**BH** ## **The Leeds Menorah School Trust** **Charity number 517679** ## **Trustees' Annual Report Financial year 01 September 2021 - 31 August 2022** ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS** The name of the charity: The Leeds Menorah School Trust Charity Number: 517679 Address: 24 Falkland Rise Leeds LS17 6JQ The names of trustees who served during the year are: Mrs Ethel Refson Rabbi Reuven Zanvill Cohen Rabbi Eliyohu Pink ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** The charity was formed and is governed by a Declaration of Trust dated 28 January 1986 for the purpose of promoting the Orthodox Jewish Religion, religious education and education in general, and in particular through the running of the Leeds Menorah School. All funds are used in the educational activities of the school and in furtherance and promotion of the Orthodox Jewish religion. The School aims to produce educated and well-adjusted observant Jews who will become an integral part of and contributors to modern society. This result is achieved by providing a standard of secular education to allow pupils to go on to secondary schools integrated with an intense religious study as to give the pupils a deep understanding of the moral and ethical richness of their Jewish heritage and traditions, and to provide them with a solid foundation for their lives. Day-to-day governance of the charity is managed by the trustees, assisted by a managing committee and a Board of Governors. The trustees have regard to the views of parents and teachers, where and to the extent appropriate, in their decision making. New Trustees are appointed by the trustees for the time being and are expected to understand and support the needs and the ethos of the School, its pupils, parents and staff. 1 ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** Charity Bank: Yorkshire Bank Branch: Moortown Address: 370 Harrogate Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS17 6QA. Independent financial examiner: David Scott FCCA Chartered (certified accountant) 21 Willow Park, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF1 2JP. ## **Financial Performance** Income received was £154,691.66 (£149,600.48 in 2020-21) and expenditure was £174,139.47 (144,527.25 in 2020-21), resulting in a deficit of £19,447.81 compared to a surplus of £5,073.23 in the previous year. Funds brought forward were £98,213.79. The “Building Improvements” figure refers to improvements to the leasehold property housing the School. This figure is being depreciated over the remaining seven years of the lease from 2022 to 2029. The income of the School comes from fees, and charitable donations. Full fees are currently £5,000.00 a year, but provision is made from charitable donations for those parents who cannot pay the fees in full or at all. The School is unlike most private schools, in that it is not a luxury for parents of means. The school is the only Orthodox Jewish school in Yorkshire which provides the education required by Haredi (Orthodox) parents and children, in which category most Jewish men of the cloth in Leeds belong, along with a number of lay people. Because of the 2020 Charidy fundraising Campaign, we finished last school year in the black. However, the actual annual deficit fluctuates between £10,000 and £20,000. The deficit and its variation are caused mainly by pupil numbers changing and the unpredictable call on resources for repairs, improvements etc, and other OFSTED related costs. Otherwise, general income (fees and grants) and expenditure (salaries, utilities, rental and the like) are uniform and stable. In November 2021 the school’s PTA held a successful online matched fundraising campaign. The campaign attracted almost 500 donors and raised over £58,285 for the school, with a further Gift Aid claim of around £10,000. The messages and level of support were invigorating for the school and the funds have helped the financial stability and to secure its ongoing future. To ensure the safety and welfare of pupils and staff, to address legal and regulatory requirements and partly owing to ‘wear and tear’, resources were allocated towards the upkeep and repairs of the school. This has included (1) smoke detectors, (2) electrical wiring, (3) IT improvements, (4) and hot water tank. The oil heating tank required replacing, but we are currently pursuing an insurance claim through the BHH insurance policy. Since September 2021, we implemented the staff salary increases as agreed. Although modest, they do reflect an appreciation of teachers’ dedication and hard work. Despite a suggestion to raise school fees, this was not implemented this year. CST are continuing to fund the external security guards but have reduced their commitment owing to their own financial constraints, now no longer contributing to internal guards. Insurance premiums have increased significantly from £920 to £4,420 due to the need to address issues raised by OFSTED, which necessitated obtaining cover from a new provider. Trustee liability insurance cover is also being obtained. Following comparisons, we have changed electricity provider but of course we anticipate an increase in costs. We have funded various teachers to undergo specialised courses to improve their skills set. 2 ## **Policy on reserves** The charity’s funds are used for the day-to-day running of the School and any funds accrued throughout the year are reserved to meet these and additional needs as they present themselves. To the extent that surplus funds are received, these will be applied to meet medium and longer-term strategic goals and plans. ## **Public benefit statement** The trustee(s) confirm that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers or duties and are satisfied that the charity provides such a benefit. ## **Achievements and performance** Efforts have continued by the trustees, managing committee and Board of Governors to raise the standards of the school and secure its financial stability. The school has continued to engage Dr Rabbi Y Yodaiken