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2025-08-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1183889 (England and Wales)

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees David Heyman
Eric Fellner
William Kennard
Nishy Lall
Sarah Lazarides
Daniel Sopher
Michael Wilson
Sonita Alleyne
Charity number 1183889
Principal address Sopher + Co
Unit 5
Elstree Gate
Elstree Way
Borehamwood
WD6 1JD
Auditor HW Fisher Audit
Acre House
11-15 William Road
London
NW1 3ER
United Kingdom
Bankers Coutts & Co
440 Strand
Charing Cross
London
WC2R 0QS
Solicitors Harbottle & Lewis LLP
7 Savoy Court
London
WC2R 0EX

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' report 1 - 6
Statement of trustees' responsibilities 7
Independent auditor's report 8 - 10
Statement of financial activities 11
Balance sheet 12
Statement of cash flows 13
Notes to the financial statements 14 - 23

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

The trustees present the annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025, which represent the fifth annual report and financial statements of the Charity.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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)".

Objectives and activities

This report highlights the Charity’s achievements over the year and the impact of its work on the young people it supports.

The Screen Academy Foundation is a proactive grant-making charity dedicated to advancing creative education. It primarily supports students at London Screen Academy (LSA), East London Arts & Music (ELAM), and other institutions with a shared commitment to high-quality creative industries education.

The Charity delivers its mission by:

All funding is directed exclusively towards advancing creative education and improving outcomes for young people. While grantmaking is central to our work, we also seek to maximise impact by supporting collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and sector engagement.

The Trustees regularly review the Charity’s objectives to ensure its work remains focused, effective, and aligned with public benefit, in accordance with Charity Commission guidance. We pursue our objectives by efficiently administering the charity, controlling the charity in an effective manner and adhering to good practice in the allocation of grants.

The Trustees have complied with the duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the guidance published by the Charity Commission on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives in planning its future activities. In particular, the Trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives that have been set.

Grant making Policy

The Charity delivers its objectives primarily through targeted grant making.

During the year, the principal beneficiaries of funding were London Screen Academy (LSA) and East London Arts & Music (ELAM), with whom the Charity has developed strong strategic partnerships.

The Trustees may also consider grants to other charitable organisations whose activities align with the Charity’s mission and objectives.

The Charity does not accept unsolicited applications. Instead, potential recipients are identified by the Trustees and invited to apply. Applications must clearly demonstrate:

The Trustees meet quarterly to review applications and monitor the performance of existing grants. All funding decisions are made collectively by the Trustees, having regard to the Charity’s objects and available resources.

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Achievements and performance

This year, the Charity continued to grow its impact through significant investment in London Screen Academy (LSA) and East London Arts & Music (ELAM).

Both institutions are committed to widening access to the creative industries, supporting talented young people—regardless of background—to build sustainable careers.

The Charity’s funding has:

Together, these contributions are helping more young people gain the skills, confidence, and connections needed to succeed in further education and employment

During this period, grants totalling £1,988,593 (2024: £2,022,070) were approved. These grants supported both capital costs and programmatic funding at the LSA and ELAM.

Outreach & Diversity

LSA: Grants awarded during the year enabled LSA’s outreach team to engage with prospective students and their families from communities that are traditionally underrepresented in the creative industries, with the aim of encouraging applications to the Academy. This engagement included 70 visits to schools in target areas, 34 bespoke workshops and dedicated drop-in sessions for prospective students requiring additional support with the application process. Six open day events enabled potential students and their families to visit the school, view the facilities and talk to teachers and alumni. Alongside this the team hosted online Q&A sessions for parents and students exploring a creative career and two information sessions for secondary school careers advisers.

Through these activities, the Charity’s funding supported LSA in its continued ambition to widen access to specialist creative education and deliver greater diversity within its student intake.

ELAM: The Charity was delighted to continue supporting the work of ELAM’s recruitment and outreach team. This year the team doubled the number of school visits and activations, delivering over 60 school events. The results were impressive with 55% of offers for 2024/25 being made to young people from underrepresented backgrounds, 26% qualifying for free school meals and 13% on the SEND register.

