Humberstone Junior Academy | Trustees Report November 18th 2014

HUMBERSTONE JUNIOR ACADEMY

COMPANY DETAILS

Company Number 08612100 (England and Wales)

Registered Office Address Humberstone Junior Academy

Main Street

Humberstone

Leicestershire

LE5 1AE

Trustees Mr P Goulding (Chair)

Miss A Williams (Head)

Mrs S Gurney

Mr R Hughes

Mrs N Shipman

Mrs C Bradley

Mr S Wragg

Mrs B Lake

Mrs E Proud

Miss J Echeverria-White

Ms B Barradell (resigned January 2014)

Auditor Somerbys Limited

30 Nelson Street

Leicester

LE1 7BA

Bankers The Co-operative Bank

1 Balloon Street

Manchester

M60 4EP

Solicitors Langleys

Olympic House

Doddington Road

Lincoln

LN6 3SE

HUMBERSTONE JUNIOR ACADEMY

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2014

The Trustees (who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act) present their annual report together with the audited financial statements of Humberstone Junior Academy for the year ended 31 August 2014. The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the Academy Trust comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the Academy Trust's governing document, the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" issued in March 2005 and the Academies: Accounts Direction 2012/13 issued by the Education Funding Agency.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Constitution

The Academy Trust (known as Humberstone Junior School) is a company limited by guarantee and an exempt charity. The Memorandum and Articles of Association are the primary governing documents of the Academy Trust.

The Board of Trustees consists of 10 Trustees including the Head teacher and Chair of Governors and other selected governors including two parent governors and two staff governors. Further details of the Trustees are outlined in the Governance Statement on pages 10-12.

Details of the Trustees who served during the year are shown on page 1.

Trustees' liability

Each member undertakes to contribute to the assets of the Academy Trust in the event of it being wound up while they are a member, or within one year after they cease to be a member, such amount as may be required, not exceeding £10, for the debts and liabilities contracted before they ceased to be a member.

Trustees' indemnities

Since the incorporation of the Academy Trust the Trustees have been indemnified in respect of their legal liability for financial loss arising as a result of a negligent act, accidental error or omission in the course of their official duties.

Principal activities

The principal activity of the Academy Trust is to provide free education for young people of all abilities, based on an inclusive, balanced and broad curriculum, who live mainly in the local area.

Method of recruitment and appointment or election of Trustees

The appointment and recruitment of Trustees is laid out in article 50a & 50b in the Articles of Association. The appointment of up to 10 Trustees is the responsibility of the members. With reference to article 53, parent governors shall be elected by parents of registered pupils of the Academy

HUMBERSTONE JUNIOR ACADEMY

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2014

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of Trustees

Induction for new Trustees is tailored according to their experience and background. New Trustees requiring guidance on the roles of Trustees are provided with this by external training or through internal meetings and discussion with staff and other Trustees. All Trustees are provided with copies of policies, procedures, minutes, accounts etc. that they will need to undertake their role as Trustees.

Other training for Trustees is provided as required through external providers.

Organisational structure

The day to day running of the Academy Trust has been delegated to the Headteacher. In the absence of the Headteacher, there is a Deputy Headteacher who has agreed to deputise.

The Governing Body is organised into committees with clear terms of reference and specified delegated duties. The schools Finance Policy states when decisions have to be made the Governing Body.

The Executive Committee of Humberstone Junior Academy follow the scheme of delegation.

Risk management

The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Academy is exposed, in particular those related to specific teaching, provision of facilities and other operational areas of the Academy and its finances and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate its exposure to the major risks. The Trustees have implemented a number of systems to assess risks, especially in operational areas in teaching, health and safety, bullying and school trips and in relation to the control of finance.

There are a number of systems, operational procedures, and internal financial controls in order to minimise risk. Where significant financial risk still remains, they have ensured they have adequate insurance cover. The Academy Trust has an effective system of internal financial control.

