more relevant to the needs of the School Committee by bringing in a range of skills that will benefit the school. More importantly the process must comply with safer recruitment requirements, as applied to all staff appointments, to ensure a continuing safe environment for all in the school community.

Induction into the workings of the Charity is carried out by Friends and Officers already serving on the Committee, with all committee members being invited to share the induction process for new staff that is held before the start of each new academic year, with ongoing training being undertaken through attendance at events organized by the Friends Schools’ Council (FSC), the Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools (AGBIS), and other relevant organisations. In addition to the training provided for Committee members, Ackworth School plays an active part in the Quaker Schools network through FSC. The school encourages the creation of working relationships with members of other educational professional bodies such as HMC, Society of Heads, Independent Schools Bursars Association (ISBA), Independent Association of Primary Schools (IAPS).

The School Committee maintains a record of the training undertaken by each individual member of School Committee, as part of the programmes of safeguarding and ‘keeping children safe in education’.

d. Related parties

The Ackworth School 1950 Trust exists to hold funds of gifts, legacies, donations etc. for the benefit of Ackworth School, and to lend or gift these funds to the School. The Trustees of the 1950 Trust (being members of the School Committee who are Friends or Old Scholars) are also the holders of the whole of the issued share capital of Ackworth School Estates Limited (ASEL) which is a trading company with responsibility for the external letting of the School’s land, premises and facilities. All profit made by ASEL is donated to the School.

The Wennington School Bursary Fund provides bursary support to the School. This is administered by Trustees who are all current members of School Committee.

The Ackworth & Freshfield Educational Foundation provides grants and scholarships to pupils and is empowered to make grants to the School at the discretion of its Trustees who are appointed by School Committee. The finances of all the above trusts are incorporated into the School’s consolidated accounts.

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Structure, governance and management (continued)

e. Risk management

The School Committee continues to review the Risk Register at least three times a year to provide a formal element to the identification and assessment of risk. The Senior Management Team are the custodians of this document and ensure that this continues to be an effective working document through regular reviews.

The School Committee continues to consider the risks and uncertainties that may arise from the recent global pandemic including the financial impact that this has had on some parents and exacerbated by the impact of the global economic crisis triggered by the conflict in Ukraine. The implications of BREXIT on pupil numbers and supplies remains evident in the accessibility to visas and the availability of goods and services in a timely manner. We remain alert to these and other issues even if we are unable to directly influence the course of events.

Our plans and strategies for managing risk include maintaining effective internal controls, risk registers, succession planning, compulsory safeguarding training and procedures, incident reporting and monitoring systems and insurance cover wherever appropriate.

Cash flow is identified as one of the main areas of risk to the well-being of Ackworth School, as we have seen in more normal times in the recent past. The School Committee has particular concern about the ability of some parents to pay fees following the commercial impact that the pandemic has had on many of them and as a result the School Committee has chosen to increase its bad debt provision. This is in recognition that some parents simply cannot pay through genuine economic hardship but the School Committee are clear in their intention that all fees would be fully paid by the time pupils end their career at Ackworth.

We are fortunate to have good banking facilities and are able to access cash funds if required, and we are encouraged by the support of the relevant local director. The bank has given us an overdraft facility of £500k. Apart from the CBIL loan available to support businesses during the first lockdown Ackworth remains debt free. It is encouraging that the repayments are not causing additional strain to our ability to function effectively and indicate that there is potential for significant improvement in our financial status. The loan will be paid off by December 2024 at which point we expect to start building up financial reserves. We expect trading conditions to remain difficult but workable.

Investment in, and partnerships for, our football and table tennis academies will further support our recruitment of increased boarding numbers in the 2023/24 financial year. The new arrangements with Harrogate Town FC, a fourth tier professional club managed by an Ackworth OS, are working well with quality training sessions and some outstanding results in the new season. This has provided a boost to the recruitment of international and local boarders. In addition the increase in numbers of young people at the Harrogate base have shown the potential for players local to Ackworth using the school campus as a hub for their B Tech studies, drawing more local communities into positive contact with the school.

The School’s Governing Body continues to meet in line with the regular School Committee timetable, with occasional online meetings being arranged to discuss particular topics.

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Objectives, aims and activities

Charitable Object

The object of the charity is to be a day school with boarders also attending, for the education of boys and girls of the Religious Society of Friends and others, and operating on the principles of the Religious Society of Friends. It aims to create a happy and secure environment in which all pupils can realise and develop their own special abilities in constant awareness of the needs and claims of others.

Public benefit aims and intended impact

In meeting its object, the public benefit aim of Ackworth School is to offer opportunities for an excellent independent education, by providing strong academic tuition, and developing wider sporting, artistic and social skills in all its pupils. It strives to develop in its young people a strong sense of self-worth and a recognition of the duties of citizenship required of us all in support of the wider community. The School seeks to provide the opportunity for every child to develop in the context of their own special gifts and abilities and each child is encouraged to develop a moral and spiritual framework for their future. We recognise the challenges of modern life after Ackworth School and seek to deliver a rounded and multifaceted education that prepares our students to meet these challenges.

As well as the provision of mainstream education, the School also maintains a resource for the support and education of children on the autistic spectrum whose needs cannot always be adequately accommodated by the broader education system. Demand for places continues to exceed our resources despite our recent investment in expanding our facilities within the school to accommodate up to 21 students. In addition, the School provides specialist support for those children within the mainstream who require specialist learning interventions. There is also a thriving Foundation programme which caters for overseas students who wish to develop English language skills prior to joining mainstream education.

Our young people, like so many in society are facing increasing pressures, some of which can be manifested in social media activities, amongst other things, which can lead to mental health issues. The presence of an on-site counsellor has, for a number of years, made a significant difference to the wellbeing of our students. This arrangement has now been replaced by the services of an external professional service with two counsellors available for those in our community who need such support. Our pastoral staff continue to provide unparalleled support for our young people. Our aspirations for a wellbeing centre have been realised and have proved invaluable throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, and beyond.

