Trustees. Annual Report for the period
Period start date
Day
Month Year
Period end date
Day
Month
01
2022
02
2024
From
To
Section A
Reference and administration details
Charity nam•
Aspire2
Othor names charity is known by
Reglstered charity number (rf any)
1200410
Charitys principal address
clo Aspire2
Blagdon Nursery School
Blagdon Road, Reading. Berkshire.
RG2 7NT
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
Datès actèd if not for whole
ar
Trustee name
QFfic¢ lif any)
Name of person lor bodyl entitled
toa
oint trus
ee
Ifan
Charlie Clare
Chair
David Shepherd
Martin Salter
Louise Harris
Jacky Steele
Janet Gavin
Vice chair
Funding
Resigned
Frances Lancaster
Molli Cleaver
Talia Hickey
Amitava Mukherjee
10
ResTrgned
Section B
Structure,
overnance and mana
ement
Description of the charitys trusts
Type of goveming document
How the charity is constituted
We are a CIO. Charitable incorporated Organisation, oij
changed on the 1st September 2022. We have maintai
Partnership relationships and Trustee Management Bo
from South Reading School goveming bodies. Head Te
other local Education agencies and professionals work"
area.
status
dour
td elected
chers and
in the
mber 2022

Trust
e selection methods
Elected annually at the AGM, or the first Management Meeting
following the AGM.
Additional ghvernance issues (Optional infornk*ion)
Procedures for the induction and training of new
trustees.
You may choose lo include
additional information, where
relgvant. a
policies a
procedures
adopl8d for the induction and
training of Itrustees-
the Ghari
$ organisational
structure gnd any wider
network
which the charity
works..
relationsh
parties,.
trustees,
major risk
and pro
them.
All Trustees are DBS checked. We have a Safe guarding
policy in place. vthich is reviewed annually and an induction
pack for new trustees, our clerk undertakes a 1:2.'1 meeting
with new trustees to provide an overview of the charity. our
key aims and ethos. Provision of the Charity Commission
ljooklet The Essential Trustee. is also handed over.
with any related
Asplre2 Organlsatlonal structure:
sideration of
nd the system
res to manage
Management committee - comprising of all Trustees.
Partnership committee- formed of all Trustees and non-
trustees (Partners). who wish to support the charity for
specific programmeslevents. or who may not yet wish to
become a full trustee.
The charity through our manager works ck)s81y in partnership
with the Whitley Excellence Cluster {WEC). The Treasurer.
Chair and Vice Chair of Aspire2 have no links with WEC and
any conflict of interest is declared at the beginning of each
meeting and Trustees leave the meeting as appropriate.
Relatsd parties:
Whitle
Excellence Cluster- collalx)ration of the schools
based in Whitley Ward. South Reading, managed by a
Partnet5hip of the head teachers and a project manager.
Readin
Borou
h Council, Aspire2 works with offi￿rS
based in South Reading, to ensure a holistic programme of
suprK)rt for our school holiday programme and links in to
other communrty activities.
Major risks:
Any risk arising from a conflict of interest be￿een Aspire2
and WEC is mitigated by our management procedures- i.e.
two signatories needed for approval of any expenditure, from
either the Chair, Treasurer or VI￿ Chair. All bids submitted
have to be agreed at a Partnershipltrustee meeting, trustees
are our only mandated signatories.
All of our Trustees and Partners are volunteers, and by
linking with other organisations. such as WEC and the
local authority, we are able to ensure that the
rammes we su
rt link in with other initiatives,
Decernb8r 2022

thereby maximising benefrt for the comm
than being 'standalone'.
, ity, rather
Our young people are our future, and bei
from an
area of high economic and social deprivatipn, it is
essential that their life aspirations are raised, so that
Ihey are able to secure employment and trwome good
parents. We also woth closely with our community to
ensure that their views infonn our fund-ra
ing
programme.
We have financial and budgetary reports prepared and
presented by our Treasurer at each bi-monthly
meeting, these enable us to evaluate and lan future
activiiies, whilst monitoring the cost of p
rammes to
budgets and the benefrts accrued. Beca
se the funds
secured are usually for specific projects, a
' d therefore
restricted. we do not hold la
e reserves.
Section C
Ob'ectives and activities
In Partnership with local schools and organisations, we ￿Und and
facilitate the provision of enrichment activities and othel programs
aimed at developing Ihe skills and capacity of membe
of the
community so that they aspire to having a greater stak
in society
through improved education. choi￿. opportunity and
allenge.
Summary of the objects of the
charity set out in its
governing document
mbtsr 2022

