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2025-03-31-accounts

WEST LONDON PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY TRUSTEES' REPORTS AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

PRACTICAL ACCOUNTANT (Chartered Accountants) 1000 Great West Road Brentford Middlesex TW8 9DW

WEST LONDON PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY

CONTENTS

Page
Legal and administrative details of the Charity, its trustees and advisors 3
Trustees' reports 4 to 6
Independent examiner's report 7
Statement of Financial Activities 8
Balance sheet 9-10
Notes to the financial statements 11 to 13

WEST LONDON PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY

CHARITY INFORMATION

Charity number 1182168 (England & Wales)
Governing document Constitution adopted on 30 April 2018.
Trustees
Ms Shanti Kaur Babrah (Chairman)
Ms Michelle Welch
Ms. Tara Coogan
Mrs Eurika Hogewind-Sacks
Chief Executive Officer Ms Shanti Kaur Babrah
Charity contact Ms Shanti Kaur Babrah
Principal address 268 Northfield Avenue
London
W5 4UB
Treasurer Ms. Michelle Welch

Independent examiner		 Practical Accountant (Chartered Accountants)
1000 Great West Road
Brentford
Middlesex
TW8 9DW
Principal Bankers HSBC
8 Canada Square
London
E14 5HQ
Website https://www.westlondonperformingartsacademy.com
Email info@wlpaacademy.com

3

WEST LONDON PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The Trustees present their annual report and unaudited financial statements for the year ended 31 MARCH 2025.

In preparing the accounts, the Trustees have followed the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice, "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" issued in March 2005.

CHARITABLE OPERATIONS

West London Performing Arts Academy (WLPA) is a registered charity established for the public benefit in the provision of inclusive Performing Arts training and Education for children of all ages (current students range from the age of 3 - 27), children with special educational needs (SEN), social-emotional and mental health needs (SEMH) and children of varying abilities.

WLPA provides a positive, enriched learning environment that empowers students to flourish whilst working on confidence building and self-esteem via the performing arts and Education. The Centre is in the London Borough of Ealing, an area of diverse backgrounds and cultures.

WLPA prides itself on going the extra mile to give its students a voice, enabling them to feel an integral part of the Academy, ready to learn, create, and grow together. The Academy's central goal is breaking down barriers and creating an inclusive and empowering environment for all. Every student needs to feel represented and have a place where they belong. This commitment to inclusivity shows in its weekly dance, drama, and singing classes for students with additional needs, including Autism, Down syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy.

WLPA is a platform for social change where inclusion is not the exception; it is the norm.

Structure, Governance, and management

The Board of Trustees is responsible for ensuring that the Charity complies with the Charity Commission's governance standards by setting the direction and policy framework for the Academy. The Board also established the process for reviewing, evaluating, and implementing an appropriate risk management framework.

Risk Management

The trustees regularly actively review the significant risks that the Charity faces. The trustees have examined the major strategic, business, and operational risks the charity faces and confirm that systems have been established to enable regular reports to be produced so that the necessary steps can be taken to lessen these risks.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The Charity's primary Objective (the Objective) is for the public benefit:

The provision of the advancement in inclusive Performing Arts and Education for children of all ages, including children and young people with special educational needs and varying abilities.

REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES AND PERFORMANCE

The Board

There was no change in the composition of the Board of Trustees, and all the trustees indicated their willingness to continue in office. The Board met three times during the year.

Key achievements

April 2024

The Assembly pilot episode, filmed in March 2024, was broadcast on BBC One during Autism Awareness Week. The episode received exceptional feedback, trending #1 on Twitter/X.

Highlights included students interviewing Michael Sheen, one student performing his favourite Dylan Thomas poem, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night, and three students singing his favourite song, Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles. 100% pass rate for LAMDA Acting and Musical Theatre exams

May 2024

Students attended a performance about the history of the NHS at the University of West London, strengthening our ongoing partnership.

4

June 2024

100% pass rate achieved in our first-year Functional Skills exams (English and Maths). Screening of The Assembly at the Ealing Project, followed by a Q&A and certificate ceremony for work-experience students. New links forged with MENCAP Ealing for future collaboration.

Annual trip to Thorpe Park took place; due to transport challenges, we now require arranged travel rather than public transport.

July 2024

Annual trip to Brighton: highlights included the Upside-Down House, the i360, the beach, and local shops. Students performed at the New GEN-Include Me Festival in Walpole Park, raising awareness of Ealing’s SEN community. Major challenge: with just four days’ notice, WLPA was informed we could not continue operating from Ealing Christian Centre. Emergency negotiations secured one more academic year for weekday provision, but new premises are urgently required by September 2025.

