Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 20/08/2024 To 05/04/2025
Charity name: The National Society for Education, Mentoring and Media
Charity registration number:1209673
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The objects of the CIO, as set out in its Constitution adopted 18th August 2024, are for the public benefit to advance the education of people, primarily but not exclusively under the age of 25 years, in all national curriculum subjects for Key Stage 3, GCSE, A-Level and equivalents, as well as specialist mentoring for university admissions tests in medicine and law, by providing: a. Tutoring, mentoring, advisory services and wide scope educational services available both online and in-person b. Academic and arts' education outreach c. Access to performance and performing arts lessons and opportunities for both music and other arts subjects d. A music and cultural education service that supports young people in creative endeavours e. An 'examination results and clearing' advisory service |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
During the period 20 August 2024 to 5 April 2025, NSEMM delivered three interconnected projects: 1. Online Education Platform Our pay-what-you-can tutoring model provided one-to-one and group tuition at an average cost of £10.54 per hour, significantly below commercial market rates of £34-39 per hour. This pricing model removes financial barriers, enabling families experiencing economic hardship to access quality educational support. The platform serves students across all Key Stage 3, GCSE, and A-Level subjects, plus specialist mentoring for university admissions. 2. Community Education Network (East Midlands) Launched inpartnershipwith the Universityof |
| Nottingham (through Cascade funding totalling over £8000, paid throughout the academic year) and Nottingham City Council, this project established educational support sessions in local libraries at St Ann's and Sneinton. By positioning services within trusted community spaces rather than creating separate facilities, we strengthen existing public resources and maximise accessibility for students in areas experiencing educational deprivation. This project represents the foundation of a national framework to address educational inequality through library- based provision. 3. School Partnerships We developed collaborative relationships with 8 schools across Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, and Kent, delivering career guidance, tutoring services, and educational resources directly within school settings. This approach ensures students can access support through multiple channels suited to their individual circumstances. Additionally, we maintained our digital educational presence through YouTube content (7,468 cumulative views since 2020) and enhanced our online tutoring platform through collaboration with Lessonspace, significantly improving accessibility, security, and parental visibility of student progress. During the 8- month period, we delivered: 529 hours of tutoring and mentoring Support to 79 students through at-home and in- school provision Cumulative savings of £22,285 for families since 2020 compared to commercial tutoring rates |
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|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees have complied with their duty under section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission. Our work delivers clear public benefit, removing financial barriers to education and supporting disadvantaged communities |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | The charity does not currently operate a grant-making programme. All charitable expenditure is directed towards the direct delivery of educational services to beneficiaries. |
| Policy on social investment | Para 1.38 | The charity does not currently hold any social investments or programme-related investments. All funds are held in cash |
| including program related investment |
reserves at banking institutions or deployed directly for charitable purposes. |
|
|---|---|---|
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | NSEMM operates as a volunteer-led organisation. All five trustees serve without remuneration, collectively contributing substantial time to governance, strategic planning, and operational management. The Co-Chairs manage day-to-day operations, transitioning to a bespoke shared management system that enables effective volunteer coordination. The estimated value of volunteer time contributed by trustees alone exceeds £15,000 during the period (based on sector benchmarks for time), representing a critical in-kind contribution that enables the charity to maintain its 89.86% programme spending ratio while keeping administrative costs minimal. |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | In August 2024, we successfully transitioned from a Charitable Company to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, completing registration with the Charity Commission. This legal restructure positions us more effectively to serve our community and expand our impact by simplifying governance requirements and enhancing our charitable status. Securing £8,052 in restricted funding from the University of Nottingham through the Cascade grant scheme enabled us to establish the East Midlands Community Education Network. We successfully launched regular tutoring sessions at St Ann's and Sneinton Libraries in partnership with Nottingham City Council's Homework Help Sessions, creating accessible educational hubs in areas facing significant educational deprivation. The library-based model represents an innovative approach to addressing persistent educational barriers by embedding services within trusted community spaces. Through collaboration with Lessonspace, we transformed our online tutoring platform with low-latency infrastructure based in London, |