HUMBERSTONE JUNIOR ACADEMY

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2014

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objects and aims

As indicated in paragraph 4 of the Articles of Association, the object of the Academy Trust is to advance for the public benefit education in the United Kingdom, in particular but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing by establishing, maintaining, carrying on, managing and developing a school offering a broad and balanced curriculum.

Public benefit

The Trustees note and acknowledge their responsibilities for the advancement of education for public benefit as set out in the guidance from the Charity Commission. The Articles of Association and Funding Agreement provide details of the structure for the day to day operation of the Academy Trust in accordance with these guidelines.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Review of activities

Reading Results	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
Level 4+ School	76%	87%	89%	91%	98%
National	84%	84%	83%	86%	89%
Level 5+ School	51%	43%	52%	42%	82%
National	51%	42%	42%	48%	50%

Writing Results	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
Level 4+	76%	82%	89%	94%	95%
National	71%	71%	75%	n/a	85%
Level 5+	37%	21%	49%	31%	40%
National	21%	20%	20%	n/a	33%

Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling	2013	2014
Level 4+	86%	82%
National	74%	74%
Level 5+	57%	61%
National	47%	42%
Level 6		8%
National		4%

Maths Results	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
School Level 4+	86%	84%	85%	95%	96%
National	80%	81%	80%	84%	86%
School Level 5+	45%	49%	35%	39%	60%
National	35%	35%	35%	39%	42%
Level 6					22%
National					7%

Reading, Writing & Maths	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
School Level 4+	75%	78%	82%	91%	95%
National			75%	75%	79%
School Level 5+	30%	30%	33%	25%	36%
National			20%	21%	24%

2013-14 Data Analysis:

Whole School Strengths

Strengths Identified

Reasons

End of key stage attainment: End of Key stage results are all above 90% and above national averages.

100% L4+ Reading (11% above)

98% L4+ Writing (13% above)

99% L4+ Maths (13% above)

84% L4+ Spelling, Punct, Grammar (10% above)

95% Reading, Writing and maths Combined (16% above )

Consistently Good to Outstanding quality first teaching

Excellent use of small groups, pre-teaching and intervention strategies

Robust tracking at every stage through leadership and pupil progress systems

Consistently high levels of challenge for all through PBL, Novel Study and Maths

Children have accessed consistently “Good” or better provision across the key stage

Progress Across key Stage

% of children who make 2+ levels progress across the key stage

Maths = 100%

Reading = 99%

Writing 98%

% of children who make More than 2 levels progress across the key stage (against baseline)

Maths = 78%

Reading = 84%

Writing = 71%

Strong systems to track progress and ensure early intervention are rigorously applied to all children and all groups of children at all levels

High expectations expressed through performance management targets for pupil progress (80% to make 4 point s+ progress)

Small group interventions have significant impact on progress/ 4 points or more ( RML, Mary Steel, EAL, Project X)

Daily Readers: 4.0+ APS in all year groups

RML: 5.0 APS

EAL: 4.0 APS + in all year groups

Project X: 4.0+ APS in all year groups

Where there is a consistent, skilled adult who is dedicated to this role only and is not pulled out for cover etc, progress is often excellent as support is consistent, focused and high quality

Pupil Premium Impact:

% of children making good progress each year and APS for year groups shows that there are no significant progress gaps in terms of % making good progress and APS.

Progress across key stage for FSM Pupils

Reading = 16.4 (15.7 whole cohort)

Writing = 14.1 (14.3 whole cohort)

Maths = 15.3 (15.5 whole cohort)

Strategic use of specific resources, e.g., e.g. Notebook computers for reluctant writers project APS (3.8)

additional teacher in Y6

Strong Pastoral Team to address and sign post wider needs (Family Support Worker, attendance, School Counsellor, SEN/Inclusion)

(see Pupil Premium report on school website )

Reading Progress across the school is often excellent and the majority of classes have met 4 points+ target this year)

Year 3 APS = 4.5

Year 4 APS = 3.4

Year 5 APS = 3.5

Year 6 APS = 4.6

APS 15.7 from KS1 data, 17.0 against baseline

KS1 data indicates that 100% of children made expected progress or better

Baseline data indicates that: 100% of pupils made expected progress or better

54% made more than expected progress

High focus on challenging novel study curriculum in all classes, leading to high levels of pupil skills engagement and motivation.

