2025-07-31-accounts

Charity registration number 307001 (England and Wales)

Company registration number 00289787

BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Governors	Miss B Gavin
	Mr R Hill
	Ms J Hunter
	Prof. P Marshall
	Dr E Ross
	Mrs V Watt
	Dr. S.P. Thornton-Wood (Chairman)
Key management personnel	Mrs H Cavanagh
	Mrs K Preston
	Miss N Donson
	Mr I Regan-Smith
	Mrs S Collins
	Mrs S Roberts
Secretary	Mrs K Preston
Charity number	307001
Company number	00289787
Registered office	Keymer Road
	Burgess Hill
	West Sussex
	RH15 0EG
Auditor	Affinia (Stratford)
	19th Floor
	1 Westfield Avenue
	London
	E20 1HZ
Bankers	Barclays Bank plc
	Barclays Business Banking Sussex & Gatwick Team PO Box 165
	90 / 92 High Street
	Crawley
	West Sussex
	BX3 2BB

BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Insurance broker

Solicitors

Marsh Education Practice 4 Milton Road Haywards Heath West Sussex RH16 1AH DMH Stallard 135 High Street Crawley West Sussex RH10 1DQ

BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

CONTENTS

	Page
Governors' report	1 - 10
Statement of Governors' responsibilities	11
Independent auditor's report	12 - 14
Statement of financial activities	15 - 16
Balance sheet	17
Statement of cash flows	18
Notes to the financial statements	19 - 35

BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

GOVERNORS' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

The Governors of the School, being the directors of the Company and the trustees of the Charity, present their annual report for the year ended 31st July 2025 under the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011, together with the audited financial statements for the year, and confirm that the latter comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, the Company's Articles of Association and the Charities SORP, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard in the UK and the Republic of Ireland’.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Burgess Hill School for Girls Company is a charitable company founded in 1906, company registration number 00289787, charity registration number 307001, incorporated under the Companies Act 2006 as a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital. The Governors, executive officers, registered office address of the Company and particulars of the Company's professional advisers are disclosed on the Legal and Administrative information page.

OBJECT, AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The object of the Charity, in accordance with its Articles of Association, is to promote the education of children of any age.

Aims and Intended Effect

The School’s overarching mission is to develop Tomorrow’s Women. Its aim is to provide an outstanding academic education that enables every pupil to achieve her potential, while fostering confidence, self-belief, resilience, and a determination to succeed in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world.

The School seeks to champion individual strengths, talents, and aspirations through a broad and ambitious curriculum, a rich programme of co-curricular opportunities, and forward-thinking initiatives such as the Evolve and BOLD programmes. Together, these experiences are designed to support pupils’ intellectual curiosity, leadership capability, and readiness for future education and employment.

A strong sense of moral responsibility and social awareness is embedded throughout school life. Pupils are encouraged to contribute positively through involvement in school-based activities and engagement with the local community, developing empathy, integrity, and an understanding of their wider responsibilities as active citizens.

In pursuit of these aims, the Governors are committed to maintaining and enhancing the School’s status as a single-sex, selective, predominantly day school, providing education across the full age range from 2.5 to 18 years, including a coeducational Nursery. This commitment is underpinned by the provision of small class sizes, high-quality teaching, a wellrounded and balanced curriculum, and a comprehensive range of co-curricular activities, all of which support the School’s longstanding tradition of empowering girls to set high aspirations and fulfil both their academic and personal potential.

The intended effect of these aims is that pupils leave the School as confident, capable, and well-rounded young women, equipped with the knowledge, skills, values, and self-belief required to succeed in further education, employment, and life beyond school.

The School will continue to value and protect its independence while actively developing links with the wider community, contributing positively through partnership, collaboration, and shared opportunities that extend the School’s educational impact and public benefit.

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

GOVERNORS' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Objectives for the Year

During the year ended 31st July 2025, the Governors remained focused on delivering the School’s charitable purpose through the advancement of education, while responding appropriately to the opportunities and challenges of an increasingly digital world.

The principal objectives and activities during the year have been:

a. to support and sustain excellent pupil achievement, including strong academic outcomes and progression, and the award of scholarships recognising academic excellence and potential.

b. to promote pupils’ personal development, confidence, and independence, through a broad and balanced curriculum, effective pastoral care, and a wide range of co-curricular opportunities that encourage participation and leadership.

c. to develop pupils’ digital literacy, responsibility, and preparedness for future study and employment, through the phased rollout of digital devices and the integration of digital technologies alongside traditional teaching methods.

d. to support the continued development and growth of the Prep School, ensuring high-quality early educational provision and strong foundations for future learning.

e. to maximise the effective use of the School’s site, facilities, and resources, enhancing educational opportunities for pupils while ensuring responsible stewardship of charitable assets.

f. to widen access to the School through the provision of targeted bursaries and scholarships, supporting pupils from a range of backgrounds and responding appropriately to wider economic pressures.

g. to maintain and strengthen engagement with the local community, including partnerships with local schools and community organisations and the shared use of facilities, where appropriate.

Strategies to achieve the year's objectives

The School seeks to achieve its objectives through a combination of educational, operational, and strategic initiatives, designed to support high-quality outcomes for pupils while ensuring the effective and sustainable use of resources.

The School continues to enhance the quality of its educational provision through ongoing professional development for staff, annual departmental and pastoral reviews, and structured target-setting processes. These approaches support the monitoring of pupil progress and achievement and enable the School to benchmark academic standards against external public examinations and appropriate independent value-added measures.

A holistic approach to education remains central to the School’s strategy, maintaining an appropriate balance between academic learning, pastoral care, and a broad co-curricular programme. This supports pupils’ confidence, independence, leadership skills, and personal responsibility alongside strong academic outcomes.

During the year, the School implemented a phased rollout of digital devices for pupils, designed to enhance learning while promoting digital literacy, responsibility, and safe online behaviours. Digital technologies are used to complement, rather than replace, traditional teaching methods, supporting blended learning approaches that encourage critical thinking, collaboration, and independent study. This approach supports pupils’ preparedness for further education, future careers, and participation in a digital society.

The School continues to invest in its Prep School provision, recognising the importance of high-quality early education and the development of age-appropriate digital skills that support learning and progression across the School.

The effective use of the School’s site, facilities, and digital infrastructure remains a strategic priority. Investment decisions are made with regard to educational benefit, safeguarding, sustainability, and long-term value. Ongoing upgrades to IT systems support teaching and learning, operational efficiency, and data security.

