The members present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2023.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Companies Act 2006 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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016)
The objectives of the Friends of Canford School are advancement of education by affording assistance to Canford School and to pupils of the school and for the continuance of their education after leaving the school.
The charity provides grants for projects and bursaries in support of the school, its pupils or wider community that assist the school in achieving any of its charitable purposes.
It is always difficult to condense a year’s worth of social events and fundraising efforts into just a few hundred words and this year is no exception. The Friends of Canford School committee has been as active as ever.
Following our AGM in December, the first occasion in the Friends’ calendar was Noel Noel, an event shared between Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir and Friends of Canford that has been running for 20 years or more. The new calendar year commenced with a charity Gift a Gift donation appeal in support of a local food bank, followed by a Fashion Show in aid of the Wardrobe Foundation, a social enterprise run by an Old Canfordian. A most ambitious event that was exceptionally well-choreographed and a huge success. Spring sprang in April with the ever-popular Spring Lunch, a super event and first opportunity to genuinely enjoy time together. May saw us support the school’s Rainbow Run, the proceeds of which were split between the Martin Marriott Foundation for bursaries and the Bourne Academy. In June, the Arboretum Tour took place in the school grounds, always a reminder of just how lucky we are to be able to enjoy the school and all it has to offer. Parent Coffee Mornings took place throughout the year, ideal opportunities to introduce new parents to the Friends committee and to recruitment volunteers. Several very worthwhile community grants were awarded: funds for Dementia support Jolly Days at the East Dorset Museum, supply of a poly tunnel for Wimborne’s new Community Garden, and continued support for City Reach, to name just a few. The Friends of Canford quiz Night attracted over 100 participants, necessitating its move to the Great Hall where our Head, Ben Vessey, became Quiz Master for the night.
As with last year our bank account shows a healthy balance enabling us to continue to support City Reach for the foreseeable future. The Facility Membership Fees continue to diminish; however, the fees have been increased this year.
Once again, we extend our sincere thanks to the Canford School Development Team and wider Canford Staff, all of whom have been incredibly supportive; to Mr Vessey for his unwavering encouragement, and to our fantastic Friends committee for all they do.
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 members considers 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.
The members 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 company is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 28 February 2015.
The number of members shall be no less than five and shall include not less than three persons nominated by the Council of Governors of Canford School.
New members appointments are made after advertising throughout the membership. Candidates are co opted to council and proposed for election after suitable experience.
The members, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
Mrs. A Ambrose - Hunt
Mrs. V Arkell
Rev. P Jack
Mrs. D Stocks
Mr. B Vassey
Ms. L Farthing
Mrs. P Graham
Mrs. L Tazzyman (Resigned 23 September 2023)
Mr. M Durham
Miss. R Gaston
The members appointed by the Board of Governors have regular training in the course of their duties at the school.
The member's report was approved by the Board of Members.
Chairs Report
Friends of Canford School have once again enjoyed a bumper year of events, all of which were supported by record numbers.
The proceeds of these gatherings have been used to support a number of very worthy community projects, many of which are local to the school, and the majority of which are passionately supported by Canford pupils as part of their Community Project work.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Officers, Committee Members, Volunteers and our Canford pupils and Staff. I am proud to report that as a result of our efforts, we have been able to help a great number of extremely important and worthwhile causes.
Each event brings our Canford community a little closer together and makes a marked difference to those we support. Wherever we help, we always try to leave a legacy. Our collaborations are not just about donations, they are focused on bringing about change and making a difference.
The fact that a number of our committee members have also become volunteers for the causes we support further demonstrates our desire to help.
Our Calendar year of events commenced in March 2023 with our ever-popular Spring Lunch where Maureen Rose (dressmaker to the late Queen) held us spellbound with her talk in the Old Library.
Golfers were treated to a super sunny day in June as we finally managed to host our FCS Charity Golf Day, our first for three years.
The weather was on our side this year for our History and Arboretum tours, both of which were enjoyed on balmy evenings and served as an excellent reminder of how lucky we are to be able to share the enjoyment of our beautiful school setting.
Participants tried their hand at Real Tennis and throughout the year we have also offered the chance for visitors to test their aim on our Rifle Range, and their skills at Rowing on the river too.
We marked the end of 2023 with our infamous Quiz Night, so well supported it had to be accommodated in the school’s Great Hall, then finally our seasonal Noel Noel event, the perfect end to a very special year.
Many thanks once again to all those who supported during this super, successful, special Canford Centenary year.
Tiffany Fleming
Chair
Friends of Canford School
In order to assist you to fulfil your duties under the Companies Act 2006, we have prepared for your approval the financial statements of The Friends of Canford School for the year ended 31 July 2023, which comprise the statement of financial activities and the related notes from the charity’s accounting records and from information and explanations you have given us.
It is your duty to ensure that The Friends of Canford School has kept adequate accounting records and to prepare statutory financial statements that give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and surplus of The Friends of Canford School. You consider that The Friends of Canford School is exempt from the statutory audit requirement for the year, and is not required to obtain an independent examiner's report.
We have not been instructed to carry out an audit or a review of the financial statements of The Friends of Canford School. For this reason, we have not verified the accuracy or completeness of the accounting records or information and explanations you have given to us and we do not, therefore, express any opinion on the statutory financial statements.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The Friends of Canford School is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is The Bursary, Canford School, Canford Magna, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 3AD.
The Friends of Canford School is a company limited by guarantee and accordingly does not have share capital.
Every member of the charitable company undertakes to contribute such amount as may be required not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charitable company in the event of it being wound up while he or she is a member, or within one year after he or she ceases to be a member.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The accounts are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest pound.
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of expenditure to which it relates.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Previous Friends of Canford had decided to make a one off grant donation which was recorded as expense in previous years. This grant is no longer due to be paid and is shown as a negative cost within the prior year.