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2025-08-31-accounts

Charity number: 311740 Registered number: 00462901 England and Wales

Catherine Grace Trust (A Company Limited by Guarantee)

Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 August 2025

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025


CONTENTS

Page
Legal and Administrative Information 3
Report of the Trustees 4
Independent Auditor’s Report 10
Statement of Financial Activities 14
Balance Sheet 15
Cash Flow Statement 16
Notes to the Financial Statements 17

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025


Legal and Administrative Information

Trustees Aonghus Gordon OBE
Tara Gratton
Helen Kippax
Constantin Court
Susan Garner (resigned 4 November 2024)
David Wragg
Company Secretary Elisabeth Johnson
Key Management Personnel Aonghus Gordon OBE–Founder & Executive Chair (resigned from
Executive Team on 1 September 2025)
Tara Gratton–CEO
Shazuli Iqbal–Chief Financial Officer
Lindsay Wilkinson–Chief People Officer
Registered Number 00462901
Charity Number 311740
Registered Office Ruskin Mill
Millbottom
Nailsworth
Stroud
Gloucestershire
GL6 0LA
Principal Office Grace Garden School
Canford Lane
Westbury on Trym
BS9 3PE
Auditor RSM UK Audit LLP
10th Floor
103 Colmore Row
Birmingham
B3 3AG
Bankers Lloyds Bank Plc Triodos Bank NV
12 Rowcroft Deanery Road
Stroud Bristol
Gloucestershire BS1 5AS
GL5 3BD
Solicitors RWK Goodman
69 Carter Lane
London
EC4V 5EQ

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Report of the Trustees

The Trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year to 31 August 2025.

Governing document

Catherine Grace Trust is a registered charity (registered no. 311740) and a company limited by guarantee (registered no. 00462901), as defined by the Companies Act 2006. Its Governing Instrument is the Memorandum & Articles of Association dated 24th June 1998, as amended on 22nd March 2010 and 24th July 2019.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Group Structure

Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd is the sole member of Catherine Grace Trust. Catherine Grace Trust is part of the Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd group.

Grace Garden School operates from an 18-acre site, located on Canford Lane, Westbury on Trym, and has an Upper School located at 17 Stoke Hill, Bristol. Catherine Grace Trust fulfils its charitable objects by operating Grace Garden School and Grace Garden Upper School.

The registered office of Catherine Grace Trust is Ruskin Mill, Millbottom, Nailsworth, Stroud, GL6 0LA and the principal office is Grace Garden School, Canford Lane, Westbury on Trym, BS9 3PE.

Recruitment and appointment of new Trustees

The charity’s practice regarding recruitment has been for members of the Board to make recommendations for suitably skilled and experienced people who are then appraised by Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd.’s Board of Trustees which makes the final decision.

Induction and training are carried out during the meeting cycle, and members are also invited to training at Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd.’s other centres. During the year, individual Trustees undertook a range of appropriate training.

Organisational Management

The Trustees delegate the day to day running of the provision to a local management team who oversee operations, and which reports to Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd.’s CEO. The key management personnel are listed on page 3. The Trustees did not receive any remuneration from Catherine Grace Trust in the current or previous period. Four of the five Directors are employed by the parent entity. The remuneration of key management personnel is included in Note 6.

Directors and Trustees

The Trustees during the period are listed on page 3.

Risk Management

A description of the principal risks and uncertainties facing Catherine Grace Trust, as identified by Trustees, together with a summary of the plans and strategies for mitigating those risks, are set out in the Strategic Report. The Trustees regularly review the potential risks and mitigating actions to ensure any risks and uncertainties facing Catherine Grace Trust are well managed.

Employment Policy

Catherine Grace Trust is an equal opportunity organisation and is fully committed to its Equal Opportunities Policy. It aims to ensure there is no discrimination on the grounds of disability and that access to work and promotion is based on ability, qualification and suitability for the work. Catherine Grace Trust is committed to creating a working environment that is free from any form of discrimination.

Catherine Grace Trust employs salaried staff with the appropriate qualifications to provide education and care for pupils and does not rely on volunteers.

