CHARITY NUMBER: 1202586
THE SCHOOL OF HERBAL MEDICINE
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
THE SCHOOL OF HERBAL MEDICINE ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| CONTENTS | PAGE |
|---|---|
| Reference and Administrative Information | 1 |
| Annual Report of the Trustees | 2 - 4 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Balance Sheet | 7 |
| Annual Report of the Trustees | 8 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 9 |
THE SCHOOL OF HERBAL MEDICINE
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The School of Herbal Medicine
Charity name: Charity Registration Number: 1202586 Registered Office: 28 Angel Crescent Bridgwater Somerset TA6 3EW
Trustee:
The following Trustees were in office as at the date of this report: Margaret Anne Pope Chairperson Appointed 31[st] March 2023 Other Trustee Directors who held office during the year were as follows: Elizabeth Anne Saunders-Singer Appointed 31[st] March 2023 Dr. Susan Vassar Appointed 31[st] March 2023 Christopher Leslie Pope Appointed 31[st] March 2023 Sally Anne Gurner Andrews Appointed 11[th] July 2023
Accountants and Michael J. Dodden & Co. Independent Examiners: Chartered Certified Accountants 34 North Street Bridgwater Somerset TA6 3YD Bankers: NatWest 9 York Buildings Cornhill Bridgwater Somerset TA6 3BS
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THE SCHOOL OF HERBAL MEDICINE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
OUR AIMS
The objectives of the School are:
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(1) The objects of the CIO are to advance the education of the public in the subject of herbal medicine in such ways as the charity trustees think fit, and in particular (but not exclusively) by:
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(a) the provision of a training course leading to an Advanced Diploma in Herbal Medicine; and
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(b) the operation of a training herbal clinic open to the public in which students undertaking training in Herbal Medicine can gain relevant practical experience, the establishment of which is a necessary part of the students' education.
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(2) Nothing in this constitution shall authorise an application of the property of the CIO for the purposes which are not charitable in accordance with section 7 of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and section 2 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.
OUR OBJECTIVES
In setting our objectives we continue to develop the academic standards towards the training of effective and competent herbalists.
Key objectives for the year included:
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To continue to broaden the academic curriculum by providing a comprehensive public health module which addresses the importance of soil, air and water quality on the health of patients, and the effect that climate change can have on health.
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To increase student applications
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To provide continuing support of the students who have graduated by providing a follow on post graduate support group
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To ring fence £500 every year for student support
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To develop and expand the herbal training clinic on site so that students can gain relevant practical experience, and to provide herbal treatment for their local community at reduced fees
REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES
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Student applications were up, and we started the school year at near capacity
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Students continue to have the option to pay by monthly instalments, which has particularly allowed students on lower incomes to join the school
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The Annual Review for our ongoing re-accreditation with the National Institute of Medical Herbalists was late due to the death of Maggie Pope's mother and Susan Vassar's move to a new county. In view of this the NIMH suspended our accreditation
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The school is pursuing accreditation with the European Herbal and Traditional Practitioners Association, which is progressing well
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The school hosted a Guest Speaker Day, which was attended by the whole school and invitees, and our graduating students were presented with their Advanced Diplomas in Herbal Medicine
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This has been a challenging year for the school financially, and we are reviewing the cost/benefit of using tutors who have to travel long distances to teach for us as we cover their travel and accommodation costs. Despite this, the school has managed to keep up to date with all bills without recourse to a loan or overdraft. This has been achieved by weekly meetings checking income and expenditure
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The school has continued to increase equipment, mainly microscopes, pharmacy equipment and books for the library
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In the period concerned, money was given to Debbie Davies in year 5 to take her FREC 3 course, as part of our student support
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Susan Vassar and Maggie Pope who are trustees for the school and are teaching for the school have as planned reduced their teaching modules, and will continue to do so as new tutors are engaged
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A postgraduate group is held regularly by Halina Przydatek
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The training clinic has continued to be a success, and patient numbers are continuing to increase as we become known in the local area. This is an extremely important addition to the effective training of our students
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The student pass rate of yearly exams continues to be excellent
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Both students who sat their Final Clinical Exam in September passed with Distinction
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In March 2025 one of our students were nominated for the Peter Bradley Award due to her excellent knowledge of phytochemistry, and another student was nominated for the Frank Power Award for her commitment to study and consistently submitting excellent coursework and gaining high marks in examinations. Both awards were provided by the British Herbal Medicine Association [BHMA]
FUTURE PLANS
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To develop a group of volunteers to organise fundraising
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To replace Susan Vassar and Maggie Pope as trustees
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To increase the number of trustees
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To use social media to advertise the school and clinic
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Our next trustees meeting is 17.10.25
FINANCES
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The only real source of income at present for the school is fee paying students
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The income from the clinic covers clinic costs and supervisor fees
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We do have a reserve fund
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There is a weekly cash flow analysis as part of the effective stewardship of the school
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We are reviewing ways to cut costs
This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (FRS 102) and in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
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Approved by the Trustees:
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
THE SCHOOL OF HERBAL MEDICINE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
I report on the financial statements of the company for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 5 to 10.
Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under Section 145 of the Charities Act;
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to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act; and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and the seeking of explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, no opinion is given as to whether the financial statements present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to our attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect:
- a) the accounting records were not kept in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act; or b) the accounts did not accord with the accounting records.
I 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 financial statements to be reached.
Michael J. Dodden & Co. Chartered Certified Accountants Ben Cleaveley FCCA ATT 34 North Street Bridgwater Date: 28[th] January 2026
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THE SCHOOL OF HERBAL MEDICINE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds |
Funds | 2025 | 2024 | |
| Note | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| INCOMING RESOURCES | ||||
| Income from fees | 70,153 | 70,153 | 95,693 | |
| Bank interest | 44 | 44 | 61 | |
| Total incoming resources | 70,197 | 70,197 | 95,754 | |
| RESOURCES EXPENDED | ||||
| Costs of generating funds: | ||||
| Wages, salaries and meeting costs | 30,579 | 30,579 | 38,808 | |
| Rental expenditure | 14,538 | 14,538 | 13,041 | |
| Direct costs and bookkeeping | 2,460 | 2,460 | 14,517 | |
| Computer costs and subscriptions | 2,217 | 2,217 | 2,220 | |
| Sundry expenses |
216 | 216 | 53 | |
| Printing, postage and stationary | 4,274 | 4,274 | 3,645 | |
| Advertising | - | - | 500 | |
| Rates, insurance and utilities | 2,127 | 2,127 | 2,070 | |
| Repairs and maintenance and hire | 60 | 60 | 5,787 | |
| Accommodation and meals | 10,145 | 10,145 | 12,256 | |
| Pharmacy costs |
643 | 643 | 1,956 | |
| Legal fees | 0 | 0 | 1,380 | |
| Accountancy |
996 | 996 | 963 | |
| Bank charges | 248 | 248 | 216 | |
| Total resources expended |
68,503 | 68,503 | 97,412 | |
| Net in/(out) resources for the year | 1,694 | 1,694 | (1,658) | |
| Total funds brought forward | (11,586) | (11,586) | (9,928) | |
| Total funds carried forward | (9,892) | (9,892) | (11,586) |
All activities of the charity are continuing operations.
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THE SCHOOL OF HERBAL MEDICINE BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025
| Note £ FIXED ASSETS Tangible fixed assets 3 - CURRENT ASSETS Stock - Accrued income 2,507 Debtors and prepayments 1,205 Cash at bank and in hand 2,255 5,967 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade creditors 3,183 Other creditors - Accruals and deferred income 12,676 15,859 NET CURRENT ASSETS NET ASSETS REPRESENTED BY:, Unrestricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
2025 £ £ - - 2,195 - 7,794 9,989 - - 21,575 21,575 (9,892) (9,892) (9,892) (9,892) |
2024 £ (11,586) (11,586) (11,586) (11,586) |
|---|---|---|
The directors’ statements required by Sections 475(2) and (3) are shown on the following page which forms part of this Balance Sheet.
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THE SCHOOL OF HERBAL MEDICINE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
In approving these financial statements as directors of the company we hereby confirm:
- a) that for the year stated above the company was entitled to the exemption conferred by Section
477 of the Companies Act 2006;
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b) that no notice has been deposited at the registered office of the company pursuant to Section 476 requesting that an audit be conducted for the year ended 31 March 2025; and
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c) that we acknowledge our responsibilities for:
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1) ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with Section 386; and
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2) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year and of its profit or loss for the year then ended in accordance with the requirements of Section 393 and which otherwise comply with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the company.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (revised 2005) and in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The financial statements were approved by the Board on 28[th] January 2026 and signed on its behalf by
Margaret A. Pope Chairperson
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THE SCHOOL OF HERBAL MEDICINE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Accounting
The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the historical cost convention, applicable accounting standards, the Statement of Recommended Practice: “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. The principal accounting policies which have been adopted on a consistent basis within that convention are set out below.
Incoming Resources
Income is recognised in the year in which the Charity is entitled to receipt and the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty.
Grants and donations are recognised on a receivable basis. Grants and donations received for the general purposes of the Charity are credited to unrestricted funds. Grants and donations subject to specific wishes of the donors are carried to relevant restricted funds.
Resources Expended
Resources expended are accounted for in the year in which they are incurred. The Charity is not registered for VAT and consequently input VAT payable on expenses is included within the item of expense to which it relates.
Where an item of expenditure falls directly within one cost category it is attributed to that category only. Where expenditure involves more than one category it is apportioned on a reasonable and justifiable basis.
Restricted Funds
Restricted funds arise where donors place restrictions on how the money can be spent. Both the income and capital of the funds may be applied for the charitable purposes.
Unrestricted Funds
These are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the Trustees.
2. STAFF COSTS AND EMOLUMENTS
There were no employees with emoluments above £60,000 in either the current or previous year.
None of the Trustees received any remuneration or reimbursement of expenses from the Charity during either the current or previous year.
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