Charity number: 1190556 Registered Number: 11740783 England and Wales
Clervaux Garden School (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 August 2025
TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Legal and Administrative Information | 3 |
| Report of the Trustees | 4 |
| Independent Auditor’s Report | 10 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 14 |
| Balance Sheet | 15 |
| Cash Flow Statement | 16 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 17 |
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TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025
Legal and Administrative Information
| Trustees | Aonghus Gordon OBE |
|---|---|
| Tara Gratton | |
| Helen Kippax | |
| Constantin Court | |
| Alan Harrison (resigned 8 October 2024) | |
| Edmund Berger (appointed 16 October 2024) | |
| Company Secretary | Elisabeth Johnson |
| Key Management Personnel | Aonghus Gordon OBE–Founder & Executive Chair (resigned from |
| Executive Team on 1 September 2025) | |
| Tara Gratton–CEO | |
| Shazuli Iqbal–Chief Financial Officer | |
| Constantin Court–Director of PSTE Quality Assurance | |
| Lindsay Wilkinson–Chief People Officer | |
| Registered Number | 11740783 |
| Charity Number | 1190556 |
| Registered Office | Ruskin Mill |
| Millbottom | |
| Nailsworth | |
| Stroud | |
| Gloucestershire | |
| GL6 0LA | |
| Principal Office | Clow Beck Centre |
| Jolby Lane | |
| Darlington | |
| DL2 2TF | |
| Auditor | RSM UK Audit LLP |
| 10th Floor | |
| 103 Colmore Row | |
| Birmingham | |
| B3 3AG | |
| Bankers | Lloyds Bank Plc |
| 12 Rowcroft | |
| Stroud | |
| Gloucestershire | |
| GL5 3BD | |
| Solicitors | RWK Goodman |
| 69 Carter Lane | |
| London | |
| EC4V 5EQ |
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TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025
Report of the Trustees
The Trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025.
Governing document
Clervaux Garden School is a registered charity (registered no. 1190556) and a company limited by guarantee (registered no. 11740783), as defined by the Companies Act 2006. Its Governing Instrument is the Memorandum & Articles of Association dated 24th December 2018, as amended on 16th March 2020.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Group Structure
Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd is the sole member of Clervaux Garden School. Clervaux Garden School is part of the Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd group.
Clervaux Garden School operates from the Clow Beck Centre and its surrounding 33 acres of land, and 70 acres of adjoining farmland, for the purposes of delivering therapeutic education and work experience services for children with special needs.
The registered office of Clervaux Garden School is Ruskin Mill, Millbottom, Nailsworth, Stroud, GL6 0LA and the principal office is Clow Beck Centre, Jolby Lane, Croft on Tees, Darlington, DL2 2TF.
Recruitment and appointment of new Trustees
The charity’s practice regarding recruitment has been for members of the Board to make recommendations for suitably skilled and experienced people who are then appraised by Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd.’s Board of Trustees which makes the final decision.
Induction and training are carried out during the meeting cycle, and members are also invited to training at Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd.’s other centres. During the year, individual Trustees undertook a range of appropriate training.
Organisational Management
The Trustees delegate the day to day running of the provision to a local management team who oversee operations, and which reports to Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd.’s CEO. The key management personnel are listed on page 3. The Trustees did not receive any remuneration from Clervaux Garden School in the current or previous period. Four of the five Trustees are all employees of the parent entity. The remuneration of key management personnel is included in Note 6.
Directors and Trustees
The Trustees during the year are listed on page 3.
Risk Management
A description of the principal risks and uncertainties facing Clervaux Garden School, as identified by Trustees, together with a summary of the plans and strategies for mitigating those risks, are set out in the Strategic Report. The Trustees regularly review the potential risks and mitigating actions to ensure any risks and uncertainties facing Clervaux Garden School Ltd are well managed.
Employment Policy
Clervaux Garden School is an equal opportunity organisation and is fully committed to its Equal Opportunities Policy. It aims to ensure there is no discrimination on the grounds of disability and that access to work and promotion is based on ability, qualification and suitability for the work. Clervaux Garden School is committed to creating a working environment that is free from any form of discrimination.
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Clervaux Garden School employs salaried staff with the appropriate qualifications to provide education and care for pupils and does not rely on volunteers.
