The Academy Trust operates 3 primary academies in the North West of England. Its Academies have a combined pupil capacity of 725 and had a roll of 545 in the school census taken on October 2024.
The Charitable Company operates as The Samara Trust.
The Trustees of The Samara Trust are also the directors of the Charitable Company for the purposes of company law. Details of the Trustees who served during the year, and to the date these accounts are approved, are included in the Reference and Administrative Details on page 1.
Each member of the Charitable Company undertakes to contribute to the assets of the Charitable Company 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.
The Trust buys into the Risk Protection Arrangement, which cover Trustees.
Under the terms of its Articles:
The members may appoint by ordinary resolution up to 12 Trustees
The total number of Trustees, including the Chief Executive Officer if they so choose to act as Trustee, who are employees of the Academy Trust shall not exceed one third of the total number of Trustees
In circumstances where the Trustees have not appointed Local Governing Bodies in respect of Academies, there shall be a minimum of two Parent Trustees
Parent Trustees and Parent Local Governors shall be elected or, if the number of parents or individuals exercising parental responsibility standing for election is less than the number of vacancies shall be appointed
The Trustees may appoint Co-opted Trustees. The Trustee may not co-opt an employee of the Academy Trust as a Co-opted Trustee if thereby the number of Trustees who are employees of the Academy Trust would exceed one third of the total number of Trustees
The Trust has recruited Trustees on the basis of their skills and commitment to the organisation, seeking nominations obtained from individual schools, external recruitment organisations and links made through existing, filled Trustee positions. A maximum of 25% of the board of Trustees are Chester Diocesan Board of Education appointees.
A robust and effective process for recruitment, selection, appointment and induction is in place, with training personalised to the needs of each individual and linked to the skills audit that is regularly reviewed. All new Trustees are given a tour of the school and the chance to meet staff and pupils. All Trustees are provided with copies of policies, procedures, minutes, accounts, budgets, plans and other documents that they will need to undertake their role as Trustee. Discussions also take place with the Chair and CEO prior to appointment and with the CEO and CFO as part of the induction process.
The organisational structure consists of three levels: Board of Trustees, the Trust Leadership Team and Academy leadership teams. The aim of the management structure is to devolve responsibility and encourage involvement in decision making at all levels.
The Trustees are responsible for setting general policy, adopting an annual plan and budget, monitoring the Academy by the use of budgets and making decisions about the direction of the Academy, capital expenditure and senior staff appointments. They also authorise the scheme of delegation.
The Trust leadership team consists of the CEO and CFO. The CEO is the Accounting Officer and is the senior executive responsible for Trust performance, oversight of safeguarding, the use of resources and the development of the Trust. He is supported by the CFO who manages financial systems. The Trust has appointed an external School Improvement Officer.
Each Academy has a principal who is supported by their senior leadership teams. These managers control the Academy at an executive level implementing the policies laid down by the Trustees and reporting back to them via the CEO. Principals are responsible for the authorisation of spending up to a level delegated to them within agreed budgets and appointment of staff.
The remuneration, including the terms and conditions of key management personnel has been delegated to the Board’s Pay Committee. The CEO is not involved in setting his own remuneration package. The day to day running of the remuneration policy is delegated to the CEO and Principals and monitored by the Pay Committee. All details for setting pay and remuneration of key management personnel are reviewed annually by the Pay Committee.
Remuneration of key management personnel is set at an individual level, and where possible the Trustees have taken external professional advice, which includes benchmarking, market trends, and advice on structuring of incentives. Senior management salaries are linked to pay spines, helping Trustees conclude that each individual is remunerated at an appropriate level. As such salaries are linked to factors such as length of service and experience. Total remuneration packages include employer pension contribution rates at specific approved rates.
The Board always bears in mind the charitable status of the Academy Trust and it recognises the fact that Trust receives funding under a funding agreement with the Secretary of State for Education. Therefore, it ensures the remuneration paid to senior management personnel never exceeds a reasonable amount that provides value for money for the Trust. The performance of senior management personnel is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure continuing value for money.
Trade Union Facility Time
The Trust has no relevant trade union officials.
Each Academy has a PTA, which operates separately to the Academy, and therefore the Trust does not hold voluntary fund accounts.
Our Trust self-evaluation and subsequent action planning are structured in line with the five pillars defined in the document, ‘Commissioning High Quality Trusts’ (DfE, June 2023):
High quality and inclusive education
All children throughout the Trust have access to a broad and balanced curriculum where they may become securely literate and numerate. The curricula in our schools provide opportunities for children to learn outside their comfort zone and equip them to transition successfully to the next stage of their education. We want to secure the best possible outcomes for all of our children, so they can fulfil their potential. We recognise that children need different levels of support, motivation and challenge as they progress through school and ensure that all children flourish with us. We want our children to have equitable access to our curriculum and never lower our expectations to help them achieve this, but instead increase our levels of support where necessary.
