REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 00908985 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 312101
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD 11 OCTOBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025
FOR
EMERSON COLLEGE TRUST LTD
Bronsens Chartered Certified Accountants Statutory Auditors Eden House Two Rivers Business Park Witney Oxfordshire OX28 4BL
EMERSON COLLEGE TRUST LTD
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD 11 OCTOBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and Administrative Details | 1 |
| Report of the Trustees | 2 to 4 |
| Report of the Independent Auditors | 5 to 7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
| Balance Sheet | 9 to 10 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 11 to 23 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 24 to 25 |
EMERSON COLLEGE TRUST LTD
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS FOR THE PERIOD 11 OCTOBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025
TRUSTEES
Mrs P de Lange Mr I K Clements (resigned 6.5.25) Mr A C H Gordon OBE Ms T A Gratton Dr K M Griffiths Mr M O Leach Mr J D Smith Mrs A Whitbread
EXECUTIVE PRINCIPAL Mr S Gaiti (appointed 30.12.25) COMPANY SECRETARY Mrs A Whitbread REGISTERED OFFICE Pixton Hartfield Road Forest Row Sussex RH18 5JX REGISTERED COMPANY 00908985 (England and Wales) NUMBER
REGISTERED CHARITY 312101 NUMBER AUDITORS Bronsens Chartered Certified Accountants Statutory Auditors Eden House Two Rivers Business Park Witney Oxfordshire OX28 4BL BANKERS HSBC Bank plc 1 Middle Row East Grinstead West Sussex RH19 3AY
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EMERSON COLLEGE TRUST LTD
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD 11 OCTOBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025
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 period 11 October 2024 to 31 August 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and activities
Objectives and organisation of the charity
The principal objective of the charity is to promote the advanced education of individuals through training study and research in accordance with Rudolf Steiner's educational principles with special emphasis on education, agriculture, arts and science.
Emerson College Trust Limited operates Emerson College, in Forest Row, for the furtherance of the charity's objective. All funds raised and donations received are applied to promote study and research in anthroposophy and biodynamic agriculture.
The Trustees are aware of their duty to have due regard to the Charity Commission's public benefit guidance in formulating the strategy for the charity. They are satisfied that the objectives of the charity are of public benefit.
Achievement and performance
Emerson College Trust completed the welcome collaboration with the Ruskin Mill Land Trust in October 2024, joining the Group as a subsidiary entity, bringing with it the property sitting within the freehold title of the Emerson College site, and the landlord obligations and responsibilities for all leasehold titles.
Since October 2024, good progress has been made with some of the strategic goals. Emerson College has overseen significant improvement works to Ruskin Building and Pixton House. A land management plan has been developed with successful implementation on areas of the site.
Development of the new school (Ashdown Garden School) continues at pace by Ruskin Mill Trust (under a lease of part of the site) with the school due to open in Summer 2026.
Mercury Provident Pension Scheme - Emerson College Trust successfully completed segregation from the main section of the pension scheme in Spring 2025.
Emerson College Courses
Emerson College is a vibrant college with a rich, exciting and varied programme of courses, performances and talks.
Health : Mental Health Seminar, Blended Quietude Practitioner Training, Anthroposophic Psychotherapy Training, English Training in Anthroposophical Medicine (open to doctors worldwide), Rhythmical Massage Therapy Training.
Education : Holistic Baby and Child Care, Post Graduate Diploma in Waldorf Education with PGCE/QTS, Holistic Science Courses.
Arts: Nose to nose - Clowning. Land : Sustainable agriculture.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Reserves policy
The Trustees consider that the charity's assets are adequate to fulfil its obligations and that it has sufficient free reserves to meet all ongoing operating costs for a period of six months. As at 31 August 2025 the Trust and its subsidiary held a total of £xxxx in cash, with an outstanding loan of £xxxx.
