Company Registration No: 2151420 (England and Wales) Charity Registration No: 800673 (England and Wales)
SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
31[ST] AUGUST 2024
SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
31[ST] AUGUST 2024
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Governors’ Report | 1 – 9 |
| Independent auditor’s report to the members | 10 – 12 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 13 |
| Balance Sheet | 14 |
| Statement of Cash Flows | 15 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 16 – 24 |
SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
GOVERNORS’ REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
The Board of Governors present their annual report for the year ended 31[st] August 2024, together with the audited financial statements for the year. The annual report serves the purposes of both a Trustees’ Report and a Directors’ Report under company law. These have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), Financial Reporting Standard 102 (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Seaton House School Limited was founded in 1930 and became a limited company and charity in 1987. Charity number 800673. The School’s principal address and registered office is 67 Banstead Road South, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5LH.
Governors and Company Directors
The Governors of the School, who are also Charity Trustees, and company directors who served in office as Governors during the year and subsequently are:
Mrs J Evans (Chair) Ms B Grant (Deputy Chair) Mr P Patel Mr M Russell Mr M A Alidina Mr O Saeed Mr J Hoar Ms N Rankin Mr K Grimwood (appointed 30 October 2023)
Key Leadership Personnel
The Governors The Headteacher: Mr C Bates BA Ed (Hons) MA The Bursar: Mr T Roads ACIB Deputy Head: Mrs S McGreevy BA (Hon QTS) Senior Teacher: Mrs M Smith BSc (Hons), PGCE
Professional Advisors
Bankers: Barclays Bank plc, 6, Clarence Street, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 1NY Solicitors: Carpenter & Co, 46 Woodcote Road, Wallington, Surrey, SM6 0MW Auditor: Xeinadin Audit Limited, 5 Robin Hood Lane, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 2SW
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SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
GOVERNORS’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing Document
The Company is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Governing Body
The Board of Governors currently has nine Governors (a maximum of 12 is permitted under the M&A). The Governors are reconfirmed at the AGM every year; there were two board appointments in 2022-2023 financial year, Mr J Hoar and Ms N Rankin to increase the Educational skills of the board. The Board of Governors appoints new Governors in light of specific criteria and the needs created by retirements. Governor appointments are based on the need for the Board as a whole to have the skills and experience to determine the policies of the School and to monitor the implementation of those policies.
Governor training
New Governors are inducted into the workings of the School, and also of the Company as a registered Charity, including Board Policy and Procedures. They receive guidance notes from the Bursar, together with introductory information from AGBIS. The Governors each have their own areas of individual professional expertise and the Chair of Governors and the Clerk to the Governing Body identify and offer suitable training opportunities and courses, either offered via organisations such as AGBIS or online from the school’s National College Training licence. A record of Governor training is maintained. Regular updates from AGBIS, ISBA and other relevant bodies are circulated to the Governors.
Organisational Management
The Governors operate a Sub-Committee Structure to ensure they have a good working knowledge of the school’s day to day operations, determine the general policies and to review its overall management and control, for which they are legally responsible. The Sub-Committees now comprise:
Safeguarding Education Compliance Finance & General Purpose Estates & Development Equality Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)
The EDI committee has been established to formalise the schools current focus in this area and enhance current working practices and procedures. Each Sub-Committee meets in the first half of each term and then reports through to the full Governor meetings held in the second half of each term. Additionally, the Annual General Meeting is held to review and discuss procedural compliance matters and further Strategy or Ad-hoc meetings are organised, as required. The minutes of these meetings are produced and circulated by the Bursar & Clerk to the Governors. Furthermore, the Chair of Governors meets with the Headteacher and the Bursar on a regular basis and can be called upon at any time by them, should the need arise. The day-to-day running of the School is delegated to the Headteacher and the Bursar who are supported by the remainder of the Leadership team.
The Headteacher oversees the recruitment of all educational staff, whilst the Bursar oversees the recruitment of administrative and non-teaching support staff.
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SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
GOVERNORS’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
Key management personnel
The Governors consider that they, together with the Senior Leadership Team (Headteacher, Bursar, DeputyHead & Senior Teacher) comprise the Key Management Personnel as detailed on Page 1. There have been no changes in the Senior Leadership Team in 2023-24.