School Improvement
Through rigorous self-evaluation and school improvement planning, our leaders have a clear and ambitious vision for delivering high quality education for all pupils. Consistent and complementary, Trust-wide structures for self evaluation and development planning are embedded and integral to our governance and quality assurance processes. This enables effective support and challenge, appropriate action, preparation for statutory inspections, and an aspiration for excellence at both Trust and school level.
Workforce
Building capacity is a priority for the Samara Multi Academy Trust. In order to deliver a high-quality curriculum, we need teachers and support staff who are highly skilled and also on a continuous improvement journey to further develop their expertise. We offer staff high quality professional support and use our structures to give them wider opportunities; we prioritise wellbeing; we promote collaboration and develop specialists who can enhance teaching and learning across all of our schools.
Finance and Operations
The Trust’s core financial and operational aim is to ensure that its resources are being used to the greatest effect to help our children to realise their full potential. Our actions ensure that our operating model is resilient and sustainable, ensuring income is maximised and expenditure is controlled to deliver the maximum impact and value.
Governance and Leadership
Strong leadership and governance at all levels across the Trust is key to the success of our schools and in turn the outcomes for our children. We believe in operating in an equitable, moral and transparent manner, guided by our clear vision and strong values. We are all accountable for ensuring children across the Trust have the best opportunities and we work collaboratively to achieve this. Our Trust vision, expressed as ‘Reach Up, Reach Out’, was developed during autumn term 2023 by a Trustee working group, approved and adopted by the board, and has been a touchpoint for the work of our Trust since. It is more than a mere slogan – it is lived and tangible in all that we do.
Aims are drawn from the descriptions given in the DfE document Commissioning High Quality Trusts’ (DfE, June 2023).
High Quality and Inclusive Education
Aims:
The Trust achieves good outcomes for all its students by delivering education that is both high-quality and inclusive.
The Trust enables children to take part in sport, music and cultural opportunities that enrich the curricula and support children’s wider development.
Specific objectives:
Read/Write/Maths combined outcomes for KS2 are improved from 2023
Outstanding practice in Early Writing development work is shared across the Trust’s schools
Trinity Arts Award moderator accreditation is achieved for one member of staff from each school
Free of charge First Access Brass tuition is introduced into all TST schools and collaborative work produced
Specific focus on attainment of vulnerable groups
Focus on provision and common planning/assessment for EYFS
Joint working groups for EYFS leads with Early writing focus
Liaison with local Music Hub to secure tuition and free instrument loan for every Year 5 pupil in all three schools
School Improvement
Aims:
The Trust has a clearly defined and effective strategy to improve and maintain the performance of schools that are already part of the Trust, as well as those that join.
The Trust supports the wider system in sharing best practice; helps underperforming schools to improve; contributes to building a Trust-led system.
Specific Objectives
Codify the developed practice of the Trust in a concise form which may be communicated to all stakeholders
Enable other schools to access training
Enable schools from across Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East and Wirral to develop their understanding of academies and the Trust sector
Workforce
Aims:
The Trust fosters a supportive working environment by managing workload, prioritising wellbeing and taking action to support all staff.
The Trust builds an innovative and vibrant community of professionals, collaborating across schools and other Trusts to develop and share expertise and evidence-based practice.
Specific Objectives:
Support staff with their physical and mental health to support the delivery of a high quality provision for the pupils and families we serve; to recruit and retain the best quality staff
Develop Trust network groups to build on common practice and share identified excellence
Deliver common training to all schools where this is identified as useful and supportive of each school’s development needs based on their own evaluation
Investigate the provision of a Trust-wide employee health assist plan
Facilitation of meetings for: Year 6 teachers (writing focus); EYFS leads (early reading and writing focus based on common EY2P materials)
ADHD training delivered by Special school outreach service for all our schools
Finance and Operations
Aims:
The Trust uses financial data and intelligence to set a stable, accurate and sustainable long-term financial strategy for the trust. It has a clear approach to delivering value for money through effective budgeting and risk management.
Specific objectives:
Use detailed analysis of financial data and local/regional/national intelligence to inform strategy and management of risk
Appointment of Marketing, Events and Communication Manager as part of the Trust’s central team
Invest in the Upton Heath nursery facility to create income stream and pupil pipeline
Governance and Leadership
Aims:
Members ensure that the board is made up of Trustees with the necessary expertise to fulfil its functions effectively, and that the board acts in accordance with the Trust’s charitable objects.
Chair leads the board to set and champion a clear strategy for the Trust, which aligns with the Trust’s charitable objects, covers all pillars of Trust quality and, where applicable, sets out its aspirations for growth over time.
The skillset and experience of the Trust Board is sufficient to enable the efficient and effective completion of its duties to the highest levels.