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EMERSON COLLEGE TRUST LTD
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD 11 OCTOBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025
FUTURE PLANS
Following the merger with Ruskin Mill Land Trust, Emerson College Trust continues to work on the several key strategic areas:
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Develop the course and training offer within the Four Pillars of Emerson College (Health, Education, Arts and Land)
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Complete the renovations of Ruskin Building to include the new reception area, conference venue, new
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dining facilities to include the café, gallery and conference venue.
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Complete the renovations of Pixton House to increase the space for the Administration and
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Course/Conference Rooms.
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To work with Ruskin Mill Land Trust in improving the infrastructure of the College.
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To increase the course offerings.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, the memorandum and articles of association, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006; and amended by special resolution dated 10 October 2024.
Governing body
The Board of Trustees is the governing body of the charity. The charity is a trust whose sole member is Ruskin Mill Land Trust Limited as corporate trustee for Ruskin Mill Land Trust, a charitable trust. The directors of the trustee company are responsible for undertaking the duties of the member company.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
The charity's practice regarding recruitment is for the members of the board to make recommendations for suitably skilled and experienced people who are then appraised by the board. Trustees receive relevant training where required which includes paper and in-person briefings on legal and other updates.
Organisational management
The Trustees are legally responsible for the overall governance and control of the trust and meet at least three times a year.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
The trustees (who are also the directors of Emerson College Trust Ltd for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law, the trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law).
Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they 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 period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to 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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EMERSON COLLEGE TRUST LTD
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD 11 OCTOBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES - continued
In so far as the trustees are aware:
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there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware; and
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the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information.
AUDITORS
The auditors, Bronsens, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 27 April 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
.................................................................
Mr ACH Gordon OBE, Trustee
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REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE TRUSTEES OF EMERSON COLLEGE TRUST LTD
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Emerson College Trust Ltd (the 'charitable company') for the period ended 31 August 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 August 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the period then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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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 Auditors' 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 trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Report of the Independent Auditors thereon.
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.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 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.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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the information given in the Report of the Trustees is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements; or
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the charitable company has not kept adequate accounting records; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
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REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE TRUSTEES OF EMERSON COLLEGE TRUST LTD
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities, 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.
Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
We have been appointed as auditors under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act 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 a Report of the Independent Auditors 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 gained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the company and the industry in which it operates, and considered the risk of acts by the company that were contrary to applicable laws and regulations, including fraud. We designed audit procedures to respond to the risk, recognising that the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.
We focused on laws and regulations which could give rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements, including, but not limited to, the Companies Act 2006 and UK tax legislation. Our tests included agreeing the financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation, enquiries with management and enquiries of legal counsel. There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. We did not identify any key audit matters relating to irregularities, including fraud. As in all our audits, we also addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, including testing journals and evaluating whether there was evidence of bias by the directors that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Independent Auditors.
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REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE TRUSTEES OF EMERSON COLLEGE TRUST LTD
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' 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 trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
for and on behalf of Bronsens Chartered Certified Accountants Statutory Auditors Eligible to act as an auditor in terms of Section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006 Eden House Two Rivers Business Park Witney Oxfordshire OX28 4BL Date: .....27 April 2026........................................
