Company registration number 07695736 (England and Wales)
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 AUGUST 2025
31 August 2025
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
CONTENTS
Page
Reference and administrative details
1 - 2
Trustees' report
3 - 12
Governance statement
13 - 16
Statement of regularity, propriety and compliance
17
Statement of trustees' responsibilities
18
Independent auditor's report on the financial statements
19 - 22
Independent reporting accountant's report on regularity
23 - 24
Statement of financial activities including income and expenditure account
25 - 26
Balance sheet
27
Statement of cash flows
28
Notes to the financial statements including accounting policies
29 - 48
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
- 1 -
Members
R Smith
A Cooper
D Rosores-Parry
E Arnold
G Dougherty
N Hayward
S Bridge
C Field
E De Boorder
F Barrick
H Hill
J Ogunmyiwa
J Schwarz
J Forshaw
K Spence
N Rice
S Jacobs
S Reed
V Attwood
Trustees
S Bridge (Chair)
C Field (Vice Chair)
G Dougherty
N Hayward
E Arnold
N Rice
K Spence
A Cooper
S Jacobs
R Smith
F Barrick
J Forshaw
J Schwarz
E De Boorder (Resigned 31 August 2025)
V Attwood
J Ogunmyiwa (Headteacher & Accounting Officer)
S Reed
H Hill
D Rosores-Parry (Appointed 31 August 2025)
E Mok (Resigned 25 September 2024)
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
- 2 -
Senior management team
- Headteacher
J Ogunmyiwa
- Senior Deputy Headteacher (resigned 31st August 2025)
E De Boorder
- Deputy Headteacher
L Frowe
- Deputy Headteacher
S Wheelock
- Assistant Headteacher (resigned 31st August 2025
M McSweeney
- Assistant Headteacher
P Aitchison
- Assistant Headteacher (appointed 1st September 2025)
R Pritchard
- Associate Headteacher
G Gladman
Company secretary
M Fitch
Company registration number
07695736 (England and Wales)
Principal and registered office
Heath Road
Bebington
Wirral
CH63 3AF
United Kingdom
Independent auditor
Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited
24 Nicholas Street
Chester
CH1 2AU
Bankers
Lloyds Bank
19 Arrowe Park Road
Upton
Wirral
CH49 0BU
Solicitors
Hill Dickinson LLP
1 St Paul's Square
Old Hall Street
Liverpool
Merseyside
L3 9SJ
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 3 -

The trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements and auditor's report of the charitable company for the year 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025. The annual report serves the purposes of both a trustees' report, and a directors' report and strategic report under company law.

The charitable company was incorporated on 6 July 2011 and took over the trade and assets of the Wirral Grammar School for Girls (a foundation school) from the Wirral Local Authority on 1 August 2011.

The School has 1,128 Pupils on Role as at 1st September 2025 and a capacity of 1,207.

Structure, governance and management
Constitution

The academy trust is a company limited by guarantee and an exempt charity. The charitable company's memorandum and articles of association are the primary governing documents of the academy trust.

The charitable company operates as Wirral Grammar School for Girls.

The trustees of Wirral Grammar School for Girls 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 financial statements are approved, are included in the Reference and Administrative Details on page 1.

Members' liability

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.

Trustees' indemnities

In accordance with normal commercial practice the School Trust has purchased insurance to protect Trustees, local governors and officers from claims arising due to negligent acts, errors or omissions occurring on school business.

Method of recruitment and appointment or election of trustees

Governors (Trustees) are appointed after an audit of skills has identified any areas of need. This appointment is either through recommendation or by external advert. Potential governors are expected to come along to the Governing Body meeting and talk about what they can contribute to the Governing Body and School. Existing governors then vote to accept or decline the candidate.

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees

Governors (Trustees) undertake an induction programme in line with the School’s Induction Policy for Governors including meetings with the Headteacher.

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 4 -
Organisational structure

The organisational structure is one governing body who are all directors of the trust.