The Governors give their time freely, no Governor received remuneration in 2024 (2023: Nil). Details of Governors’ expenses are detailed in Note 5 to the Accounts.
The pay and remuneration of the Headteacher and senior staff is set by the Governors and is subject to annual review. A number of criteria are used in setting pay both for senior management and for general staff.
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nature of the role and responsibilities
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salaries in the region
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the sector average salary for comparable positions
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economic factors such as Inflation rates
The Governors remain aware that delivery of the school’s vision as a Charitable body is largely dependent on the quality of the staff, and the salary costs are the largest single element of the school’s expenditure. The School aims to recruit the best-qualified and experienced staff and provide scope to reward them for excellence.
Relationships
The School is a member of the ISA (Independent Schools Association) which the school feels provides greater support to the smaller schools such as Seaton House. The Headteacher attends HMC & ISA events and the Bursar is an active member of ISBA. The school also is a member of AGBIS which provides training and guidance to the Governing Body.
We co-operate with as many local organisations and state schools as we can, despite our limited facilities welcoming other independent and state schools to our premises for matches and competitions as well as supporting and participating in community events, e.g. wreath laying at the local Remembrance Service. We are hosting tea parties for elderly vulnerable residents, where the girls entertain the guests with singing and musical performances. We endeavour to increase the awareness of our pupils of the wider social context of the education that they receive at the school; we frequently fundraise for other charities to raise funds for them and awareness of their aims. The charities regularly supported in the year were BBC Children in Need, Marsden Cancer Hospital and Macmillan Cancer Support. In addition in 2023-24 we supported Ickle Pickles James’ Box of Smiles Children’s Charity. On the academic and career front we have links with Roehampton University to offer placement opportunities for student teachers and are supporting an administrative apprentice through Inspire ATA.
The School benefits from the generosity of its Parents’ Association, whose close support we greatly appreciate and acknowledge.
Principal risks and uncertainties
The Board with assistance from the Head and the Bursar reviews the School’s current and future activities in the light of any major risks arising from time to time and the effectiveness of systems and procedures designed to manage them.
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SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
GOVERNORS’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
Having emerged from the Global Pandemic in a relatively healthy position, the school has had faced economic turmoil due to Global factors such as the Ukraine War, high energy costs and high inflation in the UK. Whilst inflation rates have improved through the year the new threat looming to the Independent Education sector was a change in Government with their stated manifesto to add VAT to school fees and remove Business Rates relief. The school has had to model various cost scenarios to anticipate these threats and implement measures to mitigate where possible but, inevitably, parents will be impacted greatly with fee increases. The latest news from the October 2024 budget has added to the tax burden by increasing Employer National Insurance (Employer NI) contributions such that the school’s annual bill will grow by 25% in this regard; another significant challenge to the overall operating costs for the school.
We are therefore aware that there is an increased risk of parents removing their children from the school if the fees become unaffordable, but we have always striven to keep our fees at the lower end of the independent school scale. We hope this, together with our continued high successes academically, will combat the threat. The Governors are mindful of this situation and are doing all they can to minimise impacts and keep parents informed on likely increases.
Despite the difficult climate we have not seen any significant drop in parent interest in bringing their children to the school, indeed pupil numbers remain buoyant, especially so in the school’s Nursery, which of course is the initial step to feeding the pupils through to the main school. We do continue to monitor pupil numbers very closely and do not take past success as a guarantee of future prosperity.
The School is also cognisant of the impact on pupil numbers as state schools in the area expand as well as price competition from rival independent schools investing heavily in state of the art technology and sports facilities. The school has its own development plan and has begun implementing improvements. Having opened a new Teaching Block at the start of 2023-24 which provided state of the art classrooms and a studio for group activities, focus has been on developing plans to replace the school’s largest building. Progress will depend on demonstrating the school can weather the looming financial storm (mentioned above) from VAT, Business rates and Employer NI.
