Annual Report of the Trustees 2023-24
National Association for Teaching English and Other Community Languages to Adults A Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Registered in England and Wales
Scope of report
This report covers the period from 1 May 2023 to 30 April 2024 .
Organisational details
Charity Registration Number: 1198388 Registered address: NATECLA National Centre South & City College, Hall Green Campus, Cole Bank Road, Birmingham B28 8ES Trustees: Rachel Öner (Co-Chair until 20 January 2024) Greg Dugdale (Co-Chair) Paul Sceeny (Trustee from 13 October 2023; Co-Chair from 20 January 2024) Nafisah Graham-Brown (Treasurer) Mary Osmaston Jenny Roden National Centre Manager: Lisa Thompson (until August 2023) Laura Plotnek-Jones (from September 2023) Bankers: NatWest Bank PLC (Current) Santander Bank PLC (Deposit) Independent Examiner: Kerry Butcher Accountancy Services Exchange House Centre, Exchange House, Attleborough, Norfolk NR17 2AB
NATECLA | natecla.org.uk
Structure, governance and management
Objects
NATECLA is established to advance all aspects of education and training in English for adult speakers of other languages for the public benefit in the United Kingdom. In furtherance of this the CIO will, in particular but not exclusively, provide a professional forum for:
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teachers and those organising provision of English to adult Speakers of Other Languages (hereinafter known as ESOL) resident in the UK
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teachers of community languages
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others concerned with multi-lingual language issues in post-16 education.
Organisational structure
The CIO is governed by an ‘Association model’ Constitution, reflecting its status as a membership organisation.
Management Council
The CIO and its property is managed and administered by the Management Council (MC), comprising the Trustees and other members that have either elected by their respective NATECLA Branch (see ‘Branch activities’) or co-opted to serve on the MC.
Three MC meetings take place over the course of each financial year (usually in September, January and April), with the Annual General Meeting (AGM) normally coinciding with NATECLA’s Annual Conference held in June.
Trustees
The following five Trustees served throughout this period: Greg Dugdale, Nafisah GrahamBrown, Rachel Öner, Mary Osmaston and Jenny Roden.
Paul Sceeny was appointed as an additional Trustee on 13 October 2023.
Co-Chairs
The CIO normally operates with two of the Trustees acting as Co-Chairperson. Greg Dugdale served as Co-Chair throughout this period; Rachel Öner served as Co-Chair until 20 January 2024; Paul Sceeny served as Co-Chair from 20 January 2024 for the remainder of the period.
Ruth Hayman Trust
NATECLA has a long-established relationship with the Ruth Hayman Trust (Charity Registration Number 287268), which awards educational grants to people who have come to settle within the United Kingdom and whose first language is not English. The Ruth Hayman Trust was established in 1983 in memory of Ruth Hayman, a South African lawyer who received a Banning Order for her opposition to apartheid before moving to London and helping to establish NATECLA’s forerunner, the National Association for the Teaching of English as a Second Language to Adults.
The Ruth Hayman Trust receives no direct funding from the CIO, although encourages NATECLA members to support and donate to the Trust where they are in a position to do so.
NATECLA | Annual Report of the Trustees 2023-24 | Page 2
Key activities
Aims, objectives and purposes
NATECLA was established as a forum and professional body for ESOL and community language teachers. The CIO seeks to develop and facilitate a community of practice, as well as to promote and protect the teaching and learning of ESOL and community languages.
NATECLA’s work includes advocating for:
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independence and professionalism in language education
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ESOL and community language practitioners to be supported in their work
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practitioners’ access to high quality and relevant training opportunities
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diversity and multilingualism.
Within the requirements of Charity Law on Political Activity, the CIO campaigns to improve ESOL and community language services, provision and conditions at local, regional and national levels for students and all practitioners.
The CIO seeks to do this by:
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securing funds for the CIO
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offering training, and advice on training, to its members
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making representations concerning the availability of funding on behalf of members and students
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sponsoring and encouraging research in relevant areas
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disseminating new ideas and monitoring new developments in relevant areas
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publishing and making available new materials relevant to the objects of the CIO
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representing the interests and concerns of members on local, regional, national and international bodies
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fostering good inter-community relations and combatting all forms of discrimination
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engaging in any other activity necessary to attain the objects of the charity alone or in co-operation with any other agency, organisation or statutory body.
During this period, the CIO was particularly engaged in organising conferences, webinars, training events and networking meetings. It provided expert advice to government bodies and other agencies, as well as publishing its own part peer-reviewed journal.