High quality intervention where needed (RML, Kindle, Mary Steel, Reading Support Programs, Inference Training, Project X)

A strong culture of love of reading and systems to ensure that all adults are supporting children’s reading every day

Writing Progress : Progress across the school is strong (14.3 against KS1 and 16.2 across baseline data)

Year 3 APS = 3.4

Year 4 APS = 3.4

Year 5 APS = 3.6

Year 6 APS = 5.3

KS1 data indicates that: 98% of pupils made expected progress or better across the key stage in Writing,

Baseline data indicates that: 100% of pupils made expected progress across the key stage in Writing, 72% made more than expected progress

High focus on writing across the curriculum and purposeful extended writing through novel study work

Effective use of writing grids to level writing and set targets

Effective use of writing targets for children

Extensive use of edit and improve model across the school

Maths Progress:

APS 15.5 from KS1 data, 17.2 against baseline

KS1 data indicates that: 100% of pupils made expected progress across the key stage in Maths,

Baseline data indicates that:100% of pupils made expected progress across the key stage in Maths, 39% made more than expected progress

Focus on ensuring basic skills are well embedded through effective use of skills ladders

Focus on practical hands on and experiential learning in maths

Substantial staff training on maths subject knowledge, including TA’s

Use of secure/not secure/extension planning systems in maths focusing on rigorous A4L

SEN Pupils Progress in Reading: Pupils are making improved progress in reading

Most SEN pupils make an average of 4 points, with some examples of excellent progress.

SEN Reading Progress across KS2 from KS1 Data=APS 16.5

SEN Reading Progress across KS2 from Baseline Data=APS 17.6

Project X APS in Year 3 = 5.1

Project X APS in Year 4 = 4.0

Project X APS in Year 5 = 3.9

Project X APS in Year 6 = 8.7

Targeted provision through Project X resources

Training for TA’s and teaching staff on missed cue analysis, phonics and early intervention.

Sharp tracking of progress through P levels

Expert support provided by specialist SEN trained TA

Our largest ethnic group after white British is Indian Pupils who make good progress across the school and better than white British in many areas

Reading from KS1 = 15.5

Writing from KS1 = 14.3

Maths from KS1 = 16.4

Reading from baseline = 17.0

Writing from baseline = 16.2

Maths from baseline = 17.2

Good interventions targeted at EAL and pupils subject needs

Good differentiation supports the needs of all pupils

Hands on and practical learning throughout the curriculum supports the needs of all

EAL: Pupils who receive targeted EAL support often make excellent progress

EAL Group Reading progress

Year 3: 8.0

Year 4: 4.0

Year 5: 4.0

Year 6: 9.0

EAL Group Writing Progress

Year 3: 5.6

Year 4: 4.0

Year 5: 2.5

Year 6: 9.0

Skilled and well trained EAL staff provide personalised and consistent intervention well matched to children’s needs.

Racist incidents: Reported racist incident are very low

Number of reported Incidents

2010-11 = 12

2011 -12 = 7

2013 -14 = 6

High focus on Inclusion through RE visits to religious places of worship, visitors to assembly, cultural celebrations in school and through assemblies

Direct teaching of PHSE themes in class and through assemblies

Targeted work where necessary (Walkers stadium, read racism the red card)

Zero tolerance: all incidents are recorded and reported home to parents

Attendance

2012-13 = 95.7%

This is just above the top 40% of schools nationally and would be considered good attendance by OFSTED

2013-14 = 96.3%

This is above the top 40% of schools nationally and would be considered good attendance by

