**REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1179496**
## **THE LIGHTBEAM ACADEMY**
**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND**
**UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024**
**THE LIGHTBEAM ACADEMY**
**CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Page
Reference and Administrative Details 1
Report of the Trustees 2 to 4
Independent Examiner's Report 5
Statement of Financial Activities 6
Statement of Financial Position 7
Notes to the Financial Statements 8 to 12
**----- End of picture text -----**
**THE LIGHTBEAM ACADEMY**
**REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024**
|**Trustees**|Faiza Akram|
|---|---|
||Asha Khalique|
||Nisar Raja (resigned 10.11.23)|
||Kamran Chaudhary (appointed 10.11.23)|
||Javed Chaudhary (appointed 10.11.23)|
|**Principal address**|The Bestlight Community Hub|
||9 Market Square|
||Nelson|
||Lancashire|
||BB9 7LP|
|**Registered charity number**|1179496|
|**Independent examiner**|Xeinadin|
||Ground Floor|
||Citygate|
||Longridge Road|
||Preston|
||PR2 5BQ|
Page 1
**THE LIGHTBEAM ACADEMY**
**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024**
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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).
## **Charitable objectives**
To provide educational, health and sports development initiatives for the public benefit, serving the communities of Pendle and East Lancashire. To provide a well-being and spiritual centre for the public benefit, supporting community cohesion and opportunity for all.
## **Review of Activities and Achievements**
From 1st August 2023 to 31st July 2024, LightBeam Academy has continued to expand its reach, deepen its impact, and meet growing local need. With a strong base at the BestLight Community Hub in Market Square, Nelson, the Academy delivered a wide-ranging programme of education, health, sport, cultural and well-being activities to children, young people and adults in the heart of a significantly deprived community.
## **Primary Education (Ages 5-11)**
The 2023-24 academic year welcomed 36 primary-aged students, an increase from the previous year. The curriculum continued to focus on moral and character development from a faith-based perspective, alongside core literacy skills. Classes ran 6 days a week, with students attending three sessions per week, providing a structured, nurturing and consistent learning environment.
## **Secondary Education (Ages 11-16)**
Our weekend programme for secondary-age students remained stable with continued interest and engagement. Students attended weekly 2-hour sessions, focusing on personal development, social responsibility, and faithinformed ethical thinking. Topics included identity, self-discipline, community involvement and contemporary social issues.
## **Reception Programme (Ages 4-5)**
The Reception programme for early learners remained a vital introduction to the Academy for many families. Three Sunday morning sessions served over 30 children, using a play-based approach to promote confidence, creativity and communication.
Sports, Health and Wellbeing
Health and wellbeing remained a key focus for the Academy throughout 2023-24. We delivered a wide variety of fitness and resilience-building activities, including:
- Olympic Freestyle Wrestling (weekly)
- Archery classes for different age groups
- Gymnastics sessions for boys and girls
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for self-defense and discipline
- Women-only fitness sessions, improving access for local women
- Youth football, which saw a spike in participation this year
We also hosted weekly yoga and mindfulness workshops, contributing to mental wellbeing in a high-stress environment shaped by deprivation and social challenges.
## **Education and Skills for Adults**
The Academy continued to work with partners to deliver Adult ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), Maths support, and digital skills training, helping local residents improve their employability and confidence.
In 2024, we piloted a parenting and relationships course, supporting family wellbeing and better home-learning environments.
## **Community and Cultural Events**
The Hub was a focal point for community-building and celebration. Over the past year, we hosted:
Page 2
**THE LIGHTBEAM ACADEMY**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024**
- Community Iftar (Ramadan)
- Eid celebrations
- Craft and Cultural Heritage days
- Cost of Living Support workshops
- Charity fundraisers, including a sponsored walk and community bake sale
We welcomed over 3,200 individuals to the Hub this year across all our services and activities.
## **Partnerships and Support**
We remain deeply grateful to our partners, funders and collaborators, including:
- Pendle Borough Council
- Tudor Trust
- Magic Little Grants
- Lancashire Adult Learning
- Active Lancashire
- Solidarity Sports
- Nature Warriors
- ASDA Foundation
- Hubbub Foundation
Together, they help us maintain and expand our offer to the people of Nelson.
## **Objectives and activities**
## **Governance, Volunteers and Staff**
The number of volunteers at the Academy grew to over 30, with many supporting teaching, mentoring, and events. Our staff team expanded to meet the growing demand for high-quality delivery, safeguarding, and project management
.
We continued to invest in the infrastructure of the BestLight Community Hub, improving the safety, accessibility and warmth of our facilities - including a focus on refurbishing our sports hall and enhancing security in light of community safety concerns.
## **Financial review**
It is the policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted funds at a level which equate to approximately 3 months unrestricted expenditure. This provides sufficient funds to cover management and administration and support costs.