The team also created a new event Play Design Learn for prospective Gaming students who had a conditional offer. The session became part of the London Games Festival and delivered a 43% uplift in games design applications.

Industry Partnerships

LSA: Grants made in this area funded the industry department at LSA. This enabled the delivery of 48 masterclasses led by industry professionals. Each session was supported by a student host, providing them with valuable experience in how to engage confidently with industry practitioners.

LSA’s industry partners further enhanced students’ learning through site visits to organisations including Sky Studios, StudioCanal, Farmpost and Orchard Studios and careers events hosted at NBCU and StudioCanal.

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Funding enabled the provision of 166 work experience placements across a range of settings, including production company development teams, post-production houses and feature film productions including Hamnet, Slow Horses and The Chase. The Charity supported the continuation of LSA’s Industry mentor programme, which saw 117 industry mentors working directly with students over a 5 month period. The Charity supported the continued development and launch of the Industry Panel comprising 40 industry professionals who volunteer their time to advise on curriculum development, ensuring that the Academy’s provision remains relevant and responsive to developments within the sector. The panel, now in its third year, continues to be a vital resource ensuring the curriculum remains relevant and in step with industry.

Through these initiatives, the Charity’s funding strengthened students’ exposure to professional practice and enhanced their preparedness for further study and employment within the creative industries.

ELAM: Grants from the Charity supported the delivery of ELAM’s industry engagement programme, providing trainees with regular opportunities to connect with professionals across the creative industries. During the year, the department delivered 18 masterclasses and in-class practical workshops led by experts from the music, games, film, and television sectors. In total, 58 industry mentors shared their time and insights with Trainees, and 36 work experience placements were secured.

The team also facilitated mock interviews and delivered 166 one-to-one support sessions focused on CV and cover letter development. This support was taken up by 60% of Year 13 students. In addition, the team delivered seven public music industry showcase events. These events enabled young artists to develop both their performance and behind-the-scenes technical skills, while also providing valuable networking opportunities with A&R teams, managers, and agents. Following these showcases, the team supported students and their parents or careers in initial conversations with potential A&Rs, managers, and agents.

Employability

The Trustees remain passionate about employability, ensuring that the educational provision conveys the skills and behaviours required to thrive in the future.

LSA: This year, the Charity provided grants to the LSA to fund industry mentor programmes and employability programmes for students.

LSA’s alumni population is now at 1,600. LSA’s Alumni & Careers team supported the school’s growing alumni community through a weekly newsletter which signposts to jobs, paid internships, training opportunities and one:one CV support and coaching. They worked with film studios and production companies to recruit LSA Alumni into job roles. The annual "Future You" event, a two day programme of events welcomed over 50 industry guests and LSA alumni for panel discussions on the screen industries. This popular event supports alumni as they navigate job roles in the industry.

A restricted donation enabled the Charity to fund a Neurodiversity Employability & Professionalism Programme for 15 Year 13 SEND students. This group benefitted from a two day workshop, delivered by a specialist trainer, the week after they had graduated to help improve their confidence and work readiness.

ELAM: This year the Charity funded ELAM’s Industry Mentor programme which matched 58 industry professionals with ELAM Trainees. This year’s mentors included a Music Supervisor, Festival Lead and Global Social Media Manager. The Alumni Manager supported ELAM’s growing alumni community with CV writing sessions, interview preparation with access to regular news bulletins, paid internships and performance opportunities.

Wellbeing and Mental Health

Mental health and wellbeing of young people remains an area of focus for the Charity.

LSA: The Charity was pleased to continue supporting the vital work of the LSA pastoral team. The counsellors provided 92 students with 1:1 support, with a further 123 students accessing group workshops or drop-in sessions. The team was further strengthened with the hire of a psychotherapist specialising in healthy relationships.

Thanks to two generous foundations the Charity was able to award bursaries to alumni and Level 4 students, to support their transition to the workforce or further education.

