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2025-08-31-accounts

Charity number: 1182947

FORMATIO

CHARITY TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1182947

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CONTENTS

Charity Trustees’ Report ……………………………………………………………………………………………….3 Independent Examiner’s Report ……………………………………………………………….………………….12 Statement of Financial Activities………………………………………….…………………………………………….………………………… 13 Balance Sheet……………………………...…………………………………………………………………………………..……15 Notes to the Financial Statements……………….………………………………………………………………………………………....... 17

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FORMATIO

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statement

For the Period Ended 31 August 2025

Charity Number: 1182947

1. Reference and Administrative Details

Charity Name: Formatio Charity Number: 1182947

Trustees

Bishop Alan Stephen Williams Paul Edward Stephen Barber Catherine Anne Bryan Dr Arthur Naylor Dr Maureen Glackin (resigned May 2024) Sarah Barreto (from June 2024) Sr Patricia M Goodstadt IBVM

North West

Margaret Sue Cronin Joan McCarthy Helen O’Neill (from December 2022 resigned July 2025)

North East

Peter Giorgio Dr Ann Marie Mealey (from June 2024 to December 2025) Michael Peter Shorten (resigned August 2024) Stuart McGhee (from September 2024)

South West

Stephen Bell (from December 2022) Tricia Sterling (from September 2022; resigned June 2024) Jane Bradley (from September 2024)

South East

Dr Jane Chambers (from September 2022 resigned August 2024) Dr Mary Mihovilović (from September 2024) Peter Sweeney (from September 2022) Brian Conway (from December 2022 – resigned August 2023) Flavio Vetesse (from November 2023 resigned August 2025)

Co opted (from December 2022) Angela Keller Patrick Murden

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2. Structure, Governance and Management

Formatio is a registered charity governed by its charitable constitution. It is overseen by a board of trustees representing dioceses, Catholic education leadership, and partner organisations across England.

The charity operates through a national framework supported by four regional hubs (North West, North East, South East, South West) , each comprising dioceses, Catholic Multi Academy Trusts (CMATs), and Catholic universities.

The trustees are responsible for strategic direction, governance, and ensuring that the charity delivers its mission effectively. Day-to-day activities are supported through partnerships with Catholic education bodies and, from May 2025, a National Project Co-ordinator .

Trustees regularly review risks including:

3. Objects and Activities

Charitable Objects

Formatio exists to support the formation, development and sustainability of leadership and governance in Catholic education .

Public Benefit Statement

The trustees confirm compliance with their duty under Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission.

Main Activities

During the year, Formatio delivered its objectives through:

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4. Achievements and Performance

Overview

This Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements present the work of Formatio for the period ended 31 August 2025.

During the year, the charity continued to advance its mission of forming, nourishing and sustaining leadership and governance in Catholic education through national collaboration, regional hub activity, and partnerships with dioceses, CMATs and universities. The year saw continued growth in engagement, including strengthened CEO formation and professional development, expanding collaboration through the Catholic Academy Trusts Training Collaborative (CATtColl), and further work to support recruitment, governance, and leadership development across the Catholic education sector.

Alongside these achievements, the trustees have remained attentive to longer-term strategic challenges, including uneven academisation across regions, falling rolls in some areas, and the need for stronger coordination across the system. This report summarises the charity’s key activities, achievements, governance and financial position during the year.

Regional Hub Development

All four regional hubs remained active, each with membership criteria reflecting local contexts and levels of academisation.

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September 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
CATtColl
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Formatio Regional Hubs

The map shows the four regional hubs with the number of secondary and primary schools in CMATs and the total as a percentage of the number of schools in each hub. The figure in brackets is the total number of students in CMATs in each region (September 2024).

As the above map illustrates, the rate of academisation in dioceses continues to look different across the four regional hubs; the criteria for associate membership in each region, shown below, reflects this.

North West (NW) Regional Hub Membership

✓ All dioceses (Lancaster, Liverpool, Salford, Shrewsbury, Wrexham)

North East (NE) Regional Hub Membership

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✓ Plus academy trusts with Teaching School Hubs not otherwise eligible (Currently = 6 [or 8])

South East (SE) Regional Hub Membership

✓ All dioceses (Arundel & Brighton, Brentwood, East Anglia, Northampton, Southwark, Westminster)

✓ St Mary’s University

✓ All academy trusts with over 3500 pupils (Currently = 9)

South West (SW) Regional Hub Membership

✓ All dioceses (Birmingham, Cardiff, Clifton, Menevia, Plymouth, Portsmouth)

✓ Birmingham Newman University

✓ All academy trusts with 15 or more schools

✓ plus academy trusts with the largest number of schools (where this includes primary and secondary schools) in dioceses with no such academy trusts