The School continues to explore and develop collaborative opportunities with the wider community, including local nurseries and state primary schools and community organisations. These partnerships support educational enrichment, shared use of facilities, and the School’s wider public benefit objectives.

In the context of wider economic pressures, the Governors continue to oversee the allocation of resources carefully, ensuring financial sustainability while prioritising investment in staff, educational resources, digital capability, and access through targeted bursaries and scholarships.

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

GOVERNORS' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Principal activities of the year

The School is a day and boarding school providing independent education to girls from the ages of 2.5‐18 years. The School provides education for both boys and girls aged 2.5‐4 in the Nursery. In 2024-25, the School had 407 (2023-24: 442) pupils on roll with some year groups being full. The School has maintained consistent admissions criteria and the Governors are pleased with the high standards and continued achievements for which the School has become known.

Grant-making policy

The School operates a formal application process for Scholarships in the Senior School. Some academic scholarships are funded for the Prep School. The School's policy, in line with that of other Independent Schools, is to make these awards on the basis of the individual's educational potential, subject to the particular conditions imposed by the original donor where the award is out of a restricted fund.

Academic, Music, Sport, Art and Drama Scholarships are offered, with day fee remission at a fixed value, dependent on the pupil’s ability, for entry into Year 7 (11+), Year 9 (13+) and into the Sixth Form (16+). The School offers means‐tested bursaries to suitable applicants in the Senior School only from unrestricted funds, where the policy is to relieve hardship where the pupil's education and future prospects would otherwise be at risk. Awards can be as high as 100% of fees in exceptional cases.

Public Benefit Activities

Burgess Hill Girls carries out a range of educational and charitable activities that support its charitable purpose of advancing education for the public benefit. In planning and reviewing these activities, the Governors have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and consider that the School’s work provides benefit to the public in a number of ways.

The Governors recognise that public benefit arises both directly and indirectly through the School’s educational provision, its engagement with the wider community, and the responsible use of its resources. The School’s public benefit activities may be broadly considered under the following areas:

1. Activities that provide indirect benefit to the local and national community, through the provision of high-quality education, the development of confident, capable, and socially responsible young people, and preparation for further education and employment

2. Activities that provide direct benefit to the local community, including outreach, partnerships with local schools and organisations, shared use of facilities, and engagement with community groups

3. Activities that provide direct benefit to the international community, through educational, charitable, and partnership activities that extend learning, cultural understanding, and social responsibility beyond the local context

The remainder of this report is structured to demonstrate how the School delivers public benefit across these areas and how the Governors continue to ensure that public benefit remains central to decision-making and strategic planning.

Indirect benefit to the national and local communities

The Governors recognise that the School’s core charitable activity, the provision of high-quality education, delivers indirect public benefit to the local and national community. Through its educational provision, the School supports the development of well-educated, confident, and socially responsible young people who are prepared to contribute positively to further education, employment, and wider society.

The School’s curriculum, pastoral provision, and co-curricular opportunities are designed to promote academic achievement alongside personal development, leadership, and a strong sense of moral and social responsibility. Pupils are encouraged to develop independence, resilience, and an understanding of their role within the wider community.

By preparing pupils for progression beyond school and equipping them with the skills, values, and confidence required for adult life, the School contributes to the long-term educational, social, and economic wellbeing of the communities it serves.

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

GOVERNORS' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Direct benefit to the national and local community

The Governors recognise the School’s role as an important educational and community asset within Burgess Hill and the wider local area. In delivering its charitable purpose, the School seeks to ensure that its facilities, expertise, and pupil activities contribute positively and directly to the local and national community, in a manner that is consistent with the advancement of education and wider public benefit.

The School actively develops and sustains partnerships with local maintained schools, community organisations, and charities, with the aim of sharing resources, expertise, and opportunities where appropriate. These partnerships support educational enrichment, staff development, and collaboration across sectors, extending the benefits of the School’s provision beyond its own pupil body. Staff contribute directly to the maintained sector through governance roles, inspection activity, and professional collaboration, including partnerships with education institutions for initial teacher training. This supports the development of teaching practice and leadership capacity.

The School’s facilities are made available, where appropriate, for community and educational use, including hosting sporting events, competitions, performances, and training activities. These arrangements enable local clubs and community groups to access facilities and opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable to them.

Pupils are encouraged to engage actively with their community through a programme of charitable, service, and outreach activities. These include regular support for local food banks, homeless charities, care homes, and community organisations, alongside fundraising initiatives for local and national charities. Through these activities, pupils develop empathy, social responsibility, and an understanding of their role in contributing positively to society.

The School also supports widening access to education through the provision of means-tested bursaries, which are widely promoted through the School’s publications, website, and engagement with local maintained schools. This ensures that pupils from a range of backgrounds are able to benefit from the education offered by the School.

Leadership within the School actively engages with other schools and organisations in the local area to coordinate shared events and educational opportunities, including sporting competitions, debating and public speaking events, careers-related activities, and enrichment programmes. These initiatives are designed to support learning, aspiration, and progression for young people across the community.

The Governors regularly review the School’s community engagement and outreach activities to ensure that they remain aligned with the School’s charitable objectives, are proportionate and sustainable, and continue to deliver meaningful and demonstrable public benefit.

Wider Community

Burgess Hill Girls actively engages with the wider community to enhance pupils’ understanding of the world beyond school and to extend the public benefit of its educational provision. Strong links with local businesses and professional organisations support careers education, networking opportunities, and events that enable pupils to learn from high-achieving women across a range of sectors, helping to raise aspiration and inform future choices.

The School works in partnership with local nurseries and schools to deliver outreach initiatives and shared educational opportunities. These include sporting competitions, music and drama workshops, enrichment events, and careers and university focused activities. The wider local community is welcomed into the School through a programme of cultural, musical, and social events, including performances, concerts, and activities for carers and senior citizens. These occasions strengthen community relationships while providing pupils with opportunities to develop confidence, empathy, and a sense of social responsibility.

The Governors regularly review the School’s approach to community engagement and public benefit to ensure it remains effective, relevant, and aligned with the School’s charitable objectives. This ongoing review is reflected in the School’s sustained and increasing commitment to widening access through means-tested bursaries.

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

GOVERNORS' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Direct benefit to the International Community

The School has continued to provide targeted and time-limited support to pupils affected by international humanitarian crises, in a manner consistent with its charitable objectives and the responsible stewardship of its resources.