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

ELAM: The Charity awarded a grant in support of ELAM’s mental health and pastoral work. This enabled 389 mental health sessions. ELAM further strengthened its team with the addition of two dedicated Behaviour and Wellbeing Mentors, and additional space ‘The Nest’ which is a quiet, supportive on-site space for Trainees.

The Trustees view this support as a vital component, ensuring young artists and creatives leave ELAM feeling mentally strong, resilient and better prepared to succeed.

Peripatetic musical tuition

ELAM: Now in its second year, the Charity provided a grant for 53 music students to access free 1:1 music tuition throughout the year on an instrument of their choice. The programme provides tuition, mentorship and musical inspiration to young musicians at a critical stage in their education, each receiving 18 half-hour 1:1 lessons.

Cultural enrichment

LSA: A further grant was made in support of LSA’s Cultural Capital programme which provides free opportunities for enrichment and inspiration outside of core LSA programmes.

This year students have enjoyed trips to theatres and museums, and 75 students (with priority given to disadvantaged and UEG students) had the opportunity to visit Los Angeles visiting studios such as NBCU, Warner Bros and Sony. Creating a culture of belonging and collaboration remains important to the trustees who were pleased to support some of the 17 after school clubs, which are grouped around: EDI, Movement, Community and Culture.

Administration

During this period, resources were committed to establishing and maintaining IT systems that allow us to accurately track our grant funding and partner relationships.

Fundraising

The Charity understands that donor confidence is essential to maintaining a sustainable relationship. The Charity has this year built relationships with a number of corporate funders, individuals and foundations, and works in partnership with them, providing regular updates on progress against grants made. The Trustees and the Foundation Director have an awareness of the guiding principles of the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice. The Trustees charge the Trust Director with oversight of the Fundraising programme and ensuring that it is in line with regulations. The Charity uses a CRM system to track donor consent to contact, and all the charity’s employees are trained in GDPR best practice. We have not received any complaints about our fundraising activities and are not aware of any breaches of fundraising regulations by the Trust or any person acting on its behalf. The Charity does not use direct mail as a marketing or fundraising tool.

Financial review

The results of the Charity for the year are shown in detail in the Statement of Financial Activities on page 11. In summary, the charity’s total incoming resources were £3,250,546 (2024: £2,817,354) of which £3,167,920 (2024: £2,763,966) was through donations and gifts.

Resources expended in the year totalled £2,282,396 (2024: £2,304,288).

Reserves policy and going concern

The charity’s main source of income is from fundraising, and the Trustees have no direct control over the value of the funding received across various income streams. Accordingly, the trustees have determined that it is prudent to maintain reserves to ensure that the outstanding commitments can be met and that if necessary, there are funds to cover the winding down of the Charity. It is the Trustees opinion that the Charity requires total reserves of £250,000 to meet that objective. Currently, the Charity is holding well in excess of the £250,000 requirement in cash. This is due to a conscious decision by the Trustees to build up cash reserves in the early years, so as to secure future funding, allowing the team to focus attention on raising an endowment and to ensure there is sufficient funding for any major capital expenditure required at the schools.

After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The Charity has a good proportion of committed, pledged income and a strong fundraising and stewardship strategy in place. The Charity looks forward to introducing new potential supporters to LSA and ELAM and hosting more events. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Future Plans

Looking to the future, the Charity will continue to nurture and deepen relationships with its existing donors and partners, ensuring that impact is measured and evaluated, as we continue to identify and cultivate new relationships with corporate organisations, individuals, trusts and foundations. The Charity looks to continue to strengthen fundraising activity and income for ELAM in order to deliver a suitable future.

Risk Management

The Trust has implemented a risk register following Charity Commission guidelines, which is subject to regular review by the Trustees. The risk register outlines more than 150 potential risks to the Charity and the steps taken to mitigate those risks. Examples of risks considered and the steps taken to mitigate these risks are;

Fundraising risk – the organisation fails to raise the funding required to meet its objectives, and the reputational risk associated with fundraising campaigns or methods of fundraising used. This is mitigated by ongoing financial management and oversight by the Trustees, and by Trustee approval being needed before any new fundraising campaign is launched.