A continuing threat has been the school’s contribution levels to the Teachers Pensions fund. The Government introduced an increase in Employer contributions of more than 40% in September 2019 and a further increase of 30% was applied in April 2024 with the next rise due in 2027. These steep rises challenge the majority of the independent sector who are still members of the Pension scheme. Such increases cannot be easily absorbed; indeed, a growing number of schools have already withdrawn from the scheme and others are consulting with staff on the matter. Seaton House School has now closed the scheme for new Employees but continues to support existing employees. Governors will continue to review if this arrangement is sustainable in the light of the other financial risks already highlighted.
| Period | Pre 2019 | 2019-2024 | 2024-2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teachers’ Pension employers contribution rate |
16.48% | 23.68% | 28.68% |
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SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
GOVERNORS’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
OBJECTS, PUBLIC BENEFIT AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES
The Objective of the Charity, in accordance with its Memorandum and Articles of Association, is to provide for the advancement of education and carry on and develop a school for the education of children.
In addition to the principal activities, the charity looks for ways to help its local community, whether by occasional rental of premises, partnering with local state schools, raising funds for local causes or participating in community events or aid initiatives as detailed above.
The Governors continue to look for ways to offer bursaries and scholarships at the school, and means-tested opportunities were advertised from time to time in 2023-24. A fund exists to support pupil(s) when the opportunity arises whether by bursary assistance for new pupils or hardship cases for existing pupils.
In furthering this Objective, the Governors, as charity trustees, have complied with the duty s17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s published guidance concerning the operation of the Public Benefit requirement under that act.
Strategic Aim and Intended Effect
The school’s strategic aim to reach its annual objective for the public benefit as a charitable Independent School is the attainment of the highest academic levels consistent with our admissions policy.
We intend to draw out our pupils’ abilities and academic potential and develop their wider interests in life for participation in society and to motivate them for a successful outcome at their chosen senior school.
Objectives for the year
The Board’s main objectives in pursuit of the charity’s public benefit aims were (a) to educate all pupils to at least the same high standard as previously achieved (b) to develop bursary funding so that our high levels of education can be extended those from lower income families.
Our strategy for achieving this is to recruit and retain a high quality teaching and support staff and invest in their continued education and development. Secondly, to improve our facilities to provide pupils with the tools of success. Thirdly, to build up our own bursary funds and a bursary policy to enable us to extend assistance to pupils from a lower income homes.
Principal activity and income sources
Seaton House’s principal activity continues to be to develop and educate girls between the ages of 3 and 11, preparing them for secondary education.
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SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
GOVERNORS’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
REVIEW OF ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE FOR THE YEAR
Operational performance of the school
Once again, the School has succeeded in its principal objective as demonstrated by our preparing girls for 11+ entry. In the class of 2024, many girls received multiple offers at Grammar and Independent Schools, including 14 Scholarships for Academic, Drama, Sports & Music excellence. Ultimately, of the 12 who passed 11+, 10 girls were offered Grammar places. In the final reckoning, 5 girls accepted Grammar places, 14 took up offers at Independent Senior schools and 1 joined a Catholic Secondary School.
The school continued to achieve high honours when it was ranked number 2 in the Times Parent Power Top 100 Prep Schools in Autumn 2022 (1[st] in 2018, 5[th] in 2019, 4[th] in 2020, 2[nd] in 2021) based on the SATS results. Whilst the results were not published in 2023 the school would have maintained its high position but we wait to see if these honours lists will be republished in Autumn 2024. Our academic results continue to keep a healthy number of enquiries and registrations each year.
In addition to the academic successes, Music continues to be a major focal area with many talented musicians being produced each year thanks to the dedication of passionate music staff and a number of peripatetic music tutors operating at the school. There is a wide range of extra-curricular activities undertaken, from Ballet, Gymnastics and Football clubs to Theatre, Chess and Science to name some. The school constantly reviews and looks for new experiences to offer and has now added Drama into the Curriculum and recently added Forest School sessions in our own Nature Garden areas.
FINANCIAL REVIEW AND RESULTS FOR THE YEAR
This year’s operating results produced a surplus of £167,302 close to budgeted numbers (£157k), despite absorbing the significant TPS contribution increase from April 2024, implementing a new Catering Service and erecting a new Canopy on our Early Years site to provide covered winter outdoor play space and summer shading from the Sun.
It is important that we continue to make a reasonable level of surplus each year in order to finance the ongoing capital expenditure needed to upgrade the premises of the School described below. The principal source of funds in the year has come from fees. As we improve the facilities, our opportunity to share them with the community and gain rental income increases.