Following the outbreak of war in Ukraine, the School agreed to admit a small number of displaced pupils on fully funded day places. These pupils joined the School in June 2022 and were supported through a combination of external funding and School resources. One pupil has since completed her education, and the remaining pupils have continued their education within the School. During the year, external sponsorship funding concluded. The School has continued its support for the remaining pupils through a carefully managed arrangement involving School funding alongside parental contributions. This approach reflects the Governors’ commitment to offering compassionate and appropriate support while ensuring that such provision remains sustainable, proportionate, and fair to the wider School community.

The Governors keep all such arrangements under regular review to ensure that support offered to international pupils is consistent with the School’s charitable purpose, does not compromise the education of existing pupils, and remains aligned with the School’s long-term financial sustainability.

Summary

In determining and reviewing the activities undertaken during the year, the Governors have had due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. The Governors are satisfied that the School’s activities and use of resources during the year have furthered its charitable purpose of advancing education and have delivered meaningful public benefit at local, national, and international levels.

The Governors consider that the School’s commitment to widening access, community engagement, educational partnerships, and targeted support initiatives represents a balanced and proportionate contribution, both financial and non-financial, which is aligned with the School’s Strategic Plan and charitable objectives. Public benefit remains central to the Governors’ ongoing oversight and decision-making.

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

GOVERNORS' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

STRATEGIC REPORT

Operational performance of the School

The Governors considered the academic results achieved during the year to be of a very high standard, reflecting pupils’ commitment, high-quality teaching, and the School’s strong academic culture.

At A level, outcomes were particularly strong. Over 50% of grades were awarded at A–A, with approximately 80% achieving A–B grades. Around two thirds of pupils achieved three A*–B grades, enabling progression to a wide range of competitive higher education courses and destinations.

At GCSE, results again demonstrated consistently high attainment across the cohort. A significant number of pupils achieved exceptional individual outcomes, with 25% of pupils securing all grade 9s, nine pupils achieving grades exclusively at 7 to 9, and six attaining only grades 8 and 9. Across the cohort as a whole, 50% of grades were awarded at grades 9 or 8, with around 70% achieving grades 9–7. These outcomes reflect both high attainment and strong progress across the year group.

Performance in independent research qualifications further underlined pupils’ academic strength and intellectual curiosity. In the Higher Project Qualification (HPQ), 94% of entries were awarded grade A, while outcomes in the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) were similarly strong, with approximately 96% achieving grades A*–A.

The Times published a list of 230 Independent Schools GCSE results in August 2025, and Burgess Hill Girls were listed in the top 20% of all schools.

The Governors are pleased that these results reflect not only academic excellence but also the School’s wider commitment to developing confident, independent learners who are well prepared for future study and life beyond school.

The School continues to invest strategically in its facilities, digital capability, and learning resources to ensure that educational provision remains relevant and responsive to evolving curriculum requirements and future career pathways.

The rollout of digital devices for pupils forms part of a blended approach to teaching and learning, integrating technology alongside traditional methods to support independent learning, collaboration, digital literacy, and responsible use, and to prepare pupils for further education and participation in a digital economy.

Capital investment is increasingly directed towards flexible learning spaces that support innovation in curriculum delivery, alongside the exploration of further development in STEM-related disciplines to equip young women with the skills, confidence, and ambition required for a broad range of future study and career opportunities.

All capital projects are subject to careful planning and governance oversight, with proposals reviewed and approved by the Governors each January to ensure alignment with strategic priorities, educational aims, and long-term financial sustainability.

Financial review and results for the year

The School’s primary source of income continues to be tuition fees charged to parents. This is supplemented by additional revenue streams, including interest earned on deposits, income generated from the sale of second-hand school uniform, and receipts from the hire of the School’s facilities outside normal school use.

Total incoming resources of the School amounted to £9,511,372 (2023-24: £9,995,902). Total funds of the School now total £11,082,630 (2023-24: £10,822,876).

Note 25 to the Financial Statements sets out an analysis of the assets attributable to the various funds. These assets are sufficient to meet the charity's obligations on a fund by fund basis.

The School's tangible assets are all held for use in the School.

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

GOVERNORS' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

The valuation of the freehold land and buildings of the Company depends largely on their continued use as a boarding and day school or similar activity. The Governors are satisfied that, assuming that they continue to be used for their current purposes and are maintained in good repair, the market value of the freehold land and buildings is in excess of the value at which they are stated in these financial statements.

Following a detailed revaluation of the School’s land and buildings in 2023, no depreciation has been charged on freehold property in these accounts on the basis that the estimated residual value is in excess of cost.

Investment policy and objectives

Investment powers are governed by the Articles of Association which allows the School to invest any monies of the Company not immediately required for its purposes in or upon such investments, securities or property of whatsoever nature as may be thought fit.

Reserves policy

At the Balance Sheet date, the School had total funds of £11,082,630 of which £10,120,283 are invested in tangible assets. The remainder of the reserves £962,347 are retained to provide the necessary cash resources to enable the School to protect its current activities. The School continues to operate with minimal reliance on bank financing and aims to rebuild its reserves to a level that would cover between three and six months of operating costs. The income from the cash reserve is available to fund some scholarships and or bursaries.

The School’s policy is, therefore, to rebuild free reserves to the ideal level by means of annual operating surplus, subject to the requirements of further capital expenditure to equip the School with the up‐to‐date facilities needed to maintain and improve the standard of educational services currently provided.

Plans for future periods

While the Governors consider the financial results for the year to be secure in the context of an exceptionally challenging operating environment, they remain acutely aware of their responsibility to secure the School’s long-term financial sustainability. The period under review has been characterised by significant pressures affecting both the independent education sector and families more broadly, including VAT, removal of business rates relief and more general cost inflation.

The Governors recognise the impact that these wider economic conditions have on parents and are mindful that additional costs cannot simply be passed on without affecting accessibility. In response, the School has focused on careful cost control, prudent financial management, and strategic prioritisation, with the aim of maintaining high educational standards while operating within a constrained financial framework.

Expenditure has been managed closely throughout the year, with decisions informed by value-for-money considerations and alignment with the School’s strategic objectives. Investment has continued in areas critical to educational quality, safeguarding, and pupil outcomes, while other areas have been reviewed to ensure efficiency and sustainability.

Looking ahead, the Governors acknowledge that the financial environment is likely to remain challenging. Financial planning for the forthcoming year therefore assumes a cautious approach, with an emphasis on maintaining educational quality and operational resilience rather than the generation of significant surpluses. The Governors will continue to monitor financial performance, cash flows, and cost pressures closely and will take appropriate action to ensure that the School remains financially stable and well positioned to deliver its charitable objectives.

