Charity registration number: 1196215
School Partnerships Alliance
Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the year ended
31st August 2024
Wenn Townsend
Chartered Accountants
Oxford
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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 |
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School Partnerships Alliance
Charity Reference and Administrative Details for the year ended 31st August 2024
| Charity registration number: | 1196215 |
|---|---|
| Trustees: | T J M Arbuthnott |
| S E Butterworth | |
| J Dhesi | |
| S K Lester | |
| N A Mattin | |
| J L Robinson | |
| N L Winkley | |
| CEO: | O Blond |
| Registered office: | c/o McCarthy Denning |
| 70 Mark Lane | |
| London | |
| EC3R 7NQ | |
| 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 year ended 31st August 2024
The Trustees present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st August 2024. The T rustees 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 year and since the period end were as follows:
T J M Arbuthnott S E Butterworth J Dhesi S K Lester (appointed 7[th] December 2023) N A Mattin J L Robinson N L Winkley
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 building membership, developing research papers, running events and conferences, establishing its strategic and operational priorities, and building the capacity of it operational team. It established six core principles to work to:
| Empower | To give partnership work the profile it deserves through a dedicated membership-led charity To recognise and celebrate that schools in both sectors have much to give and things to learn |
|---|---|
| Research | To provide a structured and research-led approach to understanding the benefits of cross- sector partnership |
| Train | To offer training, development and networking opportunities for partnership leads |
| Innovate | To develop, share and trial new approaches that will allow more schools and young people to benefit |
| Lobby | To develop positive and effective relationships with the DfE and other bodies and organisations to support partnership work going on across the schools sector |
| Develop | To ensure that all schools, regardless of location, type and size, 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 in place which will focus on practical support, peer to peer exchange, development opportunities and training courses. In addition, S.P.A. has created an Innovation Hub, which brings practitioners and experts from across the country together to tackle shared partnership issues, and create shared solutions.
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School Partnerships Alliance
Trustees Annual Report (continued) for the year ended 31st August 2024
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.
Achievements and performance During this time key milestones included:
| Month | Key milestones |
|---|---|
| September 2023 | Appointment of new CEO |
| October 2023 | Attendance at HMC Conference Attendance at OPEN Learning Partnership STEM project Champions Meeting S.P.A Meet-Up - South CPD session |
| November 2023 | Inaugural annual conference at Sevenoaks schools Keynote address at the Independent Schools Conference ASCL Powerful Partnerships Webinar Executive team visit to KCS, Wimbledon Address at the ICE conference Webinar on Innovation and Creativity |
| December 2023 | Civitas Evidence Session: Commission on the Future for Independent Schools |
| January 2024 | Presentation at GDST’s Celebration of Partnerships Conference Joins HMC’s Public Benefit and Partnerships Committee Webinar on TPI-SPApartneringtools |
| February 2024 | Presentation at the IDPE Partnerships and Bursaries Conference HMC Public Benefit Partnership Committee New to Partnerships CPD Impact Evaluation Webinar Executive School Visits Innovation Hub 2 launched |
| March 2024 | Executive School Visits Champions Roundtable |
| April 2024 | Innovation Hub Development Launch of State School Forum Partnerships in Action visit SPE conference |
| May 2024 | DEIB webinar with Hannah Wilson Cross-sector PartnershipCPD session |
| June 2024 | S.P.A. Meet Up - North Innovation Hub Meeting Deep Dive Round Table New Champions Joined Speaking at ASCL IDPE webinar Champion Schools Round Table S.P.A./IDPE Webinar CLSG Leadership Day Partnership Event SPA at Latymer Upper celebration ofpartnerships |
| August 2024 | Membership grew to 250 members |
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School Partnerships Alliance
Trustees Annual Report (continued) for the year ended 31st August 2024
Financial review (including reserves policy)
The results for the year are shown on page 6, which show a surplus of £17,900 (2023: deficit of £38,634) for the year. As at 31st August 2024 the charity had net assets of £62,295 including cash at bank held of £61,283.