Aspire2 was established in 2007. in order to support activities for
families whose children attend the Whttley cluster of schools and
for those living in the South Reading community.
In planning our activities year on year, we keep in mind the Charity
Commission's guidance on public benefit, and this underpins the
decisions taken at Partnership meetings regarding which activities
we will support.
This is ourfirsl year as a CIO. Charitable Incorporated
Organisation converting on the 151 September 2022 and as a result
our first year has run for 18th months to the end of February 2024.
Our focus is unchanged and remains on the development of the
personal skills and aspirations of the children, young people and
the wder community of SoLrth Reading.
We continue to lease our 2,17-seater minibuses and the 5 year
period whilst very successful helping support our stakeholder
schools. we are approaching the final year and decisions will need
to be made whether we renew the lease or start a new lease and
gain financially support from financial sponsor, The John Sykes
Foundation.
Summary
activities u
public bene
these obje
this section
declaration
had regard
issued by t
Cornmissio
benefil)
he main
ertaken for the
IP in relation to
{include within
e statutory
hat trustees have
the guidance
Charity
on public
The minibuses have allowed us to offer free use of the buses and
this has given the schools opportunities to make more frequent
visits to local Berkshire events and educationallfun centres, so this
lease is very important to us and we wtll do all we can to renew.
We have been able to offer a variety of exlra-curricular enrichment
activities including weekly early years music lessons, podcast
recording sessions, competttions at Reading university for all Key
Stage pupils (KS1 and above), a visit for all year 5 pupils to
Reading university. workshops at an animal reservation, days at an
outdoor education ￿ntre. and work with a selection of Reading's
arts groups in preparation for our Camival'23
We have no barriers to age, fatth. gender or personal
circumstances. our programmes are open to all - the only proviso
being saf4uarding, so the requirement for DBS clearance (for
those helping) and the preparation of full risk assessments are built
into all of our programmes.
Aspire2 Partnerships
Daily use of the Aspire2 minibuses
University of Reading where we hold a Year 5 pupils Open
day and our Poetry and Public Speaking competitions.
Beale Park where we have funded workshops
Berkshire Maestros who we've funded to provide an Early
Years music
ecl.
December 2022

The Rock Academy Foundation who we've fun
"lock-down- podcasts
Beautrful Creatures Theatre who weve funded t
direction to our Camival .23
David Jones Co
to make
provide
The Earley Charity
We remain extremely grateful to the ongoing financial
the Eadey Charity and the grants they award. which a
instrumental in helping us to delivery enrichment activi
children in Whitley. Their continued involvement is mu
appreciated.
, pport of
sfor
John Sykes Foundation
Aspire2's partnership with the John Sykes Foundation
has opened up Ihe widerworld for Whitley children. Th
funding towards our minibus leases has enabled us to
providing transport for all Whttley schools for a total of
We have already seen a huge demand for the minibuse
children can go on trips ar)d adventures that othernise
financially unachievable.
ally
ir generous
mmitto
e years.
meaning
uld be
This project has already made a fundamental differen
Whitley children and we are very grateful for the freedo
offers them.
The National Foundation - Youth Music
Aspire2 is delighted to be a funded partner of Youth Mu
supported by the Arts Council and the National Lottery.
funding is key to our Early Years Music project, and h
us to launch this 2-year project across all nursery settin
the ￿MmunIty. Embedding music at an earty age will
deliver long temi benefils in many areas of learning for
in Whitley.
enabled
sandin
11 children
BCF
Funding from the Berf(shire Community Foundation has
towards our Early Years Music project and has enable
this project to support more children.
We are looking forward to building on our relationship
future years.
contributed
ius to grow
h8CFin
Reading Borough Council
Over the last year Aspire2 has built relationships with 4
different departments in the council, and has benefitedl
funding towards project and core costs.
We are continuin
to stren
then and build on this relat
veral
rom council
shi
and
trmber 2022

