REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07852922 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146171

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

FOR

EDUCATION FUTURES TRUST

Page

Reference and Administrative Details

1

Report of the Trustees

2

to

5

Independent Examiner's Report

6

Statement of Financial Activities

7

Statement of Financial Position

8

to

9

Statement of Cash Flows

10

Notes to the Statement of Cash Flows

11

Notes to the Financial Statements

12

to

18

TRUSTEES

Mrs A M Baines

Mrs H M Brookshaw Local Government Officer

C S Galbraith Businessman (resigned 31/7/2025)

S G Hubbard

S J Manwaring

Miss A M Reed Assistant Head teacher

A J Waterhouse (resigned 13/6/2024)

J D Hopkins Sports Development Manager (resigned 26/9/2024)

REGISTERED OFFICE

The Firs

Elphinstone Road

Hastings

East Sussex

TN34 2AX

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER

07852922 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER

1146171

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Acuity Professional Partnership LLP

Unit 2.02 High Weald House

Glovers End

Bexhill

TN39 5ES

SOLICITORS

Tim Baines

Michelle Prowse

Surinder Atkar

Mayer Brown International LLP

201 Bishopsgate

London

EC2A 2ED

ADVISERS

The Co-operative Bank

PO Box 101

1 Bolton Street

Manchester

M60 4EP

Virgin Money

Jubilee House

Gosforth

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE3 4PL

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 the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

During the reporting period, the Charity continued to advance its objectives by delivering a variety of services within its area of benefit, aligned with its core mission: to promote education and raise educational attainment. These efforts focused on supporting pupils, their families, and communities in some of the most disadvantaged areas in England. The Charity’s education-focused services were tailored to meet the specific needs of its beneficiaries and were delivered at the heart of local communities.

Throughout the year, the Charity has acted in accordance with the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when carrying out its responsibilities.

Its work has primarily served children, young people, families, and vulnerable adults in Hastings, Rye, and the surrounding areas, with particular attention to communities facing deprivation or where additional support needs were identified.

Renovation of The Firs site on Elphinstone Road as a suitable location for service delivery, has continued throughout the year with installation of the ‘Skills Shed’ structures and storage container.

The use of the grounds at The Firs has played a key role in supporting the Charity’s aims and objectives by offering a dedicated space for a wide range of activities and services. With effective management of the facilities and robust safety procedures in place, staff were able to deliver outdoor learning in alignment with the Charity’s purpose. Both children and adults have expressed that The Firs feels like a safe, valued space where they can engage meaningfully with nature and learning.

The site’s varied features — including a football pitch, multi-games area, wooded sections, and the Secret Garden — allowed for flexible delivery of group sessions, courses, and one-to-one support. Throughout the reporting period, volunteers were also able to contribute safely within the grounds. Access to The Firs offered service users a secure environment in which to enhance their mental well-being and reconnect with their community.

In addition, the Charity continued to make use of the Community Learning Centre (formerly West St Leonards Children’s Centre) on Bexhill Road. This venue provided essential space for ongoing projects, including the early years Comic Relief / Masonic Foundation programme.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities

Financial Overview 2024–2025: Investing in Impact and Long-Term Sustainability

During the financial year 2024-2025, the Charity reported a planned deficit of just over £200,000. This shortfall reflects a strategic decision to draw on reserves to sustain and expand essential services at a time of significant and growing need within our communities.

Recognising the ongoing social and economic challenges facing many of our beneficiaries, particularly in the wake of the pandemic and cost-of-living pressures, we chose to prioritise frontline delivery and community-based programmes. This included investing in expanded education support, outdoor learning, and family engagement initiatives that have shown demonstrable impact.

The deficit was largely the result of increased programme delivery, rising operational costs, and a delay in some restricted income streams, all of which were carefully monitored and managed. Throughout the year, the Charity maintained strong financial controls and continued to meet its obligations without compromising the quality or reach of its services.

Importantly, the Charity entered the year with healthy unrestricted reserves, allowing us to responsibly absorb this year’s planned overspend. We remain financially resilient and are confident in our forward strategy, which includes securing new multi-year funding partnerships, growing earned income streams, and carefully managing costs.

Looking ahead, we are focused on returning to a balanced budget over the medium term while continuing to meet our charitable objectives. The decision to invest in 2024-2025 has positioned the Charity to increase its impact, deepen community relationships, and strengthen its long-term sustainability.

Performance

Activities

We've engaged 1,350 beneficiaries during 2024/25. Key delivery areas include:

Community-Based Learning and Wellbeing Workshops

We continued to deliver our outdoor learning programmes aimed at supporting vulnerable adults, helping to reduce isolation and loneliness while building skills across a diverse range of activities. These included conservation, DIY, cookery, barista training, florist, and family learning.

Keyworker and One-to-One Support with Local Schools

Our alternative provision offer has expanded this year, providing tailored support for children and young people who face challenges in mainstream education. Our focus has been on encouraging healthier lifestyle choices and addressing the ongoing impact of the pandemic. We have maintained literacy and speech and language support in

primary schools to aid children’s personal and emotional development.