As the Charity is small, with few transactions, the Trustees have adopted suitable internal controls to minimise the risks to which the Charity is exposed. Internal control risks are minimised by procedures for the authorisation of all transactions.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a registered charity, number 1183889, and is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation that was first registered on 13 June 2019.

The Charity’s Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: David Heyman Eric Fellner William Kennard Nishy Lall Sarah Lazarides Daniel Sopher Michael Wilson Sonita Alleyne

The Board gives detailed consideration to the progress of the Charity in achieving its objectives. This includes reporting on grant strategies, approving grant applications and capital expenditure, as well as the identification and management of risk.

The Trustees delegate responsibility for the day-to-day operation and management of the Charity to the Foundation Director. The Foundation Director attends charity networking events and meets with colleagues so that any relevant information, such as new Charity Commission requirements, and sectoral developments relating to good practice and impact measurement, are reported to the Trustees.

The Trustees and the Foundation Director have developed a budget to achieve the objectives of the Charity and the Foundation Director has been charged by the Board to be responsible for the delivery of this plan, reporting to the Board on performance.

The Trustees consider the recruitment of new Trustees as the need arises. Applications from suitable candidates would be sought by identifying specific gaps in professional skills and seeking recommendations of professionally qualified candidates, if necessary, placing advertisements in suitable publications. Applicants would be provided with an information pack outlining the history of the organisation, its structure, activities and objectives, roles and expectations of Trustees plus other supporting information. A new Trustee would be provided with information on the activities, financing and management structure of the Charity, together with Charity Commission guidance and codes of conduct related to the roles and responsibilities of Trustees.

Remuneration policy for key management and personnel

The trustees have identified the Foundation Director as the key management personnel of the charity. Executive pay is determined by the trustees, with the decisions about executive pay being informed by comparison to salaries within the sector, and subject to a ‘value for money’ test.

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

Daniel Sopher

..............................

Daniel Sopher Trustee 22 Jun 2026 Dated: .........................

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Screen Academy Foundation (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 August 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE TRUSTEES OF SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of trustees' responsibilities, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

As part of our planning process:

The key procedures we undertook to detect irregularities including fraud during the course of the audit included:

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. The primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of irregularities and fraud rests with those charged with governance of the entity.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/ auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)

TO THE TRUSTEES OF SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

Use of our report

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. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Darshna Choudhury

Darshna Choudhury (Senior Statutory Auditor)

for and on behalf of HW Fisher Audit

Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor Acre House 11-15 William Road London NW1 3ER United Kingdom 22 Jun 2026 .........................

HW Fisher Audit is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Unrestricted
funds
2025
Notes
£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
19,213
Investments
4
81,820
Other income
5
806
Total income
101,839
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
6
33,171
Charitable activities
7
260,632
Total expenditure
293,803
Net income/(expenditure) and
movement in funds
(191,964)
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 September 2024
272,306
Fund balances at 31 August 2025
80,342		 Restricted
funds
2025
£
3,148,707
-
-
3,148,707
-
1,988,593
1,988,593
1,160,114
1,678,782
2,838,896		 Total
Unrestricted
funds
2025
2024
£
£
3,167,920
28,340
81,820
52,388
806
1,000
3,250,546
81,728
33,171
6,131
2,249,225
276,087
2,282,396
282,218
968,150
(200,490)
1,951,088
472,796
2,919,238
272,306		 Restricted
funds
2024
£
2,735,626
-
-
2,735,626
-
2,022,070
2,022,070
713,556
965,226
1,678,782		 Total
2024
£
2,763,966
52,388
1,000
2,817,354
6,131
2,298,157
2,304,288
513,066
1,438,022
1,951,088

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and loses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025

Notes
Current assets
Debtors
15
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
16
Net current assets
Income funds
Restricted funds
17
Unrestricted funds		 2025
£
10,755
2,963,471
2,974,226
(54,988)		 £
2,919,238
2,838,896
80,342
2,919,238		 2024
£
169,430
1,958,135
2,127,565
(176,477)		 £
1,951,088
1,678,782
272,306
1,951,088

22 Jun 2026

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on .........................