## **Looking ahead**
The LightBeam Academy is now in its 7th year and remains committed to its founding vision - to nurture, strengthen and nourish the hearts and minds of the people we serve.
In the coming year, our priorities include:
- Scaling our sports and fitness offer
- Deepening provision for SEND children through our new First Spring initiative
- Expanding our after-school enrichment programmes
- Strengthening our cost-of-living response
- Attracting more partner organisations to co-deliver from the Hub
- Continuing investment in safeguarding, safety and security
## **Conclusion**
The last year has demonstrated the power of community-based initiatives rooted in care, dignity and inclusion. As poverty and hardship grow in our area, LightBeam Academy remains a beacon of light and hope. We thank our supporters, funders, partners, families and volunteers for their trust and continued belief in the work we do.
## **Structure, governance and management**
## **Governing document**
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
Page 3
**THE LIGHTBEAM ACADEMY**
**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024**
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 27 May 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Faiza Akram - Trustee
Page 4
**INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE LIGHTBEAM ACADEMY**
## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Lightbeam Academy**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Lightbeam Academy (the Trust) for the year ended 31 July 2024.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Farook Patel FCA
Xeinadin Ground Floor Citygate Longridge Road Preston PR2 5BQ
29 May 2025
Page 5
**THE LIGHTBEAM ACADEMY**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024**
|**STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Notes**
**Income and endowments from**
Donations and legacies
**Charitable activities**
4
Charitable activities
Other trading activities
2
Investment income
3
**Total**
**Expenditure on**
Raising funds
**Charitable activities**
5
Charitable activities
**Total**
**NET INCOME**
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**|**Unrestricted**
**fund**
**£**
23,226
95,659
27,384
-
146,269
14,893
119,808
134,701
11,568
33,383
44,951|**Restricted**
**fund**
**£**
81,354
85,169
-
35,710
202,233
-
93,799
93,799
108,434
342,387
450,821|**2024**
**Total**
**funds**
**£**
104,580
180,828
27,384
35,710
348,502
14,893
213,607
228,500
120,002
375,770
495,772|**2023**
**Total**
**funds**
**£**
87,029
189,489
20,645
16,111|
|||||313,274|
|||||20,228
199,555|
|||||219,783|
|||||93,491
282,279|
|||||375,770|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
**THE LIGHTBEAM ACADEMY**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 31 JULY 2024**
|**Notes**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
10
**Current assets**
Stocks
11
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors**
Amounts falling due within one year
13
**Net current assets**
**Total assets less current liabilities**
**NET ASSETS**
**Funds**
14
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
**Total funds**|**Unrestricted**
**fund**
**£**
1,114
6,000
-
39,637
45,637
(1,800)
43,837
44,951
44,951|**Restricted**
**fund**
**£**
291,762
-
180
180,089
180,269
(21,210)
159,059
450,821
450,821|**2024**
**Total**
**funds**
**£**
292,876
6,000
180
219,726
225,906
(23,010)
202,896
495,772
495,772
44,951
450,821
495,772|**2023**
**Total**
**funds**
**£**
251,298
1,925
-
145,558
147,483
(23,011)
124,472
375,770
375,770
33,383
342,387
375,770|
|---|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 27 May 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
Faiza Akram - Trustee
Asha Khalique - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 7
**THE LIGHTBEAM ACADEMY**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024**
## **1. Accounting policies**
## **Basis of preparing the financial statements**
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, 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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
## **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.
## **Expenditure**
Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Support costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity and include project management.
## **Going concern**
Trustees consider that the charitable company has sufficient resources and there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue. Accordingly, trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life:
Fixtures & Fittings
25% Straight Line Method
## **Stocks**
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.
## **Taxation**
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
## **Financial instruments**
The charity only has financial assets and liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at amortised cost. Financial assets held at amortised cost comprise cash and bank in hand. Financial liabilities held at amortised cost comprise all creditors except social security and other taxes.
Page 8
continued...
**THE LIGHTBEAM ACADEMY**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024**
## **2. Other trading activities**
|Shop income
**3.**
**Investment income**
Rents received
**4.**
**Income from charitable activities**
**Activity**
Tuition Fee income
Charitable activities
Grants
Charitable activities
Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:
Tudor Trust
Magic Grants
HUBBUB Foundation UK
ASDA Foundation
HAF Pendle BC
Garfield Weston Foundation
Workers' Educational Association
Lancashire BAME Pact
Active Lancashire Ltd
Skelton Charity
Harold & Alice Bridges Charity
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Lancashire Environmental Fund
Dowager Countess Peel Trust
**5.**
**Charitable activities costs**
Charitable activities|**Direct**
**Costs (see**
**note 6)**
**£**
164,373||**2024**
**£**
27,384
**2024**
**£**
35,710
**2024**
**£**
95,659
85,169
180,828
**2024**
**£**
43,279
-
1,000
-
15,123
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,767
15,000
5,000
85,169
**Support**
**costs (see**
**note 7)**
**£**
49,234||**2023**
**£**
20,645|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||**2023**
**£**
16,111|
||||||**2023**
**£**
87,080
102,409|
||||||189,489|
||||||**2023**
**£**
42,979
500
3,000
500
13,650
15,000
17,880
900
5,000
2,000
1,000
-
-
-|
||||||102,409|
||||||**Totals**
**£**
213,607|
Page 9
continued...