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

GOVERNORS' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The Company is governed by its Articles of Association last amended on 6th March 2012.

The Governors, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

Dr. A.D. Smith M.B.Ch.B., M.R.C.G.P (Resigned 31 August 2025) Mr R Barnwell (Resigned 10 February 2026) Mr T Burnage (Resigned 29 January 2025) Miss B Gavin Mrs W Gibbs (Resigned 4 July 2025) Mr R Hill Ms J Hunter Prof. P Marshall Dr E Ross Mrs V Watt Dr. S.P. Thornton-Wood (Chairman) (Appointed 1 September 2025)

Governing body

The Governors are also required under the Articles to serve as members of the Company. The details of the Governing Body are explained below, together with information on how the members of the Governing Body are appointed to office.

Recruitment and training of Governors

The Board reviewed the policy on 'The Recruitment/Selection/Resignation of Governors' at their meeting in June 2019.

The Governors review the constitution of the Board on an annual basis and consider:

• The average number of Governors present at meetings.

• The skills and/or experience that would have added to discussion.

• The imminent retirements from the Board.

The full Board of Governors identifies the skills and/or experience required to complement discussions and the Board, Head and Bursar consider the eligibility, personal competence and local availability of suitable individuals to be put forward for consideration.

The Chairman of the Nominations Committee invites suitable individuals to tour the School, meet the Head and two Governors and discuss with them the responsibilities and commitment to the School expected of the role. The applicants are given the AGBIS 'Guidelines for Governors', CC3 'The Essential Trustee: What you need to know', a School prospectus and a copy of the expected duties.

Following election to the Board, the Bursar and Clerk to the Governors confirms the appointment in writing and processes the administration in relation to Company and Charity membership and directorship. New Governors are encouraged to attend AGBIS and other Seminars relevant to Governors and also to spend time in the School with members of the Senior Leadership Team. The Board of Governors recognises the need to provide a continuing programme of Governor training.

Organisational Management

The School is governed by a Board of Governors, which meets formally at least three times each year and is responsible for setting the School’s strategic direction, approving key policies, and overseeing the effective management and control of the School in fulfilment of its legal and charitable responsibilities.

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

GOVERNORS' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

To support effective governance and detailed oversight, the Board has delegated specific areas of responsibility to a number of committees, including the Resources Committee, Joint Educational Committee, Nominations Committee, and Welfare and Boarding Committee. These committees comprise members of the Board and meet regularly, typically in advance of each Board meeting, to review matters within their remit and to make recommendations to the Board. Additional sub-groups are established as required to consider specific issues or projects and to report back to the Board.

The day-to-day management and operational leadership of the School are delegated to the Head and the Director of Finance and Operations (DFO), supported by the Senior Leadership Team. This structure ensures a clear separation between strategic governance and executive management, while enabling effective communication and accountability. The Head, DFO, and other senior staff attend Board and committee meetings as appropriate, providing professional advice, reporting on performance, and supporting informed decision-making.

The Board is responsible for determining the remuneration of key management personnel, with the objective of ensuring that pay arrangements are fair, proportionate, and aligned with the School’s strategic priorities. The remuneration policy is designed to attract, retain, and motivate high-quality leadership while reflecting the School’s charitable status and responsible stewardship of resources.

The appropriateness and effectiveness of the remuneration framework are reviewed annually. This review includes reference to market comparisons within the independent school sector and consideration of wider employment conditions, ensuring that remuneration remains competitive, equitable, and sustainable. The School seeks to recruit staff, subject to experience, allowing scope to recognise and reward excellence, development, and contribution over time. The Governors recognise that the delivery of the School’s charitable purpose and educational vision is dependent on the quality and commitment of its leadership and staff. Staff costs therefore represent the largest single element of the School’s charitable expenditure and are subject to careful oversight to ensure value, sustainability, and alignment with educational outcomes.

Group Structure and Relationships

Burgess Hill School for Girls Company has one wholly owned non‐charitable subsidiary, Offterm Limited, whose activities and trading performance are regularly discussed by the governing body.

Burgess Hill School for Girls Company actively supports the attainment of the highest standards in the Independent Schools sector, partly through networking with other schools and partly through peer group studies for the evaluation of quality and performance improvement methods.

Burgess Hill School for Girls Company co‐operates with many local charities in our ongoing endeavours to widen public access to the schooling we can provide, to optimise the use of our cultural and sporting facilities and to awaken in our pupils an awareness of the social context of the education they receive at the School.

The School also benefits from the generosity of The Burgess Hill School Parent Teacher Association whose close support is greatly appreciated and gladly acknowledged.

Risk Management

The Board of Governors has overall responsibility for the identification, assessment, and management of the principal risks faced by the School. The Governors regularly review the School’s activities, operating environment, and strategic objectives to identify emerging risks and to ensure that appropriate systems, policies, and controls are in place to manage and mitigate those risks effectively.

In recent reviews, the Governors have identified the wider economic environment as a significant strategic risk to the School. Ongoing cost inflation, pressure on household finances, and uncertainty within the independent education sector have increased the importance of careful financial planning and cost control.

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

GOVERNORS' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

In addition, the Governors remain alert to the political and regulatory environment, including potential changes to the treatment of independent schools, which could materially affect the financial position of the sector as a whole.

In response to these risks, the Governors closely oversee the School’s financial performance, cost base, and medium-term planning. Robust budgeting processes, scenario planning, and regular monitoring of income and expenditure support informed decision-making and help safeguard the School’s long-term financial sustainability. The Governors are satisfied that the procedures in place to manage financial risk are appropriate and proportionate.

The Governors also recognise the importance of managing non-financial risks that could affect the School’s ability to deliver its charitable objectives. These include safeguarding and pupil welfare, compliance with regulatory and inspection requirements, cyber security and data protection, staff recruitment and retention, and reputational risk. Clear policies, staff training, regular audits, and effective oversight by senior leaders and relevant Board committees support the identification and mitigation of these risks.

Risk assessment forms part of the School’s decision-making processes, particularly before entering into any significant financial or contractual commitments. The effectiveness of the system of internal controls is reviewed regularly, alongside other risk mitigation measures, including the use of insurance cover where appropriate.

The Governors consider that the School is in the process of building and maintaining an appropriate level of reserves to support its operations and to mitigate identified risks. In line with Charity Commission guidance, the Governors recognise that the systems and controls in place can provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that the School’s principal risks are being effectively managed.

Auditor

In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Affinia (Stratford) be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.