The school has continued to receive donations from the Parents Association to fund specific purchases to benefit the pupils.
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SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
GOVERNORS’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
Reserves policy
The Governors’ policy is to maintain a sufficient level of reserves to ensure that the school’s continuing activities can be maintained. At 31 August 2024 the school’s free reserves, defined as unrestricted funds (excluding designated funds) not invested in fixed assets, stood at £288,919 (2023: £128,162). The school holds £1,508,144 (2023: £726,866) in Cash and Short term investments. This figure has increased largely due to the school’s Fees In Advance Scheme implemented in 2024, but even discounting this the balance of nearly £800,000 fulfils the Governors’ aim to maintain freely available funds to cover approximately one term’s expenditure of £667,064 (2023: £594,502). The school is currently working hard to replenish cash reserves to enable the next phase of development to be started. We therefore believe that the school is in a good position to sustain itself in the current economic climate. At 31 August 2024 the school’s total reserves amounted to £2,637,136 (2023: £2,469,834) of which £115,350 (2023: £103,350) has been designated to providing future bursaries, as and when the opportunity arises to help appropriate pupils. The Governors believe that the reserves are sufficient to meet the charity’s obligations and these are reviewed on a regular basis.
Going concern
The Governors have reviewed the circumstances of Seaton House School and consider that adequate resources continue to be available to fund activities for the foreseeable future. The Governors are of the view that the charity is a going concern.
Fundraising
In line with the new reporting requirements included in the Charities Act 2016 the Governors are pleased to confirm that all fundraising is done in compliance with best fundraising practice. All fundraising activities follow traditional methods such as cake sales, “mufti days” and a Christmas Carol Concert. During 2023 we did not employ any professional fundraisers. There were no complaints or criticisms during the year about our fundraising activities.
FUTURE PLANS
The school wishes to continue to improve its facilities for the benefit of the girls’ education. Whilst expansion of the overall pupil numbers is not the aim of the school, improvements are nevertheless essential to provide additional flexible space to support the wide range of educational subjects and extra-curricular activities. The Senior House building is not suited to the post pandemic world where greater space and ventilation requirements are needed to provide healthy educational environments. The school is therefore focussed on providing modern ecologically sound buildings; the new Junior House block just opened has solar power and an air source heat pump to drive the underfloor heating in an efficient and eco-friendly way. All future plans will seek to continue to reduce the school’s carbon footprint and further improve disability access; it is vital that the school improves facilities to support the continued success of Seaton House for many years to come.
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SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED GOVERNORS, REPORT Icontinuedl ST FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 STATEMENT OF GOVERNORS, RESPONSIBILITIES The Governor5 Iwho are also directors of Seaton House School Limited for the purposes of company lawl are responsible for preparing the Governors, Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice}. Company law requires the Governors to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Governors are required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent- state whether applicable accounting Standards have been followed. subjert to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. The Governors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions, disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitv and enable them to ensure that the f inancial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2015 and the provisions of the charitys constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and ensuring their proper application under charity law and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and irregularities. AUDITORS In so far as the governors are aware: there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditor is unaware; and the Governors have taken all step5 that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information. Xeinadin Audit Limited have expre55ed their willingne55 to continue as auditors of the company. The report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relatin8 to small companies within Part 15 of the Companie5 Act 2006. Approved by the Board of Governors at its meeting on 19 March 2025 and signed on its behalf by.. &cubJ Judith Evans Chair of Governors
SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Seaton House School Limited (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 August 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows and the 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, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 August 2024 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year 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 Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least 12 months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The governors are responsible for the other information. 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 there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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.
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SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:
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the information given in the Governors' Report, which includes the directors’ report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
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the directors’ report included within the Governors' Report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors’ report included with the governors’ report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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certain disclosures of governors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
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the governors were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies’ regime and take advantage of the small companies’ exemptions in preparing the governors’ report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.
Responsibilities of governors
As explained more fully in the governors’ responsibilities statement set out on page 9, the governors (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 governors are responsible for assessing the charity’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 governors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
Based on our understanding of the company, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to employment legislation and we considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011.