The key purpose of the Governing Body (GB) are:-

- monitoring the Schools’ financial and academic performance;

- developing strategic policies which reflect the School’s vision and ethos;

- promoting the School and fostering links with the local community.

In fulfilling the above purposes, the GB discharges the following responsibilities:

- develop and review the School Improvement Plan;

- review and monitor the School’s financial position on a regular basis and consider any significant contractual matters;

- monitor the educational performance of the School in line with outcomes and success criteria; approve and review the implementation and effectiveness of key operational policies;

- monitor the effectiveness of staffing policies;

- participate in marketing and communication with parents and the local and wider communities;

- monitor the effective management of the School site and buildings;

- maintain an overview of the School’s risk management procedures.

The School’s Leadership Team currently consists of the Headteacher, two Deputy Headteachers, two Assistant Headteachers and an Associate Headteacher. These leaders manage the School at an executive level implementing the policies laid down by the Governing Body.

Arrangements for setting pay and remuneration of key management personnel

A remuneration committee exists which meets three times a year. This Committee agrees the Pay Policy after consultation has taken place with staff and their professional association / trade union representatives.

The directors / trustees do not receive any remuneration in respect of their roles as directors / trustees of the school.
The senior leaders have an appraisal every six months, and the Headteacher has an appraisal every four months with external School Improvement Partners and a Performance Management Governors Group.

The only members of the Governing Body / Board of Trustees who received remuneration from the Academy in 2024‑25, were Mrs Ogunmyiwa in her role as Headteacher and Mrs Elizabeth De Boorder as Senior Deputy Headteacher.

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 5 -
Trade union facility time
Relevant union officials
Number of employees who were relevant union officials during the relevant period
2
Full-time equivalent employee number
2.00
Percentage of time spent on facility time
Percentage of time
Number of employees
0%
2
1%-50%
-
51%-99%
-
100%
-
Percentage of pay bill spent on facility time
Total cost of facility time
628
Total pay bill
6,268,794
Percentage of the total pay bill spent on facilty time
-
Paid trade union activities
Time spent on paid trade union activities as a percentage of total paid facility time hours
-
Related parties and other connected charities and organisations

The Governing Body works with Wirral Local Authority, the Department for Education (DfE), the Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), local primary schools and secondary schools, particularly those who are part of a Wirral Council PFI contract with ourselves.

Objectives and activities
Objects and aims

Wirral Grammar School for Girls is a selective grammar school for girls aged between 11 and 18. The school has been inspiring and educating girls since 1931. The focus is very much on the individual, enabling every girl to fulfil her potential both educationally and socially.

The Academy Trust’s object is specifically restricted to the following “to advance for the public benefit education in the United Kingdom, in particular but without prejudice, to the generality of the foregoing by establishing, maintaining, carrying on, managing and developing a school offering a broad and balanced curriculum.”

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 6 -
Objectives, strategies and activities

Each year the School produces a School Development Plan (SDP).

For 2025-26 there are 13 priorities

Teaching and Learning

1. To embed effective questioning techniques that engage all learners in high level thinking

2. To identify and share strategies to support the teaching of groups with mixed prior attainment

Curriculum

1. To respond to the Curriculum Review including our Personal Development curriculum in KS3 and KS4

2. To review and develop the careers guidance programme in all key stages

3. To broaden the sixth form enrichment programme and consolidate this into a school-based award scheme

Wellbeing (Students)

1. To monitor and promote attendance at extra-curricular activities at KS3 with a particular focus on PP students and SEND

2. To review and develop the House System

3. To ensure a more consistent approach to school routines, including adherence to the mobile phone procedure for KS3 and KS4

Wellbeing (Staff)

1. To develop a flexible working strategy and policy to support staff wellbeing as well as recruitment and retention

School Environment/Infrastructure

1. To project plan and manage the use of Bromcom phase 2 and 3

2. To develop new routines, systems and processes for the newly developed spaces - F4, library

Collaboration and Partnerships

1. To explore the potential of joining the GDST MAT

2. To continue to develop the sixth form partnership with WGSB to enhance our offer and retain and recruit more students to the sixth form

Public benefit

In setting our objectives and planning our activities, the trustees have carefully considered the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.