August 2024

A student was nominated for TV Moment of the Year for his question to Michael Sheen in The Assembly. WLPA achieved University of the Arts London (UAL) approval to deliver Performing Arts qualifications from Entry Level to Level 2, beginning September 2024.

September 2024

New location secured for Saturday Performing Arts classes just one week before the term began—now running from a Northfields school, within walking distance of the previous venue.

Launch of the UAL Performing Arts course. Students will sit their first exams in June 2025.

One WLPA weekend arts student successfully gained a scholarship to a leading independent (private) school with our guidance and support.

October 2024

Passed second London Borough of Ealing Quality Assurance Assessment with a rating of Good. Visit to MENCAP Ealing to explore collaborative opportunities for SEN awareness campaigns.

November 2024

ITV commissioned a full series of The Assembly following the BBC pilot’s success; all original students were cast. Filming began in December. Students attended a performance of Macbeth at the University of West London and MJ the Musical in London’s West End as part of the UAL qualification.

December 2024

A second Industry Award nomination for TV Moment of the Year for another memorable exchange on The Assembly. The Globe Theatre’s Stage Manager delivered a guest session for UAL students.

A WLPA student secured a lead pantomime role at The Questors Theatre.

Filming began for ITV’s The Assembly series, with the first celebrity guest David Tennant. Students not only interviewed him but also performed a Macbeth duologue and sang Sunshine on Leith.

January 2025

Filmed second episode of The Assembly featuring Jade Thirlwall (Little Mix). Students interviewed her and performed I’m Coming Out by Diana Ross with a choreographed dance.

February 2025

Filmed third episode of The Assembly with Danny Dyer, including a performance of Moving On Up by Primal Scream. Guest speaker: an autistic director, writer, and performer, demonstrating achievement and representation in the industry. Students from both the college and weekend arts classes sat their LAMDA exams

March 2025

Filmed final episode of The Assembly with Gary Lineker. The series is due to air in April 2025. Students performed at the annual SEND Conference, showcasing music, drama, and dance. Impact Summary (April 2024 – March 2025) 500+ young people accessed free weekly dance sessions, totalling 72 hours of free classes (average 15 participants per week). Saturday classes ran for 36 weeks, with 5 hours of tuition per week, serving an average of 40 students weekly for over 180 hours.

College enrolment remained strong, with increased interest for September 2025.

One WLPA weekend arts student was awarded a scholarship to a leading independent (private) school and began their studies there in September 2024.

5

Key Achievements

Key Challenges

Premises uncertainty: current weekday location only secured until July 2025. A new long-term base is critical for the Academy’s survival. Transport logistics for large trips now require dedicated solutions.

WLPA Academy has grown in visibility, credibility, and student achievement this year—but our greatest challenge now is to secure permanent premises to safeguard our future.

Review of financial position

During the year ended 31 MARCH 2025, there were incoming resources of £365,371 (2024: £323,826), a 13% increase over last year's income. The total resources expended increased by 83% to £353,277 (2024: £192,812), giving a net incoming resource of £12,094. The total funds of the charity stood at £294,109.

This report was approved by the Trustees on, 14 October 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

Ms Shanti Babrah, Chairman

Date: 14/10/2025

6

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF WEST LONDON PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of West London Performing Arts Academy ('the Charity')

I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of 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 accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act, and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the Charity has prepared the accounts in accordance with 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) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.

I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

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 2011 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.

This report is made solely to the Charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Charity's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent Examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity and the Charity's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.

Matthew Odu PRACTICAL ACCOUNTANT

Chartered Accountants 1000 Great West Road, Brentford Middlesex TW8 9DW

14 October 2025

7

WEST LONDON PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Note
INCOMING RESOURCES
Incoming funds from generated funds
Fee income
2
Donation
Investment income
Grant
Total incoming resources
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Cost of generating funds
Rent
Salary
3
Stationery, printing & postage
Transport and travelling
Telephone and communication
Legal costs
4
Professional fees
Support costs
Reimbursable
6
5
Total resources expended
Net incoming/(outgoing) resources
before other recognised gains and losses
Other recognised gains
Net movement in funds
Funds brought forward
Total funds at 31 March		 Unrestricted
Designated
Funds
Funds
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
361,356
-
361,356
283,826
-
2,550
1,465
-
-
-
2,550
1,465
-
40,000
-
365,371
-
365,371
323,826
16,472
233,685
-
16,472
233,685
11,623
140,209
2,118
28,982
-
-
2,118
28,982
9,789
7,638
1,750
11,683
-
-
1,750
11,683
4,285
4,638
5,419
53,168
-
-
-
5,419
53,168
-
2,110
10,160
2,360
353,277
-
353,277
192,812
12,094
-
12,094
131,014
-
-
-
-
12,094
-
12,094
131,014
282,015
-
282,015
151,001
294,109
-
294,109
282,015