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SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
We assessed the susceptibility of the company's financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by making enquiries of management, considering the internal controls in place and discussion amongst the engagement team. We determined that the principal risks were related to the categorisation of capital versus revenue expenditure, management override of controls and presentation of separately disclosed items.
In response to the risks identified we designed procedures which included but were not limited to: reviewing the fixed asset register, fixed asset additions and non-capital expenditure, reviewing the recoverability of debts, identifying and testing journal entries, reviewing minutes of governors’ meetings, evaluating the charity’s internal controls and agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation.
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: http://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and regulations made under that Act. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an 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 its members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
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Richard Haffenden FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Xeinadin Audit Limited Statutory Auditor Chartered Accountants
5 Robin Hood Lane Sutton Surrey SM1 2SW
10th April 2025
SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (including Income and Expenditure Account) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
| Notes INCOME FROM Charitable activities School fees receivable 2 Registration fees After school activities and trips Donations and legacies 3 Other trading activities: Rents and lettings Investment income Holiday club income School meals Other income Total Income EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities: School operating costs Total expenditure 7 NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR AND NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Funds brought forward at 1stSeptember 2023 Funds carried forward at 31st August 2024 |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 1,967,703 4,345 97,587 1,448 3,250 22,364 15,758 39,670 16,369 2,168,494 2,001,192 2,001,192 167,302 2,469,834 2,637,136 |
Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 1,847,523 3,355 83,420 100 3,650 13,683 17,504 - 10,332 1,979,567 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,783,507 1,783,507 196,060 2,273,774 2,469,834 |
The notes on pages 16 to 24 form part of these accounts.
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SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED BALANCE SHEEr ST AS AT 31 AUGUST 2024 Company number 2151420 Notes 2024 2023 FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets School land, bulldlngs and equipment 2.232,867 2,238,322 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Investment: cash on short-term deposit Cash io 90.608 1.409,212 98,932 1,598,752 75,525 552.191 174,675 802,391 CREDITORS." Due within one year li 1 627,2691 1432.3791 Net Current Assets 971,483 370.012 Total Assets less Current Liabilities 3,204,350 2,608,334 CREDITORS: Due after more than one year 12 1 567.2141 1138,5001 NET ASSETS 2,637,136 2,469,834 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS: 15 Designated.. Scholarship fund General f und 115,350 2,521,786 103,350 2,366,484 TOTAL FUNDS 2.637.136 2,469,834 The financial staternents were prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 ofthe Companies Act 2006 th Approved by the board on 19 March 2025 and signed on its behalf by J Evans Chair P Patel Finance Governor The note5 on pages 16 to 24 form part of these accounts. 14
SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING | ||
| ACTIVITIES | ||
| NET INCOME | 167,302 | 196,060 |
| Add back depreciation charge | 66,226 | 33,240 |
| Add back loss on disposal of fixed assets | 1,201 | 415 |
| Deduct interest income in investing | ( 22,364) | ( 13,683) |
| activities | ||
| (Increase) in debtors | ( 15,083) | ( 88) |
| Increase in creditors | 623,604 | 176,888 |
| NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | 820,886 | 392,832 |
| ___ | ___ | |
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING | ||
| ACTIVITIES | ||
| Interest income | 22,364 | 13,683 |
| Net additions to investments | ( 857,021) | ( 11,052) |
| Purchase of tangible fixed assets | (61,972) | (1,220,481) |
| CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES | (896,629) | (1,217,850) |
| DECREASE IN CASH FOR THE YEAR | (75,743) | (825,018) |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the | 174,675 | 999,693 |
| beginning of the year | ||
| TOTAL CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT | ||
| THE END OF THE YEAR | 98,932 | 174,675 |
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SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Charity information
Seaton House School Limited was founded in 1931 and became a limited company and charity in 1987, incorporated in England and Wales. Charity number 800673. The School’s principal address and registered office is 67 Banstead Road South, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5LH.
a. Basis of Preparation
The financial statements have been prepared under the Companies Act 2006, Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and Financial Reporting Standard 102 (FRS 102). The financial statements are drawn up on the historical cost basis of accounting. The financial statements are prepared in sterling, rounded to the nearest pound.
