REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1191408 ## TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ## FOR THE PERIOD 1[st] January 2024 TO 31[st] December 2024 FOR ## THORNTON EDUCATION TRUST ## **Forward from Chair** Thornton Education Trust aims to empower children and young people to actively shape their built environment by advancing education and youth engagement in architecture, urban design, and planning. The Trust works to build professional sector capacity, foster meaningful collaboration, and promote creative, participatory approaches that connect young people with the places where they live and learn. Key objectives include developing resources, peer learning, and awards that support best practices in youth engagement; advocating for built environment stakeholders to embed youth participation in design and planning processes; and maintaining collaborative partnerships between educators and built environment professionals. Education is an integral part of this mission, with a focus on recognising and encouraging schools and teachers who creatively incorporate architecture and the built environment into their curricula, thus strengthening links between education and professional practice. Through these combined efforts, Thornton Education Trust seeks to build confident, skilled young people who can influence the future of their communities and inspire positive change in the built environment. In 2024, our initiatives continued to reflect these aims and objectives. The Inspire Future Generations Awards celebrate projects and individuals whose work—often overlooked but profoundly influential—places young people and communities at the centre of creating healthier, fairer, and more resilient places. This year, the awards expanded to recognise contributions not only from practitioners and practices but also from local authorities and development companies. The success of the fourth ceremony enabled TET to commence the development of a resource bank, now an invaluable reference for future youth engagement initiatives in the built environment. Insights from four years of awards submissions were captured in _Empowering Environments_ , an updated publication mapping areas of greatest activity, geographic spread, and funding opportunities in the sector. Through the ENGAGE initiative—funded by the Marchus Trust in 2023—TET developed the ENGAGE Toolkit, a practical resource demonstrating why meaningful engagement with children and young people is essential to shaping inclusive environments. Featuring best-practice examples and adaptable outreach methods, the toolkit was launched at TurnerWorks on 26 June 2024, with panel speakers including Dhruv Gulabchande, Jennifer Pirie, Tringa Kelmendi, Antonio Capelao, and Clare Bond.. TET contributed to the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Commons Select Committee inquiry on Children, Young People and the Built Environment. In collaboration with Simon Shtebunaev, TET developed a template letter and guidance to assist practitioners in submitting evidence. Although the inquiry’s publication was cancelled due to the change of government, this initiative helped galvanise sector-wide advocacy for greater child and youth inclusion in built environment policy. At the 2024 Urban Design Group symposium, Victoria Thornton chaired a session on designing for and with children and young people, moving beyond conventional consultation to embrace participatory and co-design approaches. In response to the Labour government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review – Call for Evidence, TET highlighted the urgent need to address the 68% decline in Design and Technology GCSE entries since 2010, alongside the continuing decline in art and design education across the UK. TET provided responses where relevant. As part of its knowledge-sharing remit, TET collaborated on the _Architecture for Kids Podcast_ —created by Antonio Capelao in partnership with the Built Environment Trust and the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University. These short episodes bridge practice, creativity, and classroom learning, helping prepare young people for the social, environmental, and economic challenges of the future. Throughout 2024, TET participated in a range of speaking engagements and think tank discussions, including presentations for the Archimake’s talk series at Templar Trust in March, contributing to the London School of Architecture Future Skills Think Tank in July, and presenting at Stanton Williams in October outlining TET’s origins and strategic vision. These reflect our commitment to strengthening social value in the built environment and fostering leadership in child and youth engagement. In autumn 2024, TET expanded the team by appointing two part-time posts - Project Manager and Project Coordinator to grow the Inspire Awards programme and develop