are grateful for the ongoing support we re￿1ve from across the
council.
Reading Voluntary Action
RVA continue to offer Aspire2 advi￿ and support in many aspects
of running the charity, and their help is very much appreciated.
WCDA
We work closely with the Whitley Community Development
Association to deliver our projects with the people of Whitley, and
in association wtth the local community. By working in and wtth the
community, rather than delivering to or for them, we are able to
ensure that our projects are well received and deliver strong impact
for our beneficiaries.
The CEP
The Reading Cultural Education Partnership supports Aspire2 by
providing links to arts organisations, enrichment opportunities and
tal advice and support. We are grateful to the CEP for inviting
Aspire2 into their community.
Leighton Park School
We have developed a strong relationship with Leighton Park, and
very much appreciate their support in offering sporting, cultural and
artistic opportunities to pupils in our Whilley schools.
Wellington College
We were delighled to have a gained support in this period from
Wellin
on Colle
December 2022

Section D
Achievements and performance
Summary of the
main
achievements of
the charity during
the year
We remain focused on fundraising, bLrt the economic climate is stil
very difficult. This year has proved more so as we lost our prima
and manager.
roving
ndraiser
Minibuses
Our minibuses have proven to be extremely ￿)pUlar, thanks to ou
with the John Sykes Foundation. the minibuses are available for al
schools to book throughout the year, to use for school trips, event
activities that will open up new opportunities to pupils.
artnership
hitley
Both vehicles have been tM)oked out most days during tem time -1
grateful to The Ridgeway Primary School and their caretaker for th
support in hosting and maintaining the minibuses.
eare
help and
Podcast project
Local charity. The Rock Academy has extended our podcast proje
primary schools in Whitley. Originally designed for Year 6 children
pandemic lockdown, this project has evolved to encapsulate a wide
children's reflections of the past and hopes for the future and gives
own voices to express their hopes. dreams and ambitions.
to all
uring the
sense of
em their
The use of podcast technology to record their stories helps to make this project
relevanl and exciting to this age group. and offers them a modern alternative to
a school radio station or newspaper. The pupils have been very intsrested in
the technology used and are keen to leam how they can create théi
own
podcasls in the future.
Year 5 University Day
We continued to hold our annual Year 5 University Day- hosting al
lofYear5
pupils from our primary schools. They enjoyed a lecture from an academic in
one of the universty's impressive lecture theatres. The children theth embarked
on a tour of the universty campus wtth their teachers, and had the
pportunty
to ask current students questions alx)ut university life.
CeM￿r 2022

University Public Speaking Competition
We continued to hold our Public Speaking Competition with entries from each
age group from KS1 onwards with pupils having the opportuntty to deliver
speeches on topics about which they are passionate on one of the major
Universiws lecture stages- with their parents and carers as an audience.
University Poetry Competition
We also held our annual school's poetry competition. again hosted by the
University of Reading. The standard as usual was extremely high, with
significant contributions written and perfomied by pupils from Nursery right up
to Year 10. We are grateful to the Whitley schools for holding their own intemal
competitions to make our shortlist, and to all the children who wrote and
perfomied with Confiden￿ and poise.
Beale Park Trips
Our new partnership viith Beale Park continues to flourish, this year has
allowed every child in Year 2 across Whitley to experience a day out seeing the
animals. countryside and (most importantly for some!) the train at Beale Parf(.
With their entry prowded at no cost by Beale Park and the Aspire2 minibuses
available for transport, this was a trip that schools were able to provide
completely free of charge to their Year 2 pupils.
Early Years Music
Our Early Years Music project. which began in September '21 has been
running in all our early years settings since. This has proved to be a extremely
successful.
Ufton Adventure
Our 10 year agreement for WEC pupils to have free access to Ufton Adventure
ended in 2020 but our minibuses have still been used to transport pupils to
Ufton for a variety of experiences.
WhStley Carnival
The inaugural Whitley Camival took pla￿ on Salurday 11th June 2023 bringing
together over 3500 people to walk through the streets of Whitley to celebrate
the past. present and future of this diverse and complex suburban community.
In the run up to the camival event this project successfully galvanised over 35
local arts and community organisations, working together for first time on this
scale to en
e the widest ran
eof
le across Whitle
throu
h a massive
December 2022