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The remuneration of the key management personnel, deemed to be the Senior Leadership Team listed on page 3, is reviewed annually by Trustees based on national criteria and affordability.

OBJECTS AND AIMS

Objects

The charity’s Objects are:

To advance the education and to preserve the health of individuals by providing therapeutic support, education, and care in accordance with the principles, methods and philosophy of Rudolf Steiner.

Aims

Catherine Grace Trust is the proprietor of Grace Garden School which offers day places for specialist education – to children aged 9 16. The school is operated on the main site at Canford Lane as well as the Upper School on nearby Stoke Hill.

Using Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd.’s method of Practical Skills Therapeutic Education, children can learn in a rural setting, which provides sessions in crafts and land work as well as delivering the national curriculum. Grace Garden School provides a nourishing and therapeutic environment for students who are unable to attend mainstream educational establishments.

The school has successfully applied to the Department for Education for a material change to increase the maximum number of pupil numbers to 50.

Public benefit

In carrying out its activities in the year under review, the Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty under Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have regard to the public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

STRATEGIC REPORT

Achievements & Performance

Grace Garden School has continued to grow and develop over the academic year and has grown to capacity at 35 pupils. The Upper School site is being fully utilised, and students benefit from the science lab, gardens and additional classrooms as they prepare for their exams. The school had a successful Ofsted inspection in June 2025 and was graded Good overall, with Outstanding Behaviours and attitudes and Outstanding Personal - Development. The inspection report states, “For many pupils who attend Grace Garden School, it is a life changing experience”.

Following the successful Ofsted inspection and application to the Department for Education, the school has been granted permission to increase maximum pupil numbers to 50. The school continues to use spaces creatively and there are further plans for additional classrooms on the main site to accommodate the growing student numbers.

Attendance at the site continues to be a strength and pupils enjoy coming to school and start their days feeding and caring for the animals or helping with other shared chores. This provides a good sense of community and responsibility.

The school continues to receive a high number of pupil enquiries and is well regarded by parents and local authority.

Financial Review

Trustees value the deficit of £(103,523) made during the year to 31 August 2025 (2024: surplus £155,679).

On 29 August 2025, Catherine Grace Trust donated its subsidiary, Helios Trust, to a related party, Ruskin

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Mill Land Trust Ltd, acting as sole corporate trustee of Ruskin Mill Land Trust (charity registration number 1059302). The value of this donation was £725,194.

o Principal funding sources

Placements at the school are funded by Local Authorities, which support the education of pupils.

o Investments

Listed investments were sold in July 2025.

As noted above, on 29 August 2025, Catherine Grace Trust donated its subsidiary, Helios Trust, to a related party, Ruskin Mill Land Trust Ltd, acting as sole corporate trustee of Ruskin Mill Land Trust (charity registration number 1059302).

o Fundraising

Fundraising throughout the Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd group is managed by an in-house Fundraising Department which is led by a Director of Fundraising. No use is made of any external, professional fundraiser or any commercial participator, so no fundraising activities were carried out on Catherine Grace Trust’s behalf during the year nor were any approaches made to vulnerable individuals in pursuit of the raising of funds for the charity.

Catherine Grace Trust’s parent charity, Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd, has signed up to the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice and it pays an annual levy to the Regulator. During the year there was no failure to comply with a scheme or standard cited nor were any complaints received about the fundraising activities conducted by the Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd.

Money raised by Catherine Grace Trust through fundraising activities is used by the school as agreed with the donor and comply with any conditions attached by the donor.

o Reserves

The Trustees review the charity’s financial plans and results regularly throughout the year. This is done through monitoring income and expenditure against budget forecasts and monitoring cash flow.

The Trustees feel it prudent to build the level of reserves on an annual basis with the purpose of ensuring that the charity has sufficient reserves to act as a buffer against unexpected drops in income or increases in expenditure. The reserves held at year end are restricted funds £Nil (2024: £10,106) and unrestricted funds £1,751,860 (2024: £1,845,277). The charity does not have designated funds, does not require to dispose of fixed assets to achieve any restricted fund purpose and does not have any capital commitments not provided for as a liability in the accounts.