Seaton House School charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Governors have reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Governors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting.
b. Fees
Fees consist of charges invoiced for the School Year ending 31[st] August, less discounts and allowances. Fees received in advance for education to be provided in future years are carried forward as deferred income. All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be reliably measured.
c. Direct and Overhead Expenditure
Expenditure is summarised by reference to the objectives of activities undertaken either on a direct cost basis or, for overhead costs, by apportionment based on management estimates of staff time spent. Expenditure is accrued as soon as a liability is considered probable, discounted to present value for longer term liabilities. The irrecoverable VAT is included with the item of expense to which it relates.
d. Teaching materials
Supplies of games equipment, books, stationery and sundry materials are written off to expenditure in the year which the goods are purchased for.
e. Pension schemes
The School contributes to the Teachers’ Pension Defined Benefits Scheme at rates set by the Scheme Actuary and advised to the School by the Scheme Administrator. The Scheme is a multi-employer pension scheme and it is not possible to identify the assets and liabilities of the Scheme which are attributable to the Charity. In accordance with SORP(FRS 102) the Scheme is accounted for as a defined contribution scheme and contributions are accounted for when advised as due by the Scheme Administrator.
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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
e. Pension schemes (continued)
The School also contributes to personal pension schemes for non-teaching staff at 3% of annual basic pay and these contributions are accrued accordingly.
f. Support costs and governance costs
Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:
Costs of raising funds – this comprises the cost of fundraising, commercial trading and associated support costs.
Expenditure on charitable activities – this includes the cost of activities undertaken to further the purpose of the charity and their associated support costs
Other expenditure – includes those items not falling under any other heading.
All expenses, including support and governance costs, are allocated or apportioned to the applicable heading in the SOFA.
Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include finance, administrative personnel, payroll and governance costs which support the school’s activities.
Governance costs comprise all costs involving the public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice.
g. Tangible Fixed Assets
Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets retained for use by the Charity, other than on the freehold land, at rates calculated to spread each assets cost, less its estimated residual value at current market price, evenly over its expected useful economic life, which for each class of asset is initially assessed as averaging:
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|---|---|
|Freehold buildings|50 years|
|Fixtures and fittings|10 years|
|Computer equipment|3 years|
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Depreciation is not provided on freehold land as the estimated residual value is considered to be the same or higher than the carrying value of the land in the accounts.
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SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
h. Debtors
Other debtors are included at the settlement amount due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.
i. Current asset investments
Current asset investments are deposits with a maturity date of more than three months from the date of opening the deposit or with more than three months’ notice required.
j. Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of opening the deposit.
k. Creditors and provisions
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation arising from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are recognised at their settlement amount.
l. Financial instruments
The charity only has financial assets and 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.
2. SCHOOL FEES RECEIVABLE
| Gross school fees Less: Total Scholarships, sibling and other discounts |
2024 £ 2,014,060 (46,357) 1,967,703 |
2023 £ 1,874,527 (27,004) |
|---|---|---|
| 1,847,523 |
3. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| Sundry donations | 1,448 | 100 |
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SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
4. TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
The Governors received no remuneration or other benefits during the year.
The following Governors and Key Management Personnel were parents of pupils attending the school during the year: Mr M Alidina, Mr O Saeed and Mrs Smith for whom fees were payable to the school.
Members of the close family of Governors and Key Management Personnel received remuneration of £41,338 (2023: £33,606) and employers pension contributions of £9,188 (2023: £7,245).
There were no other related party transactions in the year.
5. GOVERNORS’ EXPENSES
Governors incurred other various sundry costs of £nil (2023: £nil). No reimbursements were made to any Governors. Other than incidental costs of travel to Governors meetings no expenses were waived by Governors (2023: £nil). £1,051 was paid to third parties on behalf of Governors (2023: £1,669).
6. STAFF COSTS
| Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension contributions The average number of employees in the year: Teaching Administration The following number of employees received: £60,000-£70,000 emoluments £70,000-£80,000 emoluments £80,000-£90,000 emoluments £90,000-£100,000 emoluments |
2024 £ 1,210,613 113,120 171,259 1,494,992 No. 29 8 1 1 - 1 |
2023 £ 1,090,680 89,829 142,407 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,322,916 | ||
| No. 30 9 |
||
| - 1 1 - |
The retirement benefits for the above employees are accruing under a defined benefits scheme for which employer contributions in the year amounted to £62,378 (2023: £25,613).