seamlessly integrating with our in-house developed lesson hub. This significantly improved accessibility and security, providing parents with better visibility of their children's educational progress. For the fourth consecutive year, our average tutoring cost (£10.54 per hour) remained dramatically lower than commercial competitors (£34-39 per hour). Despite the UK cost-of-living rising by 20.8% (Commons Library, 2023), our pay-what-you-can model ensured educational support remained accessible to families experiencing financial pressure. Our hourly rate decreased by 38% since introducing the pay-what-you-can model.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The charity experienced significant financial growth in its first year as a registered CIO. Total income reached £9,082, representing a 2,095% increase compared to the pro-rata equivalent from the previous period (2023: £600). This exceptional growth reflects both the charity's formal establishment as a CIO and successful fundraisingefforts. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The trustees have established a reserves policy to maintain financial stability and ensure the charity can meet its commitments to students, tutors, and partner organisations in the event of unexpected income shortfalls or increased demand for services. The charity aims to hold unrestricted reserves equivalent to 3 months of average operatingexpenditure. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | At 5 April 2025, the charity held total reserves of £6,021, comprising: Unrestricted Reserves: £5,328 Approximately 3.0 months of operating costs at the time of writing, meeting the trustees' reserves target. Restricted Reserves: £693 Representing unspent balance of the University of Nottingham Cascade grant, committed to delivering further Community Education Network tutoring sessions in libraries during 2025. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | The trustees have assessed the charity's ability to continue as a going concern and are satisfied that the charity has adequate resources to continue operations for the foreseeable future. There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue. The charity has no bank borrowings, leasing commitments, or other material long-term obligations that could impact goingconcern status. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Individual donations, corporate donations, earned income and grants are our biggest income categories. |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | The charity currently holds no investment portfolio. All funds are maintained in interest- bearing current accounts at National Westminster Bank, The Cooperative Bank, and Lloyds Bank to ensure liquidity for operational needs. |
|---|---|---|
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | Funding:Reliance on restricted grants (notably UoN Students’ Union) could affect specific projects. Mitigated through diversified income streams and 3 months’ unrestricted reserves. Safeguarding:Inherent risk when working with children. Mitigated via up-to-date safeguarding policy, Enhanced DBS checks, designated safeguarding officer, regular training, and KCSIE compliance. Operational:Volunteer availability fluctuates with academic terms. Mitigated through rolling recruitment and scalable systems to reduce reliance on individuals. Quality & Compliance:Risk of failing to meet quality standards or grant conditions. Mitigated through oversight by qualified teachers, structured training, and monitoring of deliverables. Reputational:Risk from competition, complaints, or service issues. Mitigated through transparent governance, complaints procedures, and demonstrable impact at accessible pricing. Strategic:System development may strain capacity. Mitigated through phased implementation and realistic prioritisation. Financial:Low but present risk of mismanagement or fraud. Mitigated via segregation of duties, regular reporting, independent scrutiny,and reputable banking. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | The charity is governed by a Constitution adopted on 18th August 2024. |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | The charity is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. The CIO uses the "Association" model with voting members other than its charity trustees, as set out in the Charitable Incorporated Organisations (General) Regulations 2012. The charity converted from a Charitable Company to a CIO in August 2024, completing registration with the Charity Commission. This legal restructure simplified governance requirements and enhanced the charity's charitable status. |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | The CIO's trustees are appointed through three mechanisms as set out in the Constitution: 1. Elected Trustees Elected by voting members of the CIO at the Annual General Meeting. The Constitution provides that: At the first AGM, all elected trustees retire from office At subsequent AGMs, one-third of elected trustees retire by rotation (or the number nearest to one-third) Trustees longest in office retire first; if appointed on the same date, retirement is determined by lot unless agreed otherwise Retiring trustees may stand for re- election Vacancies may also be filled by decision of members or trustees between AGMs 2. Ex-officio Trustee The Education Officer automatically becomes a charity trustee by virtue of holding that office. The office holder may decline to act as trustee by giving notice before accepting appointment, or may resign after appointment. 3. Nominated Trustees The Education Representative Board may appoint upto 3 charitytrustees for terms |
| of 3 years each. Appointments must be |
|---|
| made at meetings held according to the |
| Board's ordinary practice. Nominated |
| trustees need not be members of the |