Celebration of weekly attendance in Friday assembly

High focus on identifying those with persistent absence and attendance below 90%

Effective systems for tracking attendance with EWO each month

Effective day to day systems for dealing with children who are away

Parents well informed of expectations around attendance and acceptable absence

Targeted work through Family Support Worker

Bullying incidents: only 3 serious incidents reported in 2013-14

Pupil Survey Data 2014

94% of children agree that:

I feel safe at school

51% Strongly Agree, 43% Agree

93% of children agree

I know what to do if I am being bullied

68% strongly agree, 25% agree

Review of bullying policy and effective recording systems with all staff

Anti-bullying week

E safety work on cyber bullying

New tracking and recording has raised awareness

Excellent systems for playground support and monitoring

Working towards Anti Bullying Award (ABC)

HUMBERSTONE JUNIOR SCHOOL

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2014

Key financial performance indicators

In 2013/14 the Academy Trust set and maintained a balanced budget carrying forward a surplus into 2014/15.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial and risk management objectives and policies

At the Academy Trust, over 99% of income is grant driven and therefore there is minimal risk to credit, cash flow and liquidity. The greatest risk is a reduction in this grant funding due to legislative changes or to an unforeseen drop in pupil numbers that would lead to a decrease in funding received. A full risk register with actions is in place to monitor such risks.

The majority of the income is received from the Department for Education (DfE) via the Education Funding Agency in the form of the General Annual Grant (GAG); the use of this is restricted to the objects of the Academy Trust. The GAG received during the period covered by this report and the associated expenditure are shown as restricted funds in the Statement of Financial Activities.

The Academy Trust received £18,005 of Devolved Formula Capital Grant (DFC) which is shown in the Statement of Financial Activities as restricted general funds.

Expenditure for the period covered by this report was covered by the GAG and other grants received from the DfE and other income, such as voluntary income and activities for generating funds.

The combined restricted 'general' fund and unrestricted fund show an operating surplus for the year (excluding the defined benefit pension scheme loss), of £72,504. This operating surplus is the result of detailed and tight budgeting and budget control procedures which were inherited from the former maintained school, and which have been firmly embedded in the Academy Trust’s daily financial management in accordance with its financial procedures and the Academies Financial Handbook.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The principal risk facing the Academy Trust is insufficient demand for Academy Trust’s services leaving it unsustainable. This would lead to a decrease in the grant funding received and the necessity to reorganise the Academy Trust to ensure it could remain with a balanced budget or a plan to get out of a deficit. Pupil numbers are monitored closely and the situation is considered fully by the senior leadership team and Trustees. A full risk register has been produced and is being monitored by the Trustees to ensure that risks are treated or tolerated depending on the urgency of the risk.

Reserves policy

As part of the monitoring of in-year financial performance the senior leadership team and Trustees monitor the forecast impact on reserves as part of medium term financial planning. Whilst recognising the need for prudence and the need to provide a suitable level of reserves for unforeseen circumstances, the Trustees acknowledge that the revenue funding provided to the Trust is to provide for the pupils within the Academy Trust at that time. It is therefore the policy to seek to maximise the use of revenue funds available for the pupils in the present cohort with any reserves being clearly identified as a contingency or for an agreed purpose.

Under Financial Reporting Standard Number 17 – Retirement Benefits (FRS17) it is necessary to charge projected deficits on the Local Government Pension Scheme that is provided for our support staff to a specific restricted reserve. As at 31 August 2014 the deficit on this reserve amounted to £396,000. It should be noted however that this does not present the Academy Trust with a current liquidity problem. Contributions to the pension scheme are being increased over the next few years in order to reduce the deficit and the situation will be monitored annually.

After making appropriate enquiries, the governing body has a reasonable expectation that the Academy Trust has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason it continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the Accounting Policies.

HUMBERSTONE JUNIOR SCHOOL

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2014

Investments policy

The Academy Trust maintains funds in a current account to provide for day to day operation. Cash flow projections are undertaken by the Bursar for the Academy Trust who has set up systems to invest surpluses into a higher interest account at the Saffron Building Society.