Rigorous processes are completed to define the Trust’s vision; self-evaluate its work; develop and implement a longer term strategy to include growth.
Specific objectives:
Skills audit of Trustees and overview report
Board to commission External Review of Governance and develop an action plan
Use outcomes from the Autumn 2023 Trustee Working Groups (Vision and Growth; Trust Self Evaluation) to inform a medium term business plan and strategy for Trust growth (defined in our annual Trust Development Plan (TDP)
Engage with Regions group ESFA and DfE relationship managers and provide relevant information to support their assessment processes and judgement
Further engage with CDBE (Board and Directorate)
Develop and publish a suite of Trust overview documents
Engage with a selection of local schools, SATs and ‘empty’ MATs to understand local position and interest in academisation
In setting our objectives and planning our activities, the Trustees have carefully considered the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.
Activities in 2023-24 demonstrate in all accepted definitions, that the Trust provides services that are of public benefit through the provision of education and making available the facilities and resources of the school for the community and other charitable purposes.
The Trustees consider that the following are key performance indicators for the Trust:
Continue to monitor the Trust’s strategy around school improvement
Achieve at least good Ofsted judgements when schools are inspected
Achieve SIAMS judgement one when schools are inspected (Judgement One secured at Upton Heath CE Primary during the reporting period)
Align curriculum principles and teaching and learning (where appropriate and whilst retaining school autonomy) in a collaborative way, including the use of external school improvement support (e.g. School Improvement Partners, local hubs)
Develop potential partnerships with other schools
The Trustees have been pleased that these expectations have been successfully met during the period.
After making appropriate enquiries, the Board of Trustees 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 Statement of Accounting Policies.
The Academy’s Articles gives Trustees the power “to deposit or invest any funds of the Company not immediately required for the furtherance of its Object (but to invest only after obtaining such advice from a financial expert as the Trustees consider necessary & having regard to the suitability of investments and the need for diversification).
Whilst the Board of Trustees has responsibility for the Trust’s finances, the Financial Scheme of Delegation delegates responsibility to the Finance & General Purposes Committee:
‘To oversee significant investment & capital financing decisions’
The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for producing reliable cash flow forecasts as a basis for decision-making. They are responsible for making investment decisions that comply with this Policy & for providing sufficient management information to the Finance & General Purposes Committee so it can review & monitor investment performance.
The main risks that the Trust is exposed to are summarised below. For each of these risks the probability, impact and seriousness have been considered together with appropriate action and management plans:
Operational and reputational – this covers risks to the running of the Trust (including the capacity of staff and building to meet the needs of the pupils) and its performance in delivering the curriculum.
Financial – covering risks to the Trust’s financial position, including revenue streams, cost control and cash management.
The risk to which the Trust are exposed arise both internally and externally. External risks include those in respect of separate funding levels, competition, changes to rules and regulations, and the financial position of the staff pensions schemes.
The Academy Trust does not use any external fundraisers. The schools within the Trust undertake a variety of fundraising activities to support several charities and the Trust itself. All fundraising undertaken during the year was monitored by the Trustees.
As the Trust has not consumed more than 40,000 kWh of energy in this reporting period nor is it classed as a large company as determined by sections 465 and 466 of the Companies Act 2006, it is not required to report on its emissions, energy consumption or energy efficiency activities.
Among the Trustees’ priorities for the future are the following:
Ensuring that pupil numbers remain sustainable and that the schools become first choice for families in the areas they serve
Investigate the provision of new or developed Nursery and preschool provision in all of our schools
Sustainability in all its senses without losing momentum
Ensuring all our schools remain at least good and share best practice wherever possible
Exploration of potential partnerships
Raise the profile of the Trust through further collaborative working and novel activities, for example ‘Samara Day’
The Trust does not hold any fund as custodian for others.
A resolution proposing that Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited be reappointed as auditor of the charitable company will be put to the members.
The Trustees' report, incorporating a strategic report, was approved by order of the Board of Trustees, as the company directors, on
As Trustees, we have reviewed overall responsibility for ensuring that The Samara Trust 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.
As Trustees, we have reviewed and taken account of the guidance in DfE's Governance Handbook and competency framework for governance.
The Board of Trustees has delegated the day-to-day responsibility to the Chief Executive Officer, as accounting officer, for ensuring financial controls conform with 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 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.
The information on governance included here supplements that described in the Trustees' Report and in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities. The Board of Trustees has formally met 4 times during the year. Attendance during the year at meetings of the Board of Trustees was as follows:
Sue Noakes has left the board, having completed her term of office. E Hemmings & E Williams has joined the board and further recruitment is planned for the coming year.
Conflicts of interests are managed by maintaining an up-to-date register of interests which are published on our website. These are reviewed at each meeting. Any conflict is highlighted in meetings and if a conflict arises this person would not be involved in the decision making process.