STATEMENT AS TO DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO AUDITORS

So far as the Governors are aware, there is no relevant audit information (as defined by Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006) of which the company's auditors are unaware, and each Governor has taken all the steps that he or she ought to have taken as a Governor in order to make himself or herself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company's auditors are aware of that information. The Governors have complied with this requirement by delegating this reporting responsibility to members of the Reserves Committee who have the knowledge and experience required.

The Governors' report was approved by the Board of Governors.

.............................. Dr. S.P. Thornton-Wood (Chairman) Governor

Date: .............................................

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

STATEMENT OF GOVERNORS' RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

The Governors, who are also the directors of Burgess Hill School for Girls Company for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Governors' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the Governors to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the Governors are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charitable company will continue in operation.

The Governors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

TO THE MEMBERS OF BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Burgess Hill School for Girls Company (the ‘Charitable company’) for the year ended 31 July 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

• give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 July 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;

• have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

• have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Governors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Governors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The Governors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:

• the information given in the Governors' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared, which includes the directors' report prepared for the purposes of company law, is consistent with the financial statements; and

• the directors' report included within the Governors' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)

TO THE MEMBERS OF BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors' report included within the Governors' report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

• adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

• the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

• certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or

• the Governors were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies' exemptions in preparing the Governors' report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.

Responsibilities of Governors

As explained more fully in the statement of Governors' responsibilities, the Governors, who are also the directors of the Charitable company for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Governors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the Governors are responsible for assessing the Charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Governors either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Acts and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

We have made enquiries of management, and directors, regarding the procedures relating to identifying, evaluating and complying with

1. laws and regulations and whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance;

2. detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud;

3. the internal controls established to mitigate risks related to fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations.

Discussion among the engagement team regarding how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud. As part of this discussion, we identified potential significant risks for fraud in the following areas:

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE MEMBERS OF BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

Management Override

The audit engagement team identified the risk of management override of controls as the area where the financial statements were most susceptible to material misstatement due to fraud. Audit procedures performed included but were not limited to testing manual journal entries and other adjustments and evaluating the business rationale in relation to any significant, unusual transactions and transactions entered into outside of the normal course of business.

Revenue Recognition

Audit procedures performed included but were not limited to performing walk through tests to identify the control procedures in place and once an understanding of the pupil fee income recognition process was obtained, substantive procedures were also performed. Testing concluded that revenue had been recognised in-line with accounting standards.

Laws and Regulations

The audit engagement team identified laws and regulations as a significant risk. In order to test that the financial statements were not materially misstated through fraud or error arising from a breach of laws and regulations, the following testing procedures were planned, a review of any recent results issued by ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) inspection dated November 2022; review of correspondence from legal advisors, to look for evidence of breaches; review of board minutes to identify any breaches in laws and regulations.

Property Valuation

Valuation of freehold and investment property was identified as a significant risk. Audit work performed included reviewing the valuations provided, confirming they were reasonable and in line with expectations based on current industry information, as well as confirming the surveyor was suitably qualified to perform the valuations. Other testing included an impairment review performed by the audit engagement team, and physical inspection of the properties.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/ auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Darren Harding ACA, FCCA, DChA (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Affinia (Stratford)

......................... Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor 19th Floor 1 Westfield Avenue London E20 1HZ

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Current financial year Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds general designated 2025 2025 Notes £ £ Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 - - Charitable activities 4 9,265,819 - Other trading activities 5 120,585 - Investments 6 115,144 - Other income 5,670 - Total income 9,507,218 - Expenditure on: Raising funds 7 195,829 - Charitable activities 8 9,043,304 - Total expenditure 9,239,133 - Net income 268,085 - Transfers between funds 24,486 - Other recognised gains and losses: Actuarial losses on defined benefit pension schemes (12,485) - Net movement in funds 10 280,086 - Reconciliation of funds: Fund balances at 1 August 2024 1,488,363 9,254,474 Fund balances at 31 July 2025 1,768,449 9,254,474	Restricted funds 2025 £ - - - 4,154 - 4,154 - - - 4,154 (24,486) - (20,332) 80,039 59,707	Total 2025 £ - 9,265,819 120,585 119,298 5,670 9,511,372 195,829 9,043,304 9,239,133 272,239 - (12,485) 259,754 10,822,876 11,082,630	Total 2024 £ 834 9,675,595 150,464 119,514 49,495 9,995,902 158,243 9,359,583 9,517,826 478,076 - (4) 478,072 10,344,804 10,822,876

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED) INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Prior financial year Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds general designated 2024 2024 Notes £ £ Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 834 - Charitable activities 4 9,675,595 - Other trading activities 5 150,464 - Investments 6 114,930 - Other income 49,495 - Total income 9,991,318 - Expenditure on: Raising funds 7 158,243 - Charitable activities 8 9,359,583 - Total expenditure 9,517,826 - Net income 473,492 - Transfers between funds (9,207,279) 9,230,587 Other recognised gains and losses: Actuarial losses on defined benefit pension schemes (4) - Net movement in funds 10 (8,733,791) 9,230,587 Reconciliation of funds: Fund balances at 1 August 2023 10,222,154 23,887 Fund balances at 31 July 2024 1,488,363 9,254,474	Restricted funds 2024 £ - - - 4,584 - 4,584 - - - 4,584 (23,308) - (18,724) 98,763 80,039	Total 2024 £ 834 9,675,595 150,464 119,514 49,495 9,995,902 158,243 9,359,583 9,517,826 478,076 - (4) 478,072 10,344,804 10,822,876

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 JULY 2025

Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets 14 Investments 15 Current assets Stocks 17 Debtors 18 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 19 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year 20 Net assets The funds of the Charitable company Restricted income funds 22 Unrestricted funds - general 24 Unrestricted funds - designated 23	2025 £ 9,102 366,730 2,918,756 3,294,588 (1,676,733)	£ 10,120,283 2 10,120,285 1,617,855 11,738,140 (655,510) 11,082,630 59,707 1,768,449 9,254,474 11,082,630	2024 £ 9,091 424,907 2,473,731 2,907,729 (1,625,984)	£ 10,370,686 2 10,370,688 1,281,745 11,652,433 (829,557) 10,822,876 80,039 1,488,363 9,254,474 10,822,876

The financial statements were approved by the Governors on .........................