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

Future developments

Humberstone Junior Academy provides an outstanding curriculum and has significantly higher than national average attainment and progress data. Standards have continued to rise year on year due to the strong focus on high quality teaching and learning, developing a culture of excellence and a strong team identity. The academy has significant firsthand experience of school improvement and effective models and approaches, which it is confident, can be successfully applied to other schools. Having managed special measures, the journey to academy status and supporting a number of schools locally and nationally, the academy has demonstrated excellent capacity to manage change and is highly committed to improving outcomes for children in Leicester City and beyond. In becoming an academy sponsor, we wish to raise expectations and aspirations for all children and their families within the trust and ensure that children are confident, skilled and ready for the next stage in their education.

In forming a multi-academy trust, it is intended that the MAT will maximise economies of scale with regard to purchasing and provision of key roles within the organisation such as leadership, business management, SEN provision and specialised pupil services. The academy envisages supporting three primary academies over a five year period (one in the first year, two in the third and three by the fifth year) It is also intended that current expertise around curriculum development and improving pupil outcomes quickly and effectively should be utilised across the trust in order to raise standards for a larger number of pupils.

Provision of information to auditor

Each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when this Trustees’ report is approved has confirmed that:

so far as that Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Academy Trust auditor is unaware, and

that Trustee has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a Trustee in order to be aware of any information needed by the charitable company's auditor in connection with preparing its report and to establish that the charitable company's auditor is aware of that information.

Auditor

The auditor has indicated its willingness to continue in office. The Finance and Audit Committee will propose a motion re-appointing the auditor at a meeting of the Trustees.

This report was approved by order of the members of the governing body on 18^th November 2014 and signed on its behalf by:

P. Goulding

Chair

HUMBERSTONE JUNIOR ACADEMY

GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2014

Scope of Responsibility

As Trustees we acknowledge we have overall responsibility for ensuring that Humberstone Junior Academy has an effective and appropriate system of control, financial and otherwise. However such a system is designed to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives, and can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss.

The Board of Trustees has delegated the day-to-day responsibility to the Headteacher, as Accounting Officer, for ensuring financial controls conform to the requirements of both propriety and good financial management and in accordance with the requirements and responsibilities assigned to it in the funding agreement between the Academy Trust and the Secretary of State for Education. They are also responsible for reporting to the Board of Trustees any material weaknesses or breakdowns in internal control.

Governance

The Board of Trustees consists of 10 Trustees including the Head teacher, Chair and other selected governors including two parent governors and two staff governors. It has one sub-committee designated as the Finance Committee.

The information on governance included here supplements that described in the Trustees’ Report and in the Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities. The Trustees have formally met 4 times during the year. attendance at those meetings was as follows:

Trustee	Meetings Attended	Out of a possible
Mr Goulding (Chair)	3	4
Miss Williams (Head)	3	4
Mrs Gurney (Chair of Finance Committee)	4	4
Mr Hughes (Appointed January 2014)	2	2
Ms Shipman	0	0
Ms Bradley	0	0
Mr Wragg (Parent)	3	4
Mrs Lake (Parent)	4	4
Mrs Proud (Staff)	2	4
Ms Echeverria-White (Staff)	2	4
Ms Barradell (Resigned January 2014)	2	2

The Finance Committee is a sub-committee of the main Board of Trustees. Its purpose is to oversee the finances of the Academy Trust and to act as its Audit Committee. This Committee meet frequently during the year to scrutinise the accounts for the Academy Trust.

Trustee	Meetings attended	Out of a possible
Mr Goulding	6	6
Miss Williams	6	6
Mrs Gurney	6	6
Mr Hughes	5	6

HUMBERSTONE JUNIOR ACADEMY

GOVERNANCE STATEMENT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2014

The Purpose of the System of Internal Control

The system of internal control is designed to manage risk to a reasonable level rather than to eliminate all risk of failure to achieve policies, aims and objectives. It can therefore only provide reasonable and not absolute assurance of effectiveness. The system of internal control is based on an on-going process designed to identify and prioritise the risks to the achievement of policies, aims and objectives, to evaluate the likelihood of those risks being realised and the impact should they be realised, and to manage them efficiently, effectively and economically. The system of internal control has been in place in the Academy Trust for the year to 31 August 2014 and up to the date of approval of the annual report and financial statements.