The remuneration of the key management personnel, deemed to be the Senior Leadership Team listed on page 3, is reviewed annually by Trustees based on national criteria and affordability.
OBJECTS AND AIMS
Objects
The charity’s Objects are:
To advance the education of young people with learning difficulties and/or behavioural problems and/or mental health issues and/or having suffered trauma and/or having special educational needs including those with autistic spectrum disorder by providing training and educational provision in the areas of arts, crafts, agriculture and environmental sciences based upon the indications and insights of Rudolf Steiner in these areas, in particular (but not exclusively) as an Independent Special School. To conduct and promote research and study into the practice and development of those areas of education provided that the useful results of such work are disseminated to the public at large.
Aims
Clervaux Garden School offers day places in Darlington and the wider area to children and young people with complex learning and behavioural difficulties.
Using Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd.’s method of Practical Skills Therapeutic Education, children can learn in the rural setting of the Clow Beck Centre farm at Croft-on-Tees, which provides sessions in crafts and land work as well as delivering the national curriculum. Clervaux Garden School provides a nourishing and therapeutic environment for students who are unable to attend mainstream educational establishments.
Clervaux Garden School has the capacity for 35 pupils and has nearly reached capacity.
Public benefit
In carrying out its activities in the year under review, the Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty under Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have regard to the public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
STRATEGIC REPORT
Achievements & Performance
Clervaux Garden School has increased its capacity from 25 pupils to 35, following a successful application to the Department for Education. The school has continued to have high levels of pupil retention and experienced steady growth in numbers. Pupils’ behaviour and engagement continue to be good. The school appointed a new Deputy Head Teacher in the Autumn term and had a very positive Ofsted visit in November 2024. The inspectors rated the provision Good overall with Outstanding Behaviour and Attitudes and Outstanding Personal Development. The Ofsted report stated, “Pupils behave exceptionally well here”. This reflects the skills of the staff team in supporting pupils to manage their behaviours.
Pupils enjoy and engage well in the craft and land activities, and the national curriculum is woven throughout the delivery of Practical Skills Therapeutic Education. The pupils take materials from the land and use them to create items of service whilst developing literacy, numeracy, social and practical skills. The school has focused on developing the curriculum offer and is working to create new teaching spaces for land and craft activities. The school also now has access to a property in Darlington, Bishops House, and pupils enjoy work experience in the shop, as well as jewellery and other craft activities.
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The curriculum development and planning have been well supported by the senior team as well as the CEO, and the Deputy Director of Schools. In addition, there has been further training and support for the teaching staff to further develop their sessions to meet pupil need, including increasing the range of qualifications available to pupils.
The school has also started to develop the music curriculum, working with colleagues from Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd, to identify how to embed music into more areas of the school life, including the “Clervaux Knot” which continues to be an outstanding way for pupils and staff to discuss current events and develop community. This, combined with the student council, ensures that pupils have an opportunity for their voices to be heard.
Financial Review
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Results
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Trustees value the deficit of £(82,021) made during the year to 31 August 2025 (2024: surplus £428,851). During the year, donations were made to group companies totalling £478,801 (2024: £100,000).
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Principal funding sources
Placements at the school are funded by Local Authorities, which support the education of pupils.
o Fundraising
- Fundraising throughout the Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd group is managed by an in-house fundraising department which is led by a Director of Fundraising. No use is made of any external, professional fundraiser or any commercial participator, so no fundraising activities were carried out on Clervaux Garden School’s behalf during the year nor were any approaches made to vulnerable individuals in pursuit of the raising of funds for the charity.
Clervaux Garden School’s parent charity, Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd, has signed up to the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice and it pays an annual levy to the Regulator. During the year there was no failure to comply with a scheme or standard cited nor were any complaints received about the fundraising activities conducted by the Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd.
Money raised by Clervaux Garden School through fundraising activities are used by it as agreed with the donor and comply with any conditions attached by the donor.
o Reserves
The Trustees review the charity’s financial plans and results regularly throughout the year. This is done through monitoring income and expenditure against budget forecasts and monitoring cash flow.