Following a thorough and wide ranging review of skills across the whole Board of Trustees, it was noted that all key aspects are covered to at least a good level of competence, often significantly better than good. Where further specific expertise is required, for example in detailed legal and HR sectors, this is obtained from well-established external sources. It was noted that the board of eight Trustees fulfilled all requirements although a further Trustee would be sought for succession planning and further depth.
The Finance and General Purposes Committee, which includes the Audit and Risk Committee, is a sub-committee of the main Board of Trustees. Its purpose is to develop a financial strategy for the Trust and consider policies, procedures or plans required to realise such strategy as detailed in their Terms of Reference.
Attendance at meetings in the year was as follows:
As accounting officer, the Chief Executive Officer/Principal has responsibility for ensuring that the Academy Trust delivers good value in the use of public resources. The accounting officer understands that value for money refers to the educational and wider societal outcomes, as well as estates safety and management, achieved in return for the taxpayer resources received.
The accounting officer considers how the Academy Trust’s use of its resources has provided good value for money during each academic year, and reports to the Board of Trustees where value for money can be improved, including the use of benchmarking data or by using a framework where appropriate. The accounting officer for the Academy Trust has delivered improved value for money during the year by:
Joint procurement of resources including continuous professional development training
Joint tendering of services and renewal of contract
Use of DfE funding platforms to continue to provide value for money
Effective use of fund to ensure that the Trust’s estate continue to be safe, well maintained and compliance with statutory regulations
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 Academy Trust 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 Samara Trust for the period 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024 and up to the date of approval of the annual report and accounts.
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 ongoing process for identifying, evaluating and managing the Academy Trust's significant risks that has been in place for the period 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024 and up to the date of approval of the annual report and accounts. This process is regularly reviewed by the Board of Trustees.
The Academy Trust's system of internal 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 Board of Trustees;
regular reviews by the Finance and General Purposes 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; and
identification and management of risks.
Following discussion with the Regional Directorate, the Board of Trustees decided to appoint an internal review undertaken by the Schools Resource Management Adviser. The SRMA was sourced through an ESFA programme of approved and trained advisors, free of charge to the Trust. The reviewer’s role includes giving advice on financial and other matters and performing a range of checks on the Academy Trust’s financial and other systems, with a particular focus on the Trust’s ability to grow by taking on a least three other schools within the next twelve months.
On an annual basis, the reviewer reports to the Board of Trustees, through the sub-committee on the operation of the systems of control and on the discharge of the Board of Trustees’ financial responsibilities and annually prepares an annual summary report to the committee outlining the areas reviewed, key findings, recommendations and conclusions to help the committee consider actions and assess year on year progress.
As accounting officer, the Chief Executive Officer/Principal 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 reviewer;
the financial management and governance self-assessment process or the school resource management self-assessment tool;
the work of the executive managers within the Academy Trust who have responsibility for the development and maintenance of the internal control framework;
the work of the external auditor; and
correspondence from ESFA, eg financial notice to improve/notice to improve (FNtI/NtI) and ‘minded to’ letters.
The accounting officer has been advised of the implications of the result of their review of the system of internal control by the Finance and General Purposes Committee and plans to ensure that continuous improvement of the system are in place.
Based on the advice of the audit and risk committee and the accounting officer, the Board of Trustees is of the opinion that the Academy Trust has an adequate and effective framework for governance, risk management and control.
Approved by order of the Board of Trustees on 16 December 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
As accounting officer of The Samara Trust, I have considered my responsibility to notify the Academy Trust Board of Trustees and the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) of material irregularity, impropriety and non-compliance with terms and conditions of all funding, including for estates safety and management, under the funding agreement in place between the Academy Trust and the Secretary of State for Education. As part of my consideration I have had due regard to the requirements of the Academy Trust Handbook 2023, including responsibilities for estates safety and management.
I confirm that I and the Academy Trust's 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 Academy Trust Handbook 2023.
I confirm that no instances of material irregularity, impropriety or funding non-compliance have been discovered to date. If any instances are identified after the date of this statement, these will be notified to the Board of Trustees and ESFA.
The trustees (who are also the directors of The Samara Trust for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the accounts in accordance with the Academies Accounts Direction 2023 to 2024 published by the Education and Skills Funding Agency, United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year. Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the accounts unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period.
In preparing these accounts, the Trustees are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 and the Academies Accounts Direction 2023 to 2024;
make judgements and accounting 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 accounts; and
prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
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 accounts 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 with the requirements both of propriety and of good financial management. They are also responsible for ensuring that grants received from ESFA/DfE have been applied for the purposes intended.
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 accounts may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Approved by order of the members of the Board of Trustees on 16 December 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
Opinion
We have audited the accounts of The Samara Trust for the year ended 31 August 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the accounts, including 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), the Charities SORP 2019 and the Academies Accounts Direction 2023 to 2024 issued by the Education and Skills Funding Agency.