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EMERSON COLLEGE TRUST LTD
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERIOD 11 OCTOBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025
| Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies Charitable activities Education Other trading activities 2 Investment income 3 Total EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Education Bank loan interest Other Total NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
Unrestricted funds £ 526,572 1,271,921 86,432 - 1,884,925 817,168 - 882,660 1,699,828 185,097 1,751,722 1,936,819 |
Restricted funds £ 8,685 (26,795) - - (18,110) 10,754 - 706 11,460 (29,570) 135,668 106,098 |
Period 11.10.24 to 31.8.25 Total funds £ 535,257 1,245,126 86,432 - 1,866,815 827,922 - 883,366 1,711,288 155,527 1,887,390 2,042,917 |
Period 1.7.23 to 10.10.24 Total funds £ 73,094 1,651,607 67,118 1,021 1,792,840 1,472,663 14,894 524,833 2,012,390 (219,550) 2,106,940 1,887,390 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
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EMERSON COLLEGE TRUST LTD
BALANCE SHEET 31 AUGUST 2025
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Intangible assets 8 Tangible assets 9 Investments 10 CURRENT ASSETS Stocks 11 Debtors 12 Cash at bank and in hand CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 13 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES CREDITORS Amounts falling due after more than one year 14 PENSION LIABILITY NET ASSETS FUNDS 16 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
Unrestricted funds £ 739 3,143,906 12,267 3,156,912 41,947 379,224 24,371 445,542 (1,116,973) (671,431) 2,485,481 - (548,662) 1,936,819 |
Restricted funds £ - - - - - - 106,098 106,098 - 106,098 106,098 - - 106,098 |
31.8.25 Total funds £ 739 3,143,906 12,267 3,156,912 41,947 379,224 130,469 551,640 (1,116,973) (565,333) 2,591,579 - (548,662) 2,042,917 1,936,819 106,098 2,042,917 |
10.10.24 Total funds £ 921 2,750,581 12,267 2,763,769 41,946 207,679 177,938 427,563 (536,371) (108,808) 2,654,961 (53,333) (714,238) 1,887,390 1,751,722 135,668 1,887,390 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the period ended 31 August 2025.
The members have not deposited notice, pursuant to Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006 requiring an audit of these financial statements.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for
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(a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
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(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.
The notes form part of these financial statements
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The notes form part of these financial statements
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EMERSON COLLEGE TRUST LTD
BALANCE SHEET - continued 31 AUGUST 2025
These financial statements have been audited under the requirements of Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 27 April 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:
............................................. Mr ACH Gordon OBE, Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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EMERSON COLLEGE TRUST LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD 11 OCTOBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Preparation of consolidated financial statements
The financial statements contain information about Emerson College Trust Ltd as an individual charity and do not contain consolidated financial information as the parent of a group. The charity is exempt under Section 400 of the Companies Act 2006 from the requirements to prepare consolidated financial statements as it and its subsidiary undertaking are included by full consolidation in the consolidated financial statements of its parent, Ruskin Mill Land Trust, whose registered office is: Old Bristol Road, Nailsworth, Gloucester, GL6 0LA.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, 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 and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Allocation and apportionment of costs
Resources expended are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis and are allocated to a specific activity where costs relate directly to that activity.
Costs of generating funds are the costs directly attributable to raising funds.
Charitable expenditure includes all costs directly relating to the objective of the charity and the costs involved supporting that work.
Governance costs relate to the costs of legal and professional fees, audit fees.
Support costs include those costs connected with the management of the charity's assets, organisational management and administration and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.
Expenditure on support costs of the charity includes all expenditure not directly related to the charitable activity or fundraising ventures.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
| Freehold property | - | 1% on cost |
|---|---|---|
| Short leasehold | - | Over the term of the lease |
| Plant and machinery | - | 25% on reducing balance and 20% on reducing balance |
| Fixtures and fittings | - | 25% on reducing balance and 10% on cost |
| Library books | - | 25% on reducing balance and 15% on reducing balance |
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EMERSON COLLEGE TRUST LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE PERIOD 11 OCTOBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Investments
Fixed asset investments loans are stated at cost as they are ultimately redeemable at their original value and are not saleable. Other equities are stated at market value derived from information offered by the issuing company.
Related party exemption
The charitable company has taken advantage of exemption, under the terms of Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland', not to disclose related party transactions with wholly owned subsidiaries within the group.
Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
The charitable company was contributing to the Mercury Provident Pension Scheme which is an unsegregated multi-employer defined-benefit scheme. This is a collective policy scheme (i.e. members have a joint and several obligation to pay the liabilities of any member who is not able to pay for employees of a number of anthroposophical institutions in the UK and the assets of the scheme are held independently and separate to those of the charitable company. The scheme has been closed to further benefit accrual.