The Trustees feel it prudent to build the level of reserves on an annual basis with the purpose of ensuring that the charity has sufficient reserves to act as a buffer against unexpected drops in income or increases in expenditure. The reserves held at year end are restricted funds £5,000 (2024: £5,000) and unrestricted funds £575,501 (2024: £657,522). The charity does not have designated funds, does not require to dispose of fixed assets to achieve any restricted fund purpose and does not have any capital commitments not provided for as a liability in the financial statements.
The group’s Reserves Policy is included in the Trustees Report for Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd.
Risks & Uncertainties
The Trustees review the risks to which the charity is exposed such as the health and safety of children, visitors, volunteers and staff on an on-going basis and are satisfied that systems are in place to manage exposure to the major risks. They maintain appropriate levels of insurance cover for all foreseeable risks.
Specific areas of risk and uncertainty are:
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Financial Viability :
-
Clervaux Garden School continues to have a strong admissions pipeline and has more applications than places. It recently applied to the Department for Education to increase pupil numbers to 35 and was successful in this application. Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd finance team offer regular support, and the Executive Principal receives monthly management accounts so that any areas of overspend or financial concern can be addressed quickly. Management Accounts are also reviewed monthly by Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd.’s Executive Team, and at each Board meeting.
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Poor Inspection result:
The school had a positive Ofsted inspection in 2024, and any areas for development have been identified and are being addressed by the Executive Principal and senior leadership team.
The CEO and senior leaders are continually working on quality assurance and there has been specific teacher training developed for staff to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge. The Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd Civil Service, in conjunction with the CEO is developing a strong quality assurance process to support all Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd schools.
- Regulatory non-compliance:
The risk of regulatory non-compliance requires constant review and the upskilling of staff and Trustees to meet an ever-changing regulatory landscape and student profile. Specifically:
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Keeping participants safe: The potential risks associated with keeping participants across the whole of the Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd group safe has required continued vigilance and mitigation by robust risk assessment and action plans, assessments, appropriate training, the appointment of safeguarding managers at each of the main centres and improved internal meeting and reporting arrangements. The Trust Head of Safeguarding is working effectively with Designated Safeguarding Leads across all sites as well as Provision Leaders and the Directors to ensure that each centre is compliant The Head of Safeguarding is part of the Civil Service and therefore works collaboratively with other key functions including HR, IT/MIS, H&S, and staff training to provide high quality support. In addition, a Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd Trustee holds lead responsibility for maintaining oversight of Safeguarding and Health & Safety across the group.
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GDPR: A rigorous programme of cross-Trust training continues to be implemented to ensure compliance, all overseen by Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd.’s Head of Legal Services and Trust Head of IT &MIS. An external agency has been contracted to deliver training and site audits across the Trust. The Trust has a Data Compliance Team and works with SchoolPro, who also act as Data Protection Officer and assist with legal and administrative work, particularly regarding subject access requests.
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Charity Law and Company Law: To assist compliance with Charity Law and Company Law, Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd.’s Head of Legal Services provides Trustees with regular Charity Law and Company Law updates and training which are supplemented by advice on further provisions as they come into force. For example, the Trust has been working with Trustees to ensure that they verify their identity, as part of the new Companies House Identity Verification Standard.
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Recruitment of staff:
All staff recruitment follows the Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd Staff Recruitment and Selection Policy and Procedure and the Trust’s Safer Recruitment Policy. The team of specialist recruiters work across all Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd provisions and support Clervaux Trust Ltd.’s recruitment needs.
- IT disaster:
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The charity continues to monitor and improve IT cyber security arrangements to ensure a robustness and preparedness for any future attacks. Clervaux Garden School benefits from technical and MIS services and support provided by Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd.’s central services. The Trust has recently successfully completed the CyberEssentials assessment and registration. The Trust's IT team has also implemented cloud and onpremise systems that provide additional back up, replication and security remediation in the event of an IT disaster.
- Reputational Risk:
The risk of reputational harm is being mitigated through the vigilance of the charity including ongoing monitoring of Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd.’s Risk Register and implementing a Code of Conduct and ensuring staff are suitably supported and trained.
- Risks to Ruskin Mill Trust Group’s Method – Practical Skills Therapeutic Education (“PSTE”):
Vigilance continues to be needed to ensure that the Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd group’s educational method is not compromised. The Trust invests in staff training and research to support the method. In addition, regular quality assurance visits, as well as senior leadership meetings help to ensure the method is embedded into provisions. The implementation of the method is also monitored through the Board meetings and the Trustees reports.