In our opinion the accounts:
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;
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice;
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006; and
have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP 2019 and the Academies Accounts Direction 2023 to 2024.
Basis for opinion
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 Academy Trust’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve 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 accounts and our auditor's report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the accounts 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. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the accounts or our knowledge obtained in the course of 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 this gives rise to a material misstatement in the accounts themselves. 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.
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
the information given in the Trustees' report including the incorporated strategic report for the financial year for which the accounts are prepared is consistent with the accounts; and
the Trustees' report including the incorporated strategic report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Academy Trust and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees' report, including the incorporated strategic 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:
adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the accounts are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of Trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the accounts 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 accounts.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
We identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and then design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, including obtaining audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Identifying and assessing potential risks related to irregularities
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we considered the following:
• the nature of the industry and sector, control environment and business performance;
• the charitable company’s own assessment of the risks that irregularities may occur either as a result of fraud or error;
• the results of our enquiries of management and trustees of their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities;
• any matters we identified having obtained and reviewed the charity’s documentation of their policies and procedures relating to:
• identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations and whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance;
• detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud;
• the internal controls established to mitigate risks of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations; and
• the matters discussed among the audit engagement team regarding how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud.
As a result of these procedures, we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and identified the greatest potential for fraud in the following areas:
(i) The presentation of the Trust's Statement of Financial Activities, (ii) revenue recognition (iii) the overstatement of salary and other costs (iv) the assumptions used in the calculation of the valuation of the surplus or deficit on the defined benefit pension scheme and the movements for the year. In common with all audits under ISAs (UK), we are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override.
We also obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the charity operates in, focusing on provisions of those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The key laws and regulations we considered in this context included the UK Companies Act, the Statement of Recommended Practice - 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities' issued by the joint SORP making body, along with the Academy Trust Handbook and Accounts Direction 2023-24 issued by the Education and Skills Funding Agency.
In addition, we considered provisions of other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but compliance with which may be fundamental to the academy’s ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty. This includes regulations concerning Data Protection and Safeguarding.
Audit response to risks identified
As a result of performing the above, we identified income recognition, override of controls and adherence to laws and regulations as the key audit matters related to the potential risk of fraud.
Our procedures to respond to risks identified included the following:
• reviewing the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with relevant laws and regulations described above as having a direct effect on the financial statements;
• enquiring of management and trustees concerning actual and potential litigation and claims;
• performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that may indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud;
• in addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls, testing the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments; assessing whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias; and evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business. |
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We also communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit. |
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://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. 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 auditor's 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 the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
In accordance with the terms of our engagement letter dated 17 March 2023 and further to the requirements of the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) as included in the Academies Accounts Direction 2023 to 2024, we have carried out an engagement to obtain limited assurance about whether the expenditure disbursed and income received by The Samara Trust during the period 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024 have been applied to the purposes identified by Parliament and the financial transactions conform to the authorities which govern them.
This report is made solely to The Samara Trust and ESFA in accordance with the terms of our engagement letter. Our work has been undertaken so that we might state to the The Samara Trust and ESFA those matters we are required to state in a 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 Samara Trust and ESFA, for our work, for this report, or for the conclusion we have formed.
The accounting officer is responsible, under the requirements of The Samara Trust’s funding agreement with the Secretary of State for Education dated 1 September 2019 and the Academy Trust Handbook, extant from 1 September 2023, for ensuring that expenditure disbursed and income received is applied for the purposes intended by Parliament and the financial transactions conform to the authorities which govern them.
Our responsibilities for this engagement are established in the United Kingdom by our profession’s ethical guidance, and are to obtain limited assurance and report in accordance with our engagement letter and the requirements of the Academies Accounts Direction 2023 to 2024. We report to you whether anything has come to our attention in carrying out our work which suggests that in all material respects, expenditure disbursed and income received during the period 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024 have not been applied to purposes intended by Parliament or that the financial transactions do not conform to the authorities which govern them.
We conducted our engagement in accordance with the Framework and Guide for External Auditors and Reporting Accountant of Academy Trusts issued by ESFA. We performed a limited assurance engagement as defined in our engagement letter.
The objective of a limited assurance engagement is to perform such procedures as to obtain information and explanations in order to provide us with sufficient appropriate evidence to express a negative conclusion on regularity.
A limited assurance engagement is more limited in scope than a reasonable assurance engagement and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in a reasonable assurance engagement. Accordingly, we do not express a positive opinion.
Our engagement includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the regularity and propriety of the Academy Trust's income and expenditure.
The work undertaken to draw to our conclusion includes:
Reviewing the activities to ensure they are in keeping with the charitable objectives and framework.