The Trustees intend to hold sufficient general reserves to support between 2-3 months of core operating costs at each year end, which is currently estimated to be circa £20,000 to £30,000. Free reserves held at 31st August 2024 were c£61,000, which is deemed to be in line with this policy particularly given that the charity is in its formative years.
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 Finance and Resources Committee (incorporating responsibility for Audit and Risk) and a Nominations and Successions Committee have been established, which meet in between Trustee meetings, with any recommendations discussed and approved at a full Trustee meeting.
Trustee meetings are held in person and online.
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
…………………………. …………………………. T J M Arbuthnott S E Butterworth Trustee Trustee
19[th] November 2024
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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 year ended 31st August 2024 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:
-
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
-
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
19[th] November 2024
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School Partnerships Alliance
Statement of Financial Activities
for the year ended 31st August 2024
| Note | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Income and endowments from: | |||
| Charitable activities | 2 | 149,929 | 142,571 |
| ───── | ───── | ||
| Total income and endowments | 149,929 | 142,571 | |
| ───── | ───── | ||
| Expenditure on: | |||
| Charitable activities | 3 | (132,029) | (181,205) |
| ───── | ───── | ||
| Total expenditure | (132,029) | (181,205) | |
| ───── | ───── | ||
| Net income/(expenditure) | 17,900 | (38,634) | |
| Transfers between funds | - | - | |
| ───── | ───── | ||
| Net movement in funds | 10 | 17,900 | (38,634) |
| Reconciliation of funds: | |||
| Total funds brought forward | 10 | 44,395 | 83,029 |
| ───── | ───── | ||
| Total funds carried forward | 10 | 62,295 | 44,395 |
| ═════ | ═════ |
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities
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School Partnerships Alliance
Balance Sheet as at 31st August 2024
| Note | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Fixed assets | |||
| Tangible assets | 8 | 1,027 | 1,643 |
| Current assets | |||
| Debtors–accounts receivable | 17,590 | 5,310 | |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 61,283 | 51,003 | |
| ───── | ───── | ||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | 9 | (17,605) | (13,561) |
| ───── | ───── | ||
| Net current assets | 61,268 | 42,752 | |
| ───── | ───── | ||
| Total assets less current liabilities | 62,295 | 44,395 | |
| ───── | ───── | ||
| Net assets | 62,295 | 44,395 | |
| ═════ | ═════ | ||
| Charity funds | |||
| Unrestricted funds | 10 | 62,295 | 44,395 |
| ───── | ───── | ||
| Total charity funds | 62,295 | 44,395 | |
| ═════ | ═════ |
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 19[th] November 2024
Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees
…………………………. …………………………. T J M Arbuthnott S E Butterworth 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 year ended 31st August 2024
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 year ended 31st August 2024
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.
(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.
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School Partnerships Alliance
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) for the year ended 31st August 2024
1. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(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. Charitable activities
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Champions Programme | 134,150 | 135,135 |
| Membership | 15,779 | 7,316 |
| Other | - | 120 |
| ───── | ───── | |
| 149,929 | 142,571 | |
| ═════ | ═════ |
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School Partnerships Alliance
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) for the year ended 31st August 2024
3. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities
Partnership promotion and development:
| Partnership promotion and development: | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Direct costs: | ||
| Wages and salaries | 88,681 | 60,846 |
| Consultancy and professional fees | 11,968 | 94,975 |
| Other direct costs | 1,066 | 3,768 |
| Support costs (see note 4) | 30,314 | 21,616 |
| ───── | ───── | |
| 132,029 | 181,205 | |
| ═════ | ═════ | |
| Support costs | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Admin support | 17,233 | 6,994 |
| Governance (see note 5) | 1,500 | 1,380 |
| Book-keeping fees | 3,533 | 3,315 |
| Insurance | 1,045 | 975 |
| IT software and consumables | 3,624 | 5,770 |
| Depreciation | 616 | 616 |
| Travel and entertaining | 2,338 | 1,425 |
| Other | 425 | 1,141 |
| ───── | ───── | |
| 30,314 | 21,616 | |
| ═════ | ═════ | |
| Governance costs | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Trustee expenses | - | - |
| Independent examiner’s remuneration | 1,500 | 1,380 |
| ───── | ───── | |
| 1,500 | 1,380 | |
| ═════ | ═════ |
4. Support costs
5.