Future Plans
Clervaux Garden School has recently increased its capacity from 25 to 35 pupils, which reflects the high level of interest in the school. The school has plans to further develop the Upper School, which will offer older pupils a focused environment for further education. Bishops House in Darlington has been renovated to provide additional teaching spaces, including a jewellery workshop. Additional classroom spaces, including a forge and a new animal barn have been developed on the site.
The school will continue to strengthen the curriculum, in particular through developing qualification pathways. Teaching staff and senior leaders have been invited to join specific training and cross Trust meetings to further develop their practice.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES
The Trustees (who are also directors of Clervaux Garden School for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report (incorporating the strategic report and directors’ report) and the financial statements in accordance with 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).
Company law 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 charitable company and of the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements, and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial
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statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Provision of information to Auditor
Each of the people who are Trustees at the time when this Report of the Trustees is approved has confirmed that:
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so far as each Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company’s auditor is unaware; and
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the Trustees have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as Trustees to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charitable company’s auditor is aware of that information.
Qualifying third party indemnity provisions
Trustees’ indemnity insurance indemnifying each director against liability to third parties, has been in place throughout the year ended 31 August 2025 and up to the date of approval of this report.
Auditor
The auditor, RSM UK Audit LLP, was appointed during the year and will be proposed for reappointment at the Annual General Meeting.
Approved by the Trustees on 27 April 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
……………………………………… Aonghus Gordon OBE Trustee
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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF CLERVAUX GARDEN SCHOOL
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Clervaux Garden School (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 August 2025 which comprise the Statement of Comprehensive Income, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement 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 FRS 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:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as at 31 August 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
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 charitable company 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 charitable company’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 Trustees’ Report other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Trustees’ Report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, 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
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________________
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.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
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the information given in the Trustees’ Report, which includes the Directors’ Report and the Strategic Report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
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the Directors’ Report and the Strategic Report included within the Trustees’ Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Directors’ Report or the Strategic Report included within the Trustees’ Report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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certain disclosures of trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities set out on pages 8-9, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) 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 charitable company’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 liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
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 the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
Irregularities are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. The objectives of our audit are to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding compliance with laws and regulations that have a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, to perform audit
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procedures to help identify instances of non-compliance with other laws and regulations that may have a material effect on the financial statements, and to respond appropriately to identified or suspected noncompliance with laws and regulations identified during the audit.
In relation to fraud, the objectives of our audit are to identify and assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud, to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud through designing and implementing appropriate responses and to respond appropriately to fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit.
However, it is the primary responsibility of management, with the oversight of those charged with governance, to ensure that the entity's operations are conducted in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations and for the prevention and detection of fraud.
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud, the audit engagement team:
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obtained an understanding of the nature of the sector, including the legal and regulatory framework that the charitable company operates in and how the charitable company is complying with the legal and regulatory framework;
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inquired of management, and those charged with governance, about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities, including any known actual, suspected or alleged instances of fraud;
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discussed matters about non-compliance with laws and regulations and how fraud might occur including assessment of how and where the financial statements may be susceptible to fraud.
As a result of these procedures we consider the most significant laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the financial statements are FRS 102, Charities SORP (FRS 102), Companies Act 2006, Charities Act 2011, the charitable company’s governing document and tax legislation. We performed audit procedures to detect noncompliances which may have a material impact on the financial statements which included reviewing the financial statements including the Trustees’ Report, remaining alert to new or unusual transactions which may not be in accordance with the governing documents, inspecting correspondence with local tax authorities and evaluating any advice received from advisors.