Reviewing declarations of interest and seeking further representations.
Reviewing the control environment and considering potential weaknesses.
Reviewing minutes of various committees, management accounts and holding discussions with key personnel.
In the course of our work, nothing has come to our attention which suggests that in all material respects the expenditure disbursed and income received during the period 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024 has not been applied to purposes intended by Parliament and the financial transactions do not conform to the authorities which govern them.
The accounts on pages 23 to 46 were approved by the Trustees and authorised for issue on
A summary of the principal accounting policies adopted (which have been applied consistently, except where noted), judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty, is set out below.
The Trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate, i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charitable company to continue as a going concern. The Trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of at least one year from the date of authorisation for issue of the accounts and have concluded that the Academy Trust has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and there are no material uncertainties about the Academy Trust’s ability to continue as a going concern. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.
All incoming resources are recognised when the Academy Trust has entitlement to the funds, the receipt is probable and the amount can be measured reliably.
Grants are included in the statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of meeting any performance-related conditions there is not unconditional entitlement to the income and its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income until the performance-related conditions are met. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.
General Annual Grant is recognised in full in the statement of financial activities in the period for which it is receivable, and any abatement in respect of the period is deducted from income and recognised as a liability.
Capital grants are recognised in full when there is an unconditional entitlement to the grant. Unspent amounts of capital grants are reflected in the balance sheet in the restricted fixed asset fund. Capital grants are recognised when there is entitlement and are not deferred over the life of the asset on which they are expended.
Sponsorship income provided to the Academy Trust which amounts to a donation is recognised in the statement of financial activities in the period in which it is receivable (where there are no performance-related conditions), where the receipt is probable and it can be measured reliably.
Donations are recognised on a receivable basis (where there are no performance-related conditions) where the receipt is probable and the amount can be reliably measured.
Other income, including the hire of facilities, is recognised in the period it is receivable and to the extent the Academy Trust has provided the goods or services.
Goods donated for resale are included at fair value, being the expected proceeds from sale less the expected costs of sale. If it is practical to assess the fair value at receipt, it is recognised in stock and ‘Income from other trading activities’. Upon sale, the value of the stock is charged against ‘Income from other trading activities’ and the proceeds are recognised as ‘Income from other trading activities’. Where it is impractical to fair value the items due to the volume of low value items they are not recognised in the accounts until they are sold. This income is recognised within ‘Income from other trading activities’.
Donated fixed assets are measured at fair value unless it is impractical to measure this reliably, in which case the cost of the item to the donor is used. The gain is recognised as income from donations and a corresponding amount is included in the appropriate fixed asset category and depreciated over the useful economic life in accordance with the Academy Trust‘s accounting policies.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
All resources expended are inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
This includes all expenditure incurred by the Academy Trust to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading.
These are costs incurred on the Academy Trust's educational operations, including support costs and costs relating to the governance of the Academy Trust apportioned to charitable activities.
Assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised as tangible fixed assets and are carried at cost, net of depreciation and any provision for impairment.
Where tangible fixed assets have been acquired with the aid of specific grants, either from the government or from the private sector, they are included in the balance sheet at cost and depreciated over their expected useful economic life. Where there are specific conditions attached to the funding that require the continued use of the asset, the related grants are credited to a restricted fixed asset fund in the statement of financial activities and carried forward in the balance sheet. Depreciation on the relevant assets is charged directly to the restricted fixed asset fund in the statement of financial activities. Where tangible fixed assets have been acquired with unrestricted funds, depreciation on such assets is charged to the unrestricted fund.
Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets, at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset on a over its expected useful life, as follows:
A review for impairment of a fixed asset is carried out if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of any fixed asset may not be recoverable. Shortfalls between the carrying value of fixed assets and their recoverable amounts are recognised as impairments. Impairment losses are recognised in the statement of financial activities.
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Academy Trust anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods of services it must provide.
Rentals under operating leases are charged on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
The Academy Trust only holds basic financial instruments as defined in FRS 102. The financial assets and financial liabilities of the Academy Trust and their measurement basis are as follows.
Trade and other debtors are basic financial instruments and are debt instruments measured at amortised cost. Prepayments are not financial instruments.
Cash at bank is classified as a basic financial instrument and is measured at face value.
Trade creditors, accruals and other creditors are financial instruments, and are measured at amortised cost. Taxation and social security are not included in the financial instruments disclosure definition.
Deferred income is not deemed to be a financial liability, as the cash settlement has already taken place and there is an obligation to deliver services rather than cash or another financial instrument.
The Academy Trust is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the Academy Trust is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by chapter 3 part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
Retirement benefits to employees of the Academy Trust are provided by the Teachers' Pension Scheme ('TPS') and the Local Government Pension Scheme ('LGPS'). These are defined benefit schemes and the assets are held separately from those of the Academy Trust.
