GTS – Gateway Theology School
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, for the year ended 31[st] March 2025
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 2015).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
Our charity's purposes as set out in the objects contained in the charity’s articles of association are to: advance the Christian religion by practically demonstrating the Christian faith in particular, but not exclusively by:
(1) providing accessible biblical and theological teaching and training to churches and other Christian groups.
(2) promoting theological understanding through dialogue and engagement across denominational lines
(3) providing grants and subsidies to churches or individuals who might not otherwise be able to benefit
Public Benefit:
The trustees are aware of, have regard to and take into account the Charity Commission’s guidance on Public Benefit in decision making, operational and strategic. This means that in every decision we make as a board, we ensure that the outcome does not have any personal benefit for anyone in or connected to the charity; delivers the objectives of our charity; makes good use of the funds that we have been trusted with.
Who we are
GTS is a ministry to churches and congregations that provides a forum for Christian biblical and theological education accessible to everyone. Our vision is to help Christians and congregations to grow together in their faith, gain confidence in the Bible, and discover how to think and engage in meaningful theological discourse as the people of God. The aim is to bring theology out of its academic preserve and into the hands of ordinary Christians, giving congregations and small groups the tools and confidence to ‘do theology together’.
We offer courses and events that challenge participants to think, discuss, learn and reflect together. Courses are engaging, interactive, accessible and affordable. The courses are adapted to each group, and can vary in length, level, or content, depending on the needs of the church. Some are offered on-site, others by Zoom or Gateway online. Our courses are innovative and bring a fresh expression to theological teaching, affirming the Christian faith. Because we want our courses to be open to all we offer most courses on a donation basis, and provide a bursary scheme for churches or individuals for whom cost may be a potential barrier for fee-based courses. Bursaries are not paid to the individuals or churches, but rather absorbed by GTS in the sense that donations received from ‘Friends of GTS’ cover those unable to give.
We generally bring courses to churches or groups that already have a relationship with one another. Courses are designed to build more confident disciples – through discussion and engagement – not merely to provide content for individual growth. Based on a peripatetic model, we enable congregations to study together, which will deepen existing relationships and forge new fellowship.
This report covers the financial period 01 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. We are so grateful to everyone who has attended a course, supported us and/or become a friend of GTS. Thank you! We could not exist without your support and prayers.
Financial Review
Income
Our income for this financial period was £32,367.
Individual Donations (both monthly and for courses) provided £17981. Gift Aid provided an additional £4201.
Course fees provided income of £3852. One grant was awarded for £2500. The remaining £3833 came from church donations.
Expenditure
Expenditure was £28,776 consisting primarily of costs for the delivery of courses, together with costs of insurance, new equipment, and smaller sundry expenses.
Summary
At the end of the year we had a net gain of £3,591. Expenses were slightly lower this year than last because no large purchases were necessary, and one facilitator gifted back payment. Personnel expenses may rise in future as new facilitators join to teach specialist subjects.
Reserves
The Trustees regularly review the financial situation of the charity including Risk and the need to hold reserves. With no committed expenditure at this period in time, we do not hold any designated or committed reserves, and current non-designated reserves are approx. £28,000.
Financial management
GTS is still a relatively young charity at eight years, operating primarily in the Gloucestershire region, but growing more diverse with online participation and additional specialist teachers.
GTS takes the importance of maintaining financial systems and controls very seriously and follows all Charity Commission and other statutory guidance. We submit our accounts and Annual Reports to the Charity Commission and comply with all their guidelines, accounting regulations and reporting requirements. We have robust procedures in place to prevent fraud and all funds are allocated for the purpose for which they are given. As a board, we believe the charity is managing its resources appropriately.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, the charity’s ‘Constitution for a Foundation Model CIO’ (whose only voting members are its charity trustees). The original Constitution was certified 10 September 2018; a new Constitution was adapted 28 September, 2022.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
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(1) GTS is led by the Board of Trustees which oversee and monitor the governance and work of the charity. Under the requirements of the Constitution every trustee must be appointed for a term of three [3] years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.
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(2) In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.
The charity trustees set rotating terms to ensure there will always be a sufficient number for quoracy. All the trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. Any expenses reclaimed from the charity would be set out in the accounts.
We believe that the current board of trustees provides strong leadership to the charity, recognising that a diverse and highly skilled board of trustees is essential if the charity is to be effective in achieving its objects. Therefore, we continue to actively recruit trustees and have dedicated time and thought to the ‘onboarding’ of potential and new trustees to ensure a thorough understanding of not only the charity, but also all legal and statutory obligations.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity Number
1181897
Registered Office
113, Denmark Rd, Gloucester, Glos. GL1 3JW
Trustees
| Trustee name | Office(if any) | Relevant term dates |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Taylor | Secretary | Resigned 06.09.24 |
| Claire Power-Browne | Grants liaison | Resigned 06.09.24 |
| Dr Emma Hartwell | Extended 06.09.24 | |
| Colin Edwards | 23.05.23 (3 years) | |
| Diana Mattos | 23.05.23 (3 years) | |
| Cindy Childers | 23.05.23 (3 years) | |
| Andy Smith | Chair | 23.05.24 (3 years) |
| Ronald Begbie | 27.11.24 (3 years) |
Independent examiner (appointmt pending)
Previous: Lindsay Wyles (resigned 2024) 32 Padin Close Chalford, Stroud Gloucestershire GL6 8FB
Bankers Barclays Bank, Leicester, LE87 2BB
GTS
Financial statements 12 month Period ended 31 Mar 2025
Income & Expenditure Statement
Balance sheet
12 months to 31-Mar 31-Mar 31-Mar 31-Mar 2025 2025 2025 2025 £ £ £ £ Income Assets Ind Gifts 17,981 Cash on hand 28,372 Corp Gifts 3,833 Fees income 3,852 Gift aid 4,201 Grants 2,500 Total assets 28,372 Other 0 32,367 Total liabilities 0 28,372 Expenditure Staff costs (22,764) Funds Services (Personnel) (3,232) Fund balances brought for 24,780 Insurance (628) Retained surplus 3,591 Hospitality (195) Website & IT (419) Equipment 0 Teaching Resources (70) Printing & Copying (1,198) Travel & Mileage (233) Financial Fees (39) (28,776) Surplus 3,591 Total funds 28,372
Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl membèrs of Gloucestershire Theology School aka Gateway Theology School On accounls for the year ondod 31, March, 2023 Charlty no Ilf any) 1181897 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust'l for the yèar ended 3110312020. Rosponsibilllies and basls of report As the charity's Iruslees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 I'the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts caffied out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by Ihe Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Act. Independent examiner's slatement I have completed my examination. I confirm Ihat no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Slgned. Dale: 28104125 Name: Timothy Riley Relevant professional qualification(s} or body Ilf any): GA Address: 74 Friars Orchard Gloucester GL1 1GF IER Oct 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs lo highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts-. directions and guidance for examiners). Glve here brlef detalls of any items that the axaminer wlshès to disclose. None IER Oct 2018