The Trustees recognise the responsibilities placed on the School that arise from being the largest employer and landowner in the wider village community, a legacy left to us by previous generations of Trustees. Some of our facilities are unique within the village and we have continued to provide access to these facilities for local schools as well as to other charitable organisations for leisure use. Membership of the Ackworth Tennis club continues to grow, thanks in no small part to the facilities provided by Ackworth School and the School’s contribution to the part funding of the community tennis coach. In a similar vein local schools benefit from the free use of the school swimming pool and table tennis coaching whilst the local football club are grateful for the use of our pitches and facilities. The link with Harrogate Town will also provide a much needed upgrade to the facilities that can be offered to local clubs.

In pursuing these aims Ackworth School Committee, as the Charity Trustees, have given due regard to the Charity Commission’s published general and relevant sub-sector guidance concerning the operation of the Public Benefit requirements under the Charities Act.

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TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Objectives, aims and activities (continued)

Objectives for the year

The School’s main objective continues to be the provision of a first-class education in a safe, supportive and nurturing environment. Such education is to be as broad as possible and tailored to meet the needs of each individual student. The School Committee realises that the classroom experience for both staff and pupils is key to the success of our students, but in these ever-changing times, it is vital that the educational provision can be delivered across other channels too. The School takes care that the Quaker ethos, particularly in recognising and responding to “that of God in everyone”, underpins the whole approach to education. From a business perspective the main objective for the year under review was to ensure that the declared trading surplus started to reverse the depletion of financial reserves seen in previous years, at the same time as investing in the fabric of the school and education of our pupils. It is also recognised that the achievement of these objectives required the establishment of a sound financial platform based on increasing revenue and reducing costs in spite of the continuing challenges presented to us post Covid -19. Our focus quickly turned to delivering the same quality of education for pupils, keeping the whole school community safe and maintaining adequate reserves to ensure the long-term survival of the school.

Strategies to achieve the objectives

At each meeting, the School Committee reviews the strategic plan for the current year, this process being led by the Head. Details of the achievements in the year under review are contained in the Head’s Report, on pages 2 to 9.

Spiritual life in the School

Every year we seek evidence of Quakerism in action within the School Community and this may include testimony from students, teaching and non-teaching staff, parents, and School Committee members. We are content that Quakerism is evident and dynamic in all aspects of the life of the School. In saying this we are not complacent, and never should be, and we continue to find ways to expand the ethos of Quakerism in our lives. In particular, we are pleased that a visiting Friend has been appointed, who despite the restrictions on school visits this year has nevertheless provided staff with an external “listening ear” and has provided spiritual guidance to those in need. We welcome support from Quakers outside the direct School community who can help to give witness to the spiritual life of the School. The school resumed, as soon as possible, the holding of Meeting for Worship for the Senior School on Thursday mornings and hold Meeting for Worship for Coram House on Wednesdays, and several commented on how spiritually welcoming this was.

Grant making policy

The School has, at its heart, the testament of equality espoused by Friends and encourages pupils to attend irrespective of their parents’ ability to meet the fees. A significant portion of incoming charitable resources is expended on means-tested Bursaries and Scholarships each year; 15.9% of gross fee income was disbursed in this manner during the reporting period (14.6% in 2022).

In addition, the school had 21 pupils in the year who were in the main funded by governmental organisations (20 in 2022) who are educated in the School’s Autism Resource.

Volunteering and community action

With its Quaker foundation and the motto ‘Non Sibi Sed Omnibus’ (not for oneself but for all) the School encourages in students, and staff, a sense of consideration for others and service to the wider community. With this in mind it is good to report the School’s concern to be involved in local programmes that collect donations for the local food bank, and toys for disadvantaged children and these continue to play a significant part in charity activities.

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Objectives, aims and activities (continued)

Student Numbers

Numbers in School fell during the year which seemed to reflect the trend seen at other independent schools in our region. The increase in senior day pupils has aided the fall in boarding numbers but the prospects for 2023/24 look more promising. The travel restrictions that have impacted boarding numbers for the last two years are starting to lift and the world is once again becoming more accessible.

The School Committee is ever mindful of the sacrifices made by parents to keep their children in School, particularly when establishing the School budget and setting fees.

Ackworth, like all independent schools, works hard in a competitive market to maintain its numbers and aim to balance its budget. We recognise the great effort being put in by our management team to continually evaluate the value derived from expenditure without endangering the quality of care and education at Ackworth at the same time as endeavouring to maintain or increase pupil numbers.

Education

In reducing costs care has been taken to avoid a diminution in the quality of education offered to students. We are committed to maintaining small class sizes but continue to face the reality that falls in demand in some subjects may lead us to review our curriculum and, in some circumstances, withdraw courses where only one student is enrolled for an A level. The quality of teaching and pastoral care is maintained at a high standard, but we are continually striving to enable pupils to achieve to their full capability. The introduction of individual iPads for pupils in senior school and in some parts of junior school has enabled us to ensure that the quality of educational provision has been maintained during the Covid crisis when pupils were restricted to online learning and has proved invaluable in reducing other direct education costs. Anton Maree continues to make a significant positive impact on the life of the School and his vision and energy continue to be an inspiration to the whole School community.

New staff are introduced to our Quaker ethos as part of their initial induction process and this continues to make the atmosphere within the School generally happy and helpful.

Educational matters are not dealt with at any length in this part of the report as the Head’s report gives detail of all aspects of education at Ackworth.

Policies and welfare

The School is fully compliant with regards to statutory policies. Those staff who are designated in the role of safeguarding of children work in close co-operation with the Clerk to the Compliance and Policies Sub Committee.

All Committee members and all Staff receive Safeguarding and Keeping Children Safe in Education training on an annual basis. Regular updates are required of all Committee members and Staff.

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Objectives, aims and activities (continued)

The Compliance and Policies Sub Committee provides valuable support to the staff as they care for the School and the people in it. Their work has increased importance in improving the School Committee’s understanding of the quality and effectiveness of policies and monitoring and ensures that it is conversant with their content and effectiveness and can discuss any changes with senior staff. There are many statutory policies, and changes, which are regularly reviewed. These form the foundation of the School’s approach to providing a safe environment for all and which we must demonstrate for any ISI inspections. This aspect of school governance and management is never ending, and we must continue to keep abreast, if not ahead, of regulatory and statutory requirements.