The TPS is an unfunded scheme and contributions are calculated to spread the cost of pensions over employees' working lives with the Academy Trust in such a way that the pension cost is a substantially level percentage of current and future pensionable payroll. The contributions are determined by the Government Actuary based on quadrennial valuations using a prospective unit credit method. The TPS is an unfunded multi-employer scheme with no underlying assets to assign between employers. Consequently, the TPS is treated as a defined contribution scheme for accounting purposes and the contributions are recognised in the period to which they relate.
The LGPS is a funded multi-employer scheme and the assets are held separately from those of the Academy Trust in separate trustee administered funds. Pension scheme assets are measured at fair value and liabilities are measured on an actuarial basis using the projected unit credit method and discounted at a rate equivalent to the current rate of return on a high-quality corporate bond of equivalent term and currency to the liabilities. The actuarial valuations are obtained at least triennially and are updated at each balance sheet date. The amounts charged to net income or expenditure are the current service costs and the costs of scheme introductions, benefit changes, settlements and curtailments. They are included as part of staff costs as incurred. Net interest on the net defined benefit liability/asset is also recognised in the statement of financial activities and comprises the interest cost on the defined benefit obligation and interest income on the scheme assets, calculated by multiplying the fair value of the scheme assets at the beginning of the period by the rate used to discount the benefit obligations. The difference between the interest income on the scheme assets and the actual return on the scheme assets is recognised in other recognised gains and losses. Actuarial gains and losses are recognised immediately in other recognised gains and losses.
Unrestricted income funds represent those resources which may be used towards meeting any of the charitable objects of the Academy Trust at the discretion of the Trustees.
Restricted fixed asset funds are resources which are to be applied to specific capital purposes imposed by funders where the asset acquired or created is held for a specific purpose.
Restricted general funds comprise all other restricted funds received with restrictions imposed by the funder/donor and include grants from the Department for Education.
Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Academy Trust has an obligation at the reporting date as a result of a past event which it is probable will result in the transfer of economic benefits and the obligation can be estimated reliably.
Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised within interest payable and similar charges.
Accounting estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
The Academy Trust makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.
The present value of the Local Government Pension Scheme defined benefit asset/liability depends on a number of factors that are determined on an actuarial basis using a variety of assumptions. The assumptions used in determining the net cost or income for pensions include the discount rate. Any changes in these assumptions, which are disclosed in note 18, will impact the carrying amount of the pension asset/liability. Furthermore a roll forward approach which projects results from the latest full actuarial valuation performed at 31 March 2022 has been used by the actuary in valuing the pensions asset/liability at 31 August 2024. Any differences between the figures derived from the roll forward approach and a full actuarial valuation would impact on the carrying amount of the pension asset/liability.
FRS 102 section 28.22 allows an entity to recognise a surplus within the Local Government Pension Scheme “only to the extent it is able to recover the surplus either through reduced contributions in the future or through refunds from the plan”. The actuarial report as at 31 August 2024 indicates a defined benefit asset position, which has been capped at nil value. This is on the basis that it is uncertain that a surplus following any triennial review would result in reduced contributions for the employer, and is unlikely to result in a repayment.
The Academy Trust has operated GAG & Reserve Pooling during the year, hence there are no central services to disclose.
The Academy Trust paid 1 severance payment in the year, disclosed in the following band:
0 - £25,000 1
Included in staff restructuring costs are special severance payments totalling £1,400 (2023: £nil).
The key management personnel of the Academy Trust comprise the Trustees and the senior management team as listed on page 1. The total amount of key management personnel employee benefits (including employer pension contributions and employer national insurance contributions) received by key management personnel for their services to the Academy Trust was £435,167 (2023: £327,977).
There were no trustees' remuneration or expenses paid for during the year ended 31 August 2024 nor for the year ended 31 August 2023.
The Academy Trust has opted into the Department for Education’s Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA), an alternative to insurance where UK government funds cover losses that arise. This scheme protects Trustees and officers from claims arising from negligent acts, errors or omissions occurring whilst on Academy Trust business, and provides cover up to £10,000,000. It is not possible to quantify the Trustees and officers indemnity element from the overall cost of the RPA scheme.
At the balance sheet date the academy was holding funds in advance relating to Universal Infant Free School Meals and Residential Visits.
The Academy Trust is operating GAG & Reserve Pooling this year.
Restricted General Funds
These comprise of all restricted funds other than restricted fixed asset fund and include grants from the Education and Skills Fund Agency and local authorities.
Under the funding agreement with the Secretary of State, the Academy Trust was not subject to a limit on the amount of GAG that it could carry forward.
Unrestricted Funds
These comprise of resources that may be used towards meeting any of the charitable objects of the Academy Trust at the discretion of the Trustees.
