GTS – Gateway Theology School
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the Year Ended 31 March 2026
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, for the year ended 31[st] March 2026
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 2025 to 31 March 2026. 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 £27,273.
Individual Donations (both monthly and for courses) provided £16347. Gift Aid provided an additional £3783.
Course fees provided income of £3043. No grant income was received this year. The remaining £4100 came from church donations.
Expenditure
Expenditure was £34,914 consisting primarily of costs for the delivery of courses, together with costs of insurance, personnel and speaker honorariums, teaching resources, and smaller sundry expenses.
Summary
At the end of the year we had a net loss of £7,642. Some late income (covering these expenses) is yet to be received, and we were unable to submit for grant funding as planned. We plan to reverse much of this loss in the coming year through a business development proposal and grant funding.
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. £21,000.
Financial management
GTS is still a relatively young charity at nine 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Emma Hartwell | Resigned 14.05.25 | |
| Cindy Childers | Resigned 04.02.26 | |
| Colin Edwards | 23.05.23 (3 years) | |
| Diana Mattos | 23.05.23 (3 years) | |
| Andy Smith | Chair | 23.05.24 (3 years) |
| Ronald Begbie | 27.11.24 (3 years) | |
| Alan McCann | Joined 04.02.26 (3 years) |
Independent examiner
Previous: Timothy Riley 74 Friars Orchard Gloucester GL1 1GF
Credentials Institute of Chartered Accounts In England & Wales Member of ACA
GTS
Financial statements
12 month period ended 31 Mar 2026
| Income & Expenditure Statement Balance sheet 12 months to 31-Mar 31-Mar 31-Mar 2026 2026 2026 £ £ £ Income Assets Ind Gifts 16,347 Cash on hand 20,730 Corp Gifts 4,100 Fees income 3,043 Gift aid 3,783 Grants 0 Total assets Other 0 27,273 Total liabilities Expenditure Staff costs (26,271) Funds Services (Personnel) (6,621) Fund balances brought fwd 28,372 Insurance (592) Retained surplus (7,642) Hospitality (235) Website & IT (554) Equipment (52) Teaching Resources (166) Printing & Copying 0 Travel & Mileage (393) Financial Fees (31) (34,914) Surplus (7,642) Total funds |
31-Mar 2026 £ 20,730 0 |
|---|---|
| 20,730 | |
| 20,730 |
Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Gateway Theology School On accounts for the year ended 31" March, 2026 Charity no (if any) 1181897 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the acwunts of the above charity 1.the Trust") for the year ended 3110312026. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charitys trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 1.the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515}Ib) of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come lo my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause lo believe that in. any malerial respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordan with section 130 of the Charities Act. or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records I have no concems and have come across no other matters in conneclion 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. Slgned: Date: 09105126 Name: Timothy Riley Relevant professional qualification{s) or body lif any): Institute of Chartered Accountants of England & Wales ACA 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: direclions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief delails of any items that the examiner wishes lo disclose. None IER Oct 2018