structured fundraising. Fundraising Consultant Sally Stott was engaged to review grant applications and improve funding strategies. Our network of Associates also grew, including extending a paid post-internship position for a 3 month period. Through our programmes, partnerships, and thought leadership, Thornton Education Trust continues to champion the integration of architecture within education, inspiring the next generation to understand, shape, and improve the built environment that surrounds them. Victoria Thornton, OBE Chair and Founder ## THORNTON EDUCATION TRUST CIO ## REPORT AND ACCOUNTS ## FOR PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 ## TRUSTEES REPORT The Trustees are pleased to present their Annual Report together with the Financial Statements of the Charity for the period from 1[st] January to 31[st] December 2024. The Financial Statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the constitution, 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 1 January 2019). The Charity is a Public Benefit Entity. ## Objectives and Activities The advancement of education in the subject of architecture and urban design for children and young people through creative learning, the provision of grants, resources and research to support teachers, educationalists and built environment professionals Beneficiaries of our Activities The primary beneficiaries of our activities are educationalists, built environment professionals and teachers and through them the future generation’s children and young people ## Achievements and Performance This was our fourth year of Thornton Education Trust and continued the expansion of the Inspire Future Generations Awards developing new categories relevant to empowering the future generations to have a voice in their present and future environment. In addition, the republication of the updated Empowering Environments taking in 2021-24 awards results. Our network continues to grow with 2500 strong through our regular TET Newsletter. ## Future Plans ## Inspire Future Generations Awards – Five Years On As we reach the five-year milestone, we will undertake a comprehensive review of the award categories and evaluate how effectively we are promoting youth voices in the design process. We will explore new and alternative forms of practice that encourage inclusive city-making and urge urban practitioners to address gaps in research by adopting innovative approaches across the sector. Our aspiration is that what is considered pioneering today becomes standard practice tomorrow. ## Network Development We plan to broaden and strengthen our network by expanding beyond our newsletters to actively engage through social media channels, with a particular focus on LinkedIn as a platform for fostering new collaborations and connections. ## Website Enhancement Our website remains a vital communication tool, and we will review and enhance it to better showcase our publications, surveys, and initiatives. ## Imagine Schools Programme Pending initial funding, we are preparing to launch the Imagine Schools Programme which will include INSETS, an Awards Scheme and Resource Bank to further integrate built environment education within the school curricula. ## Programme Leadership and Sustainability To support our expanding portfolio of initiatives, we intend to create a part-time Programme Director role responsible for developing future programmes and securing funding. Additionally, we will review and revise our Sponsorship and Friends Scheme to ensure organisational sustainability and to open new funding avenues for development over the 2026–2027 period. The Board has approved extending this planning horizon following a review of our current five-year strategy. ## THORNTON EDUCATION TRUST CIO ## REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 ## Financial Review Thornton Education Trust is entirely dependent upon voluntary income mostly in the form of grants from trusts and foundations, sponsorship and other income. During the reported period income from charitable activities amounted to £15,039 whilst donations and legacies amounted to £4,100 Expenditure was £8,666 was entirely spent on delivering the charitable activities. The closing balance at year end 2024 was £16,775.00 unrestricted reserves. There is a reserves policy of 3 months overheads although the Trustees maintain a policy of not committing expenditure before funds are in place. They believe that these reserves together with good prospects for further fundraising are sufficient to ensure the continuing activities of the charity. ## Reporting requirements for charities that fundraise All income generation activities are undertaken in compliance with the requirements of: the Fundraising Regulator; Charities Acts; Charity Commission regulations; HMRC regulations; the Gambling Act; local licensing laws, GDPR and Data Protection