2025-07-31-accounts - The Society For Educational Studies

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REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 313861

The Society for Educational Studies

Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

The Society for Educational Studies

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

	Page
Reference and administrative information	1
Report of the trustees	2
Independent examiner’s report	5
Statement of financial activities	6
Balance sheet	7
Notes to the financial statements	8

The Society for Educational Studies

Reference and administrative information for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

Registered Charity number 313861

Principal address 24 Thackeray Road Clevedon North Somerset BS21 7JQ

Trustees

Professor J Arthur Professor A Peterson Professor T Harrison Professor G Attwood Professor H Bryan Dr R Race Professor S Parker Professor L Revell Professor R Simmons Dr L Hoare Dr G Lalli Professor S Power

Independent examiner

Anthony Epton Goldwins Limited 75 Maygrove Road West Hampstead London NW6 2EG

Investment brokers Quilter Cheviot Two Snowhill Snow Hill Queensway Birmingham B4 6GA

The Society for Educational Studies

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2025. 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 Charities SORP (FRS 102).

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes an unincorporated charity. The charity's governing document is the Constitution adopted at the 2023 Annual General Meeting. The charity is constituted as a charitable trust.

The officers of the Executive Committee, namely the Chair, Secretary and Treasurer, normally hold office for three years from the date of their election and are ex-officio members of the Executive Committee.

Members of the Executive Committee are elected at the Annual General Meeting and hold office from the date of their election. They may serve two periods of office consecutively, each of three years. The period of membership of the Executive Committee is suspended for those members elected to ex-officio positions during their term of office.

There are no regional or branch organisations. The Society for Educational Studies (SES) seeks to establish and maintain contact with the national organisations concerned with specialised aspects of education.

The Executive Committee meets at least three times per year and holds and reports to an Annual General Meeting.

The Executive Committee sets up such sub-committees as deemed necessary. These sub-committees report to the Executive Committee and at the Annual General Meeting.

Key management and personnel information

Activities undertaken and/or funded by SES are overseen by a Board of Trustees, with a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer assuming officerships. In 2024-25, the Executive Board has comprised, in total, of 13 members, with one additional member co-opted (Professors Jane Martin). SES has continued with the role of Editor for the British Journal of Educational Studies . The Editor is supported by an Editorial Assistant with regards administration and processing of articles submitted for publication, as well as a Book Reviews Editor (Dr Lottie Hoare), which SES has made sure to maintain, as one of few education journals that publishes book reviews consistently. In 2025, ahead of the AGM and end of term of office of the Honorary Treasurer, plans have been put in place for more financial administrative support, provided by administrator Dr Aidan Thompson. This has been greatly appreciated by the Executive and enhanced the relationship between administrator and Treasurer, as well as providing additional governance and oversight of Society finances. Sadly, one Executive member passed away this year (Professor Lynn Revell).

Risk management

The Executive Committee manages the charity's progress at trustee meetings and undertakes a comprehensive review annually. As part of this process the Executive Committee consider: -

Risks to the charity;
Systems and procedures required to mitigate risks identified;
Implementation of any such procedures;
Possible conflicts of interest of Executive Committee members at any stage.

The Society for Educational Studies

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The aims of the Society are to discuss and promote study and research in education by:

ensuring the quality and status of research and scholarship in educational studies;
encouraging debate and discussion especially on educational policy issues;
acting as a public voice for educational studies especially in responding to critical attacks on the
quality and integrity of the field;
recognising distinction in the field of educational studies by awarding of the status of 'Fellow of the
Society of Educational Studies', FSES;
sponsoring the world class publication of the British Journal of Educational Studies as a vehicle to
promote the above aims;

These aims are achieved through offering small research grants to early career researchers to advance a particular field of study; through celebrating the best books published in the field of education each year through the Annual Book Awards; holding an annual two-day colloquium on a theme related to education, attended by international delegates; publishing top quality articles in the British Journal of Educational Studies , encouraging interesting and relevant special issue proposals, and re-publishing articles via themed virtual issues.