Forest School

These sessions focused on connecting participants with nature through hands-on learning about insects, birds, trees, tool use, and woodland-wide games. Each session was designed to nurture a love of the natural environment while developing key soft skills such as confidence, communication, personal risk assessment, and resilience.

Holidays, Activities and Food (HAF) Programme

Throughout the reporting period, we delivered HAF activities during school holidays — Easter and Summer. The Charity continued to offer three core strands of provision: Sports, Forest School, and Arts and Crafts. Drawing on feedback from previous years, we refined our approach and improved both delivery and communication with participants.

Support for Families with Children Under 5

Our family support work focused on isolated, anxious, and low-income families with children under the age of five — particularly those facing barriers to early childhood development. The aim was to enhance children’s developmental outcomes and emotional wellbeing through targeted support.

Volunteers

Our dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers have been instrumental in delivering a wide range of services. Their contributions included gardening, conservation projects, and support for adult learning programmes as well as HAF.

Achievements

We're proud of the impact we make. During 2024/25 we:

- Engaged with over 1,350 beneficiaries

- Supported 764 children and young people in positive, diversionary activities

- Supported 586 adults through well-being and community learning initiatives, resulting in increased confidence and personal growth.

- Worked with 54 families to overcome significant challenge in their lives

- Secured over £425k new charity funds

- Recruited 20 volunteers onto charity projects.

Fundraising activities

During the year, the Charity applied for and acquired resources from a range of sources to continue its work. We would like to thank our funders for their support over the year. Funding has been received from:

-Comic Relief: Building Foundations Together (early years)

-ESCC Family Learning (year 3 of the 3-year contract)

-ESCC Holiday and Activity Fund: Holiday Activities (Easter and Summer)

-Public Health: Aspirations project

-ESCC Multiply: numeracy for adults

-ESTAR: Beats in Mind

-Magdalen and Lasher: Talking in the Tipi and Forest School

-NHS Sussex: Health and Well-being Hub and Harmonies for Health programme.

-Heads On: Investors in Volunteers.

-Southern Housing: RISE project.

-Chalk Cliff Trust: Advanced without Walls

-Masonic: Early Years

-Sussex Police Crime Commissioner: L.E.F.T Field

-ESCC: Skills Capital Fund

The Charity received benefit through pro-bono support or donations of goods from:

-Catherine Cookson Trust

-Fusion Groundscapes Solutions

-The B and L Leach Family Trust

-Sierra Ford Trust

-JD Foundation

The B and L Leach Family Trust and Sierra Ford Trust have made donations to support the core costs of the Charity. At a time when funding is becoming increasingly tight following the pandemic, these donations have made a difference to the Charity's ability to deliver the core services.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

The Charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

The Charity is a not-for profit company with charitable status. The memorandum of articles provides the structure and underpins all work undertaken by the Charity.

Organisational structure

The Board of Trustees meets on a monthly basis. Agendas are approved by the Chair of the Board and papers are issued to trustees the week prior to the meeting. Decisions made by the Trustees provide strategic steer and direction, with the authority delegated to the Chief Executive and other staff members clarified in the Delegated Powers Policy.

Induction and training of new trustees

Induction processes are in place for new trustees, who are appointed in line with the Appointment of Trustees Policy which is available upon request. All trustees undertake enhanced DBS checks.

Staff

During the reporting period the Charity employed 26 staff across the year, all of whom held enhanced DBS checks, and used the services of 20 regular volunteers.

At the end of the period of reporting, the Trust employed 8 full-time staff members.

PARTNERSHIPS

The Chief Executive continued to represent the Trust across established strategic networks, reflecting the Trust's commitment to collaborative working. Engagement with schools remains central to the Trust’s mission and charitable objectives. Building strong relationships with partners and local organisations also plays a crucial role in meeting the needs of residents and ensuring effective support is available. To support this, the Chief Executive regularly attends local and county meetings to strengthen and expand partnership efforts.

This year, representation continued with the local Skills and Learning in the Community charity, Hastings Community Network Executive and the Adult Skills Network, nurturing collaboration with other adult education providers and enhancing the local adult learning offer. The Charity also maintained an active presence at local events and conferences, using these opportunities to raise its profile and advocate for better outcomes for children, families, and vulnerable adults.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 14 January 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

Mrs A M Baines - Trustee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Education Futures Trust ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

1.	accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2.	the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3.	the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

4.

the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Deborah Hargreaves

Acuity Professional Partnership LLP

Unit 2.02 High Weald House

Glovers End

Bexhill

TN39 5ES

14 January 2026

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

fund

fund

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

30,827

-

30,827

25,897

Charitable activities

Operation of charitable services

341,886

20,000

361,886

974,050

Other trading activities

2

21,447

-

21,447

18,202

Investment income

3

12,798

-

12,798

14,205

Total

406,958

20,000

426,958

1,032,354

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

6,468

-

6,468

6,888

Charitable activities

Operation of charitable services

656,899

5,980

662,879

817,183

Total

663,367

5,980

669,347

824,071

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(256,409

)