The aggregate employee-benefits of key management personnel were £375,022 (2023: £342,481).
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SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
| 7 (a) EXPENDITURE Staff costs Other Depreciation and loss on disposal £ £ £ Charitable Expenditure School operating costs: Teaching costs 1,494,992 71,924 - Premises - 136,380 67,427 Support costs (b) - 224,709 - Governance costs - __ 5,760 _ - __ ______ 1,494,992 438,773 67,427 7 (b) EXPENDITURE - Other disclosures Support costs include: Outings Advertising and printing Insurance Office expenses Catering Other expenses Other legal and professional costs Auditor’s remuneration: for other services Governance costs include: Auditor’s remuneration: for audit |
2024 £ 1,566,916 203,807 224,709 5,760 _ 2,001,192 2024 £ 80,253 52,001 21,060 4,689 29,643 19,143 11,000 6,920 _ 224,709 5,760 |
2023 £ 1,396,758 185,829 195,520 5,400 __ 1,783,507 |
2023 £ 1,396,758 185,829 195,520 5,400 __ 1,783,507 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 £ 100,635 44,807 21,153 5,908 - 9,685 9,911 3,421 __ 195,520 |
||||
| 5,400 |
In addition to the audit fee of £5,760, the auditor’s charged £3,600 for accountancy services and £3,264 for payroll services during the year.
8. TAXATION
The company is an Educational Trust and as such is a recognised charity registered in England and Wales, number 800673. It is therefore not subject to corporation tax on its charitable activities for the year.
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SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
9. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| Cost 1stSeptember 2023 Additions Disposals Transfers 31stAugust 2024 Depreciation 1stSeptember 2023 Charge for the year Released on disposal 31stAugust 2024 Net book value 31stAugust 2024 31stAugust 2023 |
Freehold land £ 275,000 - - - 275,000 - - - - 275,000 275,000 |
Freehold buildings £ 2,105,939 1,690 (385) - 2,107,244 214,040 42,145 (54) 256,131 1,851,113 1,891,899 |
Fixtures and fittings £ 172,189 49,079 (8,240) - 213,028 116,494 11,829 (8,240) 120,083 92,945 55,695 |
Computer equipment £ 110,974 11,203 (11,005) - 111,172 95,246 12,252 (10,135) 97,363 13,809 15,728 |
Total £ 2,664,102 61,972 (19,630) - 2,706,444 425,780 66,226 (18,429) 473,577 2,232,867 2,238,322 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
All fixed assets are used for charitable purposes.
The freehold property above is used as security for the overdraft facility. The overdraft facility has not been used for a number of years.
10. DEBTORS
| Due within one year: Fees Bad debt provision Other Prepayments |
2024 £ 25,922 (17,902) 1,293 81,295 90,608 |
2023 £ 36,917 (32,508) 2,993 68,123 |
|---|---|---|
| 75,525 |
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SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
11. CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year
| Trade creditors Other taxation and social security costs Accruals and deferred income Fee deposits (see note 13) Other creditors |
2024 £ 35,501 35,390 514,227 18,000 24,151 627,269 |
2023 £ 112,030 22,021 260,834 20,000 17,494 |
|---|---|---|
| 432,379 |
12. CREDITORS: amounts falling due after more than one year
| Fees in advance Fee deposits (see note 13) |
2024 £ 421,714 145,500 567,214 |
2023 £ - 138,500 138,500 |
|---|---|---|
13. DEFERRED INCOME – FEE DEPOSITS
| EFERRED INCOME – FEE DEPOSITS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at 1stSeptember Amount received during the year Amount returned during the year Amount released to the Statement of Financial Activities Balance at 31stAugust Due within one year Due between two and five years Due after more than five years |
2024 £ 158,500 14,000 - (9,000) 163,500 18,000 74,000 71,500 163,500 |
2023 £ 162,000 5,500 - (9,000) |
|
| 158,500 20,000 74,500 64,000 |
|||
| 158,500 |
14. PENSION SCHEMES
Teachers' Pension Scheme
The School participates in the Teachers' Pension Scheme ("the TPS") for its teaching staff. The pension charge for the year includes contributions payable to the TPS of £154,104 (2023: £131,698) and at the year-end £20,287 (2023: £15,477) was accrued in respect of contributions to this scheme.
