BH
The Leeds Menorah School Trust
Charity number 517679
Trustees' Annual Report Financial year 01 September 2024 - 31 August 2025
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 They are assisted by a managing committee, a Board of Governors, Head Teacher and staff. 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 Report
Income received was £152,801.02 (£142,612.96 in 2023-24) and expenditure was £167,059.88 (£158,212.71 in 2023-24), resulting in a deficit of £14,258.86 compared to the deficit last year of £15,599.75. Funds brought forward were £51,612.57. The “Building Improvements” figure refers to improvements to the leasehold property housing the school. This figure is being depreciated over the remaining five years of the lease from 2025 to 2029.
The income of the school comes from fees, and charitable donations. Full fees are currently £5,500.00 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.
The trustees remain committed to ensuring that all liabilities, especially salaries, are paid in timely fashion. Nevertheless, fundraising and the generous support of donors to the School are essential to our operations, with the annual Charidy campaign of particular importance
The school began the year carrying approximately £12,000 of debt from the previous academic year. Since then, income has improved due to higher pupil numbers and the resulting increase in Early Years funding from Leeds City Council. Staffing has been reduced which will lower monthly expenditure over time.
A successful Charidy campaign took place on 2 and 3 March. The original target was £60,000, and the final campaign total reached £62,507. These funds secured stability through to the end of the school year. A grant application was submitted to Delapage on 20 June. On 27 July, they invited the school to proceed to the next stage.
A meeting on 23 June with BHHS was held to discuss reductions in outstanding and future rental costs with a proposal from the school how to clear arrears and regularise future payments. After a positive meeting, they agreed to reduce the annual rental to £6,000 including the outstanding arrears. A commitment was made to repay £6,000 and to commence a monthly payment of £500 to maintain ongoing payments. Leeds City Council rates for the new year have risen significantly, and the insurance premium has not been reduced.
While recent fundraising has materially improved the position and enabled several liabilities to be settled, the overall outlook remains tight and vulnerable to unforeseen costs.
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.
2
Achievements and performance
We are delighted with the results of the Ofsted inspection which took place in July 2024 which recognises the GOOD efforts and results at Leeds Menorah School. The final report was received in September 2024, making the statement that “Leeds Menorah School is a good school”.
We are especially pleased that the Inspectors noted the special character of the school: "This is a small school with a big heart. It is friendly and welcoming. There are positive and supportive relationships between pupils and staff. Pupils are proud of their school. The proprietor’s aspiration for pupils to thrive and feel ‘loved and valued’ is palpable. Leaders want the absolute best for all pupils."
Subsequently, the trustees have been diligently working to implement the feedback we received from Ofsted to continue raising the standards of the school.
One of the key areas we have identified for development is our IT. We have made plans to invest in computers, tablets and interactive whiteboard to support modern learning across both kodesh and chol lessons. We submitted a grant application to Delapage Charitable Trust and in July 2025 we received notification of a £20000 grant subject to successful due diligence. We anticipate receiving the grant funding before the end of the calendar year and look forward to using it to bring a new era of learning to the children.
The new IT will also support the children with additional needs, especially those with dyslexia and we look forward to providing a more inclusive learning environment for them.
The grant is in addition to the successful annual Charidy matching campaign, which provides much needed funds and as well as a moral boost to the school with hundreds of donations and messages of support coming in from both the local community and the across the world.
For a number of years the school has been supported by interns at Chabad Lubavitch Leeds who have provided teaching support. We are delighted that one of the interns this year was Miss Leah Pink, a former pupil of the school. It is gratifying when our alumna wants to give back to the school. Leah has also confirmed that she will be continuing in the role in the next school year. Another new addition to the teaching staff is Mr Adam Teeman who is supporting EYFS and maths. Mr Teeman came well recommended and with his warm and enthusiastic personality he built a good rapport with children and parents.
To further strengthen the teaching in the school, Mrs Rachel Levy is our new DSL, supported by Mr Chaim Bell and Ms Naomi Drapkin as DDSLs. This will enable Ms Drapkin to focus primarily on the science and maths curriculums.
The GOOD Ofsted rating has certainly put a spring in our step, and it has been an upbeat year for the school.
Looking ahead, the governing body and trustees are committed to continuing their efforts to support the teachers and staff and improve the standards of the school across all departments
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 9[th] June 2026
3
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independont Examine8 Report Report to the tru5teesl members of LEEDS MENORAH SCHOOL TRUST On accounts for the year 31 AUGUST 2024 ended Charity no , 517879 lif anyl I Set out on pages I report to the Iruslees on my examination of the accounts of the above harity I'the Trust") for the year ended 31 •4. Iv.%S Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust. you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordan¢e with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 1.lhg Act"i- I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's ac¢ounls carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination. have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 1451511bl of the Act I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material niatters have come lo my attenlicn WhakU)aA4ha¥416Gbos9&beloNF) in connection with the examination which gives me causè to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordanGe with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting cOrdS Independent examiner's statement I have no concerns and have come across no other matters In oonneclion with the exarnination lo which attention should be drawn in order lo enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in Ihe brackets if they do not apply. Date: T¥AIÉ 2• 16 Name: DAVID SCOTT Relevant professional ICAEVV- CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT {FCA) qualiflGatlonlsl or body lif any): Address: 21 WILLOW PARK. WAKEFIELD, WF12JP IER Octobèr 2018
Sectlon B Dlsc103ure Only complete il the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32. Independent exarnination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examinersl. Give here brief detsil$ of any ilems that the exaininer wishe5 to disGlose IER October 2018
LEEDS MENORAH SCHOOL- REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 517679 YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT 2025 2024 Fees received Donations received £ 38,521.54 £ 58,017.75 £ 56,261.73 £ 43.306.97 £ 45,959.22 £ 43,346.77 £ io.000.00 Grant Advprtising £ 152,801.02 142,612.96 Expenditure Wagesand Pension Self employed Rent & rates £ 52,301.79 £ 35,719.28 £ 11,462.94 £ 6,449.11 E 33,710.23 676.07 46,948.16 36,855.55 9,113.32 7.782.97 30.607.59 839.95 LiEht & heat Insurance Isecurity Telcphonc Repairs & renewals Books. stationery & equipment Miscellaneous & swimmingfees Legal and Professional SurKIry Gardenlcleaning Depreciation Fees Donor £ 2,152.76 £ 3,214.49 767.29 1,867.99 1.626.28 265.85 £ 2,341.80 458.26 1.159.80 1.222.52 2.701.00 15,571.76 1.650.00 £ 2.234.10 £ 15,571.76 187,059.88 158,212.74 SurpluslDeficit forthg yoar 14,258.86 15,599.78
LEEDS MENORAH SCHOOL- REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 517679 YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 BALANCE SHEEr EIXED ASs 2025 2024 BuildinE ImpTovemenls 35,445.42 51,017.18 CllBREE4T.ASSErs Cash at bank.. Yorkshire Bank Current Account 1.908.29 889.93 1,908.29 889.93 URPENf LIABIUTIES NIC & PAYE 294.54 4.54 1,908.29 595.39 37,353.71 51,612.57 REPRESENTED BY- Accumulaled Funds broueht forward 51.612.57 67.212.32 SuipluslLoss for year 14,258.86 15,599.75 cumulated Funds cairied forwaid 37.353.71 51,612.57 Approved by: NaTne Mrs E Refson Position Headteacher and Trustee Signature Date 3rd June 2026