Charity Commission Trustees Annual Report 2023-2024 Financial Year
The Trustees of Friends of Westwood Primary Charity present their annual report and audited accounts for the year 2023-2024 and confirm they comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 1993, as amended by the Charities Act 2006, the trust deed and the Charities SORP 2005.
Background Information
We are a charity established to help children that attend Westwood School in South Leeds, their families and our local community improve access to facilities, resources and opportunities and thus creating better life chances for those involved with our charity. The population we work with comes from the 10% most deprived communities in Leeds. Before the cost of living crisis families in this area found it challenging but now they are facing daily battles of deciding between heating or feeding their children, the use of food banks is ever increasing and the impact this has on the wellbeing of local people is very significant.
Over 52% of families that attend Westwood are accessing Free School Meals and 26% of children have Special Educational Needs. Unemployment is an issue locally, children have less academic role models than their peers. Some parents didn’t achieve well in school and so do not always see the value in education.
“In the Middleton Park ward in 2001, there were 10,649 households. There were 1,201, households with dependent children had and no adult in employment.[[3]] Of the 1,410 of lone parent households with dependent children, most, 1,307 were women and most had no job. Male lone parents numbered 95 of which 39 were in full-time employment.[[4]] Nearly half the households, 5,170 had no car or van.”
Obesity is an issue locally, due to lack of knowledge around nutrition, lack of access to healthy food (due to costs) and inactivity all major contributors to this.
Our Objectives
Our objectives are set to reflect our educational aims and the ethos of the school. It is important to us that we maintain and enhance the success of the school.
This objective is, however, set in the context of the broader goals we set for the school and its pupils.
In setting our objectives and planning our activities our trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. Our key objectives for the year included:
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Raise money to create a community allotment area
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Fundraise for residentials
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Start fundraising for a community wellbeing area
Mission Statement
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Our aim is to make a positive difference to every child’s life. We will help them to understand the world around them and give them the skills they need to fulfil their dreams and live as confident, successful and caring individuals. Our 3 core values of Dream, Believe and Achieve drive our creative curriculum and underpin all that we do.
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Dream: Children at Westwood Primary dare to dream knowing no boundaries. Through the experiences our curriculum offers, our children’s ambitions and aspirations are unlocked. These experiences allow them as individuals to develop their own passions and interests and become invested in their learning leading to a sense of drive and motivation which allows them to reach their potential and achieve their dreams.
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Believe: At Westwood children learn to believe in themselves and be proud of their local community. They understand the importance of their actions and the part they play in the diverse wider world. Through a strong self-belief leading to a positive physical and mental well-being our children are equipped to take risks and overcome any challenges they may face. Children will leave Westwood as compassionate individuals with a belief that everyone should be valued and respected therefore preparing them for life in modern Britain.
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Achieve: Through our personalised and tailored curriculum, children at Westwood are taught to be responsible, resilient citizens who embrace challenge and feel success. Memorable learning experiences allow our children to retain knowledge, apply skills and develop links in their understanding. In turn, children leave Westwood as independent lifelong learners.
Achievements
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Establishing a community allotment
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Creating an outdoor forest area
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Improvements to EYFS area
Trustees:
Carla Ramsey Abigail Clayton Pamela Richardson Carey Robertshaw Debbie Hitchcox
Financial Information
Friends of Westwood Charity Account – 1201518
Accounting period 1/1/2023 – 31/12/2023
| Income | Amount | Expenditure | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grants | 9796 | Grant projects | 0 |
| Fundraising | 4366 | Fundraising | 0 |
| Events | 0 | Events | 1576 |
| Misc | 0 | Misc | 0 |
| 14162 | 1574 |
AUDIT CERTIFICATE
I, Carla Ramsey can confirm that the funds operated at the establishment during the year ended have been audited by , who is not connected with the administration of the funds.
Signed: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date: 23.1.2024
1. Auditor's Certificate
I, Charlotte Gray-Sharpe, having been nominated as auditor of the funds listed above, certify that I have audited all records associated with the funds and it is my opinion that the accounts give a true and fair view of the receipts and payments of the funds for the year ended .
Signed: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Date: 24.1.2024