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SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
14. PENSION SCHEMES (continued)
Teachers' Pension Scheme (continued)
The TPS is an unfunded multi-employer defined benefits pension scheme governed by The Teachers’ Pensions Regulations 2010 (as amended) and The Teachers’ Pension Scheme Regulations 2014 (as amended). Members contribute on a “pay as you go” basis with contributions from members and the employer being credited to the Exchequer. Retirement and other pension benefits are paid by public funds provided by Parliament.
The employer contribution rate is set by the Secretary of State following scheme valuations undertaken by the Government Actuary’s Department. The most recent actuarial valuation of the TPS was prepared as at 31 March 2016 and the Valuation Report, which was published in March 2019, confirmed that the employer contribution rate for the TPS would increase from 16.4% to 23.6% from 1 September 2019. Employers are also required to pay a scheme administration levy of 0.08% giving a total employer contribution rate of 23.68%.
The 31 March 2016 Valuation Report was prepared in accordance with the benefits set out in the scheme regulations and under the approach specified in the Directions, as they applied at 5 March 2019. However, the assumptions were considered and set by the Department for Education prior to the ruling in the ‘McCloud/Sargeant case’. This case has required the courts to consider cases regarding the implementation of the 2015 reforms to Public Service Pensions including the Teachers’ Pensions.
On 27 June 2019 the Supreme Court denied the government permission to appeal the Court of Appeal’s judgment that transitional provisions introduced to the reformed pension schemes in 2015 gave rise to unlawful age discrimination. The government is respecting the Court’s decision and has said it will engage fully with the Employment Tribunal as well as employer and member representatives to agree how the discriminations will be remedied. The government announced on 4 February 2021 that it intends to proceed with a deferred choice underpin under which members will be able to choose either legacy or reformed scheme benefits in respect of their service during the period between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2022 at the point they become payable.
The TPS is subject to a cost cap mechanism which was put in place to protect taxpayers against unforeseen changes in scheme costs. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, having in 2018 announced that there would be a review of this cost cap mechanism, in January 2019 announced a pause to the cost cap mechanism following the Court of Appeal’s ruling in the McCloud/Sargeant case and until there is certainty about the value of pensions to employees from April 2015 onwards. The pause was lifted in July 2020, and a consultation was launched on 24 June on proposed changes to the cost control mechanism following a review by the Government Actuary. The consultation closed to response on 19 August 2021 and the Government is currently analysing the responses.
In view of the above rulings and decisions, the assumptions used in the 31 March 2016 Actuarial Valuation may become inappropriate. In this scenario, a valuation prepared in accordance with revised benefits and suitably revised assumptions would yield different results than those contained in the Actuarial Valuation.
Until the cost cap mechanism review is completed it is not possible to conclude on any financial impact or future changes to the contribution rates of the TPS. Accordingly no provision for any additional past benefit pension costs is included in these financial statements.
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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
14. PENSION SCHEMES (continued)
Other schemes
The company also made contributions to other defined contribution pension schemes totalling £17,154 (2023: £10,709) and at the year-end £2,788 (2023: £2,017) was accrued in respect of contributions to this scheme.
15. FUNDS
| General fund School Bursary fund General fund School Bursary fund |
Balance at 01.09.2023 £ 2,366,484 103,350 2,469,834 Balance at 01.09.2022 £ 2,175,424 98,350 2,273,774 |
Income £ 2,156,494 12,000 2,168,494 Income £ 1,974,567 5,000 1,979,567 |
Expenditure £ (2,001,192) - (2,001,192) Expenditure £ (1,783,507) - (1,783,507) |
Balance at 31.08.2024 £ 2,521,786 115,350 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,637,136 | ||||
| Balance at 31.08.2023 £ 2,366,484 103,350 |
||||
| 2,469,834 |
The designated “School Bursary Fund” represents unrestricted funds retained to finance a Bursary Scheme.
16. OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS
At 31 August 2024 the total of the Charity’s future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases was:
| Amounts payable: Within 1 year Between 2 and 5 years Lease payments recognised as expense |
2024 £ 1,249 4,120 5,369 937 |
2023 £ - - - - |
|---|---|---|
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