The group’s Reserves Policy is included in the Trustees Report for Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd.

Risks & Uncertainties

The Trustees review the risks to which the charity is exposed such as the health and safety of children, visitors, volunteers and staff on an on-going basis and are satisfied that systems are in place to manage exposure to the major risks. They maintain appropriate levels of insurance cover for all foreseeable risks.

Specific areas of risk and uncertainty are:

o Financial Viability:

Grace Garden School (operated by Catherine Grace Trust) continues to have a strong admissions pipeline and has more applications than places. At present, the school enjoys a good relationship with Bristol local authority but also has pupils from other nearby local authorities. The good OFSTED report as well as positive feedback from parents and quality assurance visits helps to ensure a strong stream of pupils and thereby mitigates the financial risk. Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd finance team offer regular support, and the Executive Principal receives monthly management accounts so that any areas of overspend or financial concern can be addressed quickly. Management Accounts are also reviewed monthly by Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd Executive

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Team, and at each Board meeting.

o Poor Inspection result :

Grace Garden School had a successful OFSTED inspection in June 2025, and any areas for development have been identified and are being addressed by the Executive Principal and senior leadership team.

The CEO and senior leaders are continually working on quality assurance and there has been a specific teacher training developed for the staff to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge. The Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd Civil Service, in conjunction with the CEO is developing a strong quality assurance process to support all Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd schools.

The risk of regulatory non-compliance requires constant review and the upskilling of staff and Trustees to meet an ever-changing regulatory landscape and student profile. Specifically:

The school continues to recruit additional staff as it grows and meets the pupils needs. Bristol offers a wide and diverse workforce, and staff retention has improved, however, there are still challenges to recruiting certain posts, such as support staff and teaching assistants. The Trust has employed a team of specialist recruiters and reviewed the pay for roles that are harder to recruit, to help mitigate the risk.

The charity continues to monitor and improve IT cyber security arrangements to ensure a robustness and preparedness for any future attacks. Catherine Grace Trust benefits from technical and MIS services and support provided by Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd.’s central services. The Trust has recently successfully completed the CyberEssentials assessment and registration. The Trust's IT team has also implemented cloud and onpremise systems that provide additional back up, replication and security remediation in the event of an IT disaster.

o Reputational Risk:

The risk of reputational harm is being mitigated through the vigilance of the charity including ongoing monitoring of Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd.’s Risk Register and implementing a Code of Conduct and ensuring staff are suitably supported and trained.

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Future Plans

Grace Garden School plans to grow pupil numbers over the next few years, to the maximum pupil number of 50. The school is planning further developments to the main site, including renovations to the exisiting barn to create a larger dining area, creating a new barn, as well as additional outdoor workshops for woodworking and other activities. In addition, the property at the end of the drive (253 Canford Lane) is being renovated to improve access to the school and create some additional space for general use and accommodation for any volunteers. Grace Garden Upper School is now being used by pupils 5 days a week, which has created some additional capacity on the main site.

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees (who are also directors of Catherine Grace Trust for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report (incorporating the strategic report and directors’ report) and the financial statements in accordance with 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).

Company law requires the Trustees 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 income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which 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.

Provision of information to Auditor

Each of the people who are Trustees at the time when this Report of the Trustees is approved has confirmed that:

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Qualifying third party indemnity provisions

Trustees’ indemnity insurance indemnifying each director against liability to third parties, has been in place throughout the year ended 31 August 2025 and up to the date of approval of this report.

Auditor

The auditor, RSM UK Audit LLP, was appointed during the year and will be proposed for reappointment at the Annual General Meeting.

Approved by the Trustees on 27 April 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

………………………………………

Aonghus Gordon OBE Trustee

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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF CATHERINE GRACE TRUST

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Catherine Grace Trust (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 August 2025 which comprise the Statement of Comprehensive Income, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement 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 FRS 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:

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 trustees’ 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 trustees 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 Trustees’ Report other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Trustees’ 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.