The last actuarial valuation carried out to 29 December 2021 identified a funding short fall of £5.4 million on a best estimate for the scheme as a whole. Emerson's share of the best estimate valuation of the deficit was revalued in the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2023, based on the actuarial valuation as at 29 December 2021.
Subsequent to the closure of the defined benefit scheme the charitable company has commenced contributing towards a money purchase pension scheme. Contributions payable for the year are charged in the income and expenditure account.
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EMERSON COLLEGE TRUST LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE PERIOD 11 OCTOBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025
| 2. | OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Period | Period | ||
| 11.10.24 | 1.7.23 | ||
| to | to | ||
| 31.8.25 | 10.10.24 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Cafe income | 86,432 | 67,118 | |
| 3. | INVESTMENT INCOME | ||
| Period | Period | ||
| 11.10.24 | 1.7.23 | ||
| to | to | ||
| 31.8.25 | 10.10.24 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Investment interest | - | 1,021 | |
| 4. | NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ||
| Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): |
| Period | Period | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 11.10.24 | 1.7.23 | ||
| to | to | ||
| 31.8.25 | 10.10.24 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Auditors' remuneration | 360 | 10,000 | |
| Depreciation - owned assets | 55,673 | 76,985 | |
| Patents and licences amortisation | 182 | 419 | |
| 5. | TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS | ||
| Period | Period | ||
| 11.10.24 | 1.7.23 | ||
| to | to | ||
| 31.8.25 | 10.10.24 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Trustees' fees | - | 6,690 |
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the period ended 31 August 2025 nor for the period ended 10 October 2024.
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EMERSON COLLEGE TRUST LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE PERIOD 11 OCTOBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025
6. STAFF COSTS
The average monthly number of employees during the period was as follows:
| Period | Period | |
|---|---|---|
| 11.10.24 | 1.7.23 | |
| to | to | |
| 31.8.25 | 10.10.24 | |
| Teaching and administration | 26 | 29 |
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
The key management personnel of the charity are the trustees and departmental directors. The total employment costs including employer pension contributions of key management personnel totalled £20,459 (2024: £56,354). Included in key management personnel are trustees costs relating to A Blampied-Radojcin £nil (2024: £6,690) for tutor fees.
7. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies Charitable activities Education Other trading activities Investment income Total EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Education Bank loan interest Other Total NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
Unrestricted funds £ 18,191 1,691,064 67,118 1,021 1,777,394 1,454,157 14,894 524,758 1,993,809 (216,415) 1,968,137 1,751,722 |
Restricted funds £ 54,903 (39,457) - - 15,446 18,506 - 75 18,581 (3,135) 138,803 135,668 |
Total funds £ 73,094 1,651,607 67,118 1,021 1,792,840 1,472,663 14,894 524,833 2,012,390 (219,550) 2,106,940 1,887,390 |
|---|---|---|---|
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EMERSON COLLEGE TRUST LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE PERIOD 11 OCTOBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025
8. INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| COST At 11 October 2024 and 31 August 2025 AMORTISATION At 11 October 2024 Charge for year At 31 August 2025 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 August 2025 At 10 October 2024 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS COST At 11 October 2024 Additions At 31 August 2025 DEPRECIATION At 11 October 2024 Charge for year At 31 August 2025 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 August 2025 At 10 October 2024 |
Freehold property £ 3,034,936 203,052 3,237,988 435,582 29,505 465,087 2,772,901 2,599,354 |
Short leasehold £ 77,000 - 77,000 77,000 - 77,000 - - |
Patents and licences £ 1,608 687 182 869 739 921 Improvements to property £ - 210,315 210,315 - - - 210,315 - |
|---|---|---|---|
9. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
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EMERSON COLLEGE TRUST LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE PERIOD 11 OCTOBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025
9. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS - continued
| COST At 11 October 2024 Additions At 31 August 2025 DEPRECIATION At 11 October 2024 Charge for year At 31 August 2025 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 August 2025 At 10 October 2024 10. INVESTMENTS MARKET VALUE At 11 October 2024 and 31 August 2025 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 August 2025 At 10 October 2024 |
Plant and machinery £ 183,492 - 183,492 171,155 2,437 173,592 9,900 12,337 |
Fixtures and fittings £ 512,705 35,631 548,336 373,815 23,731 397,546 150,790 138,890 |
Library books £ 16,848 - 16,848 16,848 - 16,848 - - |
Totals £ 3,824,981 448,998 4,273,979 1,074,400 55,673 1,130,073 3,143,906 2,750,581 Other investments £ 12,267 12,267 12,267 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There were no investment assets outside the UK.