programme of costume. arts. music, dance and music w0￿shopS
and community spa￿s.
schools
Local people between the ages of 1 & 100 participated in Whitley
coming together to create this unique and participatory camival. It
transformative and memorable place making event.
mival
lywasa
Producer Helen Bligh our manager at Aspire2. engaged experien
outdoor arts producer Danielle Corbishley to oversee the design o
event management and artistic curation. Together with support fro
Manager Sarah Stuffins, they coordinated with schools and comm
and a dynamic team of local freelancers to deliver a highly sUc￿S
local
e project,
Project
ity groups
l event.
cember 2022

Section E
Financial review
Brief state
charity's po
Jnt of the
ky on reserves
We budget and bid for specific funding grants on identified
eventslprojects and expenditures spent relatively within any one
financial year are on those eventslprojecls and as such our funding
is and has been mostly restricted. We do not hold any land.
buildings or assets. but do hold some financial investments.
managed by The Chades Stanley Group.
Over the 18 years that Aspire2 has been active. we have
generated and received significant sums of over £1 m.
We show our 18 month budget and actuals.
IJ
E919J
oio
76MS
$25
4T.75T *•S*
4Q2JQ
*110
21.M5
2tr17 1ffi• 2W1 ItyIJ 2014 IQIS 7016 IOf7 2011 2024 20?1 1011 2923 IQI
10
Dècember 2022

The ChartWs status changed to a Charitable Incorpor
Organisation (CIO) on the 1.9.22 so our financial resu
detailed here are for the 18 months 1.9.22 to 29.2.24
Charity Commission. Our new charity number is 120
first financial year concluded on the 29.2.24
and tables
per the
10andour
We started the year viith an opening surplus reseNe
during the period we received income of £92,939 and
£115,423 and as such am adverse deficrt of (£22.484
we finish with a closing reserve of £61,682
184,165
xpensed
herefore
Details of any funds materially
in deficit
None to report. no issues reported under our audtt report.
Further financial review details (Optional infomiation)
You may choose to include
additional information, where
relevant about..
the charity's principal
sour￿$ of funds (including
any fundraising)..
how expenditure has
supported the key objectives
of the charity.
investment policy and
objectives including any
ethical investment Frf)licy
adopted.
Income in the 18 months to 29.2.24:
Receipts
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total
Grants &
Donations
Voluntary
Recei
Fundraising
Activities
Event Income
ts
Total Recei
2.100
87.122
89,222
1.962
1,962
105
1.650
1,755
4,167
88.772
92,939
Significant expenditures for the year:
Pa
ments
Fundraising
Costs
Charttable
Activities
Event
Ex
ndlture
Governance
Total Payments
Total
396
396
31.851
33,714
67.949
68.437
12.333
112.133
3.291
115,424
Exc8ss of
receipts over
ments
Transfer
between Funds
Cash Funds last
ear end
Cash Funds this
oar end
876
-23.361
-22,485
10,485
73,681
84.165
14.827
61,681
11
ber 2022

Investments
Our investments managed by Chades Stanley al the start of the year was
£44.798 and we finished the year 29th February 2024 £34.518
During the year V￿ drew down a further funding Iranche for the minibus lease
and insurance of £15,000.
Section F
Other optional information
Section G
Declaration
Pclare that they have approved the trustees, report above.
If of the charity's trustees
The trustees
Signed on be
Signature{s}
Full name{s)
Secretary.
G4klrtuE & LtsuE CtskntE
Position {
Chair, etc
Treasurer
Chair
ate
12
December 2022

