2025-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1177291 (England and Wales)

ST BENEDICT'S (ICKSP)

ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

ST BENEDICT'S (ICKSP)

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees	Rev G Cristofoli
	Mr J Lyons
	Canon S Tanner
	M F Platt
	Rev R P Post
Charity number (England and Wales)	1177291
Principal address	St. Walburges Church
	Weston Street
	Ashton-on-Ribble
	Preston
	Lancashire
	PR2 2QE
Independent examiner	Helen Furlong FCCA
	Xeinadin North West Limited
	46 Hamilton Square
	Birkenhead
	Wirral
	Merseyside
	CH41 5AR

ST BENEDICT'S (ICKSP)

CONTENTS

	Page
Trustees report	1 - 4
Independent examiner's report	5
Statement of financial activities	6
Balance sheet	7
Notes to the financial statements	8 - 14

ST BENEDICT'S (ICKSP)

TRUSTEES REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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)".

Objectives and activities

The objects of the Charity are to advance the education and catholic faith of children up to and including the age of 19, predominantly in Preston and the surrounding areas.

Public Benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have regard to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's General Guidance on Public Benefit when reviewing the activities of the organisation during the year.

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ST BENEDICT'S (ICKSP)

TRUSTEES REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Achievements and performance

Significant activities and achievements against objectives

The Saint Benedict Academy was opened in January 2018. The Centre is based at English Martyrs’ Church, Preston, in the diocese of Lancaster, and aims to support parents who are currently home-schooling their children.

To fulfil its aim of advancing the education and Catholic faith of children up to and including the age of 19, St Benedict’s provides lessons in certain key curriculum areas which include Maths, English, Science, History, French, Latin, Greek, Religious studies, and Music on a part-time basis.

St Benedict’s Academy will be under the spiritual care of the Canons of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest. The intellectual education of pupils will go hand in hand with character formation in the spirit of St Francis de Sales. It is our intention to foster an environment which will enable children to flourish and to form the whole person.

a) Present development

The academy is in its seventh year, with 24 children (excluding Monday afternoon) currently attending classes. We continue to have visits from new families interested in enrolling their children for the academic year 2024-2025.

Home-schooling families continue to move or intend to move to Preston to avail themselves of the support from Saint Benedict’s. The trustees intend to develop the Academy with a view toward receiving those students whom our present staff and facilities are able to help educate.

b) English Martyrs' campus

The use of English Martyrs as a home for Saint Benedict’s became more problematic with the passage of time. The spread of rot in the floors, and the extra classrooms needed for the number and age range of students made it evident that this had to be the last financial year at English Martyrs. The final week of March saw a gradual transfer of small items to the new campus, along with the excitement of moving to the newly refurbished premises at Saint Walburge’s

c) Saint Walburge's Campus

lburge’s church in Preston as well as the Saint Benedict Academy, finally signed a long-term lease with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lancaster. The lease covers the entire campus of Saint Walburge’s Church, and includes Saint Walburge’s Hall, the historic Talbot Library and the former Talbot school. The trustees judged that Saint Benedict’s (ICKSP) would be able to further expand and develop its work at the campus of Saint Walburge’s, which is larger and would provide better facilities for its educational mission. Work began on the premises refurbishment in Summer

2022, and after delays with planning permission and contractors, Phase I was completed in March 2024.

This phase included new pupil, staff and accessible toilets, office, classrooms and kitchen. Double glazed windows were installed throughout, which along with new room heaters and insulation will make a difference both in terms of comfort and energy consumption. The premises were rewired, a fire alarm system and emergency lighting installed along with firefighting equipment.

Phase II of works has progressed in the year 2024-2025 including a new front door and repairs to the roof (completed in June 2025).

The trustees have agreed that new fencing/gates around the car park should be installed, and the permissions have already been granted. These works will be started as soon as funds are available. Other minor works, such as kick plates, finger guards and hand plates for the internal doors will be undertaken during the summer of 2025

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ST BENEDICT'S (ICKSP)

TRUSTEES REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

d) Academics

In cooperation with the Principal of the Academy, testing and academic assessment at the Academy was expanded to better enable home-education families to judge the academic level of their children relative to national standards. During the summer session of 2024, eight students from Saint Benedict’s sat GCSEs or IGCSEs in various subjects, including English language, Ancient History, Maths, Science (double award), French, Latin and Greek. The centre continues to be an important source of assistance for homeschooling families who would otherwise struggle to present their children for national exams.