Emerson College holds 265 Depository Receipts in Triodos Bank NV.
The charitable company's investment at the Balance Sheet date includes the £1 ordinary share in Emerson College Enterprises Limited set up to develop some of the properties with Emerson College site.
Emerson College Enterprises Limited
Class of shares - Ordinary £1. Holding 100%
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EMERSON COLLEGE TRUST LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE PERIOD 11 OCTOBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025
| 11. STOCKS 31.8.25 £ Stocks 41,947 12. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 31.8.25 £ Trade debtors 82,856 Other debtors 296,350 VAT 18 Prepayments and accrued income - 379,224 13. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 31.8.25 £ Bank loans and overdrafts (see note 15) 62,483 Trade creditors 35,934 Amounts owed to group undertakings 544,621 Social security and other taxes 24,109 Other creditors 3,750 Pension creditor - Accruals and deferred income 446,076 1,116,973 14. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR 31.8.25 £ Bank loans (see note 15) - 15. LOANS An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below: 31.8.25 £ Amounts falling due within one year on demand: Bank overdrafts 2,483 Bank loans 60,000 62,483 Amounts falling between one and two years: Bank loans - 1-2 years - Amounts falling due between two and five years: Bank loans - 2-5 years - |
10.10.24 £ 41,946 10.10.24 £ 42,392 170,865 - (5,578) 207,679 10.10.24 £ 40,000 45,608 21,975 12,041 8,498 45,000 363,249 536,371 10.10.24 £ 53,333 10.10.24 £ - 40,000 40,000 40,000 13,333 |
|
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE PERIOD 11 OCTOBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025
16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
| Unrestricted funds General Fund Education Biodynamic Agriculture Holistic Baby & Child Care 14/15 Course Development Storytelling Beyond Words Restricted funds Biodynamic Agriculture Fund Initiative Group Stage Anthroposophic Nursing Healing Words Storytelling General Emerson Bursary Practitioners & Teachers Mrs Hunter AnthroMed Scholarship Eurythmy Mrs Hunter AnthroMed Teachers Training Aesculapius AnthroMed J Stedall Legacy Iona Stitching TOTAL FUNDS |
At 11.10.24 £ 1,712,457 4,707 16,624 367 17,567 1,751,722 9,638 1,593 330 1,036 3,858 138 10,387 32,745 59,107 1,072 8,449 2,315 5,000 - 135,668 1,887,390 |
Net movement in funds £ 202,474 - - (150) (17,227) 185,097 - - - - (568) (138) (546) (21,994) (4,255) - (3,254) - - 1,185 (29,570) 155,527 |
At 31.8.25 £ 1,914,931 4,707 16,624 217 340 1,936,819 9,638 1,593 330 1,036 3,290 - 9,841 10,751 54,852 1,072 5,195 2,315 5,000 1,185 106,098 2,042,917 |
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE PERIOD 11 OCTOBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025
16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General Fund Holistic Baby & Child Care 14/15 Course Development Storytelling Beyond Words Restricted funds Healing Words Storytelling General Emerson Bursary Practitioners & Teachers Mrs Hunter AnthroMed Scholarship Mrs Hunter AnthroMed Teachers Training Iona Stitching TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 1,884,925 - - 1,884,925 - - (546) (21,994) (4,255) - 8,685 (18,110) 1,866,815 |
Resources expended £ (1,682,451) (150) (17,227) (1,699,828) (568) (138) - - - (3,254) (7,500) (11,460) (1,711,288) |
Movement in funds £ 202,474 (150) (17,227) 185,097 (568) (138) (546) (21,994) (4,255) (3,254) 1,185 (29,570) 155,527 |
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE PERIOD 11 OCTOBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025
16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