Estate

The nature of our estate together with Grade 1 listed buildings means that we have buildings in continual need of repair and an environment that must be protected. The maintenance system continues to work extremely well for shorter term needs, and we are very grateful to the maintenance team for their enthusiastic and flexible approach to their work whilst working within tight budget constraints. However, the budget constraints do not allow for full re-development of buildings. The School has engaged architects to formalise its ambitions for the future into a workable operating plan. A driving force for this work is the potential for use by the wider community in Ackworth and discussions have taken place with Wakefield Council and Ackworth Parish Council about the plans. At the same time, we are aware of the need to constantly upgrade many of our building services such as boilers and lights, which will help us to become a more sustainable school fit for the challenges of the 21st century.

Development plan

The Planning Sub-Committee of the School Committee considers the development plan and its implementation each term. With resources always in demand, there is a need to balance priorities. The Head only considers plans to develop the school if they aid student retention and recruitment, improve the environment (health and safety), generate income or provide wider community use. There is also a focus on the use of existing buildings to meet a strategic need rather than considering new build options. The Head and his colleagues are encouraged to develop connections with outside bodies who can help to support our long-term ambitions for the School.

The School Committee continues to review the future of the School together with its Quaker heritage and connections in the long term. The forecast continued improvement in the School's annual financial situation would allow more certainty in this process, but the short term external challenges are making this difficult to achieve.

The School Committee is continuing to review and update the School’s longer term financial plan to ensure that we move forward with developments in the most prudent and effective manner, keeping a close eye on the likely effects of any decisions on our future role in the wider community as well as to our financial well-being.

Fundraising

Fundraising has been limited to raising funds for specific charities which are chosen by the pupils during the year. However, Rebecca Edgington has been instrumental in keeping old scholars updated with our developments and assists us in engaging old scholars in helping us to raise funds for bursaries and estates developments. We do not use fundraising agents and have not received any complaints.

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Financial review and results for the year

Overview

The economic environment continues to be challenging particularly given the continuing economic pressures around the war in Ukraine and the current high inflation in foodstuffs and energy. The decision to make a pay award of 5% at the start of the financial year, whilst not compensating for the effects of inflation, did recognise the effort that all staff had made to the wellbeing of the school during the pandemic. As a result, the School’s financial outcome in 2022/23 showed a fallback in performance for the year ended 31 August 2023, being slightly worse than the £604k deficit that was forecast for the year at £787k.

Fee income has increased by 5.2% (2022: increased by 3.1%). Scholarships and bursaries represented 15.9% of fee income (2022: 14.6%). The results continue to demonstrate the Trustees’ aspiration to promote accessibility by providing financial support where possible.

In considering whether it is correct to prepare the accounts on the going concern basis the Trustees have reviewed these annual accounts, the systems and processes currently in operation, together with a review of current banking arrangements (including the loan taken out in the previous year, and the ability to access an overdraft facility), future cash flows and forecasts and they have considered a range of potential outcomes as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Further details are given in note 1.2 to the accounts. Further, in accordance with Charity Commission Guidance note CC12, the Trustees are satisfied that they have reviewed their responsibilities and conduct the affairs of the school in such manner as to believe it appropriate to prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis.

Pension liability

Following the withdrawal from Teachers’ Pension Scheme there is no pension liability.

Reserves policy

The School’s business plan recognises the need to build up reserves to ensure the long-term financial stability of the School. Whilst no specific level of reserves can be defined as ideal, the Trustees would hope to achieve a level of free reserves equivalent to one-half of budgeted annual expenditure (£4m). In this respect there is much work to be done: the School currently holds no free reserves in the accounting sense. However, unrestricted funds currently stand at £4.0m (2022: £4.8m). The School Committee have set a break-even budget for 2023/24.

The total funds held by the School are £5,908,301 (2022: £6,695,332), of which £1,759,367 (2022: £1,727,359) are restricted and £143,797 (2022: £144,324) are endowed.

Ackworth School Estates Limited (ASEL) continues to derive income from the letting of the School’s land and buildings and has contributed £124,799 (2022: £125,644) to the School under gift aid provisions. This is clearly somewhat reduced from previous years given the lockdown which began in March 2020 and which has reduced the lettings income for ASEL in the last two years. It is essential that ASEL has a programme to increase revenue from the school’s assets and significant discussions have been taking place to bring this about.

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Financial review and results for the year (continued)

Future plans

Reviews are regularly undertaken about the future shape of the School that focus on the efficiency of the whole organisation and the academic offering to prospective parents.

Our plans look at investments for the future sustainability of the school, the benefits we can offer to pupils in order to prepare them for the modern world, as well as constantly reviewing current practices to seek both cost and effectiveness improvements. The challenge of recognising and improving efficiencies also requires a provision of potential cost. An improvement in our efficiencies was starting to have a beneficial impact and this coupled with improved pupil recruitment and retention was starting to make a significant difference to our trading position. The impact of Covid-19 will impact on the school’s finances for a couple of years, but the School is relatively debt free save for continuing support from our bankers to assist our cash flow during the year, should this be necessary.

Investment powers, policy and performance

The Trust Deed permits the School to invest the funds of the school in any way that it feels appropriate. The School Committee places restrictions upon investment by following ethical guidelines appropriate to the relationship between the School and the Religious Society of Friends. The Trustees remain confident that the School’s investment partners will apply their ethical guidelines appropriately and hold this principle above setting a target for the performance of the portfolio. During the year the School and related charities investments yielded 1.74%. (2022: 4.2%). Money laundering regulations now require banks and recipients of funds to undertake due diligence on the origins of donations.

Remuneration policy

Senior executive pay is set by the full Committee based on the recommendations of the Salaries and Wages Sub Committee. The Salaries and Wages Sub Committee also consider the pay award across the wider staff.

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees (who are also the directors of the Charitable Company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report (including Directors' Report and Strategic Report) including the Strategic Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial . Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and the Charitable Company and of their incoming resources and application of resources, including their income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);

• make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) 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 Group will

• continue in business.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group and the Charitable Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group and the Charitable Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Group and the Charitable Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees are also responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information on the charitable company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Disclosure of information to auditors

In so far as the Trustees are aware:

• there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditor is unaware; and

• that they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information;

• and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information.

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Appointment of auditors

The Governing Body of Ackworth School appointed BHP LLP of York to audit the accounts of the School and associated bodies for the year ended 31 August 2023 and will reappoint them for the year ended 31 August 2024.

Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on 5 March 2024 and signed on their behalf by:

Signer ID: ZMNRAUCXIU... David Bunney

Clerk to the School Committee

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL (A Company Limited by Guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ACKWORTH SCHOOL

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Ackworth School (the 'parent charitable company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 August 2023 which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities, the Consolidated Balance Sheet, the Charitable Company Balance Sheet, the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

 give a true and fair view of the state of the group's and of the parent charitable company's affairs as at 31 August 2023 and of the group's incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure for the year then ended;

 have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and  have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group's or the parent charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL (A Company Limited by Guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ACKWORTH SCHOOL (CONTINUED)

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the Trustees' Report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' Report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Trustees' Report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

 the information given in the Trustees' Report (incorporating the Strategic Report and the Directors' Report) for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.  the Strategic Report and the Directors' Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the group and parent charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic Report and the Directors' Report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

 the parent charitable company has not kept adequate accounting records, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

 the parent charitable company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

 certain disclosures of Trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

 we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ACKWORTH SCHOOL (CONTINUED)

Responsibilities of Trustees

As explained more fully in the Trustees' Responsibilities Statement, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the group's and the parent charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the group or the parent charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors' Report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

• the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

• we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the group and parent charitable company through discussions with directors and other management, and from our commercial knowledge and experience of the independent schools sector;

• we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the group and parent charitable company, including the Charities Act 2011, Companies Act 2006, taxation legislation, data protection, Independent Schools Inspectorate, child protection, employment and health and safety legislation;

• we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management and inspecting legal correspondence; and

• identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit.

We assessed the susceptibility of the group and parent charitable company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

• making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and

• considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations.

Page 28

Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ACKWORTH SCHOOL (CONTINUED)

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

• performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;

• tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions;

• assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates set out in Note 2 were indicative of potential bias; and

• investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

• agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;

• reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance; and

• enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims.

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditors' Report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors' Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and its members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Laura Masheder (Senior Statutory Auditor) Signer ID: CRZCVPKXXZ...

for and on behalf of

BHP LLP

Rievaulx House 1 St Mary's Court Blossom Street York North Yorkshire YO24 1AH

Date: 28/03/2024 GMT

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Note Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Other trading activities 5 Investments 6 Other income 7 Total income and endowments Expenditure on: Raising funds 8 Charitable activities 9 Total expenditure Net (expenditure)/income before net losses on investments Net losses on investments Net movement in funds	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 27,466 7,982,706 249,263 27,977 - 8,287,412 315,060 8,784,887 9,099,947 (812,535) (5,977) (818,512)	Restricted funds 2023 £ 29,668 - - 3,576 - 33,244 - - - 33,244 (1,236) 32,008	Endowment funds 2023 £ - - - 707 - 707 - - - 707 (1,234) (527)	Total funds 2023 £ 57,134 7,982,706 249,263 32,260 - 8,321,363 315,060 8,784,887 9,099,947 (778,584) (8,447) (787,031)	Total funds 2022 £ 75,625 7,712,926 219,857 14,184 1,932 8,024,524 220,530 8,170,388 8,390,918 (366,394) (93,424) (459,818)

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Note Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 4,823,649 (818,512) 4,005,137	Restricted funds 2023 £ 1,727,359 32,008 1,759,367	Endowment funds 2023 £ 144,324 (527) 143,797	Total funds 2023 £ 6,695,332 (787,031) 5,908,301	Total funds 2022 £ 7,155,150 (459,818) 6,695,332

The consolidated statement of financial activities has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.

The Statement of Financial Activities complies with the requirements for the Income and Expenditure Account under the Companies Act 2006 and includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

The notes on pages 37 to 62 form part of these financial statements.

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 10562182

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 AUGUST 2023

Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 14 Investments 15 Current assets Debtors 16 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 17 Net current liabilities Total assets less current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year 18 Net assets excluding pension asset Total net assets Charity funds Endowment funds 19 Restricted funds 19 Unrestricted funds 19 Total funds	2023 £ 3,215,839 774,626 3,990,465 (5,044,102)	2023 £ 6,755,333 870,315 7,625,648 (1,053,637) 6,572,011 (663,710) 5,908,301 5,908,301 143,797 1,759,367 4,005,137 5,908,301	As restated 2022 £ 2,474,886 724,538 3,199,424 (3,657,853)	As restated 2022 £ 6,744,671 878,581 7,623,252 (458,429) 7,164,823 (469,491) 6,695,332 6,695,332 144,324 1,727,359 4,823,649 6,695,332

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

REGISTERED NUMBER: 10562182

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)

AS AT 31 AUGUST 2023

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Signer ID: ZMNRAUCXIU... David Bunney

Director Date: 5 March 2024

The notes on pages 37 to 62 form part of these financial statements.

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 10562182

CHARITABLE COMPANY BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 AUGUST 2023

Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 14 Investments 15 Current assets Debtors 16 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 17 Net current liabilities Total assets less current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year 18 Total net assets Charity funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Total funds	3,241,094 448,007 3,689,101 (5,201,588)	2023 £ 6,755,333 298,662 7,053,995 (1,512,487) 5,541,508 (2,859,837) 2,681,671 471,612 2,210,059 2,681,671	2,529,571 424,520 2,954,091 (3,854,726)	As restated 2022 £ 6,744,671 301,627 7,046,298 (900,635) 6,145,663 (2,665,618) 3,480,045 443,452 3,036,593 3,480,045

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 10562182

CHARITABLE COMPANY BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED) AS AT 31 AUGUST 2023

The charity has taken advantage of the exemption allowed under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not presented its own statement of financial activities in the financial statements. The deficit of the charity is £798,374 (2022: deficit £418,091).

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Signer ID: ZMNRAUCXIU...

David Bunney Director Date: 5 March 2024

The notes on pages 37 to 62 form part of these financial statements.