The most significant laws and regulations that have an indirect impact on the financial statements are those in relation to the Education Inspection Framework under the Education and Inspections Act 2006, Keeping Children Safe in Education under the Education Act 2002, the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. We performed audit procedures to inquire of management and those charged with governance whether the charitable company is in compliance with these law and regulations and inspected correspondence with regulatory authorities
The audit engagement team identified the risk of management override of controls and revenue recognition as the areas where the financial statements were most susceptible to material misstatement due to fraud. Audit procedures performed included but were not limited to testing manual journal entries and other adjustments, evaluating the business rationale in relation to significant, unusual transactions and transactions entered into outside the normal course of business, challenging judgments and estimates and tests of detail in respect of income.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at http://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
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Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members 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 charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Anna Spencer-Gray
ANNA SPENCER-GRAY (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of RSM UK AUDIT LLP, Statutory Auditor Chartered Accountants 10[th ] Floor 103 Colmore Row Birmingham B3 3AG 05/05/26
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Statement of Financial Activities (Net Income and Expenditure Account) For the year ended 31 August 2025
| Notes | Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds 2025 Total Funds 2024 |
|---|---|
| £ £ £ £ |
|
| Income | |
| Donations | 8,372 321 8,693 641 |
| Charitable activities | 2,109,593 - 2,109,593 1,941,772 |
| Other trading activities | 20,555 - 20,555 - |
| Investment income | 81 - 81 89 |
| Total income 3 |
2,138,601 321 2,138,922 1,942,502 |
| Expenditure | |
| Charitable activities 4 |
(2,221,244) (321) (2,221,565) (1,509,612) |
| Net (expenditure) / income before asset disposals |
(82,643) - (82,643) 432,890 |
| Gain/(loss) on disposal of fixed assets | 622 - 622 (4,039) |
| Net (expenditure) / income and net movement in funds 5 |
(82,021) - (82,021) 428,851 |
| Reconciliation of funds | |
| Total funds brought forward 12 |
657,522 5,000 662,522 233,671 |
| Total funds carried forward 12 |
575,501 5,000 580,501 662,522 |
The notes on pages 17 to 29 form part of these financial statements.
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Registered Number: 11740783
Balance Sheet 31 August 2025
| Notes | 2025 2024 |
|---|---|
| £ £ |
|
| Fixed assets | |
| Tangible assets 8 |
349,217 121,158 |
| Current assets | |
| Debtors 9 |
349,478 13,865 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 23,384 641,841 |
| 372,862 655,706 |
|
| Creditors: amounts fallingdue within oneyear 10 |
(141,578) (114,342) |
| Net current assets | 231,284 541,364 |
| Net assets | 580,501 662,522 |
| Funds | |
| Restricted funds 12 |
5,000 5,000 |
| Unrestricted funds 12 |
575,501 657,522 |
| 580,501 662,522 |
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 27 April 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:
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……………………………………..
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Aonghus Gordon OBE Trustee
The notes on pages 17 to 29 form part of these financial statements
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Cash Flow Statement For the year ended 31 August 2025
| Note | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Cash flows from operating activities | |||
| Net cash (used in) / provided by operating activities | 14 | (372,386) | 416,172 |
| Cash flows from investing activities | |||
| Purchase of tangible fixed assets | (262,434) | (17,936) | |
| Proceeds on disposal of tangible fixed assets | 622 | 500 | |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (261,812) | (17,436) | |
| Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period | (634,198) | 398,736 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period | 641,841 | 243,105 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period | 7,643 | 641,841 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents includes cash at bank and in hand and overdrawn bank balances: | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 23,384 | 641,841 | |
| Bank overdraft | (15,741) | - | |
| Total cash and cash equivalents | 7,643 | 641,841 |
The notes on pages 17 to 29 form part of these financial statements
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Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 August 2025
Statutory information
Clervaux Garden School is incorporated in England and Wales as a company limited by guarantee without share capital.
The liability of members in the event of winding up is limited to an amount not exceeding £10 per member; the number of members at 31 August 2025 was five.
Clervaux Garden School is also registered as a charity with the Charity Commission (registered no. 1190556).
Registered number 11740783 Registered Head Office address: Ruskin Mill Millbottom Nailsworth Stroud Gloucestershire GL6 0LA.
The principal office of Clervaux Garden School is Clow Beck Centre, Jolby Lane, Croft-on-Tees, North Yorkshire, DL2 2TF.
1. Accounting policies
Basis of accounting
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 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
Clervaux Garden School 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.
The financial statements are presented in sterling (£), which is the functional currency of the charity.
Going concern
The charitable company meets its financing requirement through funding provided by other group companies, and Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd, the ultimate parent undertaking.
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TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 August 2025
1. Accounting policies (continued)
Working alongside Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd, robust budgets are set, and the actual spend against these budgets is analysed monthly by both the Executive Team and the Board of Trustees Finance Sub-Committee. The full Board also receives the monthly management accounts and reviews them on a two-monthly cycle. The charitable company is currently negotiating fee increases with local authorities to mitigate the impact of inflation on expenditure.