Daniel Sopher .............................. Daniel Sopher Trustee

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
20
Investing activities
Investment income received
Net cash generated from investing activities
Net cash generated from financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		 2025
£
81,820		 £
923,516
81,820
-
1,005,336
1,958,135
2,963,471		 2024
£
52,388		 £
343,721
52,388
-
396,109
1,562,026
1,958,135

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Screen Academy Foundation is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with registered address at Sopher & Co, Unit 5, Elstree Gate, Elstree Way, Borehamwood, WD6 1JD.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and “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 from 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

Considering current cash levels and confirmed future donations, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future. Therefore the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Intangible income (such as free legal advice) is included where a third party is bearing the cost of supplying the resources and the resources can be valued with reasonable accuracy.

Investment income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds and receipt is probable from the bank.

1.5 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis, inclusive of value added tax.

Expenditure relating to charitable activities are those elements of expenditure directly incurred in performing these activities.

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

Governance costs comprise all costs involving the public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice.

Support costs include staff costs and other office expenditure.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Computers

Over 3 years straight line

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.7 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

1.8 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.9 Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

The trustees believe that there were no critical accounting estimates or judgements during the period.

3 Donations and legacies

Unrestricted Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds funds funds
2025 2025 2025 2024 2024 2024
£ £ £ £ £ £
Donations and gifts - 3,148,707 3,148,707 1,320 2,735,626 2,736,946
Gifts in kind 19,213 - 19,213 27,020 - 27,020
19,213 3,148,707 3,167,920 28,340 2,735,626 2,763,966
Gifts in kind comprise primarily of free legal and professional fees. The donors and the nominal values of their donations were:
Gifts in kind
Sopher + Co 19,213 - 19,213 21,020 - 21,020
Harbottle & Lewis LLP - - - 6,000 - 6,000
19,213 - 19,213 27,020 - 27,020

4 Income from investments

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
Interest receivable 81,820 52,388

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

5
6
7		 Other income
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2025
2024
£
£
Other income
806
1,000
Raising funds
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2025
2024
£
£
Fundraising and publicity
Events cost
33,171
6,131
Expenditure on charitable activities
Total
Total
2025
2024
£
£
Direct costs
Effects of foreign exchange differences
8,216
13,856
Grant funding of activities (see note 8)
1,988,593
2,022,070
Share of support and governance costs (see note 9)
Support
217,884
234,476
Governance
34,532
27,755
2,249,225
2,298,157
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
260,632
276,087
Restricted funds
1,988,593
2,022,070
2,249,225
2,298,157		 Other income
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2025
2024
£
£
Other income
806
1,000
Raising funds
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2025
2024
£
£
Fundraising and publicity
Events cost
33,171
6,131
Expenditure on charitable activities
Total
Total
2025
2024
£
£
Direct costs
Effects of foreign exchange differences
8,216
13,856
Grant funding of activities (see note 8)
1,988,593
2,022,070
Share of support and governance costs (see note 9)
Support
217,884
234,476
Governance
34,532
27,755
2,249,225
2,298,157
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
260,632
276,087
Restricted funds
1,988,593
2,022,070
2,249,225
2,298,157
Total
2024
£
13,856
2,022,070
234,476
27,755
2,298,157
276,087
2,022,070
2,298,157

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

8 Grants payable

Grants to institutions:
London Screen Academy
East London Arts and Music
Support costs
Staff costs
Depreciation
Office costs
Insurance
Professional fees
Audit and accountancy fees		 Total
2025
£
1,226,421
762,172
1,988,593
2025
£
166,797
-
16,005
3,176
31,906
34,532
252,416		 Total
2024
£
1,502,650
519,420
2,022,070
2024
£
174,763
231
14,254
3,151
42,077
27,755
262,231

9 Support costs

Amounts paid to auditors for auditing services for the year totalled £20,150 (2024: £18,000). Amounts paid to auditors for non-auditing services totalled £6,190 (2024: £5,950). Other costs shown totalling £8,192 (2024: £3,805) are as a result of under accruing in the previous year.