Public Benefit
When reviewing NATECLA’s objects, aims and objectives, and when planning its current and future activities, the Trustees are required to have regard the Charity Commission’s guidance on Public Benefit, in particular requirements set out in PB1 (the Public Benefit) and PB2 (Running a Charity).
They confirm that they have complied with the requirements of Section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 in having due regard to the above Public Benefit guidance. The achievements and activities outlined in this report demonstrate the Public Benefit arising from the CIO’s activities.
Events and conferences
NATECLA’s Annual Conference is the CIO’s largest undertaking each year, held over two days at the end of June. The 2023 Conference had 222 attendees and included 38 workshops.
The latter part of this period included much of the preparation work for the 2024 Conference.
An Events Sub-Committee oversees the organisation of all events.
NATECLA | Annual Report of the Trustees 2023-24 | Page 3
Other notable conferences and events that took place during this period included:
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NATECLA Scotland Conference.
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NATECLA East of England Conference.
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(in partnership with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority).
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NATECLA Island of Ireland Showcase Evening.
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NATECLA Cymru WSOLE (Welsh for Speakers of Other Languages other than English) information event.
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Four ESOL Research Community events.
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Thress ESOL Managers’ Network events.
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Four NATECLA Scotland Teacher Training Toolkit (TTT) events, with topics including
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Dyslexia in the ESOL Classroom
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Self-Expression.
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Thirteen Branch Forum events, with topics including:
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Access to Higher Education for Migrants
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Issues and opportunities for ESOL learners.
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Eight webinars, with topics including:
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Bias, Belonging and ESOL
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AI for ESOL
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Maths and ESOL.
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NATECLA was also an organising partner for the Learning & Work Institute’s Annual Maths, English and ESOL Conference held on 9 November 2023, along with the University College London Institute of Education (UCL-IoE), Research and Practice in Adult Literacies (RaPAL) and the University and College Union (UCU).
Training and consultancy
NATECLA offers bespoke training and consultancy services to a range of organisations, including:
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further education colleges
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adult and community education services
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independent training providers.
Whilst these services are tailored to the specific needs of the organisations and individuals seeking the CIO’s support, in all cases they are designed to support teachers and managers in the teaching of ESOL and/or other community languages.
This period saw a continued growth in training enquiries, with approximately 30 sessions delivered (either online or face-to-face). The total income from this activity was £14,434.
Professional exchange
ESOL Research Community
Practitioner-led ESOL research is key to informing ESOL practice and developing CPD. Four Research Community events were held during this period. Topics included Impact of Trauma in the ESOL Classroom and ESOL Practitioners as Researchers.
ESOL Managers’ Network
As well as facilitating peer-to-peer networking and support, the Managers’ Network is also intended to help strengthen NATECLA’s institutional relationships with Further Education colleges and other significant ESOL provider organisations.
Three Network meetings took place during this period (in June 2023, November 2023 and February 2024), with topics including inspection, teacher education and policy developments within England.
NATECLA | Annual Report of the Trustees 2023-24 | Page 4
In between Network meetings, ESOL managers are also able to keep in touch and seek peer-topeer support through a dedicated WhatsApp group.
Advocacy
NATECLA’s Policy Group continued to monitor the ESOL policy landscape across each of the jurisdictions in which the CIO operates, responding to consultations and seeking opportunities to engage with policymakers.
The CIO remained an active member of the Skills for Life Alliance, an umbrella group campaigning for a coherent strategy within England to improve adults’ literacy, numeracy, ESOL and digital skills. Other members of the Alliance include the Learning & Work Institute, Association of Colleges (AoC), Education & Training Foundation (ETF), Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) and HOLEX. The CIO also met with representatives of The Bell Foundation’s ESOL Programme to discuss areas of common interest and possible collaboration, in particular on the topic of the ESOL curriculum and qualifications.
NATECLA’s London Branch continued to engage with the Greater London Authority (GLA), to whom responsibility for adult education policy and funding within London is devolved.
NATECLA’s Island of Ireland Branch continued to monitor developments with the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy (DfE NI) as it reviewed the scope and extent of current ESOL provision within Northern Ireland.
NATECLA’s Scotland Branch took the lead in monitoring policy developments in Scotland, especially the impact of the Scottish Government’s decision in 2020 to subsume its previously bespoke ESOL policy into a broader strategy covering all aspects of adult learning.
NATECLA’s newly established Cymru/Wales Branch began to engage with the Welsh Government as it continued to review its ESOL Policy for Wales.