✓ plus the school in Cardiff or Menevia with the largest number of pupils which is rated Excellent by Estyn

✓ plus academy trusts with teaching school hubs not otherwise eligible (Currently = 6 [or 7])

Formatio and the Catholic Universities

The engagement of the four Catholic universities was planned into Formatio from Its outset through their membership of the national Steering Committee and the supporting regional structures. There was early engagement with CMATs on new avenues into teacher training and building on these relationships development into tailored programmes to meet particular needs. A good example is the Chaplaincy Apprenticeship programme developed by St Mary’s University and dioceses as a professional standard for successful candidates to gain entry level qualification to Chaplaincy with the option of post apprenticeship studies to degree and postgraduate studies in the ministry of Chaplaincy.

The Centre for Catholic Education, Research and Religious Literacy (CERRL), at St Mary’s University, with funding from the Assumption Legacy Fund, began a research project to better understand how CMATs currently operationalise their distinctiveness as Catholic organisations, focusing on the role of the CEO. A second research project followed, to consider the experience of school leaders in a CMAT.

CEO Formation and Professional Development

The 4[th] Catholic CEO National Conference took place in November 2024, with over eighty delegates, including CEOs and senior staff from 37 CMATs in 15 English dioceses, along with diocesan staff from 11 dioceses. The theme, Pilgrims of Hope, was taken from from Spes Non Confundit, the papal Bull of Indiction of the Jubilee Year 2025[1] . Pope Francis invited Catholics to celebrate the Jubilee year with ‘deep faith lively hope and active

1 Pope Francis, Spes Non Confundit, Bull of Indiction of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025, Vatican.va, 9 May 2024333

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charity’[2] and to discover a vision that can ‘restore the fruits of the earth to everyone’[3] . The Jubilee Year began on Christmas Eve 2024 and concluded on 6 January 2026.

In July 2025, 9 CEOs attended the first CEO retreat at Palazzola, just outside Rome. The programme reflected the Year of Jubilee and picked up the Pilgrims of Hope theme from the November conference. The group was supported by Fr Richard Byrne O’Carm, Danny Curtin (facilitator) and the Catholic Education Service (Liturgy). Feedback was very positive and the plan is to make this an annual retreat.

There were two Catholic participants on the MAT CEO development programme, funded by the Department for Education (DfE) to equip new and/or aspiring CEOs with the skills, knowledge and behaviours to build and shape schools of the future. Induction training currently offered by the CES to new diocesan officers, has been extended to include CEOs and chairs of academy trusts boards who wish to attend.

Catholic Academy Trust Training Collaboration (CATtCOLL)

Membership increased to 47 Catholic CEOs working in partnership across all English dioceses to enable joint visioning in developing the workforce in CMATs. Cumulatively, this represents 800+ schools, 350k+ students, 26k+ staff, with a combined turnover of £2.5bn+. CATtCOLL continues to be the main delivery arm of Formatio , with a current focus on best practice networks, professional development opportunities, including the suite of NPQs and Catholic Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Direct in partnership with the four Catholic universities. As it continues to grow, the proposal is for CATtCOLL to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

CMAT Best Practice Network

The CEO shared practice group continues to meet online each half term and, in addition, the Directors of Education across the CMATs are meeting termly and since the summer term, Chief Finance Officers are doing the same. Two focused working parties have also been established focusing on SEND/Inclusion and AI.

The second CATtCOLL immersion day during the spring term, was held in the Nottingham diocese, hosted by Our Lady of Lourdes CMAT. With almost 100 delegates from other CMATs and dioceses, the day included a number of presentations and a range of workshops. The third immersion day, hosted by the diocese of Hexham and Newcastle during the summer term, focused on lessons learned from a diocesan and CMAT perspective.

CMAT ITT Direct

Pilots started in the NW with Liverpool Hope University and Emmaus CMAT, Salford, and in the SE with DOWAT and St Mary’s University. In the NE, Bishop Hogarth CMAT (Hexham & Newcastle) has also partnered with St Mary’s University to pilot Catholic ITT Direct across the 5 secondary and 30 primary schools in the CMAT.

2 Pope Francis, Letter to Msgr. Rino Fisichella, resident of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, for the Jubilee 2025

3 Pope Francis, Spes Non Confundit, Bull of Indiction of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025. Vatican.va, 9 May 2024

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National Professional Qualifications (NPQs)

All DfE national targets were met for the current licence period. From September 2024, NPQ(SEND) is a mandatory qualification for special educational needs co-ordinators in all schools and the Church of England/Catholic Education Service (CES) licence has been extended to include this.