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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 the audit:

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 or the Strategic Report included within the Trustees’ Report.

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

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities set out on page 8, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes 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 trustees 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 trustees 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 trustees 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

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 the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

Irregularities are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. The objectives of our audit are to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding compliance with laws and regulations that have a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, to perform audit procedures to help identify instances of non-compliance with other laws and regulations that may have a material effect on the financial statements, and to respond appropriately to identified or suspected noncompliance with laws and regulations identified during the audit.

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In relation to fraud, the objectives of our audit are to identify and assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud, to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud through designing and implementing appropriate responses and to respond appropriately to fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit.

However, it is the primary responsibility of management, with the oversight of those charged with governance, to ensure that the entity's operations are conducted in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations and for the prevention and detection of fraud.

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud, the audit engagement team:

As a result of these procedures we consider the most significant laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the financial statements are FRS 102, Charities SORP (FRS 102), Companies Act 2006, Charities Act 2011, the charitable company’s governing document and tax legislation. We performed audit procedures to detect noncompliances which may have a material impact on the financial statements which included reviewing the financial statements including the Trustees’ Report, remaining alert to new or unusual transactions which may not be in accordance with the governing documents, inspecting correspondence with local tax authorities and evaluating any advice received from advisors.

The most significant laws and regulations that have an indirect impact on the financial statements are those in relation to the Education Inspection Framework under the Education and Inspections Act 2006, Keeping Children Safe in Education under the Education Act 2002, the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. We performed audit procedures to inquire of management and those charged with governance whether the charitable company is in compliance with these law and regulations and inspected correspondence with regulatory authorities

The audit engagement team identified the risk of management override of controls and revenue recognition as the areas 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, evaluating the business rationale in relation to significant, unusual transactions and transactions entered into outside the normal course of business, challenging judgments and estimates and tests of detail in respect of income.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at http://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

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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.

Anna Spencer-Gray

ANNA SPENCER-GRAY (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of RSM UK AUDIT LLP, Statutory Auditor Chartered Accountants 10[th ] Floor 103 Colmore Row Birmingham B3 3AG 05/05/26

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Statement of Financial Activities (Net Income and Expenditure Account) For the year ended 31 August 2025

Notes Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total Funds
2025
Total Funds
2024
£
£
£
£
Income
Donations 10
-
10
7,400
Charitable activities 4,137,308
-
4,137,308
3,349,118
Other trading activities 21,388
-
21,388
462
Investment income 57,246
-
57,246
35,557
Total income
3
4,215,952
-
4,215,952
3,392,537
Expenditure
Charitable activities
4
(4,313,613)
(10,106)
(4,323,719)
(3,239,237)
Net (expenditure) / income before
gain on investments
(97,661)
(10,106)
(107,767)
153,300
Gain on investments
9
4,244
-
4,244
2,379
Net (expenditure) / income and
net movement in funds
5
(93,417)
(10,106)
(103,523)
155,679
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
15
1,845,277
10,106
1,855,383
1,699,704
Total funds carried forward
15
1,751,860
-
1,751,860
1,855,383

The notes on pages 17 to 31 form part of these financial statements.

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Registered Number: 00462901

Balance Sheet 31 August 2025

Notes 2025
2024
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
8
365,423
316,308
Investments
9
-
756,345
365,423
1,072,653
Current assets
Debtors
10
117,460
126,902
Cash at bank and in hand 1,664,245
1,552,671
1,781,705
1,679,573
Creditors: amounts fallingdue within oneyear
11
(342,268)
(843,843)
Net current assets 1,439,437
835,730
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
12
(53,000)
(53,000)
Net assets 1,751,860
1,855,383
Funds
Restricted funds
15
-
10,106
Unrestricted funds
15
1,751,860
1,845,277
1,751,860
1,855,383

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 27 April 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

……………………………………..

Aonghus Gordon OBE Trustee

The notes on pages 17 to 31 form part of these financial statements.