.............................. Dr. S.P. Thornton-Wood (Chairman) Governor

Company registration number 00289787 (England and Wales)

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Notes Cash flows from operating activities Cash generated from operations 29 Investing activities Purchase of tangible fixed assets Proceeds from disposal of tangible fixed assets Investment income received Net cash generated from/(used in) investing activities Financing activities Payment of finance leases obligations Net cash used in financing activities Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	2025 £ (88,760) - 119,298 (63,025)	£ 477,512 30,538 (63,025) 445,025 2,473,731 2,918,756	2024 £ (458,351) 34,800 119,514 (109,940)	£ 1,059,574 (304,037) (109,940) 645,597 1,828,134 2,473,731

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Burgess Hill School for Girls Company is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Keymer Road, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 0EG.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charitable company's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The Charitable company is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

These accounts present the results of Burgess Hill School for Girls Company and do not consolidate its subsidiary company, on the basis that both entities constitute a small group and have taken advantage of the small group exemption to not prepare group accounts.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charitable company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the Governors have a reasonable expectation that the Charitable company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Governors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Governors in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Designated funds are funds which have been set aside for a specific purpose by the Governors in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4 Income

Fees receivable and charges for services, less any allowances, scholarships and bursaries granted by the School against those fees are accounted for in the period which the service is provided. Where fees are received for a future service period they are included in deferred income, including those fees received under an advance fee payment scheme.

Investment income is accounted for on an accruals basis.

Donations, legacies, grants and other voluntary income are accounted for as and when entitlement arises, the amount can be reliably measured and the economic benefit is considered probable. Where a donor or an appeal has imposed restrictions the income is credited to a restricted fund.

Lettings income is the amount derived from letting the Burgess Hill School premises falling within the company's ordinary activities, rental income is recognised on an accruals basis.

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.5 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis with irrecoverable VAT included with the item to which it relates.

Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

Redundancy and termination payments are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis.

Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.

All costs are allocated between expenditure categories and departments on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Freehold land and buildings	2% on cost of completed buildings / 5% on cost of temporary
	buildings
Plant and equipment	20% on cost / 25% reducing balance
Fixtures and fittings	20% on cost / 25% reducing balance
Computers	20% on cost
Motor vehicles	20% on cost

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

Projects totalling less than £10,000 and the majority of information technology equipment are written off as an expense as acquired.

The Governors are satisfied that the market value of the freehold land and buildings is in excess of the value at which they are stated in these financial statements.

1.7 Fixed asset investments

Investments in subsidiaries are measured at cost and reviewed annually for impairment.

1.8 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the Charitable company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.9

Stocks

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition. Items held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured the lower of replacement cost and cost.

Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.

1.10 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.11 Financial instruments

The Charitable company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the Charitable company's balance sheet when the Charitable company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Derecognition of financial assets

Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the Charitable company transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and finance leases are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the Charitable company’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.12 Employee benefits

The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless there costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee's services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.13 Retirement benefits

Until the 31 August 2020, when it withdrew from the scheme, the School contributed to the Teachers Pension Scheme. From the 1 September 2020 the School joined the Aviva APTIS scheme for Teachers. In addition, the School makes contributions to a defined benefit scheme, The Pensions Trust. The School is unable to identify its share of the underlying (notional) assets and liabilities of these schemes. Accordingly, under FRS 102 the schemes are accounted for as if they were defined contribution schemes.

The School also contributes to defined contribution personal pension schemes for its non-teaching staff.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.14 Leases

Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessees. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets at the lower of the assets fair value at the date of inception and the present value of the minimum lease payments. The related liability is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are treated as consisting of capital and interest elements. The interest is charged to net income/(expenditure) for the year so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the Charitable company’s accounting policies, the Governors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

Tangible assets

The main judgement and accounting estimate included in the accounts is the estimated residual value of the freehold building. No depreciation is charged on freehold property on the basis that the estimated residual value is in excess of cost. The management board get a third party valuation of the properties where necessary for insurance purposes, the last having been undertaken in July 2023.

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

3 Income from donations and legacies

**Unrestricted **	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
funds	funds	funds
general	designated
2025	2025	2025	2025
£	£	£	£
-	-	-	-

	Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds general designated 2025 2025 £ £	Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds general designated 2025 2025 £ £	Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds general designated 2025 2025 £ £	Restricted funds 2025 £	Total 2025 £
Donations and gifts - - Previous year: Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds general designated 2024 2024 £ £ Donations and gifts 834 - 834 -		-	-	-
					-
				Restricted funds 2024 £ - -
					Total 2024 £ 834
					834

4 Income from charitable activities

	Unrestricted	Unrestricted
	funds	funds
	general	general
	2025	2024
	£	£
School fees	9,876,753	10,459,424
Less: bursaries and allowances	(762,613)	(930,697)
	9,114,140	9,528,727
Add:
Registration fees	22,713	27,118
School bus/transport income	124,992	114,632
Other ancillary income	3,974	5,118
	9,265,819	9,675,595

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

5 Income from other trading activities

	Unrestricted	Unrestricted
	funds	funds
	general	general
	2025	2024
	£	£
Lettings income	33,448	70,761
Rental income	87,137	79,703
Other trading activities	120,585	150,464

6 Income from investments

	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
	funds	funds		funds	funds
	2025	2025	2025	2024	2024	2024
	£	£	£	£	£	£
Interest and dividends	115,144	4,154	119,298	114,930	4,584	119,514

7 Expenditure on raising funds

	Unrestricted	Unrestricted
	funds	funds
	general	general
	2025	2024
	£	£
Fundraising and publicity
Advertising and Marketing	195,829	158,243

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

8 Expenditure on charitable activities

Staff costs Depreciation Other costs 2025 2025 2025 £ £ £ Direct costs Teaching 4,595,900 - 274,284 Welfare 579,689 - 368,170 Premises 529,716 - 1,029,196 Support and governance 667,741 339,162 659,446 6,373,046 339,162 2,331,096 Analysis by fund Unrestricted funds - general 6,373,046 339,162 2,331,096 Previous year: Staff costs Depreciation Other costs 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ Direct costs Teaching 4,650,984 - 231,439 Welfare 545,206 - 377,227 Premises 536,616 - 1,280,113 Support and governance 502,924 397,409 837,665 6,235,730 397,409 2,726,444 Analysis by fund Unrestricted funds - general 6,235,730 397,409 2,726,444	Total 2025 £ 4,870,184 947,859 1,558,912 1,666,349
	9,043,304
	9,043,304
	Total 2024 £ 4,882,423 922,433 1,816,729 1,737,998
	9,359,583
	9,359,583

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

9 Support costs allocated to activities

Staff costs Depreciation Other support costs Governance costs Analysed between: Staff costs Depreciation Other costs Governance costs comprise: Audit fees Accountancy Legal and professional 10 Net movement in funds Net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting) Fees payable for the audit of the charity's financial statements Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets Depreciation of tangible fixed assets held under finance leases Loss/(profit) on disposal of tangible fixed assets	2025 £ 667,741 339,162 626,440 33,006 1,666,349 667,741 339,162 659,446 1,666,349 2025 £ 16,250 2,100 14,656 33,006 2025 £ 16,250 339,162 - -	2024 £ 502,924 397,409 777,167 60,498 1,737,998 502,924 397,409 837,665 1,737,998 2024 £ 12,300 2,100 46,098 60,498 2024 £ 12,300 331,696 65,714 (34,800)

11 Governors

No Governors (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the Charitable company or any connected body and none had expenses reimbursed during the year. In 2024, one person had £204 reimbursed relating to Governors' meetings.