For the foreseeable future the Trustees consider Clervaux Garden School a going concern based on recurring funding receivable from the local authorities. The Trustees also believe that reserves are maintained at an appropriate level to provide a sufficient level of cover should it be required.
The group, headed by Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd, has substantial net assets. Furthermore, Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd has provided assurances that group financial support will be provided to Clervaux Garden School if required. A letter of support has been provided by Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd.
After making detailed enquiries and considering the factors discussed above, the Board is confident that the charitable company has adequate scope to continue its operational existence for the foreseeable future. There are no material uncertainties surrounding going concern and accordingly the charitable company continues to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.
Income
Donations are credited to revenue when the charitable company 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 charitable and other trading activities is accounted for in the period in which the income is earned.
Investment income is accounted for on an accruals basis.
Expenditure
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Operating leases
Rentals applicable to operating leases where substantially all the benefits and risks of ownership remain with the lessor are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Lease incentives are recognised over the life of the lease on a straight-line basis as a reduction to the expense.
Termination payments
Termination payments are accounted for as soon as the charitable company is aware of the obligation to make the payment.
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TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 August 2025
1. Accounting policies (continued)
Pension costs
The charitable company contributes to a defined contribution scheme. Amounts paid in relation to this scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities when they fall due. All pension costs are allocated to unrestricted funds.
Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Assets with a cost below £1,000 are not capitalised.
Depreciation is charged to allocate the cost of assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.
Depreciation is provided on the following basis:
Fixtures, fittings and equipment 25% Motor vehicles 25%
Depreciation is not charged on assets under construction.
The assets’ residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate or if there is an indication of a significant change since the last reporting date.
Debtors
Short term debtors are initially measured at transaction price, less any impairment. Prepayments are measured at the amount prepaid.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, bank deposits and short-term deposits net of bank overdraft.
Creditors
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 recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
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TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 August 2025
1. Accounting policies (continued)
Funds
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the Trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the Notes to these financial statements.
Financial instruments
Clervaux Garden School only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
Taxation
The company is a registered charity and as such is entitled to tax exemption on all its income and gains, properly applied for its charitable purposes.
Significant estimates and judgements
Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
Useful economic lives of tangible fixed assets
The annual depreciation charges for tangible fixed assets are sensitive to changes in the estimated useful economic lives and residual values of the assets. The useful economic lives and residual values are re-assessed annually. They are amended when necessary to reflect current estimates, based on economic utilisation and the physical condition of the assets.
Impairment of debtors
Clervaux Garden School makes an estimate of the recoverable value of trade and other debtors. When assessing impairment of fee and other debtors, management considers factors including the current credit rating of the debtor, the ageing profile of debtors and historical experience.
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TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 August 2025
2. Statement of financial activities for the year to 31 August 2024
| Notes | Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds 2024 |
|---|---|
| £ £ £ |
|
| Income | |
| Donations | 641 - 641 |
| Charitable activities | 1,941,772 - 1,941,772 |
| Investment income | 89 - 89 |
| Total income 3 |
1,942,502 - 1,942,502 |
| Expenditure | |
| Charitable activities 4 |
(1,507,946) (1,666) (1,509,612) |
| Net income / (expenditure) before asset disposals |
434,556 (1,666) 432,890 |
| Loss on disposal of fixed assets | (4,039) - (4,039) |
| Net income / (expenditure) and net movement in funds 5 |
430,517 (1,666) 428,851 |
| Reconciliation of funds | |
| Total funds brought forward 13 |
227,005 6,666 233,671 |
| Total funds carried forward 13 |
657,522 5,000 662,522 |