For the summer session of 2025, one student from Saint Benedict’s is preparing English language and literature exams while two more are studying to sit A-level Greek.

Saint Benedict’s ICKSP is not presently an exam centre. Students have previously sat exams at Merchant Taylors’ School in Crosby, the Spanish Learning Centre of Blackpool, Bolton Tutors & Exams (Exam Centre) and Hulme Grammar School in Oldham. The possibility of 3 becoming an exam centre has been raised and the trustees will consider the future viability of this solution and whether it would be of public utility in the Preston area.

Trustees will also consider how to evaluate performance of Key Stage 1, 2 and 3 students against national standards.

e) Once per week programme

The once-per-week academic programme at the Saint Benedict Academy continues, and provides religious education, music, art and Latin classes for home-educated children on Monday afternoons. The trustees consider that the additional programme helps fulfil the Charity’s educational mission by widening access to another category of students. Currently 4 students attend these Monday classes, in addition to the other children who come throughout the week.

f) Change to programme for Academic Year 2024-2025

Saint Benedict’s ICKSP previously offered the possibility of attending classes four days per week for 17 hours. The trustees judged that it was necessary to reduce the total class offering to two days per week, not exceeding 12.5 hours in order to ensure compliance with governmental requirements for non-school settings which provide parttime education.

g) Contact with OFSTED and the Local Education Authority

Inspectors from OFSTED visited the premises of Saint Benedict’s ICKSP on 10 May 2024. The principal was notified that the 17-hour programme currently offered could be considered equivalent to a full-time education. The trustees therefore made the decision to reduce the quantity of teaching hours at Saint Benedict’s to 12.5 or less.

An inspector of OFSTED visited the premises of Saint Benedict’s ICKSP again on 22 October 2024. He determined that the change in structure satisfied the governmental requirements for a non-school setting.

The principal and vice-principal of Saint Benedict’s ICKSP also met with representatives of Lancashire County Council on 30 May 2024 to discuss safeguarding arrangement at the centre. The current policies of the centre for safeguarding and prevent, as well as health & safety were submitted to the local authority.

In September 2024, prior to the new academic year, the principal, DSL and deputy DSL participated in a 7-hour DSL OFQUAL certified training update. The relevant certificates were submitted to the LCC.

Financial review

Incoming resources for the year amounted to £51,837 (2024 £101,111) and resources expended amounted to £61,109 (2024 £146,212), leaving a deficit for the year of £9,272 (2024 £45,101). Unrestricted funds to be carried forward amount to £50,231 (2024 £59,503) and restricted funds to be carried forward amount to £27 (2024 £27). Cash at bank amounted to £41,724 (2024 £62,105).

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ST BENEDICT'S (ICKSP)

TRUSTEES REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Reserves policy

It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.

Major risks

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a charitable incorporated organisation registered on 22 February 2018

The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: Rev G Cristofoli

Mr J Lyons Canon S Tanner M F Platt Rev R P Post

Recruitment and appointment of trustees

The appointment of Trustees has to be agreed unanimously by the existing Trustees, and any Trustee can nominate a potential new Trustee.

New Trustees are invited and encouraged to attend short briefing sessions to familiarise themselves with the charity and the context within which it operates.

The trustees report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

.............................. Rev R P Post

Trustee

Date: .............................................

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ST BENEDICT'S (ICKSP)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ST BENEDICT'S (ICKSP)

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of St Benedict's (ICKSP) (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

• 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Act 2011.

• 2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

• 3 the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of financial statements set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

Helen Furlong FCCA Xeinadin North West Limited

46 Hamilton Square Birkenhead Wirral Merseyside CH41 5AR Date: ............................

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ST BENEDICT'S (ICKSP)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 Notes £ £ Income from: Donations and legacies 3 27,454 - Charitable activities 4 23,694 - Investments 5 689 - Total income 51,837 - Expenditure on: Charitable activities 6 61,109 - Total expenditure 61,109 - Net expenditure and movement in funds (9,272) - Reconciliation of funds: Fund balances at 1 April 2024 59,503 27 Fund balances at 31 March 2025 50,231 27	Total Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ 27,454 77,919 - 23,694 21,190 - 689 2,002 - 51,837 101,111 - 61,109 146,212 - 61,109 146,212 - (9,272) (45,101) - 59,530 104,604 27 50,258 59,503 27	Total 2024 £ 77,919 21,190 2,002 101,111 146,212 146,212 (45,101) 104,631 59,530

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

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ST BENEDICT'S (ICKSP)

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2025

Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets 10 Current assets Debtors 11 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 12 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities The funds of the charity Restricted income funds 13 Unrestricted funds 14	2025 £ 9,612 41,724 51,336 (1,452)	£ 374 49,884 50,258 27 50,231 50,258	2024 £ - 62,105 62,105 (2,575)	£ - 59,530
				59,530
				27 59,503
				59,530

The financial statements were approved by the trustees on .........................