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Cash Flow Statement For the year ended 31 August 2025

Note
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities
17
Cash flows from investing activities
Investment income
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Proceeds from sale of fixed asset investments
Net cash provided by / (used in) investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period
2025
2024
£
£
99,961
57,973
57,246
35,557
(81,028)
(50,499)
35,395
-
11,613
(14,942)
111,574
43,031
1,552,671
1,509,640
1,664,245
1,552,671

The notes on pages 17 to 31 form part of these financial statements.

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Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 August 2025

Statutory information

Catherine Grace Trust is incorporated in England and Wales as a company limited by guarantee without share capital.

The liability of members in the event of winding up is limited to an amount not exceeding £10 per member; the number of members at 31 August 2025 was five.

Catherine Grace Trust is also registered as a charity with the Charity Commission (registered no. 311740).

Registered number 00462901 Registered Head Office address: Ruskin Mill Millbottom Nailsworth Stroud Gloucestershire GL6 0LA.

The principal office of Catherine Grace Trust is Grace Garden School, Canford Lane, Westbury on Trym, BS9 3PE.

1. Accounting policies

Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

Catherine Grace Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.

The financial statements are presented in sterling (£), which is the functional currency of the charity.

Going concern

The charitable company meets its financing requirement through funding provided by other group companies, and Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd, the ultimate parent undertaking.

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Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 August 2025

1. Accounting policies (continued)

Working alongside Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd, robust budgets are set, and the actual spend against these budgets is analysed monthly by both the Executive Team and the Board of Trustees Finance Sub-Committee. The full Board also receives the monthly management accounts and reviews them on a two-monthly cycle. The charitable company is currently negotiating fee increases with local authorities to mitigate the impact of inflation on its expenditure.

For the foreseeable future the Trustees consider Catherine Grace Trust a going concern based on recurring funding receivable from the local authorities. The Trustees also believe that reserves are maintained at an appropriate level to provide a sufficient level of cover should it be required.

The group, headed by Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd, has substantial net assets. Furthermore, Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd has provided assurances that group financial support will be provided to Catherine Grace Trust if required. A letter of support has been provided by Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd.

After making detailed enquiries and considering the factors discussed above, the Board is confident that the charitable company has adequate scope to continue its operational existence for the foreseeable future. There are no material uncertainties surrounding going concern and accordingly the charitable company continues to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.

Income

Donations are credited to revenue when the charitable company has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably.

Income from charitable and other trading activities is accounted for in the period in which the income is earned.

Investment income is accounted for on an accruals basis.

Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Operating leases

Rentals applicable to operating leases where substantially all the benefits and risks of ownership remain with the lessor are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Lease incentives are recognised over the life of the lease on a straight-line basis as a reduction to the expense.

Termination payments

Termination payments are accounted for as soon as the charitable company is aware of the obligation to make the payment.

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Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 August 2025

1. Accounting policies (continued)

Pension costs

The charitable company contributes to a defined contribution scheme. Amounts paid in relation to this scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities when they fall due. All pension costs are allocated to unrestricted funds.

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Assets with a cost below £1,000 are not capitalised.

Depreciation is charged to allocate the cost of assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.

Depreciation is provided on the following basis:

Leasehold improvements Over the term of the lease
Fixtures, fittings and equipment 25%
Motor vehicles 25%

Deprecation is not charged on assets under construction.

The assets’ residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate or if there is an indication of a significant change since the last reporting date.

Investments

Listed investments are stated at market value at the balance sheet date. Investments in subsidiary companies are accounted for at cost less any impairment at the balance sheet date. The Statement of Financial Activities includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluation and disposal throughout the year. The investment objective is to seek to maximise total return within its chosen investment criteria by a combination of income and capital growth and within an acceptable level of risk.

Debtors

Short term debtors are initially measured at transaction price, less any impairment. Prepayments are measured at the amount prepaid.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, bank deposits and other short-term deposits.

Creditors

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party; and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

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Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 August 2025

1. Accounting policies (continued)

Long Term Pension Liability

The charitable company makes pension payments to certain former employees under an unfunded pension arrangement. The value of the pension fund has been calculated by using the dates of birth of the former employees and an estimate of how long this will be paid out.

