CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES BOOK CLUBS IN SCHOOLS Trustee8' Annual Report for the perlod From 1•t September 2023 31•1 August 2024 Charity name.. Book Clubs in Schools Charlly registration number: 1185409 Charity's principal addrèss: 37 Southdean Gardens, London, SW19 6NT Summary of tho purpo4•8 Ot tho charlty Book Clubs in Schools IBCIS) was establish8d to advance the education of children and young people in the UK lor the public benelil, giving priority to those pupils who are affected by social and econornic disadvantage, by the 8ncouragement of reading and the promotion of literacy skills through the provision of book clubs and related literacy aclivilies. BCIS began as a Community Interest Cornpany in March 2014 and becam8 a charity in September 2019. The Iruslees have had regard lo the Charlty CommSssion's guidance on publlc benellt. Book Clubs in Schools, core purpose is to tackle Ihese gaps and to revengage pupils in reading for pleasure and the wide benefits il brings. Our Book Club programme provides framework for children and young people lo access and discuss books. It provides a format that allows students lo engage with books in a more informal way, where Ihere are no 'right' or 'wrong' answers and Ihey are encouraged lo bring iheir own know18dge and experiences to discussions. The younger pupils engage in reading lor pleasure and develop social and communication skills such as confid8nce, resilience, creativity and cri11c ihinking. They develop friendships with older pupils who lead Ihe clubs, and gain role models that are FN)Sitlve and accessibl8. AloThJside the skills Ihe younger pupils develop, the older pupils learn lo lead a group discussion, become menlors and volunte8r, possibly for the first time. A book club formal positions reading for pleasure as a social actiwty wher8 pupils can share views about books and Iheir reactions to Ihe themes they cover. 'Book lalk, is identified in research as a key means lor children lo develop their knowledge ot books, how to choose books they will enjoy and develop their confidence and idenlty as a reader. Books also ofler a v8hicle for discussion ab¢)ut difficull topics le.g. bullying or anxiety) or current affairs le.g.
climate change or immigration) where the issues can be discussed in a fictional context that allows for a more open discussion and allows young people to practic8 articulating and sharing views and listening io others, This bvilds Iheir Confiden not only as readers but as learners able to participate in discussions across all ujrriculum areas. We priorits'se schools in disadvantaged areas with over 40Vo pupil premium (national average is 26.90kl and use books that rellecl the diversity of the pupils and a lull range of reading levels. Since we started ten years ago, over 40,000 pupils have participated in Book Clubs in Schools. BCIS provides all resources, support and training lor teachers and older pupils and free books to schools which qualify Iwilh more than 40% Pupil Premium pupils). 8CiS promotes diversity through its curated book list so that young people can relate lo the characters and stories they rèad. We SUPPOrt th8 Diverse Book Awards. Achlevernent8 and Pertormanca Our feedback suNeys find that schools and teachers see increased participation and motivation in class, as w811 as a stronger sense of community and sense ol belonging to the school due lo our unique p88r led approach. Partieipanl feedback indicates that 55% of pupils enjoy reading more, 539/0 feel a greater connection lo their school community and 91 O/a feel more confident leading a group discusslon. Plcture Book Club has been sent to 45 schools who are using the curated book boxes which include all resources including stickers, bookmarks and a little activity lor the younger pupils 10 complètè. Year 516 read aloud lo Year1 and boih galn in confidence and have fun. Ywl<hWdMThortr•¥Mid Surnmer Book Club- Year 7 Tran8ition- design8d lor use 4PE'fw over Iho summer holiday, the programme provides all the materials teachers need lo introduce Ihe book, plus an activity pack which can be used in summer school or by pupils over the summer holidays as a transition activity lo prepare for Secondary school. We worked wilh Walker Books using Wonderscape by Je&sica Bell who provided discounted print copies at hall-price and e- books lor 99p. There was a live Q&A for pupils to join in at their new secondary schools in September. Over 250 schools signed up lo take part and 12,000 pupils received the book. Summer Book Club Awrf•¢i IMfAltlon toY•ar 7 Pupll referral units {PRUs)- we are now working with seven PRUS and offering the Book Club+ a creative activity such as animation, photography or author workshops to show how books can be a way into other creative activities. This is a more hands-on project- we work closely with the schools. Fundral8lng objective8 8CiS financial year runs from 1 September lo 31 August to align with the UK school year. BCIS delivers Ihe programme by charging schools £300 for all the r88our$ lo run the