| appointing body. |
| Constitutional Requirements: |
| • Minimum of 3 trustees, |
| maximum of 12 trustees |
| • At least one trustee must be |
| aged 18 or over |
| • Trustees under 16 are ineligible |
| • Trustees must not be disqualified |
| under sections 178-180 of the |
| Charities Act 2011 |
| • Trustees must expressly |
| acknowledge acceptance of |
| office before acting |
| • No trustee may be appointed if |
| this would exceed the maximum |
| number |
| During the period, all five trustees were |
| elected trustees serving under the first |
| mechanism. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | All new trustees receive a comprehensive induction to equip them with knowledge and confidence to discharge their duties effectively. |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The charity is governed by a five-member Board of Trustees responsible for strategy, compliance, finances, safeguarding, risk, and approval of major policies and reports. Day-to-day management is led by the Co-Chairs, supported by the Treasurer and General Secretary, with a move toward shared operational systems to reduce reliance on individuals. Delivery is entirely trustee- and volunteer-led, with tutors working as employees or volunteers under qualified teacher oversight. There are no committees at present, though sub-committees maybe introduced as the charity grows. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | The charity has no trading subsidiaries or connected charitable organisations. The CIO operates as a standalone entity with no parent organisations, subsidiary companies, or sister charities. |
| Other | One trustee (Socks Ansell, Co-Chair) provided paid tutoring services under a written agreement permitted by the Constitution and |
compliant with sections 185–188 of the Charities Act 2011. The arrangement involved reasonable, standard-rate pay, exclusion from related trustee decisions, and confirmation it was in the charity’s best interests. No other trustees received remuneration beyond reasonable expenses, and the Constitution prohibits preferential treatment unless explicitly authorised.
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | The National Society for Education, Mentoring and Media |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | The NSEMM |
| Registered charity number | 1209673 |
| Charity’s principal address | Suite 460, 37 Westminster Buildings, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 6LG |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian Angol- Henry |
Chair | |||
| Socks Ansell | Chair | |||
| Mahek Merchant | Secretary | |||
| James Thomas | Treasurer | |||
| Skylar Rose | ||||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Type of | Name | Address |
|---|---|---|
| adviser |
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
SIGN SIGN |
SIGN SIGN |
|---|---|---|
Adrian Angol-Henry |
Socks Ansell | |
Co-Chair |
Co-Chair | |
05/02/2025 |
||
05/02/2025 |
Charity Name No (if any) The National Society for Education, Mentoring and Media 1209673
Receipts and payments accounts
CC16a
For the period Period start date Period end date To from 20/08/2024 05/04/2025
Section A Receipts and payments
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ |
Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ |
Total funds to the nearest £ |
Total funds to the nearest £ |
Last year to the nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Donations and Legacies(Individual) |
49 | - | - | 49 | - | ||||
| Donations and Legacies(Corporate) | 1,706 | - | - | 1,706 | - | ||||
| Grants Received | - | 1,825 | - | 1,825 | - | ||||
| Charitable Activities(Tutoring) | 5,497 | - | 5,497 | - | |||||
| Investment(Interest) | 5 | - | - | 5 | - | ||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | 7,257 | 1,825 | - | 9,082 | - | ||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
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| - | |||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| Sub total | - | - | |||||||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
|||||||||
| - | |||||||||
Charitable Activities(Direct Delivery) |
547 | 393 | - | 940 | - | ||||
| Staff Costs | - | 739 | - | 739 | - | ||||
| FundraisingCosts | 253 | - | - | 253 | - | ||||
| Support and Admin Costs | 543 | - | - | 543 | - | ||||
| Governance Costs | 586 | - | - | 586 | - | ||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| **Sub total ** | 1,929 | 1,132 | - | 3,061 | - | ||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
|||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | |||||||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
|||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| 5,328 | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| 5,328 | - |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| CCXX R1 accounts (SS) Categories B1 Cash funds |
1 Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Bank Current Account |
Unrestricted funds to nearest £ 5,328 - - 5,328 OK |
04/02/2026 Restricted funds Endowment funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 693 - - - - - 693 - OK OK |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - |
| Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use |
Details Debtors Details Details Details Creditors Signature SIGN SIGN |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 233 - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) Unrestricted 232 - - - - Print Name Adrian Angol-HenrySocks Ansell |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
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| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| When due (optional) |
|||
| Within 1 year | |||
| Date of approval | |||
| SIGN | Adrian Angol-Henry |
04/02/2025 |
|
| SIGN | Socks Ansell |
04/02/2025 |
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
04/02/2026
2