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Note Cash flows from operating activities Net cash used in/provided by operating activities 22 Cash flows from investing activities Dividends, interests and rents from investments Purchase of tangible fixed assets Net cash used in investing activities Cash flows from financing activities Repayments of borrowing Interest paid Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 23	2023 £ 337,839 32,260 (97,588) (65,328) (200,001) (22,241) (222,242) 50,269 742,078 792,347	2022 £ (211,046) 14,180 (29,479) (15,299) - - - (226,345) 968,423 742,078

The notes on pages 37 to 62 form part of these financial statements

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

1. Accounting policies

1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements 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), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Ackworth School meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy. These financial statements have been prepared using the historical cost convention and are rounded to the nearest £.

The Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) and Consolidated Balance Sheet consolidate the financial statements of the Charitable Company and its subsidiary undertaking. The results of the subsidiary are consolidated on a line by line basis.

The Charitable Company has taken advantage of the exemption allowed under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not presented its own Statement of Financial Activities in these financial statements. On the grounds that the charitable company's results are consolidated into the charitable company's group accounts, the charitable company has taken advantage of certain exemptions conferred by section 1.11 of FRS 102 as follows: Exemption from presenting a charitable company statement of cash flows as a primary statement to the financial statements.

1.2 Going concern

The school has net current liabilities of £1,053,637 (2022: £458,429) and has no free reserves.

The Trustees have prepared forecasts of income and expenditure and cash flow for the period to 31 August 2025. Current forecasts indicate that the School expects to be able to operate for the whole of the foreseeable future. The Trustees will continue to monitor the impact on income and take appropriate action as necessary. Accordingly, the School Committee believe it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis.

1.3 Income

All income is recognised once the Charitable Group has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Grants are included in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance Sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

1. Accounting policies (continued)

1.4 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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 classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Group's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

1.5 Employee benefits

The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as an expense. The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee's services are received.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.

Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. On transition to FRS 102 the charitable company adopted a deemed cost basis for the land and buildings class of fixed assets. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.

The freehold school buildings are not depreciated. In accordance with the terms of trust on which they are held, the original school buildings dating back to 1779 have to be maintained in good working order in perpetuity and accordingly the Trustees consider that the lives of these assets are so long and the residual values, based on prices prevailing at the time of valuation, are so high that any depreciation charge would be insignificant. Depreciation of other assets is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.

Depreciation is provided on the following basis:

Plant and machinery - 20% per annum straight line Motor vehicles - 20% per annum straight line Fixtures and fittings - 20% per annum straight line

Freehold land is not depreciated.

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

1. Accounting policies (continued)

1.7 Heritage assets

Where heritage assets have been purchased, they are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, heritage assets are measured at cost less any accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses.

1.8 Investments

Fixed asset investments are a form of financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction cost and subsequently measured at fair value at the Balance Sheet date, unless the value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and presented as ‘Gains/(Losses) on investments’ in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities.

1.9 Debtors

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

1.10 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and 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.

1.11 Liabilities and provisions

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance Sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.

Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charitable Company anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.

Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities as a finance cost.

1.12 Financial instruments

The Group only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Page 39

Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

1. Accounting policies (continued)

1.13 Pensions

The Group operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the Group to the fund in respect of the year.

The Group is a member of a multi-employer plan. Where it is not possible for the Group to obtain sufficient information to enable it to account for the plan as a defined benefit plan, it accounts for the plan as a defined contribution plan.

1.14 Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Group and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Group for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Endowed funds are held in the Ackworth & Freshfield Educational Foundation and the incoming resources are restricted.

Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.

Page 40

Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

1. Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgment

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount 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 that are 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 where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

Critical accounting estimates and assumptions:

The Charitable Company makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.

• Outstanding trade debtor balances are reviewed on a line ny line basis to identify possible amounts where a provision is required. Management closely manage the collection of trade debtors and therefore are able to identify balances where there is uncertainty about its recoverability, and determine what provision is required (if any).

• Income from donations and legacies

Donations Total 2022	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 27,466 5,221	Restricted funds 2023 £ 29,668 70,404	Total funds 2023 £ 57,134 75,625	Total funds 2022 £ 75,625

Page 41

Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

4. Income from charitable activities

School fees Less: Bursaries, scholarships and allowances Total 2023 Total 2022	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 9,499,297 (1,516,591) 7,982,706 7,712,926	Total funds 2023 £ 9,499,297 (1,516,591) 7,982,706 7,712,926	Total funds 2022 £ 9,026,742 (1,313,816) 7,712,926

Page 42

Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

5. Income from other trading activities

Income from non charitable trading activities

ASEL trading income Other income Rents receivable Total 2022	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 214,235 35,028 - 249,263 219,857	Total funds 2023 £ 214,235 35,028 - 249,263 219,857	Total funds 2022 £ 175,396 43,341 1,120 219,857

6. Investment income

UK quoted investments Bank deposit interest Total 2022	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 10,859 17,118 27,977 10,533	Restricted funds 2023 £ 2,759 817 3,576 2,828	Endowment funds 2023 £ 707 - 707 823	Total funds 2023 £ 14,325 17,935 32,260 14,184	Total funds 2022 £ 13,464 720 14,184

Page 43

Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

1. Other income

Government grants - CJRS Total 2022 8. Expenditure on raising funds	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ - 1,932	Total funds 2023 £ - 1,932	Total funds 2022 £ 1,932

Other trading expenses

Pupil recruitment commission Bank interest and charges Interest on composition fees Trading costs - subsidiary Total 2022	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 184,610 35,989 3,911 90,550 315,060 220,530	Total funds 2023 £ 184,610 35,989 3,911 90,550 315,060 220,530	Total funds 2022 £ 142,256 23,070 5,401 49,803 220,530

Page 44

Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

9. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Summary by fund type

Teaching Welfare Management and administration Premises Governance costs Total 2022	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 4,411,804 1,148,727 1,654,337 1,519,104 50,915 8,784,887 8,170,388	Total 2023 £ 4,411,804 1,148,727 1,654,337 1,519,104 50,915 8,784,887 8,170,388	Total 2022 £ 3,905,624 1,002,090 1,691,678 1,517,615 53,381 8,170,388

Summary by expenditure type

Teaching Welfare Management and Administration Premises Governance Total 2022	Staff costs 2023 £ 3,941,754 152,070 616,217 582,576 - 5,292,617 4,804,766	Depreciation 2023 £ - - 86,926 - - 86,926 95,105	Other costs 2023 £ 470,050 996,657 951,194 936,528 50,915 3,405,344 3,270,517	Total 2023 £ 4,411,804 1,148,727 1,654,337 1,519,104 50,915 8,784,887 8,170,388	Total 2022 £ 3,905,624 1,002,090 1,691,678 1,517,615 53,381 8,170,388