.............................. Rev R P Post Trustee

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ST BENEDICT'S (ICKSP)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

St. Benedict's (ICKSP) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation incorporated in England and Wales.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a statement of cash flows.

The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4 Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

1.5 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 are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

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ST BENEDICT'S (ICKSP)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Computers

25% on cost

1.7 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.8 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

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ST BENEDICT'S (ICKSP)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.9 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

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.

3 Income from donations and legacies

	Unrestricted	Unrestricted
	funds	funds
	2025	2024
	£	£
Donations and gifts	16,285	64,240
Other	11,169	13,679
	27,454	77,919

4 Income from charitable activities

	Unrestricted	Unrestricted
	funds	funds
	2025	2024
	£	£
Education
Fees	23,694	21,190

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ST BENEDICT'S (ICKSP)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

5 Income from investments

		Unrestricted	Unrestricted
		funds	funds
		2025	2024
		£	£
	Interest receivable	689	2,002
6	Expenditure on charitable activities
		2025	2024
		£	£
	Direct costs
	Staff costs	8,921	5,400
	Education materials	2,441	5,631
	Training	378	95
	Charitable contributions	2,200	1,800
		13,940	12,926
	Share of support and governance costs (see note 7)
	Support	45,717	131,966
	Governance	1,452	1,320
		61,109	146,212
	Analysis by fund
	Unrestricted funds	61,109	146,212
7	Support costs allocated to activities
		Education	Total
		2025	2024
		£	£
	Depreciation	125	-
	Repairs & maintenance	29,939	127,050
	Cleaning	140	-
	Other admin costs	2,788	2,079
	Travel & accommodation	-	600
	Heat & Light	8,414	1,820
	Bank charges	102	130
	Entertaining	-	287
	Rent, rates & insurance	4,209	-
	Governance	1,452	1,320
		47,169	133,286

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ST BENEDICT'S (ICKSP)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

7	Support costs allocated to activities		(Continued)
		2025	2024
	Governance costs comprise:	£	£
	Accountancy	1,452	1,320
		1,452	1,320
8	Employees
	The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
		2025	2024
		Number	Number
		3	1
	Employment costs	2025	2024
		£	£
	Wages and salaries	8,921	5,400

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.

9 Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

10 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
	Computers
	£
Cost
Additions	499
At 31 March 2025	499
Depreciation and impairment
Depreciation charged in the year	125
At 31 March 2025	125
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2025	374

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ST BENEDICT'S (ICKSP)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

11 Debtors

Amounts falling due within one year: Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Accruals and deferred income	2025 £ 7,412 2,200 9,612 2025 £ 1,452	2024 £ - -
		-
		2024 £ 2,575

12 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

13 Restricted funds

The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.

At Property rennovation fund Previous year: At Property rennovation fund	1 April 2024 At 31 March 2025 £ £ 27 27 1 April 2023 At 31 March 2024 £ £ 27 27

14 Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

	At	1 April	Incoming	Resources	At	31 March
		2024	resources	expended		2025
		£	£	£		£
General funds		59,503	51,837	(61,109)		50,231

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ST BENEDICT'S (ICKSP)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

14	Unrestricted funds				(Continued)
	Previous year:	At 1 April	Incoming	Resources	At 31 March
		2023	resources	expended	2024
		£	£	£	£
	General funds	104,604	101,111	(146,212)	59,503
15	Analysis of net assets between funds
			Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
			funds	funds
			2025	2025	2025
			£	£	£
	At 31 March 2025:
	Tangible assets		374	-	374
	Current assets/(liabilities)		49,857	27	49,884
			50,231	27	50,258
			Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
			funds	funds
			2024	2024	2024
			£	£	£
	At 31 March 2024:
	Current assets/(liabilities)		59,503	27	59,530
			59,503	27	59,530

16 Related party transactions

During the year to 31 March 2025 one of the Trustees, Maria F Platt received payments for her teaching work & assistance as Vice Principal, those payments in total amounted to £6,950 (2024 £5,400).

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