The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for year ended 31 December 2024. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's trust deed, 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) (effective 1 January 2019)".
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's [governing document], 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)" (effective 1 January 2019).
The objectives of the school are the advancement of education of boys and girls, and in particular to promote, maintain and conduct, for the benefit of public in the UK, a French school for the nursery and primary education of children, irrespective of the nationality of the children or their parents.
The Trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commissions general guidance on public benefit and in particular to its supplementary public benefit guidance on advancing education and on fee-charging.
We aim to provide a first class education to boys and girls from the ages of 3 to 11 similar to that of a public school in France while at the same time ensuring that the children are able to integrate well into their British surroundings. We seek to provide the benefit of a structured educational environment that develops our pupils' capabilities, competences and skills. We promote the academic, moral and physical development of our pupils through our academic curriculum, pastoral care, sporting and other activities. We provide an educational environment where each student can develop and fulfill his or her potential, building their self-confidence and inculcating a desire to contribute to the wider community. The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The school welcomes pupils from all backgrounds and abilities. The school operates in accordance with regulations set by the Agence pour l'Enseignement Francais a l'Etranger (AEFE) and the school's status as an "école conventionnée" provides public benefit. This status enables parents of pupils to receive means-tested bursaries for the full cost of fees. In 2024,1 pupil (2023: 5 pupils) had their fees met by bursaries which in total were for £2,739 (2023: 18,016)
The school did not participate in any fundraising events in 2024.
The school is an equal opportunity organisation and we are committed to a working environment that is free from any form of discrimination on the grounds of colour, race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation or disability. We will make reasonable adjustments to meet the needs of staff or pupils who are or become disabled.
The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
The charity did not have any volunteers during the year.
Charitable activities
The school is popular among the French community in London as the medium of teaching is mainly in French. The standard of teaching is high and the activities of the school are varied. It has limited its total intake to 262 children in the age groups of 3 to 11 years. As a result, the school maintains good relationships with pupils and parents alike.
Most pupils leaving the school at the age of 11 gain entry to the French Lycée, the secondary school in London which follows the French curriculum in the secondary education.
The school continued to adopt the various policies regarding Health and Safety, First Aid, Medical Needs, Child protection, Anti-bullying etc. Each of the trustees was given an area to be under his or her responsibility including such areas as Finance, Safeguarding and Human Resources.
Evaluation of the school by Ofsted
The last evaluation by Ofsted took place in June 2022. The school was judged Outstanding and their comments were as follows :
"Pupils receive a high-quality education. Leaders and teachers are very ambitious for what pupils can achieve. Pupils strive to meet the high expectations that leaders set. Leaders and staff provide strong support for pupils. They think carefully about how to support pupils’ academic and personal development through the curriculum. Educational visits and extra-curricular clubs are a key feature of the school’s work. Clubs organised by parents, carers and leaders include science, tennis, debating and chess.
Leaders give reading high priority. The school’s French and English libraries have extensive collections of books. Pupils enjoy borrowing books from both collections. Pupils read stories together outside at break time sitting on cushions. Leaders make sure pupil welfare and safety are prioritised.
Pupils are safe and happy. Pupils behave exceptionally well. They are self-disciplined and responsible when moving around the school and highly motivated in class. Teachers foster respectful, nurturing relationships with pupils. Pupils trust and are confident that school staff care about their well-being. Staff sort out any problems, including bullying, should they arise.
Leaders and members of the proprietor body understand their statutory responsibilities and meet regularly to check these are met consistently. Members of the proprietor body ensure that the school complies with schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 and the independent school standards. Leaders gather feedback from staff in a variety of ways. Teachers value the support they receive from leaders to manage their workload and wellbeing.”
The incoming resources for the year were £2,577,503 (2023: £2,342,892). The resources expended by the school in 2024 were £2,583,002 (2023: £2,362,750) of which the principal component was employment costs of £1,809,926
(2023: £1,745,439) (Note 10). Resources expended were more than incoming resources in 2024, producing a deficit of £5,229 (2023: deficit of £19,858).
Reserves policy
The total reserves at the end of the year stood at £1,095,055 (2023: £1,100,284).The trustees have reviewed the Company's need for free reserves and have decided to maintain these for the following reasons:
a) risk of fee income dropping below the level of expenditure
b) recurring expenditure for at least a period of one year
The current policy is to maintain the reserves at approximately the current levels of recurring expenditure.
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
The principal risks to which the Charity is exposed are considered to be:
Health and Safety of pupils and staff
The reputation and identity of the Charity
The recruitment and retention of staff
The financial stability of the Charity
Key controls and procedures designed to minimise or manage any potential impact of risks on the Charity include:
Vetting procedures, as required by law, for the protection of pupils.
Formal written procedures including for non-financial risks such as fire and health and safety and safeguarding of pupils and regular awareness training for all staff.
Established organisational structure and lines of reporting with clear authorisation and approval levels.
Regular reviews of policies and procedures to monitor and control risks.
Regular strategic planning, budgeting, management accounting and budgetary reviews.
The trustees are looking into development of premises with a view to increase the space for the educational purposes as well as to improve the welfare of the children.
The company was incorporated on 11 October 1973 and was registered with the Charity Commissioners in August 1977. The Company is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year were:
The new trustees are recruited on the basis of recommendation by the existing trustees. Any parent desiring to become a trustee of the Charity may submit to the Charity an application in writing.