Page 45

Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

10. Auditors' remuneration

Auditors' remuneration
	2023	2022
	£	£
For audit services	20,995	20,175

1. Net income/(expenditure)

This is stated after charging:

	2023	2022
	£	£
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets:
- owned by the company	86,926	95,105
Operating lease charges	191,080	195,143

12. Staff costs

Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs	Group 2023 £ 4,192,631 357,900 742,086 5,292,617	Group 2022 £ 3,815,296 328,425 661,045 4,804,766	Company 2023 £ 4,192,631 357,900 742,086 5,292,617	Company 2022 £ 3,815,296 328,425 661,045
				4,804,766

In addition, non payroll caterer's costs of £468,140 (2022: £437,237) and supply cover costs of £184,018 (2022: £134,673) have been incurred and are included in other costs.

Page 46

Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

12. Staff costs (continued)

The full time equivalent of persons employed by the Charitable Company during the year was as follows:

Teaching Teaching Support Welfare Nursery Premises Staff Management & Administration	Group 2023 No. 79 19 3 4 23 18 146	Group 2022 No. 75 15 5 4 26 15
		140

The average number of employees on the payroll during the year was 167 (2022: 168)

The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was:

		Group	Group
		2023	2022
		No.	No.
In the band £70,001	- £80,000	1	1

Pension contributions with respect to the above were £25,891 (2022: £24,673).

The key management personnel consists of the Head Teacher, Bursar, the Heads of Departments and the Trustees. One or more trustees has been paid remuneration or has received other benefits from employment with the school as permitted by the Articles of Association. The head and other staff trustees only receive remuneration in respect of services they provide undertaking the roles of head and staff members under their contracts of employment. Total emoluments paid to the key management personnel, including employer's pension and national insurance, were £613,163 (2022: £606,793).

13. Trustees' remuneration and expenses

During the year, no Trustees other than the head and other staff trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2022: nil).

The head and bursar only receive remuneration in respect of services they provide undertaking the roles of head and bursar under their contracts of employment and are not remunerated as trustees. The total remuneration of the head amounted to £103,438 (2022: £98,527) and the total remuneration of the bursar amounted to £86,498 (2022: £82,414) . The total remuneration includes employer's pension contributions but excludes employer's national insurance.

Page 47

Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

13. Trustees' remuneration and expenses (continued)

During the year ended 31 August 2023, expenses totalling £929 were reimbursed or paid directly to 3 Trustees (2022: £1,786 to 5 Trustees). These out of pocket expenses were for travelling to meetings and training costs.

The school has arranged indemnity insurance cover for trustees at a cost of £2,682 (2022: £2,682).

14. Tangible fixed assets

Group

Cost or valuation At 1 September 2022 Additions At 31 August 2023 Depreciation At 1 September 2022 Charge for the year At 31 August 2023 Net book value At 31 August 2023 At 31 August 2022	Freehold property £ 6,544,112 - 6,544,112 - - - 6,544,112 6,544,112	Plant and machinery £ 872,548 90,632 963,180 814,337 32,385 846,722 116,458 58,211	Motor vehicles £ 35,579 - 35,579 35,579 - 35,579 - -	Fixtures and fittings £ 1,376,950 6,956 1,383,906 1,234,602 54,541 1,289,143 94,763 142,348	Total £ 8,829,189 97,588 8,926,777
					2,084,518 86,926 2,171,444
					6,755,333
					6,744,671

Page 48

Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

14. Tangible fixed assets (continued)

Group (continued)

Heritage assets

The Meeting House, which is a listed Heritage asset circa 1847, is located on the School's site. The School maintains the property but a separate, reliable valuation is not readily available and therefore is included in the accounts at a written down value of £nil.

Deemed cost

The land and buildings class of fixed assets was revalued on 1 August 2016 by Stephenson & Son and on 27 September 2017 by CBRE who are external to the charity. This has been treated as deemed cost under FRS 102. The basis of this valuation was trading for the school buildings and open market value for the other land and buildings. At transition the class of assets had a fair value of £6,544,112 (2022: £6,544,112) and a carrying amount at historical cost of £4,277,112 (2022: £4,277,112).

Company

Cost or valuation At 1 September 2022 Additions At 31 August 2023 Depreciation At 1 September 2022 Charge for the year At 31 August 2023 Net book value At 31 August 2023 At 31 August 2022	Freehold property £ 6,544,112 - 6,544,112 - - - 6,544,112 6,544,112	Plant and machinery £ 872,548 90,632 963,180 814,337 32,385 846,722 116,458 58,211	Motor vehicles £ 35,579 - 35,579 35,579 - 35,579 - -	Fixtures and fittings £ 1,372,798 6,956 1,379,754 1,230,450 54,541 1,284,991 94,763 142,348	Total £ 8,825,037 97,588 8,922,625
					2,080,366 86,926 2,167,292
					6,755,333
					6,744,671

Page 49

Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

14. Tangible fixed assets (continued)

Heritage assets

The Meeting House, which is a listed Heritage asset circa 1847, is located on the School's site. The School maintains the property but a separate, reliable valuation is not readily available and therefore is included in the accounts at a written down value of £nil.

Deemed cost

The land and buildings class of fixed assets was revalued on 1 August 2016 by Stephenson & Son and on 27 September 2017 by CBRE who are external to the charity. This has been treated as deemed cost under FRS 102. The basis of this valuation was trading for the school buildings and open market value for the other land and buildings. At transition the class of assets had a fair value of £6,544,112 (2022: £6,544,112) and a carrying amount at historical cost of £4,277,112 (2022: £4,277,112).

15. Fixed asset investments

Group Cost or valuation At 1 September 2022 Additions Revaluations At 31 August 2023 Net book value At 31 August 2023 At 31 August 2022	Listed investments £ 861,041 - (8,447) 852,594 852,594 861,041	Cash held in portfolio £ 17,540 181 - 17,721 17,721 17,540	Total £ 878,581 181 (8,447) 870,315 870,315 878,581

At the balance sheet date, the Group held investments in the COIF Charities Investment fund with a valuation of £533,168 (2022: £540,436). The historical cost of investments is unknown.