.

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

12 Employees

The average monthly headcount was 173 staff (2024: 181) and the average monthly number of full-time equivalent employees during the year was:

Teaching Welfare Premises Support Total Employment costs Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs	2025 Number 78 13 13 9 113 2025 £ 5,179,873 561,069 632,106 6,373,048	2024 Number 84 14 15 7
		120
		2024 £ 5,110,436 488,153 637,142
		6,235,731

The number of employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000 is as follows:

The number of employees whose annual remuneration follows:	was more than £60,000 is as
	2025	2024
	Number	Number
£60,000 - £69,999	4	4
£70,000 - £79,999	4	3
£80,000 - £89,999	1	-
£100,000 +	1	1

Of the employees whose emoluments exceed £60,000, ten (2024: eight) have benefits accruing under defined contribution schemes.

Remuneration of key management personnel

The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows:

	2025	2024
	£	£
Aggregate compensation	825,169	766,915

The key management personnel of the School in the year comprise: the Head, DFO, Assistant Head - Pastoral and Boarding, Assistant Head - Academic, Assistant Head - Sixth Form, and Deputy Head of Prep School.

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

13 Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

14 Tangible fixed assets

Freehold land and buildings £ Cost At 1 August 2024 13,380,964 Additions - Disposals - At 31 July 2025 13,380,964 Depreciation At 1 August 2024 4,150,377 Charge for the year - Eliminated on disposal - At 31 July 2025 4,150,377 Carrying amount At 31 July 2025 9,230,587 At 31 July 2024 9,230,587	Plant and equipment Fixtures and fittings Computers £ £ £ 866,176 862,910 738,584 34,188 30,074 24,498 - - - 900,364 892,984 763,082 392,277 471,764 505,001 122,333 100,214 93,996 - - - 514,610 571,978 598,997 385,754 321,006 164,085 473,900 391,146 233,584	Motor vehicles £ 299,372 - (15,468) 283,904 257,902 22,619 (15,468) 265,053 18,851 41,469	Total £ 16,148,006 88,760 (15,468) 16,221,298 5,777,321 339,162 (15,468) 6,101,015 10,120,283 10,370,686

The net carrying value of tangible fixed assets includes the following in respect of assets held under finance leases or hire purchase contracts. The depreciation charge in respect of such assets amounted to £69,710 (2024: £65,714) for the year.

Computers 15 Fixed asset investments Cost or valuation At 1 August 2024 & 31 July 2025 Carrying amount At 31 July 2025 At 31 July 2024	2025 2024 £ £ 69,640 160,135 Other investments £ 2 2 2

page 28

BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

15 Fixed asset investments

Fixed asset investments			(Continued)
		2025	2024
Other investments comprise:	Notes	£	£
Investments in subsidiaries	16	2	2

16 Subsidiaries

These financial statements are separate Charitable company financial statements for Burgess Hill School for Girls Company.

Details of the Charitable company's subsidiaries at 31 July 2025 are as follows:

Name of undertaking	Registered	Nature of business	Class of	% Held
	office		shares held	Direct Indirect
Offterm Limited	England and Wales	Management of real estate on a fee or	Ordinary	100.00
		contract basis	Shares

The aggregate capital and reserves and the result for the year of subsidiaries excluded from consolidation was as follows:

Name of undertaking Profit/(loss) Capital and reserves £ £ Offterm Limited - 2 17 Stocks Raw materials and consumables 18 Debtors Amounts falling due within one year: Trade debtors Prepayments and accrued income Other debtors	2025 £ 9,102 2025 £ 223,073 138,573 5,084 366,730	2024 £ 9,091
		2024 £ 295,528 123,433 5,946
		424,907

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

19 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Notes Trade creditors Accruals and deferred income Other taxation and social security Obligations under finance leases 21 Other creditors	2025 £ 150,299 154,033 535,740 36,682 799,979 1,676,733	2024 £ 220,022 340,743 103,519 77,359 884,341
		1,625,984

Fees in advance due within one year relate to the advanced payment of 2025-26 termly fees.

20 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

Notes Other creditors Obligations under finance leases 21	2025 £ 628,490 27,020 655,510	2024 £ 780,189 49,368
		829,557

21 Finance lease obligations

Future minimum lease payments due under finance leases:

Within one year Within two and five years	2025 £ 36,682 27,020 63,702	2024 £ 77,359 49,368
		126,727

Finance lease payments represent rentals payable by the company for certain items of fixtures & fittings and IT equipment. Leases include purchase options at the end of the lease period, and no restrictions are placed on the use of the assets. The average lease term is 5 years. All leases are on a fixed repayment basis and no arrangements have been entered into for contingent rental payments.

page 30

BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

22 Restricted funds

The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.

At 1 August 2024 £ Ida Earp Music Fund 80,039 Previous year: At 1 August 2023 £ Ida Earp Music Fund 98,763	Incoming resources £ 4,154 Incoming resources £ 4,584	Transfers At 31 £ (24,486) Transfers At 31 £ (23,308)	July 2025 £ 59,707
			July 2024 £ 80,039

The Ida Earp Music Fund was bequeathed with the restriction that it should be used for the scholarship of music at the School.

Specific resources are held in the appropriate form to enable each fund to be applied in accordance with the restrictions applied.

23 Unrestricted funds - designated

These are designated unrestricted funds which are material to the Charitable company's activities.

The Scholarship Fund has been established from allocations by Governors from Unrestricted Funds. The Fund is used for scholarships and awards to pupils at the School.

The land and buildings fund represents reserves of properties owned by the School. These funds cannot be readily realised and are therefore not available should the School require immediate cashflow.