NPQs have been fully funded for the last three years which will not continue beyond August 2025. During the last two academic years, over 7000 school staff, including 3000 from Catholic schools, took advantage of the CEFEL/CES NPQ offer which was rated outstanding by Ofsted during the summer term.

All three models of NPQ+ Form, Nourish and Sustain , are completed and available for schools to access. Feedback was very positive, including from head teachers who had also used them as a resource for senior management teams.

Early Career Teachers Pilgrimage

At the end of the summer term, in July 2025, 47 Early Career Teachers from Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales, travelled to Rome to celebrate the Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope. This was a unique experience of faith formation for young Catholic teachers and an opportunity for them to connect with colleagues in their own and other dioceses. Colleagues from each national education office accompanied along with a bishop from each country.

At a private audience with Pope Leo, they were each invited to, ‘nurture your relationship with Christ, who gives us the pattern of all authentic teaching (cf Mt 7:28), so that, in turn, you may guide and encourage those entrusted to your care to follow Christ in their own lives.’[4]

Collaboration with the Church of England Foundation for Educational Leadership (CEFEL) and the Confederation of School Trusts (CST)

Regular, ongoing dialogue takes place throughout the year with these two organisations, working together closely on strategic responses to government and wider education policy. This collaboration led to the publication of Flourishing Together[5] , setting out a shared and hopeful vision for flourishing children, adults and schools. This paper is intended for an external audience to emphasise the synergy between the three organisations and the shared vision for an education system that goes beyond strong trusts to something more creative and formative.

Alongside this, Called to Flourish in Faith and Hope[6] , published by the CES, a paper articulating more fully the concept of flourishing from within the Catholic tradition. Both were launched at the 4[th] Catholic CEO conference in November.

4 To Teachers of Catholic Schools in Ireland, England, Wales, and Scotland; and to the Young People of the Diocese of Copenhagen (5 July 2025)

5 © 2024 Catholic Education Service, National Society for Education, and Confederation of School Trusts

67bc2f3fef0d6fb0c35391a2_Flourishing together 2024-10-18 Copy.pdf

6 © Catholic Education Service 2024 Layout 1

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Chartered College of Teaching

Work is ongoing with the Chartered College of Teaching (CCT) and CMATs across the country to design content for a Catholic-specific pathway to Chartered Teacher status, which is due to be piloted in spring 2026. The four Catholic universities are collaborating to develop an accredited coaching and mentoring resource to support this work.

Teaching Commission

Discussions were ongoing with the Teaching Commission, which published a report on the recruitment and retention in July. Retention continues to be identified as the most significant challenge, with no single solution; the Commission’s work highlights the importance of leadership, workload, professional culture and the wider conditions that enable schools to flourish.

Formatio – future plans

Following stakeholder consultation in 2025, Formatio identified key priorities beginning in Autumn 2026:

‘

‘…they will look up to you as models: models in life, models of faith.’[7]

7 Ibid.

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Summary of Impact

During the year to 31 August 2024, Formatio significantly strengthened its national impact in supporting Catholic education by advancing leadership formation, fostering collaboration, and expanding professional development opportunities across England and Wales.

Ongoing opportunities, delivered in partnership with the CES, CAFOD, and Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), reinforced the centrality of Catholic social teaching and mission in educational leadership. Participation from senior school leaders, CEOs, governors, and diocesan representatives fostered a shared vision and strengthened collective capacity across the sector.

At a national level, Formatio deepened its influence by delivering high-quality formation programmes and convening key sector events. The Catholic CEO Conference brought together leaders from over 40 CMATs, promoting strategic alignment, professional dialogue, and spiritual formation.

The expansion of CATtCOLL marked a major step forward, now representing nearly half of all CMATs, approximately 200,000 pupils, and 20,000 staff. This network has strengthened system-wide leadership, facilitated best practice sharing, and created new opportunities in initial teacher training (ITT), governance development, and leadership qualifications.

Formatio also contributed to the development of future Catholic educators through ITT pilot programmes and targeted recruitment initiatives, particularly in the South West. Innovative resources and campaigns helped attract new entrants into teaching while supporting schools to “grow their own” leaders.

Partnership with CEFEL enhanced the delivery of NPQs, including the development of the distinctive NPQ+ modules focused on Catholic formation and mission. This ensured that leadership development across Catholic schools remains both professionally rigorous and rooted in faith.

Engagement with Catholic universities further extended impact through research, new training pathways, and programmes such as the Lay Chaplaincy Apprenticeship, strengthening the pipeline of skilled and mission-driven professionals.

Financially, the charity secured significant restricted funding (£85,897 income), enabling investment in national projects, leadership formation, and regional initiatives, while maintaining a strong year-end position with £52,346 in reserves.