Page 50

Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

15. Fixed asset investments (continued)

Charitable Company Cost or valuation At 1 September 2022 Additions Revaluations At 31 August 2023 Net book value At 31 August 2023 At 31 August 2022	Listed investments £ 284,087 - (3,146) 280,941 280,941 284,087	Cash held in portfolio £ 17,540 181 - 17,721 17,721 17,540	Total £ 301,627 181 (3,146) 298,662
			298,662 301,627

At the balance sheet date, the Charitable Company held investments in the COIF Charities Investment fund with a valuation of £169,850 (2022: £173,223). The historical cost of investments is unknown.

16. Debtors

Due within one year Trade debtors Amounts owed by group undertakings Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income	Group 2023 £ 2,945,530 - 26,323 243,986 3,215,839	Group 2022 £ 2,351,229 - 15,624 108,033 2,474,886	Company 2023 £ 2,846,910 124,801 26,323 243,060 3,241,094	Company 2022 £ 2,287,254 125,644 15,624 101,049 2,529,571

Page 51

Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

17. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Bank loans Trade creditors Amounts owed to group undertakings Other taxation and social security Pension creditor Other creditors Accruals and deferred income Accruals and deferred income includes: Composition fees Fees invoiced in advance Fees received in advance Acceptance fees Accruals Prizes Other	Group 2023 £ 200,000 944,186 - 88,008 64,488 108,602 3,638,818 5,044,102 Group 2023 £ 146,507 2,827,707 458,871 46,457 152,587 4,000 2,689 3,638,818	Group 2022 £ 200,000 399,212 - 77,842 63,112 86,382 2,831,305 3,657,853 Group 2022 £ 105,444 2,359,090 205,403 41,520 115,848 4,000 - 2,831,305	Company 2023 £ 200,000 912,054 199,041 87,088 64,488 108,602 3,630,315 5,201,588 Company 2023 £ 146,507 2,827,707 458,871 46,457 144,084 4,000 2,689 3,630,315	Company 2022 £ 200,000 403,474 198,385 76,991 63,112 86,382 2,826,382
				3,854,726
				Company 2022 £ 105,444 2,359,090 205,403 41,520 110,925 4,000 -
				2,826,382

The majority of deferred income relates to fees for the forthcoming school term. Acceptance fees are refundable when the pupil leaves the School.

Bank loans are secured as disclosed in note 18 to the Financial Statements.

Page 52

Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

18. Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year

Bank loans Amounts owed to group undertakings Composition fees	Group 2023 £ 66,666 - 597,044 663,710	Group 2022 £ 266,667 - 202,824 469,491	Company 2023 £ 66,666 2,196,127 597,044 2,859,837	Company 2022 £ 266,667 2,196,127 202,824
				2,665,618

Composition fees may be returned in certain, exceptional circumstances. Assuming pupils will remain in school, £274,493 will be due within two to five years (2022: £202,824) and £322,551 will be due in more than 5 years (2022: £nil).

The bank loan is repayable in installments with the final repayment due 31 December 2025. Interest is charged at 3% above the base rate.

The bank loan is secured by way of a fixed charge over specific land held by the School.

Page 53

Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

19. Statement of funds

Statement of funds - current year

Unrestricted funds General reserve Ackworth School 1950 Trust Ackworth School Estates Limited	Balance at 1 September 2022 £ 3,036,593 1,773,871 13,185 4,823,649	Income £ 8,061,205 10,859 215,348 8,287,412	Expenditure £ (9,009,397) - (90,550) (9,099,947)	Transfers in/out £ 124,799 - (124,799) -	Gains/ (Losses) £ (3,142) (2,835) - (5,977)	Balance at 31 August 2023 £ 2,210,058 1,781,895 13,184 4,005,137

The General reserve and Revaluation reserve are the funds of the company.

Endowment funds

Endowment funds
Ackworth &
Freshfield
Educational
Foundation	144,324	707	-	-	(1,234)	143,797

Purpose of endowment funds:

Ackworth and Freshfield Educational Foundation

Monies held for the generation of income to support the provision of scholarships for Ackworth School with the residual being applied for providing financial assistance to those pupils going into further education.

Page 54

Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

19. Statement of funds (continued)

Restricted funds School various funds Wennington School Bursary Fund Ackworth & Freshfield Educational Foundation Ackworth School 1950 Trust Total of funds	Balance at 1 September 2022 £ 443,452 107,836 210,691 965,380 1,727,359 6,695,332	Income £ 28,160 895 733 3,456 33,244 8,321,363	Expenditure £ - - - - - (9,099,947)	Transfers in/out £ - - - - - -	Gains/ (Losses) £ - (370) (26) (840) (1,236) (8,447)	Balance at 31 August 2023 £ 471,612 108,361 211,398 967,996 1,759,367
						5,908,301

Purpose of restricted funds:

School various funds

This balance is comprised of historic donations and legacies from numerous individual donors. The terms and conditions of the funds relate to specific requests at the time of receipt by the School, however these have been lost over time.

Wennington School Bursary Fund

This fund is for the provision of financial support to those under 25 attending or about to attend Ackworth School through the provision of scholarships and bursaries.

Ackworth & Freshfield Educational Foundation

The provision of special benefits for Ackworth School with the residual being applied for the awarding of bursaries and providing financial assistance to those pupils going into further education or travelling.

Ackworth School 1950 Trust

This relates to various restricted donations lent to the School for specific use.