Capacity to Handle Risk

The Board of Trustees has reviewed the key risks to which the Academy Trust is exposed together with the operating, financial and compliance controls that have been implemented to mitigate those risks. The Board of Trustees is of the view that there is a formal on-going process for identifying, evaluating and managing the Academy Trust's significant risks that has been in place for the year to 31 August 2014 and up to the date of approval of the annual report and financial statements. This process is regularly reviewed by the Board of Trustees.

The Risk and Control Framework

The Academy Trust’s system of internal financial control is based on a framework of regular management information and administrative procedures including the segregation of duties and a system of delegation and accountability. In particular, it includes:

comprehensive budgeting and monitoring systems with an annual budget and periodic financial reports which are reviewed and agreed by the governing body;
regular reviews by the Finance Committee of reports which indicate financial performance against the forecasts and of major purchase plans, capital works and expenditure programmes;
setting targets to measure financial and other performance;
clearly defined purchasing (asset purchase or capital investment) guidelines;
delegation of authority and segregation of duties;
identification and management of risks.

The governing body has appointed an internal auditor - Bursar Financial Services Limited. Their role includes giving advice on the financial matters and performing a range of checks on the Academy Trust’s financial systems.

On an annual basis, the internal auditor reports to the Board of Trustees, through the Finance and Audit committee on the operation of the systems of control and on the discharge of the Board of Trustees’ financial responsibilities.

HUMBERSTONE JUNIOR ACADEMY

GOVERNANCE STATEMENT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2014

Review of Effectiveness

The Accounting Officer (the Headteacher) has responsibility for reviewing the effectiveness of the system of internal control. During the year in question the review has been informed by:

the work of the internal auditor;
the work of the external auditor;
the financial management and governance self-assessment process;
the work of the executive managers within the Academy trust who have responsibility for the development and maintenance of the internal control framework.

The Accounting Officer has been advised of the implications of the result of their review of the system of internal control by the Finance Committee and a plan to address weaknesses and ensure continuous improvement of the system is in place.

Approved by order of the members of the Governing Body 18 November 2014 and signed on its behalf by:

P. Goulding

Chair

HUMBERSTONE JUNIOR ACADEMY

STATEMENT ON REGULARITY, PROPRIETY AND COMPLIANCE

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2014

As accounting officer of Humberstone Junior Academy I have considered our responsibility to notify the Academy Trust Board of Trustees and the Education Funding Agency (EFA) of material irregularity, impropriety and non-compliance with EFA terms and conditions of funding, under the funding agreement in place between the Academy Trust and the Secretary of State. As part of my consideration I have had due regard to the requirements of the Academies Financial Handbook.

I confirm that I and the Academy Trust Board of Trustees are able to identify any material irregular or improper use of funds by the Academy Trust, or material non-compliance with the terms and conditions of funding under the Academy Trust’s funding agreement and the Academies Financial Handbook.

I confirm that no instances of material irregularity, impropriety or funding non-compliance have been discovered to date.

Annemarie Williams

Accounting Officer

18 November 2014

HUMBERSTONE JUNIOR ACADEMY

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2014

The Trustees (who act as governors of Humberstone Junior Academy and are also directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law, United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and the Annual Accounts Direction issued by the Education Funding Agency.

Company law requires the Trustees 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 the year. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees 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 UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject 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 charitable company will continue in operation.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees are responsible for ensuring that in its conduct and operation the charitable company applies financial and other controls which conform to the requirements both of propriety and good financial management. They are also responsible for ensuring that grants received from the Education Funding Agency and Department for Education have been applied for the purposes intended.

In so far as the Trustees are aware:

there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company’s auditor is unaware; and
the Trustees have taken all steps 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.

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

P. Goulding

Chair

18 November 2014