Overview

The Society has, in the academic year 2024-25, continued its ‘business as usual’ activities. The Society held an in-person Colloquium under the title ‘Religion, Spirituality and Moral Education: Informal and formal contexts in dialogue’ in September 2024. It was attended by 70+ delegates and linked to the theme of the small grants for this year, which have progressed well, in the case of the University of Warwick grant. Sadly, the Birmingham City University grant has had to conclude without the expected outputs and outcomes. The financial payment structures in place have meant that only 25% of the grant was paid to the institution, and a report on expenditure was received from the grantee. The Society has awarded four small grants to researchers under the theme ‘Higher Education:(Re)Shaping the future’’, which is also the theme of the 2025 Colloquium. These small grants were awarded to Strathclyde, Northumbria, Wrexham and Edinburgh Napier Universities. A National Award funding scheme was launched this year, and awarded four awards to schools across the UK - to schools in Sutton Coldfield, West Calder, London and Cardiff. The award to the school in Cardiff was not accepted by the grantee. The Executive and a number of Society Fellows went on a strategy retreat in July 2025 to plan for activities to be launched in 2025-26, including a writing retreat and new funding calls.

Grantmaking

The Small Grant awards made in Spring 2025 were made to Strathclyde, Northumbria, Wrexham and Edinburgh Napier Universities.

Events and Annual Colloquium

The Annual Colloquium, under the theme 'Religion, Spirituality and Moral Education: Informal and formal contexts in dialogue’', as held in-person in September 2024 at Oriel College, Oxford.

The Society for Educational Studies

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

A review of our achievements and performance

The Executive Committee undertake regular reviews of the charitable activities of the Society, including its impact within and beyond the Academy, and general value for money and cost effectiveness. In addition to a review of Society activity, the Executive Committee plan for the year ahead and beyond. In addition to running the Colloquium in 2024, plans are well advanced for a Colloquium in 2025, and dates have been booked for an event in 2026. The Small Grant scheme in 2025 will be continued in 2026.

Separate reports are available from the Editor of the British Journal of Educational Studies , The Book Reviews Editor, the Book Awards chair. This year was another successful year in terms of submissions and publications in the Journal . Professor Andrew Peterson is Editor of the Journal . There were two Book Awards awarded in 2024, to Helen Gunter and Jessie Abraham.

The Society confirmed the Fellowship of Professor Lindsay Paterson at the Fellows Dinner in November 2024.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Reserves policy

The Executive Committee have reviewed the reserves of the Society. The Financial Report that accompanies this report shows a healthy year for the Society in terms of the growth of its investments, with a surplus of £19,279, with the Society's reserves standing at £1,346,686. The Executive Committee will continue to monitor these and make active decisions with regards expenditure of charitable funds in the best interest of the Society's aims. Current expenditure is very low due to the impact of the pandemic, so is more than covered by the Society's annual income.

Financial performance

Investment policy and objectives

The Society continues to work with Quilter Cheviot and Crowe Financial Management to provide a secure basis for its asset management and future charitable expenditure.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

The Society will continue to rely on its website to communicate with members, as well as email mailouts. Representation at major conferences has remained limited, although the Society will be represented at BERA in 2024. Conferences in the UK and globally are being earmarked for attendance in 2025-2026. Plans are well advanced for the 2025 Colloquium, and the Society will announce a new Fellow (Professor Ronald Barnett), along with new calls for Small Grants and a National Award.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 24 November 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

............................................. Professor J Arthur OBE – Trustee

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Society for Educational Studies

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Society for Educational Studies (the Charity) for the year ended 31 July 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011(‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trustee’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

(1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

(2) the accounts do not accord with those records; or

(3) the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Anthony Epton BA, FCA, CTA, FCIE Goldwins Limited Chartered Accountants 75 Maygrove Road West Hampstead London NW6 2EG

The Society for Educational Studies Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 31 July 2025

Note Incoming from: Charitable activities 3 Investment income 4 Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities Total expenditure 5 Net gains/(losses) on investments 9 Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 12	2025 2024 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ £ 162,901 - 162,901 163,159 30,593 - 30,593 31,344
	193,494 - 193,494 194,503 18,273 - 18,273 13,244 223,656 - 223,656 246,960
	241,929 - 241,929 260,204 67,714 - 67,714 88,786
	19,279 - 19,279 23,085 1,327,407 - 1,327,407 1,304,322
	1,346,686 - 1,346,686 1,327,407

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities.

There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above.