legislation. This list is not exhaustive. We adhere to the Fundraising Code of Practice. During the year ending 31 December 2024, we received no complaints relating to fundraising activity. Furthermore, we know of no failure by the charity or by a person acting on its behalf, to comply with fundraising standards. Governance and Management ## Governing document Thornton Education Trust is a registered charity governed by a constitution. The charity was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 22 September 2020 by the Charities Commission ## Governance The trustees undertake periodic reviews of governance and these include skills audits for the current board. When a vacancy occurs on the trustee board it will be advertised via appropriate media, with an indication of the skills that are sought. Applicants are invited to apply by CV and covering letter with suitable candidates interviewed. A recommendation to appoint a suitable candidate will be put to the whole board for their approval. The Charity is managed by the Board of Trustees which meets at least 2 times per year. ## Risk management The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. The Trustees are mindful of this and put policies and controls in place to mitigate risks as appropriate and to be reviewed in 2025. ## THORNTON EDUCATION TRUST CIO REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Reference and Administrative Details Charity Name Thornton Education Trust CIO Charity Number 1191408 Trustees Victoria Thornton, OBE Chair (Reappointed 30th September 2024 for a term of 4 years) Kenneth Allinson, RIBA Neil Pinder Trustees Remuneration and Benefits There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the period ended 30 November 2024 Trustees Expenses Victoria Thornton £95 during the period ended 31 December 2024. These relate to travel expenses paid on behalf of Thornton Education Trust Staff Costs There were no employees during the period ended 31 December 2024 Tangible Fixed Assets There were no fixed assets. Debtors Amounts falling due within one There were no debtors. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year There were no creditors. Related Party Disclosures No related party disclosures Registered Address 8 Vineyards, Bath BA1 5NA Bankers CAFBank CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustsesl memberyJ of Thomton Education Trust On accounts for the year ended 319t December 2024 Charlty no (if any 1191408 Set out on pages 1and2 I r8POrt to the tnJst80s on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Yhe Trusf) for the year ended 3111212025. Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requlrements of the Charities Act 2011 (Yhe Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under seotion 145(5)(b) ofthe Ad. I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: accounting records were not k8Pt in accordance with section 130 of the Aot or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent axaminar's statement I have no COn￿mS and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Mark RiGhoYdsovL Dats: 30" May 2025 Name: Mark Richardson Relevant profossional quallficatlonls) or body (if any): ACA Addrèss." 16 Maple Grove, Bath BA2 3AF Section B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner needs to highlight matters of con￿rn (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examinars). IER October 2018 Givo hara brief details of any items that the examinerwishes to dlsclose. IER October 2018 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Thomtoii Education 1191408 Recei ts and ments accounts CC16a Fortho period 01101f2W24 To 31112f2024 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestrlctèd fvnds RestrictÈd fvnds EndowmÈnt lund8 Total funds Lastyear h)thE near￿1£ A1 Rèe•l Charitabl8Actiwt DtsNtions and OiherirKom Refu￿$ 15.026 411JO 13 qÉ,?08 1300 636 4.100 13 AR} 19.139 19,139 20,667 nve $¢e table. 19,139 Adverttsiftg End ¢ha[ita￿e8cbV1tse￿￿$ty Fundtaisin 6,600 158 927 930 1.320 742 776 TrAv81Andknrnmots￿r PAYE 1.Q16 1.016 Sub total $M6 24217 A4 A$8•t and inv•sbMnt Sub total 24257 Notof rncolptsl(paym8ntsJ A5 Trdnsf•ts botsyoon funds A6 Cash funds lasty￿r •nd Cash funds this year•nd 10A73 ioAn 18,nS 16,775 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unre8trictsd funds to n￿re￿£ Restrictsd fund6 Endowment fund8 ¢atetyories Details B1 Cash fund 16,Tl6 Totel cash fvnds 16.775 arthmUsii Unrtstri¢t*d fund8 to noar¢•t£ Restri¢ted Endowme lunds ffiJnd¥ tL¥ n•arHt£ Detall$ 82 Oth* monètary assèts CCXX R1 accourts ISSI ffj512025 Fund towthfjch •tb•)on Details n*1 B3 Inve6trn8nt •89•ts Fundtowhkh CuThnt¥4I Detsils B4 As$•ts rthined for the ¢harfty's own uso Fund towthkh AmoyntthT• When d Details BS Uabl1￿•s Unrestrrthd Slgwdd by on& trustw behalf of all Ihe trnstees Signature Prlnt Namè Date of lfictoria TtKirr Kenn8th Alinson 28mW2028 CCXX R2 accowts ISSI 30105r2025