Language Issues: The ESOL Journal
NATECLA publishes a twice-yearly, part peer-reviewed, journal that shares experiences of ESOL and community language teaching, training and management, as well as disseminating research and ideas relating to language, political and social issues. Language Issues especially seeks to explore the relationship between academic research and classroom practice, providing an invaluable resource for teachers, students, researchers and policymakers.
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All members of the CIO receive free access to Language Issues via an online platform; it is also made available to libraries and non-members are able to purchase subscription-based access. ● Issue 34.1 of Language Issues was published in June 2023
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Issue 34.2 of Language Issues was published in January 2024.
The Language Issues blog also enables members and the ESOL community to comment and reflect on current events and issues relevant to ESOL populations. Blog pieces published during this period included covered subjects including sustainability, minorities in Ireland and reflections on NATECLA’s Annual Conference.
National Centre
The National Centre manages NATECLA’s day-to-day administration. At the end of this period it consisted of two staff members (a part-time National Centre Manager, and full-time Assistant National Co-ordinator). Both roles are based at complimentary office accommodation within the Hall Green campus of South & City College, Birmingham.
NATECLA | Annual Report of the Trustees 2023-24 | Page 5
After several years of working for NATECLA, Lisa Thompson stepped down as National Centre during the summer of 2023. She was replaced by Laura Plotnek-Jones from 1 September 2023.
Following a review of National Centre job roles during 2022-23 (which included an expansion and redesignation of the National Centre Manager role), Irene Ostos was also recruited as an additional part-time Assistant National Co-ordinator in September 2023. This post was subsequently redesignated as a full-time post after Fatima Bibi resigned from the other Assistant National Co-ordinator post in October 2023.
Organising and holding the CIO’s 2023 Annual Conference was a major focus of National Centre activity during the first part of this period, whereas preparing and securing sponsorship for the 2024 Conference was the key focus during the latter part of the period. Other significant activities included supporting webinars, branch conferences and other events/forums. The National Centre was also responsible for producing a monthly members’ newsletter.
The National Centre secured approximately £5,000 in sponsorship income during this period.
Membership
Membership subscriptions is by far the largest source of income for the CIO, bringing in just over £26,000 during this period. A decrease in individual NATECLA members continued from the previous reporting period, although this was counterbalanced by an increase in institutional membership. Institutional member organisations are entitled to up to five member-rate delegate places (two places, in the case of small institutions) at NATECLA events and conferences, as well as discounted access to NATECLA’s bespoke training services.
It should also be noted there was a significant increase in individual membership during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many institutions scaled back their ESOL provision, although this pattern would now appear to have reversed.
Branch activities
All members of NATECLA are automatically members of their local branch. At the end of this period NATECLA had nine active branches, covering:
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East of England
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English Midlands
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London
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North West England
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South West England
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Yorkshire and Humber
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Island of Ireland
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Scotland
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Cymru/Wales.
All individual and institutional members based within these areas are automatically members of their respective branch. Branch activities typically include regional and local events/forums, webinars and conferences that seek to bring together NATECLA members and others with related interests.
The Trustees and National Centre worked with members to activate two new branches during this period: Cymru/Wales in September 2023 and South West England in March 2024.
They also continue to encourage the activation of branches in the remaining regions of England (i.e. North East and South East).
NATECLA | Annual Report of the Trustees 2023-24 | Page 6
Financial review
A full set of accounts for the period covered by this report have been presented for independent examination. For details, please see Appendix I .
Summary of financial position
Total Income for period: £112,751 Total Expenditure for period: £101,535 Net Income/(Expenditure) for period: £11,210
NATECLA has had another highly successful year due to a very successful conference in 2023 and continued success with its training and CPD offer. The growth is directly a result of previous efforts in developing our CPD training offer, bespoke for colleges and the reputation we built in delivering online training and webinars over the pandemic period.
Our income has increased to £112,751, a year-on-year increase of £26,467 compared to 2022-23, in which we recorded an income of £86,284. Expenditure for 2023-24 rose proportionately to £101,535, making a surplus of £11,216 for the year.
Overall income was maintained and losses reduced thanks to: a highly successful annual conference with increased delegate income (up £5,912, excluding sponsorships); incremental membership growth; increased sponsorship income of over £5,000 year-on-year across conferences, webinars, and partnerships; and training and consultancy income of £14,434, a significant increase of 64% year-on-year.
Income from the 2023 Annual Conference was the highest Annual Conference income in recent years, beating previous pre- and post- pandemic records. The CIO brought in £39,567 for the year and the growth in sponsorship income can also be attributed to the conference.