Every application for appointment shall be considered by the trustees and no applicant shall be admitted unless at least two thirds of the votes cast on the question of his appointment are in favour thereof. No reason for refusal to admit any applicant shall be given.
The Directors are responsible for the overseeing of the risks faced by the School. Risks are identified, assessed and controls established throughout the year. A formal review of the charity's risk management processes is undertaken on a regular basis. Risk is managed under the headings of financial sustainability, school safety, student welfare, employment, school trips and events and community access. Through the risk management processes established for the School, the Directors are satisfied that the major risks identified have been adequately mitigated where necessary. It is recognised that systems can only provide reasonable but not absolute assurance that major risks have been adequately managed.
The Directors who are the charity Trustees for the purpose of the Charities Act 2011 conduct the operations of the charity. The names of the current directors and who held office during the financial year are set out above. Full time employees undertake day to day management running of the school. The Board of Directors meets on average once every two months to discuss the affairs of the Company as a whole.
New trustees undergo an induction to brief them on: their legal obligations under charity and company law, the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit, and inform them of the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the committee and decision-making processes, the business plan and the recent financial performance of the charity. As part of the induction they meet key employees and other trustees. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where these will facilitate the undertaking of their role.
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that KLSA LLP be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
The Trustees, who are also the directors of Ecole Francaise De Londres Jacques Prevert Ltd for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
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 charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that 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; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity 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 charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
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 charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that 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; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity 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 charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Ecole Francaise De Londres Jacques Prevert Ltd ('the charity’) for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and the notes to the financial statements, including a summary of 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).
In our opinion, the financial statements:
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the accounts in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our 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 charity’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. However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, this statement is not a guarantee as to the school's ability to continue as going concern.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements 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 financial statements 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 financial statements 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.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the trustees' report; or
sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
As explained more fully in the statement of trustees' responsibilities, Trustees, who are also the directors of charity for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements 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 financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:
the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence,
capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the company through discussions with trustees and
other management, and from our commercial knowledge and experience of the sector; and
we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the operations of the company
financial statements or the operations of the company, including the Charities Act 2011, data protection, anti-bribery, employment, environmental and health and safety legislation.
We assessed the susceptibility of the company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:
making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and
considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations.
To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:
performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;
tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions;
assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates set out in note 2 were indicative of potential bias; and
investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.
In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:
agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance; and
enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims.
We communicated identified fraud risks and non-compliance with laws and regulations with those charged with governance, throughout the audit team and remained alert to any indications throughout the audit.
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above; any instance of non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud which is far removed from transactions reflected in the financial statements would diminish the likelihood of detection. Furthermore, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is greater than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error. Fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentation, or through an act of collusion that would mitigate internal controls.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: http://www.frc.org.uk/auditors responsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the Charityʼs trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and the regulations made under section 154 of that Act. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Charityʼs trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditorʼs 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 Charityʼs trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Investments
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Ecole Francaise De Londres Jacques Prevert Ltd is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 59 Brook Green, London, W6 7BE.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with charity's governing document, 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 2019).The Charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The accounts are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
In assessing the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern, the trustees have considered the financial position and performance of the Charity.
The charity is self-financed through it's operations and is therefore independent of any external financial support.
On the basis of this, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. These financial statements are prepared on the going concern basis.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received. Income represents the value including school fees which are recognised as income when the service is due and probable, i.e. at the beginning of each term.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Deferred Income
School fees and registration fees is billed in advance of the oncoming school term and are recognised in the account period to which they relate.
Expenditure is accounted on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on the basis consistent with the use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
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.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
The Charity operates a defined contributions pension scheme. Contributions are charged in the accounts as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.
Comparatives
There were no changes in presentation in the current year.
In the application of charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Management reviews the useful lives and residual values of the items of tangible fixed assets on
a regular basis. During the financial year, the trustees' determined no significant changes in the useful lives
and residual values.
Management reviews their portfolio of debtors on a regular basis. In determining whether debtors are impaired and provision for bad debts is recognised, management makes judgements as to whether there is any evidence indicating that there is a measurable decrease in the estimated future cash flows expected.
The monetary liability for employees' accrued holidays and management approved bonus at the reporting date is recognised as an expense accrual.
Canteen fees
Administration fees
Books hire income
Sports fees
School fees within charitable activities
School activity costs
Direct charitable costs
Governance costs includes payments to the auditors of £12,798 ( 2023:£10,920) for audit fees.
None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year and in the previous year.
None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) were reimbursed for expenses from charity during the year and in the previous year.
The average number of employees during the year was:
Staff costs include an amount of £447,908 (2023: £378,618) charged by the Agence pour L'Enseignement Français à L'Etranger (AEFE) for 8 French teachers. The participation payable by Ecole Francaise de Londres Jacques Prevert Ltd to the AEFE consists of annual subscription (6% of annual revenue) and contribution towards teachers' salaries of 50% and teachers' London cost of living allowance consist of 100% at the agreed level. The head teacher's salary is paid by the AEFE and not recharged to the Charity.
Other creditors is made up of refundable deposits received, which are payable when the pupil finishes the final year of the school or when the pupil leaves the school subject to the terms and conditions being satisfied. The total deposit held by the charity is £752,654 (2023: £655,386) of which £68,313 (2023: £75,596) is due within one year.
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
The Restricted funds relate to specific donations received from the Parent's association for classroom refurbishments.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).
The charity had no material debt during the year.