CC Recelpts & Payments Report
Cbarity naitv. Aspire2 CEO
Cbarity nunA)er: 12WIO
For the ptriod from 0110912022 to 2910Zry024
Re£
Is and
UnrestyiLxeA Restri¢te&l fjjnds End0￿ent Totsi funds Jear
fi￿d5
Rtt¢ipls
VoluntaryRtteipts
FundraisiDgA¢tivitses
Charirable Activilies
Event In¢om¢ Recapts
IDvttstment5
Orher Receiptj
4.062
87.122
91,184
ios
1,650
1.755
4.167
88.772
92.939
Asxt and InNYJtment sale8 rf¢
Totsl ree¢ipr8
4.167
88.772
92.939
Pa￿llent5
vol￿thry IncLxne Costs
Futsdraisin¥C0515
Chariiable Activitia Cwts
Event Costs
Oowern8nce Ce4ty
396
1.863
488
396
33,714
68.437
31.851
67,949
12.333
112.lJ3
3.291
115.424
Asset$ And inv¢slrnellts 8aiD&ILws
Total PAyJnen
Ex¢ess of reLeipts pl￿￿eniS
3.291
876
112.133
-23.361
Transfers Eetween Fwids
Cash Fun& L4st YLzr End
Cash fiJndsthis end
10,485
14.827
73.682
46.855
84,167
61.682
Traasurer . David W. Shepherd
Chair of Trustess ." Charles Clare
,1 IE(

CHARITY
COMMISSION
Independent Examiner's
Repoit on the Accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner's Report
Report to Ehe trustees/tnembers ol
ilyt&¥r*
On aicounts foF the year ended
(harity no (Il any)
IIDEIEItIllEY
dI1￿[￿lSh¢£I%}
Set out on pages
Respective iesponsibilities of trustees
and examiner
The chaiity's tIU5tees ale fespoTrsible lot the preparation ol ihe aiioun
iiustees consida that an audit 15 not requTred lor this year undei sectio
Charilies Art 2011 {the Chaiilies A(tl an¢J that an independent examina
It is tTry iesponsibility to:
exaffline the accounts vftde( sec*"on 145 ol the Charilies Act.
to follow ihe pioteduies laid down in the general Directions given
Commission {undei se(lyon 145{5}Ib} of the Charitie5 Act>, èftd
to state whethu PaTtiCsJlar mailers have come to my attention.
The charity's
44 of the
n is needed.
the Charity
Basis of independent exarninÈrfs
statement
My exatnination was carried out in accoidance with general Diieition
Charity Cornmission. An exatnination includes a review ol ihe accounti
kept by the chaiity and a cornpaii50fi of the accounts presented wilh th
It also ir￿lUdeS ionsideration of any unusual iieffls 01 disclosures in th
seekir¥J exptaTrations from the tIUStees concerning atry such matters.
undeiiaken do not plovide all the eviden￿ that would be required ITr
consequently no opinion is given as to wheiher the accounts presenl I
view and the iepott 15 limiled to those fftatters set out in the staieme
ven by the
record5
se records.
ciounts, and
procedure5
udit, and
Irue and laii,
below.
Independent examinel's ststernent
In ionneition wilh my examination. no matter has come to my attefit
tNit dis(losed below-)=
(11 which gives me reasonable cause to believe thai irn any material
requirernents..
to keep accounting re(otds in aCCOFdan(e with secbon 130 01 t
Charities ACI-
10 prepare aciounts which a((￿d ￿th the accounting iecoids
with the accounting iequiiements ol the Chaiitie5 Act have no
(2) io whicty ITr tny opinion, attentloll should be dfawn %n ordeT to en
understanding ol the account5 to be reached.
"Pleose delete ihe WOKds in the br￿ketS iliheydo not opply.
(other than
pect, the
d (omply
een met.. OF
e a propel
Signed
Date
27
/go2
Name
Relevant piole5sional qualih"(ationls)
body (if any)
MAA.
Addiess
IER
March 2012

Section B
Disclosure
Only complete il the examinei needs to highlight material piobletns
Give here b
I details ol any iteffls that the
examiner wishes to disclose
IER
March 2012