Funds

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the Trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the Notes to these financial statements.

Financial instruments

Catherine Grace Trust only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Listed investments are initially recognised at their transaction cost and subsequently measured at their fair value (market value) at the balance sheet date. Debtors and creditors are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

Taxation

The company is a registered charity and as such is entitled to tax exemption on all its income and gains, properly applied for its charitable purposes.

Significant estimates and judgements

Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Useful economic lives of tangible fixed assets

The annual depreciation charges for tangible fixed assets are sensitive to changes in the estimated useful economic lives and residual values of the assets. The useful economic lives and residual values are reassessed annually. They are amended when necessary to reflect current estimates, based on economic utilisation and the physical condition of the assets.

Impairment of debtors

Catherine Grace Trust makes an estimate of the recoverable value of trade and other debtors. When assessing impairment of fee and other debtors, management considers factors including the current credit rating of the debtor, the ageing profile of debtors and historical experience.

Catherine Grace Trust

20

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025


Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 August 2025

2. Statement of financial activities for the year to 31 August 2024

Notes Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total Funds
2024
£
£
£
Income
Donations -
7,400
7,400
Charitable activities 3,349,118
-
3,349,118
Other trading activities 462
-
462
Investment income 35,557
-
35,557
Total income
3
3,385,137
7,400
3,392,537
Expenditure
Charitable activities
4
(3,225,589)
(13,648)
(3,239,237)
Net income / (expenditure) before
gain on investments
159,548
(6,248)
153,300
Gain on investments
9
2,379
-
2,379
Net income / (expenditure) and
net movement in funds
5
161,927
(6,248)
155,679
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
15
1,683,350
16,354
1,699,704
Total funds carried forward
15
1,845,277
10,106
1,855,383

Catherine Grace Trust

21

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025


Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 August 2025

3. Income

Donation income
Charitable activities
Fees
Other trading activities
Income from land, farm & shop
Miscellaneous
Investment income
Interest received
Total income
2025
2024
£
£
10
7,400
4,137,308
3,349,118
639
279
20,749
183
21,388
462
57,246
35,557
4,215,952
3,392,537

4. Expenditure

Charitable activities
Provision of educational services
Total expenditure
Charitable activities
Provision of educational services
Total expenditure
Staff Costs
(Note 6)
Depreciation
(Note 8)
Other
Costs
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
£
2,214,831
31,913
2,076,975
4,323,719
3,239,237
2,214,831
31,913
2,076,975
4,323,719
3,239,237
Staff Costs
(Note 6)
Depreciation
Other
Costs
2024
£
£
£
£
1,578,068
21,636
1,639,533
3,239,237
1,578,068
21,636
1,639,533
3,239,237

5. Net (expenditure) / income

Net (expenditure) / income is stated after charging:

2025 2024
£ £
Depreciation - owned tangible fixed assets 31,913 21,636
Operating lease expense 219,272 212,787
Auditor's remuneration for the provision of:
-
statutory audit
5,700 5,400

Catherine Grace Trust

22

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025


Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 August 2025

6. Staff costs

Staff costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
2025
2024
£
£
1,965,537
1,419,330
204,961
133,195
44,333
25,543
2,214,831
1,578,068

The monthly average headcount number of employees during the year was as follows:

Teaching
Care, support and administration
Management
The numbers of employees earning more than £60,000 excluding employer NI
£60,001 - £70,000
2025
2024
No.
No.
45
35
25
18
5
5
75
58
and pension costs were:
2025
2024
No.
No.
2
2

Key management personnel of the company are remunerated by a different group entity and hence no disclosure is made in these financial statements.

No termination payments were made during the year (2024: £Nil).

7. Trustees’ remuneration and benefits

No Trustees were remunerated in the year (2024: £Nil).

No Trustee expenses were reimbursed during the year (2024: £Nil).