Page 55

Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

19. Statement of funds (continued)

Statement of funds - prior year

Unrestricted funds General reserve Ackworth School 1950 Trust Ackworth School Estates Limited Endowment funds Ackworth & Freshfield Educational Foundation	As restated Balance at 1 September 2021 £ 3,519,573 1,777,014 13,185 5,309,772 160,965	Income £ 7,765,220 9,802 175,447 7,950,469 823	Expenditure £ (8,340,042) (1,073) (49,803) (8,390,918) -	Transfers in/out £ 125,644 - (125,644) - -	Gains/ (Losses) £ (33,802) (11,872) - (45,674) (17,464)	As restated Balance at 31 August 2022 £ 3,036,593 1,773,871 13,185 4,823,649
						144,324

Page 56

Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

19. Statement of funds (continued)

Restricted funds School various funds Wennington School Bursary Fund Ackworth & Freshfield Educational Foundation Ackworth School 1950 Trust Total of funds	As restated Balance at 1 September 2021 £ 378,563 117,058 228,775 960,017 1,684,413 7,155,150	Income £ 64,889 456 443 7,444 73,232 8,024,524	Expenditure £ - - - - - (8,390,918)	Transfers in/out £ - - - - - -	Gains/ (Losses) £ - (9,678) (18,527) (2,081) (30,286) (93,424)	As restated Balance at 31 August 2022 £ 443,452 107,836 210,691 965,380 1,727,359
						6,695,332

20. Summary of funds

Summary of funds - current year

General funds Endowment funds Restricted funds	Balance at 1 September 2022 £ 4,823,649 144,324 1,727,359 6,695,332	Income £ 8,287,412 707 33,244 8,321,363	Expenditure £ (9,099,947) - - (9,099,947)	Transfers in/out £ - - - -	Gains/ (Losses) £ (5,977) (1,234) (1,236) (8,447)	Balance at 31 August 2023 £ 4,005,137 143,797 1,759,367 5,908,301

Page 57

Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

20. Summary of funds (continued)

Summary of funds - prior year

General funds Endowment funds Restricted funds	Balance at 1 September 2021 £ 5,309,772 160,965 1,684,413 7,155,150	Income £ 7,950,469 823 73,232 8,024,524	Expenditure £ (8,390,918) - - (8,390,918)	Transfers in/out £ - - - -	Gains/ (Losses) £ (45,674) (17,464) (30,286) (93,424)	Balance at 31 August 2022 £ 4,823,649 144,324 1,727,359 6,695,332

21. Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds - current year

Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Current assets Creditors due within one year Creditors due in more than one year Total	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 6,755,333 608,911 2,348,705 (5,044,102) (663,710) 4,005,137	Restricted funds 2023 £ - 127,054 1,632,313 - - 1,759,367	Endowment funds 2023 £ - 134,350 9,447 - - 143,797	Total funds 2023 £ 6,755,333 870,315 3,990,465 (5,044,102) (663,710) 5,908,301

Page 58

Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

21. Analysis of net assets between funds (continued)

Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year

Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Current assets Creditors due within one year Creditors due in more than one year Total	Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 6,744,671 614,421 1,591,901 (3,657,853) (469,491) 4,823,649	Restricted funds 2022 £ - 128,576 1,598,783 - - 1,727,359	Endowment funds 2022 £ - 135,584 8,740 - - 144,324	Total funds 2022 £ 6,744,671 878,581 3,199,424 (3,657,853) (469,491) 6,695,332

22. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities

Net expenditure for the year (as per Statement of Financial Activities) Adjustments for: Depreciation charges Losses/(gains) on investments Dividends, interests and rents from investments Decrease/(increase) in debtors Increase/(decrease) in creditors Interest paid Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities	Group 2023 £ (787,031) 86,926 8,447 (32,260) (740,953) 1,780,469 22,241 337,839	Group 2022 £ (459,818) 95,104 93,424 (14,180) 369,955 (295,531) - (211,046)

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

23. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents

Cash in hand including cash held in portfolio Total cash and cash equivalents	Group 2023 £ 792,347 792,347	Group 2022 £ 742,078
		742,078

24. Analysis of changes in net debt

Cash at bank and in hand Cash equivalents Debt due within 1 year Debt due after 1 year	At 1 September 2022 £ 724,538 17,540 (263,112) (266,667) 212,299	Cash flows £ 50,088 181 (1,376) 200,001 248,894	At 31 August 2023 £ 774,626 17,721 (264,488) (66,666) 461,193

25. Pension schemes

The group operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the group to the fund and amounted to £742,086 (2022 - £661,045). Amounts totalling £64,488 (2022: £63,112) were payable to the fund at the balance sheet date and are included in creditors.

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

26. Operating lease commitments

At 31 August 2023 the Group and the Charitable Company had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:

Not later than 1 year Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years Later than 5 years	Group 2023 £ 209,815 332,334 5,621 547,770	Group 2022 £ 182,055 156,468 22,485 361,008	Company 2023 £ 209,815 332,334 5,621 547,770	Company 2022 £ 182,055 156,468 22,485
				361,008

27. Prior year adjustment

The revaluation of the land and buildings class of fixed assets on 1 August 2016 was treated as deemed cost on conversion to FRS 102. As such there should not have been an unrestricted revaluation reserve created by it. The prior year accounts have been restated to remove the revaluation reserve of £2,267,000 and include this amount in general reserves instead.

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96

ACKWORTH SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

28. Related party transactions

Ackworth School Estates Limites (ASEL)

(Ackworth School is the ultimate controlling entity)

The main activity is the letting of the facilities of Ackworth School. During the year sales amounting to £174 (2022: £6,064) were invoiced to ASEL, and purchases were made from ASEL totalling £9,997 (2022: £10,350) and the profit of the company is made available to the School by way of a deed of covenant. At the balance sheet date the amount due from ASEL was £124,799 (2022: £120,182).

Ackworth School 1950 Trust

(The Trustees are also Trustees of Ackworth School)

Ackworth School 1950 Trust receives gifts, legacies and donations and lends these funds to Ackworth School. During the year grants of £nil (2022: £1,073) were paid to the school. At the balance sheet date the amount due to Ackworth School 1950 Trust was £2,196,127 (2022: £2,196,127) and accrued interest of £374 (2022: £nil).

Ackworth & Freshfield Educational Foundation

(The Trustees are also Trustees of Ackworth School)

At the balance sheet date £159,768 (2022: £159,768) was payable to Ackworth & Freshfield Educational Foundation and accrued interest of £99 (2022: £nil).

Wennington School Bursary Fund

(The Trustees are also Trustees of Ackworth School)

At the balance sheet date the net amount due to Wennington School Bursary Fund was £38,617 (2022: £38,617) and accrued interest of £183 (2022: £nil).

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Document ID: f04ea7182b03f8eec14413420e01326a2ac250b69fc55066060e99025e000a96