Overall, Formatio has played a pivotal role in building a coherent, collaborative, and mission-led system of Catholic educational leadership—helping to form, nourish, and sustain leaders who can deliver high-quality education rooted in Gospel values across the school system.

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF FORMATIO CIO

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Formatio CIO (the Trust) for the year to 31 August 2025.

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 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

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.

Name: Gareth L Rowe FCA DChA

Address: 38 Valley Gardens, Monkseation, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, NE25 9AQ

Date: 22/06/2026

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Formatio CIO: Statement of Financial Activities

(including Income & Expenditure Account)

For the year ended 31 August 2025

2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Notes £ £ £ £
INCOME from
Donations and legacies:
Grants - - - -
Donations - - - 500
Charitable activities:
Interest Earned & refunds 1,094 - 1,094 -
CEO Conference - 33,280 33,280 40,397
Assumption Legacy Fund - - - 45,000
Grant
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Total income 1 1,094 33,280 34,374 85,897
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
EXPENDITURE on
Support costs 500 - 500 500

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Charitable activities:
Cost of regional hubs 2 - 10,460 10,460 -
CEO Conference
2 - 30,457 30,457 40,397
South West Project 2 - - - 5,000
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
Total expenditure 500 40,917 41,417 45,897
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
Net 594 (7,637) (7043) 40,000
income/(expenditure)
Funds at 31 August 2024 - 52,346 52,346 12,346
------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------
Funds at 31 August 2025 594 44,709 45,303 52,346
========= ========= ========= =========

The charity had no recognised gains or losses other than as disclosed in the Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 August 2025.

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

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Formatio CIO: Balance Sheet As at 31 August 2025

2025 2024
Notes £ £
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash at bank and in hand 48,418 67,874
Debtors due - 8,477
Prepaid expenses - 1,275
--------------------- ---------------------
48,418 77,626
--------------------- ---------------------
CREDITORS:Amounts falling
due within one year 5 3,115 25,280
--------------------- ---------------------
NET ASSETS 45,303 52,346
========== ==========
FUNDS AND RESERVES
Unrestricted 594 -
Restricted 6 44,709 52,346
-------------------- ---------------------
Total Reserves 45,303 52,346

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

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Approved by the Trustees on 26[th] June 2026 and signed on their behalf by

Catherine Bryan Paul Barber Chair of Trustees Trustee

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FORMATIO CIO

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

Basis of preparation

The financial statements 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 applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

Formatio CIO meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

Assessment of going concern

The Trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these accounts. The Trustees have made this assessment in respect to a period of one year from the date of approval of these accounts. The Trustees of the charity have concluded that there are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The Trustees are of the opinion that the charity will have sufficient resources to meet all its liabilities as they fall due.

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Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Income from grants is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Donated services and facilities

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), general volunteer time is not recognised.

On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

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FORMATIO CIO

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of charity.

Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity’s work or for specific artistic projects being undertaken by the charity.

Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

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FORMATIO CIO

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

1. GRANTS AND DONATIONS 2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
£ £ £ £
Donations - - - 500
Assumption Legacy Fund - - - 45,000
Sisters of the Holy Cross - - - -
------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------
- - - 45,500
========= ========= ========= =========
2. EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
2025 2025 2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
£ £ £ £
Costs of charitable objectives - 40,917 40,917 45,397
Governance costs (including
Independent Examination fees 500 - 500 500
------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------
500 40,917 41,417 45,897
========= ========= ========= =========

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3. NET INCOME/EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR 2025 2024
This is stated after charging: £ £
Independent Examiner’s remuneration
-Examination - -
-Accountancy services 500 500
------------------- ------------
500 500
========== ======

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4. TAXATION

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable object.

5. CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year

2025 2024
£ £
Accruals and deferred income 3,115 25,280
---------------- ----------------------
3,115 25,280
========== ==========
6. RESTRICTED FUNDS
Period ended 31 August 2025 Fund Income Expenditure
Fund
balance balance
At start of At end of
year Year
£ £ £ £
Assumption Legacy Fund – Historic 7,346 - - 7,346
Assumption Legacy Fund - RHD 45,000 - 10,460 34,540
Assumption Legacy Fund - R&D - - - -
CES – CEO Conference - 33,280 30,457 2,823
---------------------- --------------------- -------------------- --------------------
52,346 33,280 40,917 44,709
========== ========== ========== ==========

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7. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS

At 31 August 2025
Unrestricted Restricted Resources
Funds Funds
£ £ £
Current Assets 1,094 47,324 48,418
Current Liabilities (500) (2,615) (3,115)
---------------------- --------------------- --------------------
594 44,709 45,303
========== ========== ==========

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