| Unrestricted funds General Fund Education Biodynamic Agriculture Holistic Baby & Child Care 14/15 Course Development Storytelling Beyond Words Restricted funds Biodynamic Agriculture Fund Initiative Group Ruskin Hall (Refurbishment) Stage Anthroposophic Nursing Healing Words Storytelling General Emerson Bursary Practitioners & Teachers Mrs Hunter AnthroMed Scholarship Eurythmy Mrs Hunter AnthroMed Teachers Training Pixton Restoration Aesculapius AnthroMed J Stedall Legacy TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1.7.23 £ 1,932,127 3,869 16,624 367 15,150 1,968,137 9,638 1,593 15,934 330 1,036 3,858 213 7,387 69,694 11,215 1,072 11,021 3,497 2,315 - 138,803 2,106,940 |
Net movement in funds £ (219,670) 838 - - 2,417 (216,415) - - (15,934) - - - (75) 3,000 (36,949) 47,892 - (2,572) (3,497) - 5,000 (3,135) (219,550) |
At 10.10.24 £ 1,712,457 4,707 16,624 367 17,567 1,751,722 9,638 1,593 - 330 1,036 3,858 138 10,387 32,745 59,107 1,072 8,449 - 2,315 5,000 135,668 1,887,390 |
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EMERSON COLLEGE TRUST LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE PERIOD 11 OCTOBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025
16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General Fund Education Storytelling Beyond Words Restricted funds Ruskin Hall (Refurbishment) Storytelling General Emerson Bursary Practitioners & Teachers Mrs Hunter AnthroMed Scholarship Mrs Hunter AnthroMed Teachers Training Pixton Restoration J Stedall Legacy TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 1,761,855 838 14,701 1,777,394 - - 3,000 (36,949) 47,892 - (3,497) 5,000 15,446 1,792,840 |
Resources expended £ (1,981,525) - (12,284) (1,993,809) (15,934) (75) - - - (2,572) - - (18,581) (2,012,390) |
Movement in funds £ (219,670) 838 2,417 (216,415) (15,934) (75) 3,000 (36,949) 47,892 (2,572) (3,497) 5,000 (3,135) (219,550) |
|---|---|---|---|
RESTRICTED FUNDS
Biodynamics agriculture fund
This fund represents the donation from a third party to construct and equip a building to support a biodynamic training scheme. The building was constructed a number of years ago, but as the trustees are of the opinion that the restriction imposed by the donor extends beyond the construction of the building to an ongoing requirement that the building is used for the prescribed purpose this fund stands at the value of the original donation less the estimated depreciation of the building since its construction. Emerson College Trust Limited no longer owns this building and the balance has now been transferred to general reserves.
Initiative Group
Funds raised to support students' social activities.
Ruskin Hall (Refurbishment )
Donations received for refurbishment of Ruskin Hall.
Stage
Funds were received to improve the stage in Ruskin Hall.
Anthroposophic Nursing
Fund for the experienced based training in anthroposophical nursing which leads to an extended understanding of the human body.
Healing Words
Donation from International School of Storytelling for promotion and support of this storytelling course.
Storytelling General Fund
These are the donations received for the art and craft of storytelling to prepare people to carry the spoken word with a lively imagination into the community and places of work.
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE PERIOD 11 OCTOBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025
16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Emerson Bursary
Bursaries are offered to students in cases decided by the college.
Practitioners and Teachers
A legacy was received to set up a bursary for practitioners and teachers.
Mrs Hunter AnthroMed Scholarship
Bursaries for students attending the Anthroposophical Medicine course.
Eurythmy
Resources to promote Eurythmy courses and related initiatives.
Mrs Hunter AnthroMed Teacher Training
Bursaries for training new teachers for the Anthroposophical Medicine course.