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TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 August 2025
3. Income
| Income | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Donation income | 8,693 | 641 | |||
| Charitable activities | |||||
| Fees from the provision of educational services | 2,109,593 | 1,941,772 | |||
| Other trading activities: | |||||
| Farm sales | 250 | - | |||
| Miscellaneous | 20,305 | - | |||
| 20,555 | - | ||||
| Investment income | |||||
| Interest received | 81 | 89 | |||
| Total income | 2,138,922 | 1,942,502 | |||
| Expenditure | |||||
| Staff costs | Depreciation | Other | |||
| (Note 6) | (Note 8) | costs | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Charitable activities | |||||
| Provision of educational | |||||
| services | 1,216,355 | 34,375 | 970,835 | 2,221,565 | 1,509,612 |
| Total expenditure | 1,216,355 | 34,375 | 970,835 | 2,221,565 | 1,509,612 |
| Staff costs | Other | ||||
| (Note 6) | Depreciation | costs | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Charitable activities | |||||
| Provision of educational | |||||
| services | 981,570 | 29,408 | 498,634 | 1,509,612 | |
| Total expenditure | 981,570 | 29,408 | 498,634 | 1,509,612 |
4. Expenditure
5. Net (expenditure) / income
Net (expenditure) / income is stated after charging:
| et (expenditure) / income is stated after charging: | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Depreciation - owned tangible fixed assets | 34,375 | 29,408 |
| Operating lease expense | 3,746 | 9,195 |
| Auditor's remuneration for the provision of: | ||
| - statutory audit |
10,000 | 9,500 |
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TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 August 2025
6. Staff costs
| taff costs | |
|---|---|
| Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension costs |
2025 2024 £ £ 1,078,371 896,334 113,877 72,064 24,107 13,172 |
| 1,216,355 981,570 |
The monthly average headcount number of employees during the year was as follows:
| Teaching Care, support and administration Management |
2025 2024 No. No. 23 21 14 8 4 5 |
|---|---|
| 41 34 |
The numbers of employees earning more than £60,000 excluding employer NI and pension costs were:
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | No. | ||
| £60,001 | - £70,000 | 1 | 1 |
Key management personnel of the company are remunerated by a different group entity and hence no disclosure is made in these financial statements.
No termination payments were made during the year (2024: £20,070).
7. Trustees’ remuneration and benefits
No Trustees were remunerated in the year (2024: £Nil).
No Trustee expenses were reimbursed during the year (2024: £Nil).
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TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 August 2025
8. Tangible fixed assets
| Cost 1 September 2024 Additions Transfers Disposals 31 August 2025 Depreciation 1 September 2024 Charge for the year Disposals 31 August 2025 Net Book Value 31 August 2025 31 August 2024 |
Leasehold Improvements Fixtures, Fittings & Equipment Motor Vehicles Assets Under Construction Total £ £ £ £ £ 108,677 114,931 7,929 - 231,537 - 17,020 44,180 201,234 262,434 - 74,970 - (74,970) - (49,098) - (3,430) - (52,528) |
|---|---|
| 59,579 206,921 48,679 126,264 441,443 |
|
| 51,369 51,317 7,693 - 110,379 1,178 27,879 5,318 - 34,375 (49,098) - (3,430) - (52,528) |
|
| 3,449 79,196 9,581 - 92,226 |
|
| 56,130 127,725 39,098 126,264 349,217 |
|
| 57,308 63,614 236 - 121,158 |
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TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 August 2025
9. Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
| Trade debtors Amounts due from group undertakings Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Bank overdraft Trade creditors Social security and other taxes Pension contributions payable Other creditors Fees in advance Accruals and deferred income Fees in advance Amounts brought forward Amounts received during the year Amounts utilised during the year Amounts carried forward |
2025 £ 2024 £ 172,301 8,342 158,148 - 18,821 3,242 208 2,281 349,478 13,865 2025 2024 £ £ 15,741 - 92,612 25,595 27,092 20,655 4,955 3,967 - 21,441 - 26,462 1,178 16,222 141,578 114,342 2025 2024 £ £ 26,462 124,873 2,097,232 1,812,956 (2,123,694) (1,911,367) |
|
|---|---|---|
| - 26,462 |
10. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
The closing balance of fees received in advance relates to fees received in respect of the 2025-26 academic year.
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TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 August 2025
11. Operating lease commitments
At the year end the charitable company had total commitments due under non-cancellable operating leases as set out below:
| Other Within 1 year Between 2 and 5 years |
2025 2024 £ £ 1,664 1,997 277 2,329 |
|---|---|
| 1,941 4,326 |
12. Reconciliation of movement in funds
Year to 31 August 2025
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Green vehicle School improvements Total funds |
1 September 2024 Income Expenditure Gains 31 August 2025 £ £ £ £ £ 657,522 2,138,601 (2,221,244) 622 575,501 |
|---|---|
| 5,000 - - - 5,000 - 321 (321) - - |
|
| 5,000 321 (321) - 5,000 |
|
| 662,522 2,138,922 (2,221,565) 622 580,501 |
Restricted funds
Green vehicle
The donation received from ALA Green Charitable Trust was spent in September 2025 on an electric vehicle.
