2022-08-31-accounts

Charity registration number: 1196215

School Partnerships Alliance

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the period ended 31st August 2022

Wenn Townsend

Chartered Accountants

Oxford

School Partnerships Alliance

Contents

	Page
Charity Reference and Administrative Details	1
Trustees’ Annual Report	2 - 4
Independent Examiner’s Report	5
Statement of Financial Activities	6
Balance Sheet	7
Notes to the Financial Statements	8 – 13+

School Partnerships Alliance

Charity Reference and Administrative Details for the period ended 31st August 2022

Charity registration number:	1196215
Trustees:	T J M Arbuthnott
	S E Butterworth
	J Dhesi
	E H Forde
	N A Mattin
	J L Robinson
	N L Winkley
CEO:	S Riley
Registered office:	6th Floor
	Minster House
	42 Mincing Lane
	London
	EC3R 7AE
Examiner:	Wenn Townsend
	30 St Giles
	Oxford
	OX1 3LE
Bankers:	Metro Bank
	One Southampton Row
	London
	WC1B 5HA

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School Partnerships Alliance

Trustees Annual Report for the period ended 31st August 2022

The Trustees present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the period ended 31st August 2022. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.

Trustees of the charity

The trustees who have served during the period and since the period end were as follows:

T J M Arbuthnott (appointed 25/11/21)

S E Butterworth (appointed 25/11/21) J Dhesi (appointed 17/01/22) E H Forde (appointed 17/01/22) N A Mattin (appointed 25/11/21) J L Robinson (appointed 25/11/21) N L Winkley (appointed 25/11/21)

Objectives and activities

The objects of the CIO are, for the public benefit, to advance education, in particular but not exclusively, by developing school partnerships to develop the educational, social and employment capacities, capabilities and opportunities of children and young people, including without limitation disadvantaged children and young people and to improve their conditions of life.

During this reporting period, S.P.A has focused on governance set-up, establishing its strategic and operational priorities, and putting in place an operational team. It established six core principles to work to:

Voice and recognition	To give partnership work the profile it deserves through a dedicated membership led charity To recognise that schools in both sectors have much to give and things to learn
Research informed	To provide a structured approach to understanding the benefits of cross-sector partnership
Professional status	To offer training and development opportunities for partnership leads
Innovate	To trial new approaches that will allow more schools and young people to benefit
Lobby	To speak with the DfE and others about the partnership work going on across the schools sector
Accessibility	To ensure that all schools, regardless of location, have a route into partnership working To reduce duplication and focus on opportunities that can be scaled

Trustees agreed that S.P.A. should equip partnership leads with a common language and framework that will help schools at every stage of partnership engagement and development, and it is on this basis that plans for a school membership offer are now being put in place which will focus on practical support, peer to peer exchange, development opportunities and training courses. In addition, S.P.A. is working on the creation of an Innovation Hub, which will bring practitioners and experts from across the country together to tackle shared partnership issues, and create shared solutions.

Public benefit statement

The Trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers and duties.

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School Partnerships Alliance

Trustees Annual Report (continued) for the period ended 31st August 2022

Achievements and performance

During this time key milestones included:

Dates	Key milestones
October 2021	• School Partnerships Alliance (S.P.A.) gains CIO status
January 2022	• Initial Board of trustees appointments finalised
February – March 2022	• Recruitment for CEO takes place
April 2022	• Part time CEO appointed • Agree principles and operations of S.P.A. • Governance: composition and remit • Executive: roles and remit of CEO • Operational: compliance, administration, finance
May 2022	• S.P.A. CEO meets with DfE Head of Systems Partnerships • Fact finding online meetings with partnership leads • Strategic: business and strategy planning commences
June 2022	• S.P.A. CEO participates in No. 10 partnership policy meeting • Impact and evaluation: discussions with potential partners • Ongoing discussion with partnership professionals: in and beyond education
July 2022	• First draft of membership model produced
August 2022	• Website development and programme offer commences

Financial review (including reserves policy)

The results for the year are shown on page 6, which show a surplus of £83,029 for the reporting period. As at 31st August 2022 the charity had net assets of £83,029 including cash at bank held of £85,771.

The trustees intend to hold sufficient general reserves to support between 6-9 months of core operating costs at each year end, which is currently estimated to be c£65,000 to £95,000. Free reserves held at 31st August 2022 were £83,029, which is deemed to be in line with this policy particularly given that the charity is in its formative years.

