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2023-08-31-annual-report

Trustees Annual Report 2023

Name of organisation Banbridge Academy Association

Northern Ireland Charity Number NIC104245 Principal Address Banbridge Academy, Lurgan Road, Banbridge. BT32 4AQ

Names of Trustees

Mrs Audrey Wilson-Reid (Chairman) TBC (Vice-Chairman)- Alison Nicholl was elected on 5 Oct 2023. Mrs Michelle Maginnis (Treasurer) Mrs Tracy Hunter (Secretary)

Trustees were elected by PTA members present at the AGM on 26 September 2023.

Governing Document

The governing document has been approved by Parentkind (formerly PTA UK).

The purpose of the Association is to advance the education of pupils in the school in particular by

Public Benefit

1. Improved relationships between home and school

The benefit which flows from this purpose includes funding for additional resources for the school and links built with the local community. This is demonstrated through having an active PTA that works in partnership with the school and engages parental support. This purpose does not lead to harm. The benefit is for children at Banbridge Academy. Charity Trustees are usually also parents at the school which their children attend and hence gain benefit in the same way as other beneficiaries.

2. Advancing the education of pupils in the school

The benefit which flows from this purpose includes increased educational progress and attainment of pupils in the school and links built with the local community. This is demonstrated through pupils having access to resources, events, activities and links with the local community which are not available through direct school funding. This purpose does not lead to harm. The benefit is for children at Banbridge Academy. Charity Trustees are usually also parents at the school which their children attend and hence gain benefit in the same way as other beneficiaries. This benefit is incidental and necessary to ensure the benefit is provided to all beneficiaries. There is no private benefit to any individual.

The trustees have had regard to the Commission’s Public Benefit requirement and statutory guidance.

Main Activities/Achievements this year

The account of the main activities/achievements this year were outlined by the Chairman at the AGM and are outlined in the paragraphs below.

The Chairman thanked everyone in attendance for attending the meeting and extended a warm welcome to new members.

The Chairman explained the role of the Association and its important function within the school’s community. She mentioned the importance of the Association in raising funds for a variety of co-curricular activities, which the school did not have a budget for. She informed the attendees that it was a great opportunity to meet other like-minded parents, make friends and have fun. The Chairman provided an overview of the main fundraising events that took place over the past year.

The Chairman further explained that BAA supported the school in many ways, as demonstrated by attendance at various events throughout the year. The provision of refreshments was particularly welcomed at events such as Open Night and the Spring Concert.

Uniform Swap/Sale

The Uniform Swap and Sale proved to be a great success last year and was well supported within the school community. The Chairman recognised how this initiative has been of benefit to pupils throughout the school. The option of opening on a Saturday morning to facilitate those parents who are working during the week has proved to be very helpful to many parents. The Uniform Swap was also well attended by pupils and parents during A-Level and GCSE results days. This facility was very much appreciated by those who attended.

Annual Christmas Craft Fair

This hugely successful event ran again this year for the first time after the pandemic. Many diverse crafts were on display from home baked goods to homemade candles and wooden ornaments. The raffle was a great success with hampers and other seasonal gifts supplied by association members and also donated by various businesses. The presence of the Scripture Union Band added to the seasonal atmosphere and was appreciated by all in attendance, as was the tea and coffee along with the mince pies and shortbread kindly donated by a local bakery. The event this year will take place again this year on the first Saturday in December.

Christmas cards

Thanks were once again extended to the Art department who continue to support pupils in the design and production of Christmas cards. This always proves to be a profitable fundraising initiative, the success of which continues each year.

Thanks

The Chairman extended thanks to the Treasurer for preparing the accounts and the Treasurer’s report. She also thanked everyone for their ongoing support throughout the year.

Treasurer’s Report- a review of the Charity’s Financial Position

The Treasurer provided an up-to-date report, detailing accounts for the year ending 31 August 2023. The accounts have been calculated and agreed by an Independent Examiner.

The biggest event for the year was the Christmas Fayre. The income for this was £1855.21 or £1665.21 after expenses. Christmas cards made a profit of £451.75. For the second year running there has been continued

success of the sale of donated uniforms at different times during the year – this raised £834.43 less expenses of £100, where a charity shop had some school uniform which they donated to us so we gave them a donation. Just to note this is a swop or sale of uniform so a lot of people have benefitted by bringing an item of clothing and swopping for a bigger size. Teas and coffees brought in £29.43. The tea/coffee expenses are higher than the income as they are provided at school events where there is no charge. The main expenditure was a donation to the school which covers the vouchers for GCSE/A Level results at Prize Day. As previously mentioned, there were donations to charity and expenses for the Christmas Fayre. Bank fees and interest totalled £36.14. Parentkind insurance was paid during the year at £140. This leaves a closing bank balance of £4202.90 and cash in hand of £468.71.

Principal’s recognition of the public benefit.

The Principal thanked the Association for their tremendous support throughout the past academic year. BAA not only raised vital funds for the school but have developed new and creative ways of helping the school community and in particular the most vulnerable pupils – most notably with our pre-loved uniform initiative. He thanked his colleagues for their hard work and dedication emphasising the importance of the partnership between school, home and the pupils. He thanked the Chairman, Committee members and all Banbridge Academy’s parents for their ongoing support. The Principal also commended the resilience of the school community as he outlined the sense of togetherness that had seen us through one of the most challenging times in the school’s history.

He outlined that the school continues to offer an extensive extra-curricular programme as well as many other trips and activities. The Principal noted the tremendous success achieved by the school in the past year at Regional, National and International level across an array of activities. He encouraged everyone present to visit the school website and follow on social media to keep up to date with the success of the students. Including the following notable successes:

The Principal noted that the school had obtained the best results in the history of the school. It was noted that an incredible 100% of pupils achieved 5 A-C GCSE grades including English and Mathematics and 99% achieved 7 A-C GCSE grades including English and Mathematics – these truly

remarkable figures ensured that all pupils have future options and choices for their career pathway. At A Level, the vast majority of pupils progressed to their chosen career pathway of university, higher level apprenticeship, employment and/or further training. Unbelievably 91.1% of pupils attained 3+ A-C grades at A Level and 77 pupils obtained 3+ A/A grades. The Principal noted that these figures ensure that the pupils of the Academy consistently rank amongst the best schools in the country. He further added that as a school we congratulate all of our students on their outstanding results and wish them well as they continue their studies and pursue their future career pathways.

It was noted that the school continues to be regularly oversubscribed and the School’s enrolment is 1349 pupils, with approximately 80 teaching staff and 50 support staff. In addition, he welcomed a number of permanent teaching appointments to the Academy.

He concluded his comments by thanking everyone present for coming and expressed his sincere appreciation for their considerable efforts across the Academy.

Re AGM Sept 2023