The school’s primary function is to provide high quality secondary education to pupils who attend the school. The school does not charge for this service, instead it receives a grant from the ESFA. As far as possible the school allows the local community to use the facilities (gym, sports hall etc) charging a fee intended to recover its marginal costs.

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 7 -
Strategic report
Achievements and performance

The following sets out the Achievements, Performance and KPI.

Exam results

2024‑25 has seen excellent A Level and GCSE results. The results quoted below are from the Examination Boards.

The following figures are the 2025 Exam Board A Level and GCSE results for the school.

A‑LEVEL ONLY (Excluding general studies) (No BTECs or AS Level)

Total number of pupils 135

Total number of entries 455

Number of A* grades achieved 81

Number of A grades achieved 133

Number of B grades achieved 121

% of total exams returning A* grade 17.8%

% of total exams returning A grade 29.2%

% of total exams returning B grades 26.6%

% of total exams returning A* or A grades only 47%

% of total exams returning A*, A, or B grades combined 73.6%

GCSE (No BTECs or other equivalents)

Total number of pupils 179

Total Number of entries 1790

Number of 9 and 8 grades achieved 607

Number of 7 grades achieved 366

% of total exams returning 9 or 8 grades 33.9%

% of total exams returning 7 grades 20.4%

% of total exams returning 9, 8 or 7 grades 54.3%

The Governing Body is delighted with the excellent GCSE and A Level results this year, which have been attributed to the following:

- Self motivation of the students

- High standards of Teaching & Learning

- Superb pastoral care

- Outstanding range of extra‑curricular activities available for pupils

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 8 -
Going concern

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, the board of trustees 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.

A number of key factors in their consideration have been:

- All members of the Governing Body receive a monthly budget monitoring report, so are always kept aware of the current financial situation.

- A multi‑year budget forecast has been presented to the Finance & Audit Committee, approved by the trustees and submitted to the ESFA on time.

- Pupil numbers remain high with total pupils at 1 September 2025 of 1,228 (2024: 1,192)

- No demographic issues are anticipated in the near future which might impact on pupil numbers.

- Cash Balances and reserves as at 31 August 2025 remain high and have been static for a number of years.

- The minimum Per Pupil Funding level of £6,465 for 2025‑26 (introduced as part of National Funding Formula) protects the school from receiving a lower budget allocation from the Local Authority using its own formula factors instead.

Financial review

The Finance and Audit Committee of the School met four times during year. At each of these meetings a detailed budget monitoring report was issued to members as well as a number of other reports relating to funding and budgets projections for future years. The Budget Forecast Return for 2025‑26 was also approved by members of the Governing Body.

During 2024‑25 all members of the Governing Body have received the following financial information every month:

- Budget Monitoring Report

- Balance Sheet

- Cash Flow Statement

Most of the school’s income is funded by the DFE in the form of revenue and capital grants, the sum of which is restricted to particular purposes. The grants received and the associated expenditure are shown as restricted funds in the Statement of Financial Activities.

The 2024‑25 net income for the school is £124,000 (2024: £59,000 (deficit)).

The balance of our restricted general funds (excluding pension reserve) plus the balance on unrestricted funds as at 31 August 2025 is £1,930,000 (2024: £1,857,000).

The financial position of the Academy remains strong with net assets of £2,351,000 (including pension liability of £nil). As such, the academy is able to cover all possible expenditure for the foreseeable future.

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 9 -
Reserves policy

Governors review the level of reserves annually. The review encompasses the nature of income and expenditure streams, the need to match income with commitments and the nature of reserves. The trustees will ensure that the reserves policy continues to conform to the requirements laid down in the Academies’ Trust Handbook produced by the ESFA in September 2025.

The School received a deed of variation dated 23 July 2013 relating to its Funding Agreement. Clause 78 of the Funding Agreement has been deleted and replaced with the following clause.