14,020

(242,389

)

208,283

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

1,248,516

-

1,248,516

1,040,233

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

992,107

14,020

1,006,127

1,248,516

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

fund

fund

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

8

640,818

-

640,818

653,078

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

9

46,198

-

46,198

79,471

Cash at bank

340,600

14,020

354,620

568,597

386,798

14,020

400,818

648,068

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

10

(35,509

)

-

(35,509

)

(52,630

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

351,289

14,020

365,309

595,438

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

992,107

14,020

1,006,127

1,248,516

NET ASSETS

992,107

14,020

1,006,127

1,248,516

FUNDS

11

Unrestricted funds

992,107

1,248,516

Restricted funds

14,020

-

TOTAL FUNDS

1,006,127

1,248,516

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

(a)	ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

(b)

preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 14 January 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

A M Baines - Trustee

S G Hubbard - Trustee

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash generated from operations

1

(187,492

)

98,793

Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities

(187,492

)

98,793

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of tangible fixed assets

(26,485

)

(227,419

)

Net cash used in investing activities

(26,485

)

(227,419

)

Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period

(213,977

)

(128,626

)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period

568,597

697,223

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period

354,620

568,597

1.	RECONCILIATION OF NET (EXPENDITURE)/INCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

2025

2024

£

£

Net (expenditure)/income for the reporting period (as per the Statement of Financial Activities)

(242,389

)

208,283

Adjustments for:

Depreciation charges

38,745

33,700

Decrease in debtors

33,273

51,676

Decrease in creditors

(17,121

)

(194,866

)

Net cash (used in)/provided by operations

(187,492

)

98,793

2.	ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS

At 1/4/24

Cash flow

At 31/3/25

£

£

£

Net cash

Cash at bank

568,597

(213,977

)

354,620

568,597

(213,977

)

354,620

Total

568,597

(213,977

)

354,620

1.	ACCOUNTING POLICIES

BASIS OF PREPARING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

INCOME

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

EXPENDITURE

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, 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 accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Plant and machinery

-

20% on reducing balance

Computer equipment

-

33% on cost

TAXATION

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

FUND ACCOUNTING

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

PENSION COSTS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

2.	OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

2025

2024

£

£

Fundraising events

21,447

18,202

3.	INVESTMENT INCOME

2025

2024

£

£

Deposit account interest

12,798

14,205

4.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

2025

2024

£

£

Depreciation - owned assets

38,745

33,700

Hire of plant and machinery

8,293

7,222

5.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.

TRUSTEES' EXPENSES

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.

6.

STAFF

2025

2024

£

£

Wages and salaries

462,503

459,092

Social security costs

34,698

29,657

Other pension costs

15,323

17,504

512,524

506,253

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

2025

2024

Employees

26

30

Regular Volunteers

20

18

46

48

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

During the reporting period the Charity employed 26 staff across the year, all of whom held enhanced DBS checks, and used the services of 20 regular volunteers.

At the end of the period of reporting, the Trust employed 8 full-time staff members.

7.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted

fund

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

25,897

Charitable activities

Operation of charitable services

974,050

Other trading activities

18,202

Investment income

14,205

Total

1,032,354

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

6,888

Charitable activities

Operation of charitable services

817,183

Total

824,071

NET INCOME

208,283

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

1,040,233

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

1,248,516

8.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Improvements

to

Plant and

Computer

property

machinery

equipment

Totals

£

£

£

£

Cost

At 1 April 2024

703,459

4,091

3,179

710,729

Additions

22,093

-

4,392

26,485

At 31 March 2025

725,552

4,091

7,571

737,214

Depreciation

At 1 April 2024

54,181

1,473

1,997

57,651

Charge for year

35,723

524

2,498

38,745

At 31 March 2025

89,904

1,997

4,495

96,396

Net book value

At 31 March 2025

635,648

2,094

3,076

640,818

At 31 March 2024

649,278

2,618

1,182

653,078

9.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2025

2024

£

£

Trade debtors

24,323

49,456

Other debtors

439

439

Prepayments and accrued income

21,436

29,576

46,198

79,471

10.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2025

2024

£

£

Trade creditors

9,201

5,754

Social security and other taxes

6,646

6,555

Pension control

101

-

Other creditors

10,206

10,760

Accruals and deferred income

9,355

29,561

35,509

52,630

11.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

movement

At

At 1/4/24

in funds

31/3/25

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

1,248,516

(256,409

)

992,107

Restricted funds

Masonic Charitable Fund

-

14,020

14,020

TOTAL FUNDS

1,248,516

(242,389

)

1,006,127

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

406,958

(663,367

)

(256,409

)

Restricted funds

Masonic Charitable Fund

20,000

(5,980

)

14,020

TOTAL FUNDS

426,958

(669,347

)

(242,389

)

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net

movement

At

At 1/4/23

in funds

31/3/24

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

1,040,233

208,283

1,248,516

TOTAL FUNDS

1,040,233

208,283

1,248,516

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

1,032,354

(824,071

)

208,283

TOTAL FUNDS

1,032,354

(824,071

)

208,283