At 1 August 2024 £ Scholarship fund 23,887 Land and buildings fund 9,230,587 9,254,474 Previous year: At 1 August 2023 £ Scholarship fund 23,887 Land and buildings fund - 23,887	Transfers At 31 £ - - - Transfers At 31 £ - 9,230,587 9,230,587	July 2025 £ 23,887 9,230,587
		9,254,474
		July 2024 £ 23,887 9,230,587
		9,254,474

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

24 Unrestricted funds - general

The general unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes. The free reserves are retained as necessary to cover working capital.

At 1 August 2024 £ General funds 1,488,363 1,488,363 Previous year: At 1 August 2023 £ General funds 10,222,154 10,222,154	Incoming resources £ 9,507,218 9,507,218 Incoming resources £ 9,991,318 9,991,318	Resources expended £ (9,239,133) (9,239,133) Resources expended £ (9,517,826) (9,517,826)	Transfers £ 24,486 24,486 Transfers £ (9,207,279) (9,207,279)	Gains and losses £ (12,485) (12,485) Gains and losses £ (4) (4)	At 31 July 2025 £ 1,768,449 1,768,449 At 31 July 2024 £ 1,488,363 1,488,363

25 Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds general designated 2025 2025 £ £ Fund balances at 31 July 2025 are represented by: Tangible assets 889,696 9,230,587 Investments (4,152) - Current assets/(liabilities) 1,538,415 23,887 Long term liabilities (655,510) - 1,768,449 9,254,474	Restricted funds 2025 £ - 4,154 55,553 - 59,707	Total 2025 £ 10,120,283 2 1,617,855 (655,510) 11,082,630

page 32

BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

25 Analysis of net assets between funds Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds general designated 2024 2024 £ £ Fund balances at 31 July 2024 are represented by: Tangible assets 1,140,099 9,230,587 Investments 2 - Current assets/(liabilities) 1,177,819 23,887 Long term liabilities (829,557) - 1,488,363 9,254,474	(Continued) Restricted Total funds 2024 2024 £ £ - 10,370,686 - 2 80,039 1,281,745 - (829,557) 80,039 10,822,876

26 Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - Nil).

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BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

27 Pension Commitments

The School left The Teachers Pension Scheme in August 2020 and entered into a new Aviva pension scheme.

The pension charge for the year includes contributions payable to the Aviva Pension Scheme of £764,824 (2024: £781,857) and at the year end £61,078 (2024: £72,139) was accrued in respect of contributions to this scheme.

Pensions Trust's Growth Plan

The School participates in the scheme, a multi-employer scheme which provides benefits to some 521 non-associated participating employers. The scheme is a defined benefit scheme in the UK. It is not possible for the School to obtain sufficient information to enable it to account for the scheme as a defined benefit scheme. Therefore it accounts for the scheme as a defined contribution scheme.

The scheme is subject to the funding legislation outlined in the Pensions Act 2004 which came into force on 30 December 2005. This, together with documents issued by the Pensions Regulator and Technical Actuarial Standards issued by the Financial Reporting Council, set out the framework for funding defined benefit occupational pension schemes in the UK.

The scheme is classified as a 'last-man standing arrangement'. Therefore the School is potentially liable for other participating employers' obligations if those employers are unable to meet their share of the scheme deficit following withdrawal from the scheme. Participating employers are legally required to meet their share of the scheme deficit on an annuity purchase basis on withdrawal from the scheme.

A full actuarial valuation for the scheme was carried out at 30 September 2023. This valuation showed assets of £514.9m, liabilities of £531.0m and a deficit of £16.1m. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the Trustee has asked the participating employers to pay additional contributions to the scheme as follows:

Deficit contributions

From 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2028: £2,100,000 per annum (payable monthly)

Unless a concession has been agreed with the Trustee the term to 31 March 2028 applies.

Note that the scheme’s previous valuation was carried out with an effective date of 30 September 2020. This valuation showed assets of £800.3m, liabilities of £831.9m and a deficit of £31.6m. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the Trustee asked the participating employers to pay additional contributions to the scheme as follows:

From 1 April 2022 to 31 January 2025: £3,312,000 per annum (payable monthly)

The recovery plan contributions are allocated to each participating employer in line with their estimated share of the Series 1 and Series 2 scheme liabilities.

Where the scheme is in deficit and where the company has agreed to a deficit funding arrangement the School recognises a liability for this obligation. The amount recognised is the net present value of the deficit reduction contributions payable under the agreement that relates to the deficit. The present value is calculated using the discount rate detailed in these disclosures. The unwinding of the discount rate is recognised as a finance cost.

Assumptions

Rate of discount % per annum 31 July 2025 4.33 31 July 2024 5.23 31 July 2023 5.98

page 34

BURGESS HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

28 Pension Commitments

In accordance with FRS 102, the net present value of the agreed deficit funding arrangement is recognised within creditors in the financial statements. During the year, deficit payments of £12,162 (2024: £13,001) were made and contributions of £211,209 (2024: £198,483) were made to the plan. At the balance sheet date, the deficit reduction plan liability was £11,037 (2024: £2,974) and £nil (2024: £nil) was prepaid in respect of overpaid pension scheme costs.

Re-measurement of the scheme totalling £12,485 (2024: £4) was made during the year.

The School has been notified by The Pensions Trust of the estimated employer debt on withdrawal from the Plan based on the financial position of the Plan as at 30 September 2016. As of this date, the estimated employer debt for the School was £473,622 (also disclosed in the 2016 accounts). This is the latest information available to the School at the time of approving these financial statements.

Provision has been made for the value of The Recovery Plan agreed deficit contributions in the accounts.

The School also contributes to defined contribution schemes on behalf of its other staff. Employer contributions payable to these schemes were £35,446 (2024: £41,296) and at the year end £2,069 (2024: £1,704) was accrued in respect of contributions due to these schemes.

29	Cash generated from operations		2025	2024
			£	£
	Surplus for the year		272,239	478,076
	Adjustments for:
	Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities		(119,298)	(119,514)
	Gain on disposal of tangible fixed assets		-	(34,800)
	Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets		339,162	397,409
	Difference between pension charge and cash contributions		(12,485)	(2,650)
	Movements in working capital:
	(Increase) in stocks		(11)	(714)
	Decrease/(increase) in debtors		58,178	(84,779)
	(Decrease)/increase in creditors		(60,273)	426,546
	Cash generated from operations		477,512	1,059,574
30	Analysis of changes in net funds
		At 1 August	Cash flows	At 31 July
		2024		2025
		£	£	£
	Cash at bank and in hand	2,473,731	445,025	2,918,756
	Obligations under finance leases	(126,727)	63,025	(63,702)
		2,347,004	508,050	2,855,054

page 35