The attached notes form part of these financial statements.

The Society for Educational Studies Balance Sheet As at 31 July 2025

2025 Notes £ £ Fixed Assets: Investments 9 1,186,874 Current Assets: Cash at bank and in hand 169,362 169,362 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year: 10 (9,550) Net Current Assets 159,812 Total net assets 1,346,686 Funds: 12 Unrestricted - General funds 1,346,686 1,346,686	2024 £ £ 1,125,044 211,913 211,913 (9,550) 202,363 1,327,407 1,327,407 1,327,407	2024 £ £ 1,125,044 211,913 211,913 (9,550) 202,363 1,327,407 1,327,407 1,327,407

		1,327,407
		1,327,407
		1,327,407

Approved by the Board of Trustees on _____2025 and signed on its behalf by:

…………………………………………………….

Professor J Arthur OBE - Trustee

The Society for Educational Studies Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 July 2025

1 Accounting policies

a) Basis of preparation

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 Charities SORP (FRS 102).

The charity 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 or note.

b) Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

c) Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and that the amount can be measured reliably.

d) Donations of gifts, services and facilities

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item or received the service, any conditions associated with the donation have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), volunteer time is not recognised so refer to the trustees’ annual report for more information about their contribution.

On receipt, donated gifts, professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

e) Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

f) Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of charity. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity’s work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

The Society for Educational Studies Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 July 2025

g) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Costs of raising funds comprise of trading costs and the costs incurred by the charity in inducing third parties to make voluntary contributions to it, as well as the cost of any activities with a fundraising purpose.

● Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of delivering services and other educational activities undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs.

Other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other heading.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

h) Allocation of support costs

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back office costs, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs which support the charity and its and activities.

i) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

j) Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

k) Creditors and provisions

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 normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

l) Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

The Society for Educational Studies Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 July 2025

2 Detailed comparatives for the statement of financial activities

Income from: Charitable activities Investments Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities Total expenditure Net gains / (losses) on investments Net income Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 3 Income from charitable activities Royalties 4 Income from investments Interest and dividends	2024 2024 2024 Unrestricted Restricted Total £ £ £ 163,159 - 163,159 31,344 - 31,344 194,503 - 194,503 13,244 - 13,244 246,960 - 246,960 260,204 - 260,204 88,786 - 88,786 23,085 - 23,085 1,304,322 - 1,304,322 1,327,407 - 1,327,407 2025 2024 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total £ £ £ £ 162,901 - 162,901 163,159	2024 2024 2024 Unrestricted Restricted Total £ £ £ 163,159 - 163,159 31,344 - 31,344
		194,503 - 194,503
		13,244 - 13,244 246,960 - 246,960
		260,204 - 260,204
		88,786 - 88,786
		23,085 - 23,085
		1,304,322 - 1,304,322
		1,327,407 - 1,327,407
	162,901 - 162,901 163,159
	2025 2024 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total £ £ £ £ 30,593 - 30,593 31,344
	30,593 - 30,593 31,344

The Society for Educational Studies Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 July 2025

5 Analysis of expenditure

Current financial year

Research awards Colloquium costs Investment management fee Journal costs Meeting costs Social media editor Other costs Honoraria Independent examiner fees Support costs Governance costs Total expenditure 2025 Total expenditure 2024	Cost of raising funds Charitable Activities Support costs Governance costs 2025 Total 2024 Total £ £ £ £ £ £ - 90,129 - - 90,129 132,825 - 23,772 - - 23,772 22,198 18,273 - - - 18,273 13,244 - 13,508 - - 13,508 11,511 - - 55,246 - 55,246 43,739 - - 3,000 - 3,000 3,000 - - 3,751 - 3,751 2,437 - - - 29,500 29,500 26,500 - - - 4,750 4,750 4,750	Cost of raising funds Charitable Activities Support costs Governance costs 2025 Total 2024 Total £ £ £ £ £ £ - 90,129 - - 90,129 132,825 - 23,772 - - 23,772 22,198 18,273 - - - 18,273 13,244 - 13,508 - - 13,508 11,511 - - 55,246 - 55,246 43,739 - - 3,000 - 3,000 3,000 - - 3,751 - 3,751 2,437 - - - 29,500 29,500 26,500 - - - 4,750 4,750 4,750
	18,273 127,409 61,997 34,250 241,929 - 61,997 (61,997) - - - 34,250 - (34,250) -	260,204
	18,273 223,656 - - 241,929
	13,244 246,960 - -
		260,204

All of the above expenditure was unrestricted.