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School Partnerships Alliance

Trustees Annual Report (continued) for the period ended 31st August 2022

Structure, governance and management

The organisation became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (‘CIO’) with registered number 1196215 on 20th October 2021, and it is governed by its constitution adopted at that date.

The Trustees meet a minimum of four times a year as a Board, with the Chief Executive of the organisation in attendance.

A HR committee and an Audit and Risk committee have been established, which meet in between Trustee meetings, with any recommendations discussed and approved at a full Trustee meeting.

All Trustee meetings are held in person where possible, with online capacity if required.

Management

The Trustees consider that the Chief Executive, supported by a small team, manages all aspects of the organisation’s activities. The CEO leads on development of the organisational strategy and plans, with the Trustee board providing input, sign off, oversight, governance and accountability.

All Trustees give their time freely and no Trustee remuneration was paid in the year.

Trustees and the Chief Executive are required to disclose all relevant interests, and in accordance with the CIO’s policy withdraw from decisions where a conflict of interest arises.

Board Development

Induction of new Trustees includes meetings with the Chair and Chief Executive to clarify the CIO’s expectations of a new Trustee as well as their specific role. They are provided with copies of Charity Commission guidance for new Trustees together with the CIO Constitution, most recent Financial Statements and a copy of its policies. They also sign a Trustee Declaration which encompasses a Code of Conduct and receive further orientation relevant to their role within the larger Board.

On behalf of the board

…………………………. …………………………. S E Butterworth J Dhesi Trustee Trustee

15th November 2022

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School Partnerships Alliance

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of School Partnerships Alliance

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the period ended 31st August 2022 which are set out on pages 6 to 13.

Responsibilities and basis of report

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

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

2. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

B Hayes BSc FCA Wenn Townsend Chartered Accountants Oxford

15th November 2022

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School Partnerships Alliance

Statement of Financial Activities

for the period ended 31st August 2022

	Note	2022
		£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies	2	975
Charitable activities	3	155,293
		─────
Total income and endowments		156,268
		─────
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities	4	73,239
		─────
Total expenditure		73,239
		─────
Net income/(expenditure)		83,029
Transfers between funds		-
		─────
Net movement in funds	11	83,029
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward	11	-
		─────
Total funds carried forward	11	83,029
		═════

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities

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School Partnerships Alliance

Balance Sheet as at 31st August 2022

	Note	2022
		£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets	9	2,259
		─────
		2,259
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand		85,771
		─────
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year	10	(5,001)
		─────
Net current assets		80,770
		─────
Total assets less current liabilities		83,029
		─────
Net assets		83,029
		═════
Charity funds
Unrestricted funds	11	83,029
		─────
Total charity funds		83,029
		═════

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 15th November 2022.

Signed on behalf of the board of trustees

…………………………. …………………………. S E Butterworth J Dhesi Trustee Trustee

The notes on pages 8 to 13 form part of these financial statements

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School Partnerships Alliance

Notes to the Financial Statements for the period ended 31st August 2022

1. Summary of significant accounting policies

(a) General information and basis of preparation

School Partnerships Alliance is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is given in the charity information on page 1 of these financial statements. The nature of the charity’s operations and principal activities are detailed in the Trustees’ Report.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. 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 issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

(b) Funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

(c) Income recognition

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.

For donations to be recognised the charity will have been notified of the amounts and the settlement date in writing. If there are conditions attached to the donation and this requires a level of performance before entitlement can be obtained then income is deferred until those conditions are fully met or the fulfilment of those conditions is within the control of the charity and it is probable that they will be fulfilled.

Donated facilities and donated professional services are recognised in income at their fair value when their economic benefit is probable, it can be measured reliably and the charity has control over the item. Fair value is determined on the basis of the gift to the charity. For example, the amount the charity would be willing to pay in the open market for such facilities and services. A corresponding amount is recognised in expenditure.

No amount is included in the financial statements for volunteer time in line with the SORP. Further detail is given in the Trustees’ Annual Report.

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School Partnerships Alliance

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) for the period ended 31st August 2022

1. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

(d) Expenditure recognition

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as an expense against the activity for which expenditure arose.

(e) Support costs allocation

Support costs are those that assist the work of the charity but do not directly represent charitable activities and include office costs, governance costs, administrative payroll costs. They are incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity and include project management carried out at Headquarters. Where support costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources. The analysis of these costs is included in note 5.