Catherine Grace Trust

23

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025


Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 August 2025

8. Tangible fixed assets

Cost
1 September 2024
Additions
Transfers
31 August 2025
Depreciation
1 September 2024
Charge for the year
31 August 2025
Net Book Value
31 August 2025
31 August 2024
Leasehold
Improvements
Fixtures,
Fittings &
Equipment
Motor
Vehicles
Assets
Under
Construction
Totals
£
£
£
£
£
274,529
46,079
39,815
-
360,423
-
20,622
20,929
39,477
81,028
31,311
-
-
(31,311)
-
305,840
66,701
60,744
8,166
441,451
11,131
10,476
22,508
-
44,115
5,543
14,236
12,134
-
31,913
16,674
24,712
34,642
-
76,028
289,166
41,989
26,102
8,166
365,423
263,398
35,603
17,307
-
316,308

The net book value of assets held under hire purchase contracts was £3,679 (2024: £11,532).

Catherine Grace Trust

24

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025


Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 August 2025

9. Investments

Listed investments
Shares in subsidiary trading company at cost less impairment:
Helios Trust
2025
2024
£
£
-
31,151
-
725,194
-
756,345

On 29 August 2025, Catherine Grace Trust donated its subsidiary, Helios Trust, to a related party, Ruskin Mill Land Trust Ltd, acting as sole corporate trustee of Ruskin Mill Land Trust (charity registration number 1059302).

Listed investments:
Market value 1 September 2024
Proceeds on disposal
Gain in the year
Market value 31 August 2025
Investments at Market Value:
Invesco
Henderson
Threadneedle
2025
2024
£
£
31,151
28,772
(35,395)
-
4,244
2,379
-
31,151
2025
2024
£
£
-
20,239
-
4,788
-
6,124
-
31,151

Each of the above investments represent more than 5% of the total market value.

Catherine Grace Trust

25

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025


Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 August 2025

10. Debtors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade debtors
Amounts due from group undertakings
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
2025
2024
£
£
68,321
107,147
1,000
-
35,351
14,714
12,788
5,041
117,460
126,902

11. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors
Amounts owed to group undertakings
Social security and other taxes
Pension contributions payable
Other creditors
Fees in advance
Accruals and deferred income
Fees in advance
Amounts brought forward
Amounts received during the year
Amounts utilised during the year
Amounts carried forward
2025
2024
£
£
110,677
84,715
-
594,144
97,175
33,830
9,277
6,858
1,189
4,043
111,243
108,199
12,707
12,054
342,268
843,843
2025
2024
£
£
108,199
-
4,100,451
3,457,487
(4,097,407)
(3,349,288)
111,243
108,199

The closing balance of fees received in advance relates to fees received in respect of the 2025-26 academic year.

Catherine Grace Trust

26

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025


Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 August 2025

12. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

Pension Liability 2025
2024
£
£
53,000
53,000
53,000
53,000

The charity makes pension payments to certain former employees under an unfunded pension arrangement. A provision has been made to reflect the costed liability of these payments.

13. Operating lease commitments

At the year end the charitable company had total commitments due under non-cancellable operating leases as set out below:

Land and buildings
Within 1 year
Between 2 and 5 years
Over 5 years
Other
Within 1 year
2025
2024
£
£
229,036
211,776
916,143
847,104
267,208
264,720
1,412,387
1,323,600
-
586

14. Financial instruments

2025 2024
£ £
Financial assets measured at fair value - 31,151

Financial assets measured at fair value comprise listed investments and is the market value at the balance sheet date.

Catherine Grace Trust

27

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025


Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 August 2025

15. Reconciliation of movement in funds

Year to 31 August 2025:

Year to 31 August 2025:
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Hen house, Outdoor
shelters & Pottery
equipment
Total funds
Restricted funds
1 September
2024
Income
Expenditure
Gains
Transfer
31 August
2025
£
£
£
£
£
£
1,845,277
4,215,952
(4,313,613)
4,244
-
1,751,860
10,106
-
(10,106)
-
-
-
10,106
-
(10,106)
-
-
-
1,855,383
4,215,952
(4,323,719)
4,244
-
1,751,860

Hen house, Outdoor Pottery equipment for the new pottery shed, a hen house with paddock, and a shelters & Pottery mobile field shelter were purchased during the year. equipment