Reserves policy
NATECLA’s Management Council agreed at its July 2020 meeting that it would aim to maintain reserves equivalent to nine months’ operating costs. This is to ensure the CIO would be able to meet its essential costs (most notably salaries) in the event of a period of reduced income and/or an unexpected event that prevented its training or conference events from taking place.
Reserves held in the Deposit Account as of 30 April 2024 were £31,921, representing eight and half months of operating costs.
NATECLA | Annual Report of the Trustees 2023-24 | Page 7
Declarations
The current (as of February 2025) Trustees declare that they have approved the 2023-24 report above.
________ Naeema Hann (Co-Chair)
_____ Paul Sceeny (Co-Chair) _____ Nafisah Graham-Brown (Treasurer)
_____ Rachel Öner _____ Mary Osmaston ________ Jenny Roden
14 February 2025
NATECLA | Annual Report of the Trustees 2023-24 | Page 8
Appendix I Accounts for the period ended 30 April 2024
A full set of independently examined financial accounts for the CIO can be found on the following pages.
NATECLA | Annual Report of the Trustees 2023-24 | Page 9
NATECLA Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Charity Number 1198388
Report to the Trustees/Members of NATECLA on the Accounts for the year ended 30 April 2024
I am reporting on the accounts of the National Association For Teaching English & Other Community Languages Charitable Incorporated Organisation for the year ended 30 April 2024 which are set out on the following pages.
Responsibilities and basis of report
The trustees 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 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 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 to in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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accounting records have not been kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed .....Kerry Butcher Accountancy Services........... Dated 11 June 2024
Kerry Butcher Accountancy Services Exchange House Centre Exchange House Attleborough Norfolk NR17 2AB
National Association for Teaching English & other Community Languages to Adults
Income and Expenditure Account For the Year 1 May 2023 to 30 April 2024
| Income National Conference Income Membership Subscriptions Sponsorship Income Training Language Issues Consultancy Webinars Regional Events Interest Received Expenditure National Conference Expenditure Membership Expenses Consultancy Expenses Language Issues Webinar Expenditure Training Regional Events National Centre Expenditure: Salaries Accountancy Fees Website Expenditure Telephone Insurance Postage and Software Travel and Subsistence Bank Charges, Paypal, Stripe Fees Net Income/(Expenditure) Account balances brought forward Cash and Bank Balances C/F Represented by: NatWest Account NatWest - New Account Santander Deposit Account PayPal Account Stripe Account |
£ £ 39,567 26,036 24,220 14,434 2,619 850 2,885 1,830 310 112,751 24,775 150 - 3,355 820 13,141 1,055 43,921 2,695 5,770 598 786 1,584 2,078 807 101,535 11,216 60,808 72,024 23,273 13,708 31,921 39 3,083 72,024 Totals 1 May 23 to 30 April 24 |
£ £ 22,456 25,805 19,012 8,761 140 990 6,257 2,772 91 86,284 20,461 415 352 3,771 829 6,743 1,159 37,484 1,958 2,887 271 337 - - 702 77,369 8,915 51,893 60,808 28,095 - 31,611 218 884 60,808 Totals 1 May 22 to 30 April 23 |
£ £ 22,456 25,805 19,012 8,761 140 990 6,257 2,772 91 86,284 20,461 415 352 3,771 829 6,743 1,159 37,484 1,958 2,887 271 337 - - 702 77,369 8,915 51,893 60,808 28,095 - 31,611 218 884 60,808 Totals 1 May 22 to 30 April 23 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 86,284 77,369 |
|||
| 8,915 51,893 |
|||
| 60,808 | |||
| 28,095 - 31,611 218 884 |
|||
| 60,808 |
Approved by: …................................................................ The Trustees Rachel Oner - Chair
…................................................................ Paul Sceeny …................................................................ Greg Dugdale …................................................................ Nafisah Graham-Brown - Treasurer …................................................................ Mary Ormaston …................................................................ Jenny Roden
…................................................................