6. Trustees’ and key management personnel remuneration
The Trustees neither received nor waived any remuneration during the year (2023: None).
The total amount of employee benefits received by key management personnel is £59,232 (2023: £26,379). The Trust considers its key management personnel comprise the CEO and Board of Trustees.
No Trustee expenses were reimbursed (2023: £Nil) during the year.
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School Partnerships Alliance
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) for the year ended 31st August 2024
7. Staff costs and employee benefits
| 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | FTE | Number | FTE | |
| Charitable activities | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | |
| The total staff costs and employee benefits were as follows: | ||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Wages and salaries | 81,280 | 53,830 | ||
| Social security | 5,345 | 5,564 | ||
| Defined contribution pension costs | 2,056 | 1,452 | ||
| ───── | ───── | |||
| 88,681 | 60,846 | |||
| ═════ | ═════ |
No employee received total employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) of more than £60,000 (2023: None).
8. Tangible fixed assets
| 8. | Tangible fixed assets | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer | |||
| equipment | Total | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Cost or valuation | |||
| At 31st August 2023 and 31st August 2024 | 2,464 | 2,464 | |
| ───── | ───── | ||
| Depreciation | |||
| At 31st August 2023 | 821 | 821 | |
| Charge for the year | 616 | 616 | |
| ───── | ───── | ||
| At 31st August 2024 | 1,437 | 1,437 | |
| ───── | ───── | ||
| Net book value | |||
| At 31st August 2023 | 1,643 | 1,643 | |
| ═════ | ═════ | ||
| At 31st August 2024 | 1,027 | 1,027 | |
| ═════ | ═════ | ||
| 9. | Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Trade creditors | 1,752 | 4,219 | |
| Other tax and social security | 2,089 | 1,046 | |
| Accruals and deferred income | 13,764 | 8,296 | |
| ───── | ───── | ||
| 17,605 | 13,561 | ||
| ═════ | ═════ |
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School Partnerships Alliance
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) for the year ended 31st August 2024
10. Fund reconciliation
Unrestricted funds
| Unrestricted funds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at | Balance at | ||||
| 31.8.2023 | Income | Expenditure | 31.8.2024 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted general funds | 44,395 | 149,929 | (132,029) | 62,295 | |
| ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | ||
| Balance at | Balance at | ||||
| 31.8.2022 | Income | Expenditure | 31.8.2023 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted general funds | 83,029 | 142,571 | (181,205) | 44,395 | |
| ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | ||
| 11. | Analysis of net assets between funds | ||||
| Unrestricted | Total | ||||
| 2024 | funds | funds | |||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Fixed assets | 1,027 | 1,027 | |||
| Cash at bank | 61,283 | 61,283 | |||
| Other current assets/liabilities | (15) | (15) | |||
| ───── | ───── | ||||
| Total | 62,295 | 62,295 | |||
| ═════ | ═════ | ||||
| Unrestricted | Total | ||||
| funds | funds | ||||
| 2023 | £ | £ | |||
| Fixed assets | 1,643 | 1,643 | |||
| Cash at bank | 51,003 | 51,003 | |||
| Other current assets/liabilities | (8,251) | (8,251) | |||
| ───── | ───── | ||||
| Total | 44,395 | 44,395 | |||
| ═════ | ═════ |
12. 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 year was £2,056 (2023: £1,452).
13. Related party transactions
Four Trustees of the charity were employed by four organisations that contributed funds to the charity as donors to the Champions programme. These funds were at the same level as other Champion contributors. Trustees are content that there are no conflicts of interest in these donations.
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