Previous financial year

Research awards Colloquium costs Investment management fee Journal costs Meeting costs Social media editor Other costs Honoraria Independent examiner fees Support costs Governance costs Total expenditure 2024	Cost of raising funds Charitable Activities Support costs Governance costs 2024 Total £ £ £ £ £ - 132,825 - - 132,825 - 22,198 - - 22,198 13,244 - - - 13,244 - 11,511 - - 11,511 - - 43,739 - 43,739 3,000 3,000 - - 2,437 - 2,437 - - - 26,500 26,500 - - - 4,750 4,750
	13,244 166,534 49,176 31,250 260,204 - 49,176 (49,176) - - - 31,250 - (31,250) -
	13,244 246,960 - - 260,204

The Society for Educational Studies Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 July 2025

6 Net income / (expenditure) for the year

This is stated after charging / (crediting): Independent examiner's fees	2025 2024 £ £ 3,958 3,958

7 Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management personnel

There was no staff employed by the charity (2024: none).

The trustees have received honoraria and round sum expense allowances whilst performing duties for the charity.

Honoraria:

James Arthur received £3,000 (2024: £3,000) Gaynor Attwood received £3,000 (£2024: £3,000) Tom Harrison received £3,000 (2024: £3,000) Andrew Peterson received £8,500 (2024: £8,500) Lottie Hoare received £2,000 (2024: £2,000)

Trustees' expenses

The trustees have been reimbursed for travel and other expenses incurred whilst performing duties for the charity.

Expenses reimbursed:

Andrew Peterson received £571 (2024:£915). Lottie Hoare received £341 (2024: £Nil). Gaynor Attwood received £756 (2024: £1,457). Hazel Bryan received £120 (2024: £103). James Arthur received £Nill (2024: £3,029). Sally Power received £694 (2024: £Nill). Ian Davies received £282 (2024: £Nill). Gurpinder Lalli received £293 (2024: £Nill). Lynn Revell received £218 (2024: £283). Richard Race received £730 (2024: £2,594). Stephen Parker received £1,129 (2024: £1,396). Tom Harrison received £663 (2024: £500).

8 Taxation

The charity is exempt from income tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.

The Society for Educational Studies Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 July 2025

9 Fixed asset investments

Investments at fair value: Listed investments - UK Movements Market value at the start of the year Additions Disposals at carrying value Net gain/(loss) Market value at the end of the year 10 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Accruals	2025 2024 £ £ 1,186,874 1,125,044
	1,186,874 1,125,044
	1,125,044 989,249 110,882 125,856 (116,766) (78,847) 67,714 88,786
	1,186,874 1,125,044
	2025 2024 £ £ 9,550 9,550
	9,550 9,550

11	Analysis of net assets between funds Current year Fixed assets investments Net current assets Net assets at the end of the year	General unrestricted Restricted Total funds £ £ £ 1,186,874 - 1,186,874 159,812 - 159,812
		1,346,686 - 1,346,686

Previous year Fixed assets investments Net current assets Net assets at the end of the year	General unrestricted Restricted Total funds £ £ £ 1,125,044 - 1,125,044 202,363 - 202,363
	1,327,407 - 1,327,407

The Society for Educational Studies Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 July 2025

12 Movements in funds

Current year

Unrestricted funds: General funds Total unrestricted funds Total funds Previous year Unrestricted funds: General funds Total unrestricted funds Total funds	At the start of the year Income & gains Expenditure & losses Transfers At the end of the year £ £ £ £ £ 1,327,407 261,208 (241,929) - 1,346,686
	1,327,407 261,208 (241,929) - 1,346,686

	1,327,407 261,208 (241,929) - 1,346,686
	At the start of the year Income & gains Expenditure & losses Transfers At the end of the year £ £ £ £ £ 1,304,322 283,289 (260,204) - 1,327,407
	1,304,322 283,289 (260,204) - 1,327,407

	1,304,322 283,289 (260,204) - 1,327,407

13 Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions for the year (2024: none) other than those shown in note 7.