Catherine Grace Trust

28

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025


Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 August 2025

15. Reconciliation of movement in funds (continued)

Year to 31 August 2024:

Year to 31 August 2024:
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Electric vehicle
Play equipment
Hen house, Outdoor
shelters & Pottery
equipment
Total funds
1 September
2023
Income
Expenditure
Gains
Transfer
31 August
2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
1,683,350
3,385,137
(3,225,589)
2,379
-
1,845,277
500
-
-
-
(500)
-
10,000
-
(10,000)
-
-
-
5,854
7,400
(3,648)
-
500
10,106
16,354
7,400
(13,648)
-
-
10,106
1,699,704
3,392,537
(3,239,237)
2,379
-
1,855,383

Restricted funds

Electric vehicle

The electric vehicle was less than the donation received, so the fund balance has been transferred to another fund

Play equipment The donation received from Sterling Charity was used to purchase play equipment during the year.

Hen house, Outdoor shelters & Pottery equipment

During the year, donations were received from G C Gibson Charitable Trust of £5,000 for pottery equipment. This will be spent in the coming year. Donations were also received from Groundworks, £2,400 for outdoor shelters. A mobile field shelter was purchased during the year.

Catherine Grace Trust

29

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025


Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 August 2025

16. Analysis of net assets between funds

31 August 2025
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
31 August 2024
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Cash flows from operating activities
Net movement in funds
Gain on investments
Investment income
Depreciation
Donation of investments
Decrease / (increase) in debtors
(Decrease) in creditors
Net cash provided by operating activities
Fixed assets
Net current
assets
£
£
-
-
365,423
1,439,437
Long term
liabilities
Fund
balances
£
£
-
-
(53,000)
1,751,860
365,423
1,439,437
(53,000)
1,751,860
-
10,106
1,072,653
825,624
-
10,106
(53,000)
1,845,277
1,072,653
835,730
(53,000)
1,855,383
2025
2024
£
£
(103,523)
155,679
(4,244)
(2,379)
(57,246)
(35,557)
31,913
21,636
725,194
-
9,442
(26,945)
(501,575)
(54,461)
99,961
57,973

17. Cash flows from operating activities

Catherine Grace Trust

30

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025


Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 August 2025

18. Related party transactions

Year to 31 August 2025 transactions and year-end balance between subsidiaries and parent company:

Ruskin Mill SunfieldChildren’s Clervaux
Trust Ltd Homes Ltd Trust Ltd
£ £ £
Donations paid 200,000 - 4,000
Trade debtor amounts - 1,000 -
Trade creditor amounts - - -

Year to 31 August 2024 transactions and year-end balance between subsidiaries and parent company:

Ruskin Mill SunfieldChildren’s Clervaux
Trust Ltd Homes Ltd Trust Ltd
£ £ £
Donations paid 400,000 - -
Trade debtor amounts - - -
Trade creditor amounts (594,144) -

Mr A Gordon (a Trustee of Catherine Grace Trust) was a Director of Ruskin Mill Land Trust Ltd, the sole corporate Trustee of Ruskin Mill Land Trust from which the charitable company made purchases of £218,129 (2024: £211,776). These purchases relate to the annual rental of Cherry Orchards, the main site for the Lower School. The balance owed to Ruskin Mill Land Trust at the end of the year is £18,177 (2024: £Nil). Mr A Gordon resigned as a Director and Trustee of Ruskin Mill Land Trust Ltd on 31 August 2025.

19. Ultimate parent company and controlling party

Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd (registered in England and Wales; company number: 07252866 and charity number: 1137167) is the sole member and controlling party of Catherine Grace Trust. The objects of Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd include the advancement of the education of young people with learning difficulties and/ or behavioural problems or special educational needs; the promotion of research into the practice and development of those areas of education; and the promotion of Rudolf Steiner education establishments. The charitable company runs special educational needs schools and colleges. A copy of their financial statements can be obtained from the Registrar of Companies, Companies House, Crown Way, Cardiff, CF14 3UZ.

Catherine Grace Trust

31