M.A. B.A.I (Hons) P.G.C.E. PhD (Education) L.L.E. CEO Executive Headteacher of MAT. Together we have built a three-year Self Improvement plan covering all areas the school’s development. Dr Rabbi Yodaiken has also worked with Mr Chaim Bell, our Acting Headteacher and Curriculum Governor to develop curriculums for English, Maths and Science. There are plans in place to develop curriculums for further subjects. There has been significant progress in our EYFS. We have employed Mrs Juliette Jacobs as a new head of EYFS with oversight over the entire department, both the Kodesh and Chol departments. Together with a new EYFS lead teacher they are working on integrated curriculum across the morning and afternoon lessons, and this has led to a vast improvement of our EYFS. The school community was saddened by the passing in May 2022 of a long serving teaching assistant who had been with the school for over fifteen years. The school engaged a qualified grief counsellor to support the children and staff and there is a memorial planned in her memory. There has been a continued focus on training for all the staff in the school. Two teachers completed their Level 5 Diploma in Education and gained their QTLS in August 2022. A further two teachers are on track to gain QTLS in May 2023. Other subject specific training has taken place and we are using a new system of monitoring and feedback for teachers. Unfortunately, the school’s roll has decreased significantly this year as a number of families have moved away. This is not unusual for the school as the school generally caters for the more religious families in Leeds, often clergy who move onto other roles in the UK or abroad. We are confident that the roll will pick up in the future as new families move into Leeds. The school received a further notice for an action plan from the Department of Education on 5 November 2021 and this was submitted on 20 December 2021. Unfortunately, this was rejected in April 2022, although it noted that a number of the Independent School Standards that were previously failed would now be met. On the 19-21 July 2022 the school underwent full OFSTED visit but publication of the report was delayed and had not been received at the end of August 2022. (There was a further inspection on 29 September to gather more information and the report was finally received in November 2022 upgrading the school from Inadequate to Requires Improvement, with Good for Behaviour and Attitudes.). The trustees, managing committee and Board of Governors are committed to continuing their efforts to support the teachers and staff and improve the standards of the school across all departments. 3 ## Signature and declaration: I declare, in my capacity of charity trustee that the trustees have approved the report above and have authorised me to sign it on their behalf Mrs Ethel Refson Trustee 21[st] June 2023 4 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees LSSpS Its￿oRAH gcHouL ffvsf On accounts for the year ended 31 Aufrvsf goil Charity no (if any) gl76 Set out on page5 I report lo the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity I the Trust-} for the year ended Responsibilities and basi5 of report As the charity's Iruslees, you are responsible for Ihe preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 I'the Act"}. I report in respect of my examination of the Trust'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}Ibl of the Act. Independent tThe charity's gross income exceeded £250.000 and l am qualified to examiner's statement undertake the examination by being a qualified member of linsert name of applicable listed bodyll. Delete I l if not applicable. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below ") which gives me cause lo believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting record8', or the accounts did 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 acfOSS 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. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: 13 7v￿lE 2021 Name: DAVIQ SCOT Relevant professional qualificationlsl or body CHhRfFKFD Accoufi rtff CFCrt) IER Oct 2018 (if any): Address: 21 WILLQW - Fsf Lofik5HIRI Secllon B Dlsclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of Loncein (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any iterns that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018 LEEDS MENORAH SCHOOL- REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 517679 YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022 INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT 2022 2021 Fee5 received Donations received CST Leeds City Council Gilt Aid Other Furlou8h Claim5 Loan Waiver 47.956.47 61,929.57 28,281.12 16,524.50 50.843.51 11,611.34 58,542,38 18,669,90 7758.1 2,175.2S 154,691.66 149,600.48 endilure Wa8e5 and Pension sell employed Rent & rate5 Li8hl & heat Insurance I securitv Telephone Repairs & renewals Books. starionery & equipment Miscellaneous & swimmin8 lees Le8al and Professional Sundry Garden/Cleanin8 Depreciation 41,839.69 41,858.67 7,362.08 7,282.18 27.369.24 741.44 .371.32 4.164.15 4.776.30 5.046.62 6,266,59 3,489.43 15,571,76 174,139,47 42,133.79 31,909.61 6,365.56 4,977,84 22,856.61 600.55 1,735.59 4,839.18 2.359.30 2.654.61 4.803.89 3,718.96 15,571.76 144,527.25 SurpluslDelicit lor the year 19,447.81 5,073.23 LEEDS MENORAH SCHOOL. REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 517679 YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022 BALANCE SHEET FIXED A 2022 2021 Bvildins Improvements 82,160.70 9?.732.46 RRENT A ash at bonk.. Yorkshire Bonk Curreni Account Oiher Debior 16.062.90 19,929.14 16,062.90 19,929.14 RR NT LIABI Loan Leeds City Coun¢ll Error NIC& PAYE 9.81 9.81 RR NT A 16,053.09 19,929.14 98,213.79 117,661.60 REPRESENTED BY.. A¢¢umul•teé Funds brou8ht forward 117,661,60 112.588.38 SurpluslLoss lor year 19,447.81 5,073.23 curnulateé Funds carrled forward 98,213.79 117,66160 Approved by.. Name Mrs E Refson Position Headteacher and Trustee Si8naiuTe 03re 13th June 2023