programme. This ensures that schools are inv&sted in the outcomes. BCIS has set furKlraising objedives against a budgel lor the costs of Ihe programme. In th8 year ended 31 August 2024 BCIS raised mon8y from school subscriptions and from foundations and trusts including.. John Lyon's Charity. Mercers, Company, The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards, Robert Gavron, Brian Murtagh. Wè also re1Ved books for our projects from Glve a Book. Financlal Revlew The lunding m¢xlel for BCIS is based on receiving lees from schools who ulilise the book club model and from grants from different funders, often philanlhroplc organisalions, which has allowed the charity to expand its outreach. BCIS has b8en in a start-up phase for a number ol years, unfortunately the pandemic hit just at the point BCIS was gaining traction however the financial situation has been improving since that period. In the year ended 31 August 2024 the charity had relaingd reserves of £2,648 as compared to £2,544 in th8 prior year. In the year ended 31 August 2024 we broke even Iyear ended 31 August 2023- deficil 01 £5,892). BCIS remains a going concern as it has sufficiant cash to rnanage lulure operations and the Charity has received a number ol significant grants during the year ended 31 August 2024 which will fund projecls in Ihe year ending 31 August 2025. Cash held al 31 August 2024 amounted to £25,749 which is an Increase as to that held on 31 August 2023 01 £23,721. Fundraising continues to b8 challenging however BGIS is winning grants from different sources and also additional schools from across the country are enrolling in the programm8 Iherefore enhancing the outreach and sustainability ot the Charity. Structur•, GOrnanCe and Managomonl The charty is a CIO with a constitutton. The Board ol Trustees was selected to ensure a wide range of skills were included such as marketing, finance, experience of running a charity, fundraising and impact measuremènt as well as div&rsiiy in lerms of gender and ethnicity. Nam0• of Iho charlty trust808 who managa the charlty Name Offl Date811 not the whole y•ar Victoria Gray Alison Lambert Richard Parkin Tony Smith 88th Ginsburg Treasurer Chair Alison Palmer and Katy Donnelly arè the dir8¢tors who manage the charSty on a day to day basis. Declaratlons The Iruslees declare ihal they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of Ihe charity's trustees Signalure{sl Bath Glnsbur n Lambert Treasurer Position leg Secretary, Chair, etcl Chalr Dale 15th March 2025
Company Number. CE018909 BOOK CLUBS IN SCHOOLS Charlty Number 1185409 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
BOOK CLUBS IN SCHOOLS Incom• And Expenditurn Account For the Year Ended 31 August 2024 2024 2023 Incom• 65,650 54.8 Co•1 of Sale• 160.705) 158,867) Gro•• Profit l {Lo•s) 13,977) L888.' Admini8tralive Expen8e8 {4.841) (2.021) Surplu81 {06fl¢lt) on ordln•ry act1v1t1 b•for• Int•r•st and oth•r Sncome 104 15,998) Interv81 Receivable 108 Loss.. Inleresl Payable 8urplu• l {D•ff¢lt} on ordln•ry actlvttl•8 bolor• tax 104 {5,8921 Sury)lu• l (D•fi¢ltl on ordln•ry actlvttlw aft•r t•x 104 15,8921
BOOK CLUBS IN SCHOOLS Balanc• Sheot As At 31 Augu8t 2024 Notes 2024 2023 Current Assets Debtors Cgsh al Bank and in hand 4,027 25,749 83 23,721 29,776 23,804 Croditors: amounts falllng due wlthin on• y••r {27,128) 121,260) Nel Current assets 2,648 2,544 Roservos Retained Reserves 2,648 2.544 2,648 2,544 These accounts have been prepared in accordance with Ihe mlcro-enlily prov151ons and have been delivered In accordance with the provislons applicable lo companles subject to the small companies reglme. For th8 financlal year ending 31st August 2024 the company was enlilled to exemption from audll under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006. No member of the company has deposited a nollce, pursuant to section 476, requlring an audlt of these financlal slalements under the requirgmenls of the Companies A¢1 2006. The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for ensuring Ihat the company ke8p$ a¢counllng records whi¢h comply with 58clion 386 of the act and for preparing financial statements which glve a true and fair view of the slate of affairs of the company as at th8 end of the financial year and of Ils profit or 1055 for the finan¢i81 period is In accordance wlth the requirements of secllon5 394 and 395 and which otherwisè comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to accounts, so far as appllcable lo the company. The financlal slalements were approved by the Board of TTu$lee$ on 15th March 2025 and signed on its behaw. TRUSTEE TRUSTEE The notes on page 4 form part of these financial statements.
BOOK CLUBS IN SCHOOLS Notes To The Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 August 2024 Accountlng poll¢les Ba81s of a¢countlng The finanGlal slatemenls are prepared on the historical cost basis of accountlng and are prepared in accordance with the appllcable Accounting Standards. Debtors . 4mount• falllng du• wlthin ono yoar 2024 2023 Trade Debtor8 Prepayments Social Security and other tax85 3,253 774 83 4,027 83 Cr•dltori . amount8 falllng duo wlthln on• year 2024 2023 Trade Credllors Social Se¢urlty and other taxes Amounts received in advance 210 38 26,880 210 21,050 27,128 21,260
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Book Clubs in Schools, Charity number 1185409.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Book Clubs in Schools (the Charity) for the year ending 31 August 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Charity 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 Charity’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:
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Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act: or
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The accounts do not accord with those records; or
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The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning of 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 no t 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.
Ian Tackley Fellow of Chartered Association of Certified Accountants 34 Southdean Gardens London SW19 6NU
13[th] January 2025