28th June 2024
Dated
National Association for Teaching English & other Community Languages to Adults
Income and Expenditure Breakdown for the Year From 1 May 2023 to 30 April 2024
| National Conference Membership Sponsorship Consultancy Language Issues Training Webinars Regional Events Bank Interest Received and Charges National Centre Exenditure Salaries National Centre Expenses Total Income less Total Expenditure Funds/Profit brought forward at 1 May 2023 Less Net Income/(Expenditure) for Period Profit/Funds available at 30 April 2024 Made up of: NatWest Account NatWest New Account Santander Deposit Account PayPal Account Stripe Account |
Income £ 39,567 26,036 24,220 850 2,619 14,434 2,885 1,830 310 112,751 112,751 |
Expenditure £ 24,775 150 - - 3,355 13,141 820 1,055 807 44,103 43,921 13,511 57,432 101,535 |
Variance £ 14,792 25,886 24,220 850 (736) 1,293 2,065 775 (497) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 68,648 (43,921) (13,511) |
|||
| (57,432) | |||
| 11,216 | |||
| 60,808 11,216 |
|||
| 72,024 | |||
| 23,273 13,708 31,921 39 3,083 |
|||
| 72,024 |
National Association for Teaching English & other Community Languages to Adults
Charitable Incorporated Organisation Number 1198388
Income and Expenditure Account For the Year 1 May 2023 to 30 April 2024
| Income National Conference Income Membership Subscriptions Sponsorship Income Consultancy Training Language Issues Webinars Regional events Interest Received Expenditure National Conference Expenditure Membership Expenses Language Issues Webinar Expenditure Regional Events Consultancy Training National Centre Expenditure: Salaries National Centre Admin Expenses Bank Charges, Paypal, Stripe Fees Net Income/(Expenditure) Account balances brought forward Cash and Bank Balances C/F Represented by: NatWest Account NatWest New Account Santander Deposit Account PayPal Account Stripe Account |
£ 353 - 480 450 - - 3,022 10,276 3,833 204 1 Feb 24 t |
£ 20,386 3,749 - - 3,438 119 760 65 83 28,600 18,618 9,982 62,042 72,024 23,273 13,708 31,921 39 3,083 72,024 o 30 April 24 |
£ 148 150 2,620 200 1,055 - 4,633 10,867 6,844 131 1 Nov 23 |
£ 185 8,043 2,200 850 6,829 1,020 1,590 665 84 21,466 26,648 (5,182) 67,224 62,042 25,155 3,998 31,921 291 760 62,125 to 31 Jan 24 |
£ 76 - 15 170 - - 1,679 10,682 1,537 172 1 Aug 23 t |
£ 109 11,690 8,385 - 900 130 360 1,090 82 22,746 14,331 8,415 58,809 67,224 34,667 - 31,754 120 682 67,224 o 31 Oct 23 |
£ 24,198 240 - - - 3,807 12,096 1,298 300 1 May 23 |
£ 18,887 2,554 13,635 - 3,267 1,350 175 10 61 39,939 41,938 (1,999) 60,808 58,809 26,546 - 31,672 85 506 58,809 to 31 Jul 23 |
£ £ 39,567 26,036 24,220 850 14,434 2,619 2,885 1,830 310 112,751 24,775 150 3,355 820 1,055 - 13,141 - 43,921 13,512 807 101,535 11,216 60,808 72,024 23,273 13,708 31,921 39 3,083 72,024 Totals 1 May 23 to 30 April 24 |
£ £ 39,567 26,036 24,220 850 14,434 2,619 2,885 1,830 310 112,751 24,775 150 3,355 820 1,055 - 13,141 - 43,921 13,512 807 101,535 11,216 60,808 72,024 23,273 13,708 31,921 39 3,083 72,024 Totals 1 May 23 to 30 April 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 112,751 | ||||||||||
| 101,535 | ||||||||||
| 11,216 60,808 |
||||||||||
| 72,024 | ||||||||||
| 23,273 13,708 31,921 39 3,083 |
||||||||||
| 72,024 |
National Association for Teaching English & Other Community Languages to Adults
Charitable Incorporated Organisation Number 1198388
Balance Sheet as at 30 April 2024
----- Start of picture text -----
30 April 2024 30 April 2023
£ £ £ £
Current Assets
NatWest Current Account 23,273 28,095
-
NatWest Current Account (New) 13,708
Santander Deposit Account 31,921 31,611
PayPal Account 39 218
Stripe Account 3,083 884
72,024 60,808
Net Assets 72,024 60,808
Aggregate Profit brought forward 60,808 51,893
Add Net Profit/(loss) for the year 11,216 8,915
Aggregate Profit carried forward 72,024 60,808
Approved by:
The Trustees
…................................................................
Rachel Oner - Chair
…................................................................
Paul Sceeny
…................................................................
Greg Dugdale
…............................................................;
Nafisah Graham-Brown - Treasurer
…................................................................
Mary Ormaston
…................................................................
Jenny Roden
----- End of picture text -----
…................................................................
28th June 2024
Dated