The members present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2025.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016)
The objectives of the Friends of Canford School are advancement of education by affording assistance to Canford School and to pupils of the school and for the continuance of their education after leaving the school.
The charity provides grants for projects and bursaries in support of the school, its pupils or wider community that assist the school in achieving any of its charitable purposes.
The members have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
This year we have again run our fund-raising events which are a great chance for parents to experience some of the facilities their children enjoy at school: a taster of the complex game of real tennis, trying rifle shooting on the range, our fascinating history tour of the school manor house and learning about the 400+ tree species in the grounds on the arboretum tour.
Quiz night is our biggest fund raiser and was enjoyed by many as they grappled with questions ranging from crisp flavours to pop music and enjoyed a tasty lasagna in the wonderful setting of the Great Hall. Spring lunch is always a popular and delicious affair and this year saw Lottie Longman, Mrs Vessey’s sister, speak about her sustainable floristry business, her well connected customers, her Royal Warrant and practical tips on modern arrangements and planting your own flower garden. Yet again we had the weather on our side and the sun shone for our Golf day when teams of parents, students, OCs and, of course, keen golfer Mr Vessey battled it out on the school’s golf course before enjoying a sociable BBQ under the trees.
During the year FCS have provided support grants to partnership projects at City Reach in Southampton, Bourne Academy and food drives for Wimborne Food bank. For the first time this year we helped fund “The Poverty Trap” immersive workshop for the Shell year group where they got to experience a simulation of the extremely tough living conditions of a city slum.
The 2024-5 school year has brought change to The Friends of Canford. Our previous Chair, Tiffany Flemming, stepped down in January. We are grateful for all her hard work over the years and extensive local knowledge and contacts, and that she has agreed to stay on the committee. In August 2025, Canford’s Headmaster, Mr Ben Vessey left the school. He has always been a strong supporter of FCS, and we thank him for his very generous support in the organisational, administrative and logistical help the school provide to Friends of Canford.
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The members considers that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.
The members have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
The company is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 28 February 2015.
The number of members shall be no less than five and shall include not less than three persons nominated by the Council of Governors of Canford School.
New members appointments are made after advertising throughout the membership. Candidates are co opted to council and proposed for election after suitable experience.
The members, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
The members appointed by the Board of Governors have regular training in the course of their duties at the school.
The member's report was approved by the Board of Members.
In order to assist you to fulfil your duties under the Companies Act 2006, we have prepared for your approval the financial statements of The Friends of Canford School for the year ended 31 July 2025, which comprise the statement of financial activities and the related notes from the charity’s accounting records and from information and explanations you have given us.
It is your duty to ensure that The Friends of Canford School has kept adequate accounting records and to prepare statutory financial statements that give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and deficit of The Friends of Canford School. You consider that The Friends of Canford School is exempt from the statutory audit requirement for the year, and is not required to obtain an independent examiner's report.
We have not been instructed to carry out an audit or a review of the financial statements of The Friends of Canford School. For this reason, we have not verified the accuracy or completeness of the accounting records or information and explanations you have given to us and we do not, therefore, express any opinion on the statutory financial statements.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The Friends of Canford School is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is The Bursary, Canford School, Canford Magna, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 3AD.
The Friends of Canford School is a company limited by guarantee and accordingly does not have share capital.
Every member of the charitable company undertakes to contribute such amount as may be required not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charitable company in the event of it being wound up while he or she is a member, or within one year after he or she ceases to be a member.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The accounts are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest pound.
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the members in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
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.
Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of expenditure to which it relates.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.