Restricted Fixed Asset Funds
These comprise of resources which are to the applied to specific capital purposes imposed by the Education and Skills Funding Agency and local authorities where the asset acquired or created is held for a specific purpose.
The Academy Trust's employees belong to two principal pension schemes: the Teachers' Pension Scheme England and Wales (TPS) for academic and related staff; and the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) for non-teaching staff, which is managed by The Cheshire Pension Scheme. Both are multi-employer defined benefit schemes.
The latest actuarial valuation of the TPS related to the period ended 31 March 2020, and that of the LGPS related to the period ended 31 March 2022. The Trust has received an actuarial report relating to the valuation of the LGPS as at 31 August 2024.
Contributions amounting to £39,655 were payable to the schemes at 31 August 2024 (2023: £32,228) and are included within creditors.
The Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) is a statutory, contributory, defined benefit scheme, governed by the Teachers’ Pension Scheme Regulations 2014. Membership is automatic for teachers in academy trusts. All teachers have the option to opt out of the TPS following enrolment.
The TPS is an unfunded scheme to which both the member and employer makes contributions, as a percentage of salary. These contributions are credited to the Exchequer. Retirement and other pension benefits are paid by public funds provided by Parliament.
The Government Actuary, using normal actuarial principles, conducts a formal actuarial review of the TPS in accordance with the Public Service Pensions (Valuations and Employer Cost Cap) Directions 2014 published by HM Treasury every 4 years. The aim of the review is to ensure scheme costs are recognised and managed appropriately and the review specifies the level of future contributions.
Actuarial scheme valuations are dependent on assumptions about the value of future costs, design of benefits and many other factors. The latest actuarial valuation of the TPS was carried out as at 31 March 2020. The valuation report was published by the Department for Education on 27 October 2023, with the SCAPE rate, set by HMT, applying a notional investment return based on 1.7% above the rate of CPI. The key elements of the valuation outcome are:
Employer contribution rates set at 28.68% of pensionable pay (including a 0.08% administration levy). This is an increase of 5% in employer contributions and the cost control result is such that no change in member benefits is needed.
Total scheme liabilities (pensions currently in payment and the estimated cost of future benefits) for service to the effective date of £262,000 million and notional assets (estimated future contributions together with the notional investments held at the valuation date) of £222,200 million, giving a notional past service deficit of £39,800 million.
The result of this valuation has been implemented from 1 April 2024. The next valuation result is due to be implemented from 1 April 2028.
The employer's pension costs paid to the TPS in the period amounted to £325,000 (2023: £396,000).
A copy of the valuation report and supporting documentation is on the Teachers’ Pensions website.
Under the definitions set out in FRS 102, the TPS is an unfunded multi-employer pension scheme. The Academy Trust is unable to identify its share of the underlying assets and liabilities of the plan. Accordingly, the Academy Trust has taken advantage of the exemption in FRS 102 and has has accounted for its contributions to the scheme as if it were a defined contribution scheme. The Academy Trust has set out above the information available on the scheme.
The LGPS is a funded defined benefit pension scheme, with the assets held in separate trustee-administered funds. The total contributions are as noted below. The agreed contribution rates for future years are between 21.1% and 21.4% for employers and between 5.5% and 12.5% for employees.
Parliament has agreed, at the request of the Secretary of State for Education, to a guarantee that, in the event of academy closure, outstanding Local Government Pension Scheme liabilities would be met by the Department for Education. The guarantee came into force on 18 July 2013 and on 21 July 2022, the Department for Education reaffirmed its commitment to the guarantee, with a parliamentary minute published on GOV.UK.
Scheme liabilities would have been affected by changes in assumptions as follows:
The net gain recognised on scheme assets has been restricted because the full pension surplus is not expected to be recovered through refunds or reduced contributions in the future.
Owing to the nature of the Academy Trust and the composition of the Board of Trustees being drawn from local public and private sector organisations, transactions may take place with organisations in which the Trustees have an interest. The following related party transactions took place in the financial period.
Mr C Penn and Ms S Noakes (Member representatives of Chester Diocese Board of Education)
Mr Penn is the Director of Education for the Diocese of Chester, who granted the licence to occupy the Trust's land & building at a peppercorn rent.
The Chester Diocesan Board of Education provided services amounting to £1,573 (2023: £2,815), which included membership subscription, training and educational materials. At the balance sheet date £nil was owed to the Trust (2023: £nil).
Mr I Wilson, Mr R Mainard and Prof. G White (Trustees and Members)
The above are also Trustees of the Bishop's Blue Coat Church Of England High School. The school provided payroll services to the Trust amounting to £600 (2023: £600).At the balance sheet date £nil was owed to the Trust (2023: £nil).
Each member of the charitable company undertakes to contribute to the assets of the 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, such amount as may be required, not exceeding £10 for the debts and liabilities contracted before he or she ceases to be a member.