10 Net movement in funds 2025 2024
£ £
The net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting):
Fees payable for the audit of the charity's financial statements 34,532 27,755
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets - 231

11 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

12 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

Foundation activities
Employment costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs		 2025
Number
3
2025
£
153,611
10,304
2,882
166,797		 2024
Number
3
2024
£
158,375
13,090
3,298
174,763

Key management personnel comprise the Trustees and Director of Development. Remuneration received by key management personnel totalled £84,400 (2024: £80,000).

The number of employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more were:

2025 2024
Number Number
£70,000 - £80,000 - 1
£80,000 - £90,000 1 -

13 Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

14 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
Computers
£
Cost
At 1 September 2024 3,699
At 31 August 2025 3,699
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 September 2024 3,699
At 31 August 2025 3,699
Carrying amount
At 31 August 2025 -

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

15 Debtors
2025 2024
Amounts falling due within one year: £ £
Prepayments and accrued income 10,755 169,430

16 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Other taxation and social security
Grants payable
Other creditors
Accruals		 2025
£
3,390
24,642
796
26,160
54,988		 2024
£
4,697
153,137
643
18,000
176,477

17 Restricted funds

The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.

At 1 September
2024
£
LSA General Fund
1,576,393
ELAM General Fund
102,389
1,678,782
Previous year:
At 1 September
2023
£
LSA General Fund
996,316
Cunningham Foundation
-
ELAM General Fund
(31,090)
965,226		 Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
At
£
£
2,378,466
(1,226,421)
770,241
(762,172)
3,148,707
(1,988,593)
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
At
£
£
2,082,727
(1,502,650)
100,000
(100,000)
552,899
(419,420)
2,735,626
(2,022,070)		 31 August
2025
£
2,728,438
110,458
2,838,896
31 August
2024
£
1,576,393
-
102,389
1,678,782

LSA General Fund - Restricted to providing support to the London Screen Academy.

ELAM General Fund - Restricted to providing support to East London Arts and Music.

Cunningham Foundation - Restricted to costs relating to the project to build a building extension to site of East London Arts and Music.

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

18
Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
Fund balances at 31
August 2025 are
represented by:
Current assets
80,342
80,342		 Restricted
funds
2025
£
2,838,896
2,838,896		 Total
Unrestricted
funds
2025
2024
£
£
2,919,238
1,551,445
2,919,238
1,551,445		 Restricted
funds
2024
£
399,643
399,643		 Total
2024
£
1,951,088
1,951,088

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

19 Related party transactions

Transactions with related parties

During the year services provided to the foundation free of charge from related parties amounted to £19,213 (2024: £27,020) as outlined at note 3. This included services from Sopher + Co where Daniel Sopher, a trustee of Screen Academy Foundation, is a partner and services from Harbottle & Lewis LLP where Sarah Lazarides, a trustee of Screen Academy Foundation, is a partner.

During the year grants totalling £1,226,421 (2024: £1,502,650) were paid to the London Screen Academy, which both Eric Fellner and David Heyman, trustees of Screen Academy Foundation, are on the governing board.

During the year grants totalling £762,172 (2024: £519,420) were paid to East London Arts and Music, where William Kennard a trustee of Screen Academy Foundation, is on the governing board.

SCREEN ACADEMY FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

20 Cash generated from operations 2025 2024
£ £
Surplus for the year 968,150 513,066
Adjustments for:
Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities (81,820) (52,388)
Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets - 231
Movements in working capital:
Decrease/(increase) in debtors 158,675 (3,585)
(Decrease) in creditors (121,489) (113,603)
Cash generated from operations 923,516 343,721

21 Analysis of changes in net funds

The charity had no material debt during the year.