**THE LIGHTBEAM ACADEMY**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024**
**6. Direct costs of charitable activities**
|**Direct costs of charitable activities**|||
|---|---|---|
|Staff costs
Classroom activities
Donations paid|**2024**
**£**
122,648
24,954
16,771
164,373|**2023**
**£**
94,301
23,395
6,360|
|||124,056|
||Staff costs
Classroom activities
Donations paid|||**2024**
**£**
122,648
24,954
16,771
164,373|**2023**
**£**
94,301
23,395
6,360
124,056|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**7.**|**Support costs**|||||
|||||**Governance**||
|||**Management**|**Finance**|**costs**|**Totals**|
|||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
||Charitable activities|47,109|1,117|1,008|49,234|
**8. Trustees' remuneration and benefits**
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 July 2024 nor for the year ended 31 July 2023.
## **Trustees' expenses**
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 July 2024 nor for the year ended 31 July 2023.
## **9. Staff costs**
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
## **10.**
|Teaching and admin staff
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
**Tangible fixed assets**
**Cost**
At 1 August 2023
Additions
At 31 July 2024
**Depreciation**
At 1 August 2023
Charge for year
At 31 July 2024
**Net book value**
At 31 July 2024
At 31 July 2023|**Freehold**
**property**
**£**
245,425
43,555
288,980
-
-
-
288,980
245,425||**2024**
25
**Computer**
**equipment**
**£**
10,801
964
11,765
4,928
2,941
7,869
3,896
5,873||**2023**
19
**Totals**
**£**
256,226
44,519|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||300,745|
||||||4,928
2,941|
||||||7,869|
||||||292,876|
||||||251,298|
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continued...
**THE LIGHTBEAM ACADEMY**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024**
|**11.**
**Stocks**
Stocks
**12.**
**Debtors: amounts falling due within one year**
Prepayments and accrued income
**13.**
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Trade creditors
Other creditors
**14.**
**Movement in funds**
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**Restricted funds**
Restricted funds
**TOTAL FUNDS**
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**Restricted funds**
Restricted funds
**TOTAL FUNDS**|**At 1.8.23**
**£**
33,383
342,387
375,770
**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
146,269
202,233
348,502|||
|---|---|---|---|
|||||
|||||
Page 11
continued...
**THE LIGHTBEAM ACADEMY**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024**
## **14. Movement in funds - continued**
## **Comparatives for movement in funds**
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**Restricted funds**
Restricted funds
**TOTAL FUNDS**|**At 1.8.22**
**£**
40,688
241,591
282,279|**Net**
**movement**
**in funds**
**£**
(7,305)
100,796
93,491|**At**
**31.7.23**
**£**
33,383
342,387|
|---|---|---|---|
||||375,770|
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**Restricted funds**
Restricted funds
**TOTAL FUNDS**|**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
131,333
181,941
313,274|**Resources**
**expended**
**£**
(138,638)
(81,145)
(219,783)|**Movement**
**in funds**
**£**
(7,305)
100,796
93,491|
|---|---|---|---|
## **15. Related party disclosures**
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 July 2024.
## **16. Restricted fund**
This fund represents amounts held in order to repay loans (Karze Hasna) provided for the purchase of the building at Market Square, Nelson, that is to be the hub of the charity's activities.
During the year Charity received below restricted grants for various projects.
|**Trust /Organisation**|**Project**|**Bal B/F**|**Income**|**Spent**|**Bal C/F**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Tudor Trust|CDM & Finance Offier|£10,745|£43,279|£43,010|£11,014|
|HUBBUB Foundation UK|Community Fridge|£1,500|£1,000|£1,500|£1,000|
|HAF Pendle BC|HAF - Summer 2023|£2,310|£4,410|£6,720|-|
|HAF Pendle BC|HAF - Winter 2023|-|£2,775|£2,775|-|
|HAF Pendle BC|HAF - Summer 2024|-|£8,193|£255|£7,938|
|Garfield Weston Foundation|Core Funding|£6,250|-|£6,250|-|
|Dowager Countess Peel Trust|Lift Refurb|-|£5,000|£5,000|-|
|Lancashire Environmental||||||
|Fund|Lift Refurb|-|£15,000|£15,000|-|
|Active Lancashire Ltd|Archery/Boxing|£2,500|-|£2,500|-|
|Blackburn with Darwen||||||
|Borough Council|Salary|-|£5,767|-|£5,767|
|**Total**||**£23,305**|**£85,424**|**£83,010**|**£25,719**|
Page 12