PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF RATHORE SCHOOL
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's constitution, the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 and "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 (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
Objectives and activities
Rathore School is based in Newry, Co. Down, Northern Ireland. We currently have 220 pupils with profound and severe learning difficulties. Pupils have a diverse and complex range of needs and diagnosis such as autism, ADHD, complex medical needs, physical needs and behavioral needs. The Parents and Friends' Association of Rathore School consists of a group of approximately 10 parents of current and previous pupils of Rathore School. The Association acts mainly as a fundraising committee with a view to supporting and supplementing the activities of the school. We aim to identify areas where we could assist in helping our children reach their full learning and social potential. We became a registered charity with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland on 12 April 2022.
In line with our mission to be able to offer all pupils learning and teaching opportunities, relaxation sessions and sensory led activities, we are awaiting the arrival of a therapy dog at a cost of £6,000. The therapy dog will assist in:
-
Emotional regulation, providing comfort and companionship and will help anxious pupil reduce stress levels.
-
- Improve communication, social and personal skills, boost esteem, improve physical and sensory benefits and support trauma or distress.
-
Developing friendships with other young people and building social networks.
-
Gaining new skills and having a positive impact on mental health and increasing self-esteem.
Public benefit
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Achievements and performance
Significant activities and achievements against objectives
The pupils continue to avail of the sensory room which was provided by the Parents and Friends of Rathore School during the year ended 30 June 2024.
The children regularly benefit from the continued use of the school minibus. This allows pupils to visit local forest parks and experience a variety of environments. All drivers have also completed updated training and medical checks during the year.
A storage shed was also purchased by the Parents and Friends of Rathore School. This facilitates the proper storage of outdoor equipment regularly used by the pupils.
The Parents and Friends of Rathore School are working towards establishing and operating a coffee shop. Once completed, this will provide opportunities for older pupils to help serve coffee to fellow pupils, teachers, families, and the wider community. This experience will support the development and enhancement of their social skills.
We continued to try and generate local support where possible through various fundraising initiatives.
-4-
PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF RATHORE SCHOOL
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
Financial review
During the year the charity generated £16,000 in income through donations, organising various fundraising events and grant income. The majority of the funds raised are considered to be Unrestricted Funds. It is the policy of the association that funds which have not been designated for a specific project or use should be maintained and recognised as unrestricted funds. The Members continuously review and monitor the level of reserves to ensure that they are able to continue to carry out the aims and objectives of the association in line with it's constitution and remain focused in terms of considering ways in which additional funds may be raised.
At the end of the financial year the charity has £202,000 in funds available and continues to generate a surplus post year end and is therefore well placed to continue with it's charitable activities.
Going concern
The Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.
In our assessment of going concern, we have considered the future of the charity and believe there is no threat to the ongoing operations. On this basis, we continue to believe it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Reserves policy
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month's expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity's current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the Year.
Structure, governance and management
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has a constitution as its governing document.
The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
Caroline Currie Anne McElmeel Ann McCann Philomena Feehan Olive Donnan Emma McHugh Michael Shiels Kerrie Keenan Margaret McShane Gavin Smith
-5-
PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF RATHORE SCHOOL
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
Recruitment and appointment of trustees
None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the organisation.
The Board continually appeal to other parents and the public who may be interested in joining the charity as a volunteer or trustee.
Major Risks
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
Anne McElmeel
==> picture [156 x 90] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Trustee
} +N
Caroline Currie
Trustee
CEC
----- End of picture text -----
Gavin Smyth
Trustee
. f Emma McHugh Trustee EWU 2A
5 May 2026
-6-