School improvements
Funds were raised during the 2024 Christmas Fayre from parents, staff and visitors to the school. These funds were spent on additional wooden benches in the school grounds.
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TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 August 2025
12. Reconciliation of movement in funds (continued)
Year to 31 August 2024
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Bike storage Bio-bidet Green vehicle Other funds Total funds |
1 September 2023 Income Expenditure Losses 31 August 2024 £ £ £ £ £ 227,005 1,942,502 (1,507,946) (4,039) 657,522 |
|---|---|
| 600 - (600) - - 700 - (700) - - 5,000 - - - 5,000 366 (366) - - |
|
| 6,666 - (1,666) - 5,000 |
|
| 233,671 1,942,502 (1,509,612) (4,039) 662,522 |
Restricted funds
Donations received from Alpkit Foundation and Warburtons Community Grant were spent on bike storage during the year.
Bike storage
Bio-bidet Donations received from Hargreaves Services were spent on a bio-bidet during the year. Green vehicle The donation received from ALA Green Charitable Trust is still to be spent. Other funds The balance of funds received from Tesco Community Fund was spent during
The balance of funds received from Tesco Community Fund was spent during the year on garden benches for the Lower Garden School.
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TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 August 2025
13. Analysis of net assets between funds
| Analysis of net assets between funds | Analysis of net assets between funds | Analysis of net assets between funds |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed assets Net current assets Fund balances £ £ £ 31 August 2025 Restricted funds - 5,000 5,000 Unrestricted funds 349,217 226,284 575,501 349,217 231,284 580,501 31 August 2024 Restricted funds - 5,000 5,000 Unrestricted funds 121,158 536,364 657,522 121,158 541,364 662,522 Cash flows from operating activities 2025 2024 £ £ Net movement in funds (82,021) 428,851 Depreciation 34,375 29,408 (Gain) / loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets (622) 4,039 (Increase) / decrease in debtors (335,613) 53,573 Increase / (decrease) in creditors 11,495 (99,699) Net cash (used in) / provided by operating activities (372,386) 416,172 Analysis of changes in net funds 1 September 2024 Cash Flows Non-Cash Changes 31 August 2025 £ £ £ £ Cash at bank and in hand 641,841 (618,457) - 23,384 Bank overdraft - (15,741) - (15,741) Net funds 641,841 (634,198) - 7,643 |
||
| 641,841 (634,198) |
- 7,643 |
14. Cash flows from operating activities
15. Analysis of changes in net funds
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TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 August 2025
16. Related party transactions
Year to 31 August 2025 transactions and year-end balance between subsidiaries and parent company:
| Ruskin Mill | ||
|---|---|---|
| Trust Ltd | Clervaux Trust | |
| £ | £ | |
| Donations received | - | 2,301 |
| Donations paid | 287,701 | 191,100 |
| Trade debtor amounts | 64,300 | 93,848 |
| Trade creditor amounts | - | - |
Year to 31 August 2024 transactions and year-end balance between subsidiaries and parent company:
| Ruskin Mill | ||
|---|---|---|
| Trust Ltd | Clervaux Trust | |
| £ | £ | |
| Donations received | - | - |
| Donations paid | 100,000 | - |
| Trade debtor amounts | - | - |
| Trade creditor amounts | - | - |
17. Ultimate parent company and controlling party
Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd (registered in England and Wales; company number: 07252866 and charity number: 1137167) is the sole member and controlling party of Clervaux Garden School. The objects of Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd include the advancement of the education of young people with learning difficulties and/ or behavioural problems or special educational needs; the promotion of research into the practice and development of those areas of education; and the promotion of Rudolf Steiner education establishments. The charitable company runs special educational needs schools and colleges. A copy of their financial statements can be obtained from the Registrar of Companies, Companies House, Crown Way, Cardiff, CF14 3UZ.
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