8

WEST LONDON PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2025

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand
Debtors
Donations
Current liabilities
Creditors and accruals
Professional fees
Accounting fee &reimbursement
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Funds of the Charity
Unrestricted fund
Restricted fund		 2025
£
243
243
144,929
179,937
-
324,866
31,000
-

-
31,000
293,866
294,109
294,109
-
294,109		 2024
£
243
243
40,001
10,451
40,000
90,452
8,000
-
2,360
10,360
80,092
80,335
80,335
-
80,335

9

Approved and signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees by:

Ms Shanti Babrah

Chairman

Date: 14 October 2025

The notes on pages 10 to 12 form part of these financial statements.

10

WEST LONDON PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Principal accounting policies

Basis of accounting

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities published on 16 July 2014 and the Charities Act 2011 and applicable regulations.

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds comprise accumulated surpluses and deficits on general funds. They are available for use at the Trustees' discretion in furtherance of the general charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific restrictions as imposed by the donors.

Incoming resources

Income represents total invoices to students less bursary, donations, and investment income received, which are brought into account on receipt unless their receipt is reasonably certain, in which case they are brought into account when notified.

Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised when a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes VAT. Fundraising costs include those costs relating to special programmes and sponsored activities.

Charitable activities wholly related to grants and sponsorships to those the charity is committed to support through its activities.

Governance costs include those incurred in the governance of the charity and its assets and are primarily associated with constitutional and statutory requirements.

Other resources expended relate to those other costs that cannot be attributed to any other relevant heading.

Depreciation

Depreciation on fixed assets is charged so as to write off their full costs less estimated residual value over their expected useful lives at the following rates:

Computer equipment
Other equipment
Motor vehicle
2
Gross income
Performing Arts
Education Centre		 50% straight line
25% straight line
25% straight line
Unrestricted
Designated
£
£
42,837
322,534
-
-

365,371
-		 2025
£
42,837
322,534
365,371		 2024
£
25,420
258,406
283,826

11

WEST LONDON PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

3
Salary
Gross salary
Employer’s NIC
Other staff costs
4
Legal Costs
Training and conference
Subscription
Learning resources
5
Support costs
Examination costs
Uniforms
Repairs and maintenance
Other costs
Insurance
Cleaning
Production & studio costs
6
Professional fees
Independent Examiner
Payroll services
Consultant services
7
Analysis of net assets
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Endowment income		 Unrestricted
£
201,064
15,314
17,307
233,685		 Designated
£
-
-
-
-
Designated
£
-
-
-
-
Designated
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Designated
£
-
-
-
-
Net current
Assets
£
294,109
-
-
294,109		 2025
£
201,064
15,314
-
17,307
233,685		 2024
£
140,209
-
-
140,209
Unrestricted
£
2,127
6,960
2,596
11,683		 2025
£
2,127
6,894
2,596
11,617		 2024
£
1,335
-
3,303
4,638
Unrestricted
£
2,686
1,096
0
34,914
524
4,343
9,605
53,168		 2025
£
2,686
1,096
0
47,766
524
4,343
9,605
66,020		 2024
£
2,116
1,586
0
995
224
5,239
-
10,160
Unrestricted
£
4,721
198
500
5,419
 2025
£
4,721
198
500
5,419		 2024
£
3,000
509
-
2,110
Fixed
Assets
£
-
-
-
-		 Total
2025
£
294,109
-
-
294,109		 Total
2024
£
80,335
-
-
80,335

12

WEST LONDON PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

8
Unrestricted funds
9
Designated funds		 At
1 April
2024
£
282,015
282,015		 Funds
Introduced
£
-
-		 Incoming
Resources
£
365,371
365,371
Incoming
Resources
£
-
-		 Resources
expended
£
(353,277)
(353,277)
Resources
expended
£
-
-		 At
31 March
2025
£
294,109
294,109
At
1 April
2024
£
-
-		 Funds
introduced
£
-
-		 At
31 March
2025
£
-
-

10 Taxation

West London Performing Arts Academy is a registered charity and, therefore is not liable to income tax or corporation tax on income or gains derived from its charitable activities, as they fall within the various exemptions available to registered charities.

11 Trustee remuneration and reimbursed expenses

Two Trustees received remuneration for services during the year.

13