Pixton Restoration Fund
Resources to promote the development of Pixton Building.
Aesculapius AnthroMed Fund
Bursaries for students attending he Anthroposophical Medicine course.
J Stedall Legacy
Funds for Medical Training Programmes.
DESIGNATED FUNDS
Biodynamics agriculture
This fund provides bursary support for students wishing to train in biodynamic agriculture at the college.
Holistic Baby & Child Course Development
This fund represents course development for the Holistic Baby and Child course.
Library
This fund was set up for donations towards the restoration of the building.
Storytelling Beyond Words
Funds to cover Storytelling Beyond Words projects.
17. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the period ended 31 August 2025.
18. ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY
Emerson College Trust Limited is a subsidiary of Ruskin Mill Land Trust, an unincorporated charity. Consolidated accounts can be obtained from Ruskin Mill, Old Bristol Road, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire GL6 0LA.
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE PERIOD 11 OCTOBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025
19. PENSION COMMITMENTS
As referred to in the accounting policies the charitable company participated in a defined benefit pension scheme, providing benefits based on final pensionable earnings, which is the basic salary. The scheme has equal pension rights with respect to members of either sex. The assets of the scheme are held in a separate trustee administered (multi-employer) fund. Although the assets and liabilities of the fund are not wholly attributable to the charitable company the scheme actuaries have calculated each employer's share of the funding shortfall as the proportion of the total that their past service liability bears to the total past service liability.
The company withdrew from the scheme in 2024. The actuarial loss arising on the shortfall was charged to the accounts in the year ended 30 June 2023.
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EMERSON COLLEGE TRUST LTD
| DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERIOD 11 OCTOBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025 Period 11.10.24 to 31.8.25 £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legacies Donations 535,257 Other trading activities Cafe income 86,432 Investment income Investment interest - Charitable activities Student fees 443,999 Student boarding and catering 405,635 Rental income 284,801 Venue hire 100,909 Garden income - Bookshop and other income 37,177 Student fees discounts (27,395) 1,245,126 Total incoming resources 1,866,815 EXPENDITURE Charitable activities Wages 234,547 Social security 7,458 Pensions 1,352 Tutor fees 231,994 Insurance - Light and heat - Telephone - Postage and stationery - Staff travel 74 Repairs and maintenance - Administration and courses 77,517 Consumable supplies 197,327 Bad debts - Teacher training 3,254 Classroom hire 54,101 Bank loan interest 20,298 827,922 |
Period 1.7.23 to 10.10.24 £ 73,094 67,118 1,021 502,060 791,438 180,573 133,303 36,250 50,989 (43,006) 1,651,607 1,792,840 676,745 53,351 13,571 169,768 77,594 249,447 7,065 27,302 - 80,479 52,803 - 5,548 3,360 34,989 14,894 1,466,916 |
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Support costs
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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EMERSON COLLEGE TRUST LTD
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERIOD 11 OCTOBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025
| Support costs Governance costs Trustees' fees Wages Social security Pensions Auditors' remuneration Rates and water Insurance Light and heat Telephone Postage and stationery Sundries Accountancy and legal fees Staff travel Sundry equipment purchases Advertising and publicity Subscriptions Trustees' expenses Repairs and maintenance Property service charges Pension deficit costs Bank charges Patents and licences Freehold property Plant and machinery Fixtures and fittings Total resources expended Net income/(expenditure) |
Period 11.10.24 to 31.8.25 £ - 342,929 5,173 19,107 360 30,996 - 74,406 5,490 2,195 15,635 88,780 212 2,827 6,864 1,875 90 227,838 2,735 - - 182 29,505 2,437 23,730 883,366 1,711,288 155,527 |
Period 1.7.23 to 10.10.24 £ 6,690 - - - 10,000 37,910 26,253 96,661 9,635 1,587 191 219,133 - - 20,641 1,645 - - - 15,982 21,742 419 37,576 5,608 33,801 545,474 2,012,390 (219,550) |
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This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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