(f) Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost (or deemed cost) or valuation less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Cost includes costs directly attributable to making the asset capable of operating as intended.

Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets, at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value, of each asset on a systematic basis over its expected useful life as follows:

Computer Equipment – 25% straight line

(g) Debtors and creditors receivable/payable within one year

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.

(h) Impairment

Assets not measured at fair value are reviewed for any indication that the asset may be impaired at each balance sheet date. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset, or the asset’s cash generating unit, is estimated and compared to the carrying amount. Where the carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount, an impairment loss is recognised in profit and loss unless the asset is carried at a revalued amount where the impairment loss is a revaluation decrease.

(i) Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the charity has an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount can be reliably estimated.

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School Partnerships Alliance

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) for the period ended 31st August 2022

1. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

(j) Leases

Rentals payable and receivable under operating leases are charged to the SoFA on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

(k) Employee benefits

When employees have rendered service to the charity, short-term employee benefits to which the employees are entitled are recognised at the undiscounted amount expected to be paid in exchange for that service.

The charity operates a defined contribution plan for the benefit of its employees. Contributions are expensed as they become payable.

(l) Tax

The charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes.

(m) Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.

2. Income from donations and legacies

3.

Income from donations and legacies
	2022
	£
Gifts	975
	═════
Charitable activities
	2022
	£
Net transfer in of funds invoiced to schools prior to charitable registration	155,293
	═════

The above relates to funds provided by various organisations in the support of establishing S.P.A. as a CIO.

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School Partnerships Alliance

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) for the period ended 31st August 2022

4. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Partnership promotion and development:

Partnership promotion and development:
	2022
	£
Direct costs:
Wages and salaries	19,154
Consultancy	30,648
Support costs (see note 5)	23,437
	─────
	73,239
	═════

5. Support costs

Support costs
	2022
	£
Governance (see note 6)	13,277
Book-keeping fees	1,142
Insurance	948
IT software and consumables	1,533
Depreciation	205
Travel and entertaining	452
Staff training	400
Recruitment fees	4,469
Other	1,011
	─────
	23,437
	═════

6. Governance costs

Governance costs
	2022
	£
Trustee expenses	120
Independent examiner’s remuneration	1,320
Legal fees	11,837
	─────
	13,277
	═════

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School Partnerships Alliance

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) for the period ended 31st August 2022

7. Trustees’ and key management personnel remuneration

The trustees neither received nor waived any remuneration during the period.

The total amount of employee benefits received by key management personnel is £19,154. The Trust considers its key management personnel comprise the CEO and Board of Trustees.

One trustee was reimbursed for dinner expenses of £120 during the period.

8. Staff costs and employee benefits

Staff costs and employee benefits
	2022	2022
	Number	FTE
Charitable activities	1	1
	═════	═════
The total staff costs and employee benefits were as follows:
		2022
		£
Wages and salaries		18,252
Social security		-
Defined contribution pension costs		902
		─────
		19,154
		═════

No employee received total employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) of more than £60,000.

9. Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
	Computer
	equipment	Total
	£	£
Cost or valuation
Additions	2,464	2,464
	─────	─────
At 31st August 2022	2,464	2,464
	─────	─────
Depreciation
Charge for the period	205	205
	─────	─────
At 31st August 2022	205	205
	─────	─────
Net book value
At 31st August 2022	2,259	2,259
	═════	═════

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School Partnerships Alliance

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) for the period ended 31st August 2022

10. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
	2022
	£
Trade creditors	970
Other tax and social security	997
Accruals and deferred income	3,034
	─────
	5,001
	═════

11. Fund reconciliation

Unrestricted funds

	Unrestricted funds
				Balance at
		Income	Expenditure	31.8.2022
		£	£	£
	Unrestricted general funds	156,268	(73,239)	83,029
		═════	═════	═════
12.	Analysis of net assets between funds
			Unrestricted	Total
			funds	funds
			£	£
	Fixed assets		2,259	2,259
	Cash at bank		85,771	85,771
	Other current assets/liabilities		(5,001)	(5,001)
			─────	─────
	Total		83,029	83,029
			═════	═════

13. Pensions and other post-retirement benefits

The charity operates a defined contribution pension plan for its employees. The amount recognised as an expense in the period was £902.

14. Related party transactions

Three trustees of the charity were employed by three organisations that contributed funds to the charity for original establishment support as detailed in note 3. These funds were at the same level as other contributors.

There were no other related party transactions during the period.

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