“At the beginning of any Academy Financial Year the Academy Trust may hold unspent GAG from previous Academy financial Years amounting to such percentage (if any) as for the time being specified in the Academies Financial Handbook or otherwise as the Secretary of State may specify by notice in writing to the Academy Trust prior to the beginning of that Academy Financial Year of the total GAG payable for the Academy in the Academy Financial Year just ended or such higher amount as may from time to time be agreed. The Academy Trust shall use such carried forward amount for such purpose, or subject to such restriction on its use, as for the time being specified in the Academies Financial Handbook or otherwise as the Secretary of State may specify by notice in writing to the Academy Trust”.

This is important for the school as it eliminates any risk in the short term of a clawback of unspent monies by the Funding Agency.

Total Funds as at the 31 August 2025 are £2,351,000 (2024: £1,911,000). This is net of the Pension Reserve.

It is the Governors’ policy to build up unrestricted reserves which can be used for future education purposes in line with the academy’s development plan. The value of free reserves as at 31 August 2025 is £1,204,000 (2024: £1,047,925), and is the equivalent to the sum of our Unrestricted Fund. This would be sufficient to support approximately six weeks of operating costs. The current policy is under review therefore there is no target level set at present.

The balance on our Fixed Asset Reserves as at 31 August 2025 is £421,000 (2024: £398,384).

Investment policy

Due to the nature of its funding, the academy may at times hold cash balances surplus to its short term requirements. The Governors have in the past authorised the opening of additional short term bank investment accounts to take advantage of higher interest rates and to spread risk, so that not all of our funds are contained in one account.

The School currently has the following interest bearing deposits:

Virgin Term Deposit £550,540.99 @4.50% expiring 16/09/25

Virgin Term Deposit £294,682.69 @3.94% expiring 06/07/26

Virgin Term Deposit £250,000.00 @4.15% expiring 22/12/25

Lloyds 95 day notice £250,000.00 @2.83%

Governors are committed to ensuring that all funds under their control are managed in such a way as to maximise return whilst minimising risk. Future opportunities will be discussed in full with members of the Finance & Audit Committee prior to any investment being made.

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 10 -
Principal risks and uncertainties

Governors are responsible for the management of the risks to which the school is exposed and are assisted in this task by help and support from the following:

- Headteacher and members of SLT

- Health & Safety support & advice from the LA

- Legal & HR advice from Hill Dickinson

- Insurance guidance for the LA Insurance Officer and Zurich Insurance Group

A risk register is updated and reviewed regularly by senior officers of the school.

Current risks and uncertainties are as follows: All of which have cost implications:

- The private finance initiative (PFI) ‑ This contract remains a principal risk for the School, due to the lack of control the School has over the contract value. In April 2025 under the terms of the PFI contract, a 3.11% RPI increase was applied to the Unitary & AVR charges. The contract is also subject to a periodic benchmarking process, one of which has taken place during 2023‑24. With the current cost of living crisis, and inflationary pressures, it is highly likely that PFI costs will increase further as a result of this process.

- Energy costs ‑ The school has seen a significant increase in the cost of utilities. This is part of the Wirral Schools PFI contract and is not fully controlled by the school.

- School Funding Levels ‑ The uncertainty surrounding the prediction of future funding of the School from central government. The funding risk has been reduced however, by the introduction of the National Funding Formula and the guaranteed minimum per pupil funding which is currently £6,495 (2024:£5,995). A number of individual grants for teacher pay rises and pension increases have been consolidated into the core school budget grant which has led to the increase in minimum per pupil funding but there has been no significant additional funding to cover the inflationary pressures on non-teacher costs.

- Total Pupil numbers ‑ 158 pupils have commenced Y12 (2024: 140) following a successful marketing campaign. However, this is still an area of concern for management and efforts will continue in order to try and achieve consistently high pupil numbers in the sixth form.

The school currently has sufficient reserves to meet these rising costs.

Fundraising

The school does not use any external fundraisers. It has not participated or undertaken any fundraising activities as defined by the Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Act 2016.

Streamlined energy and carbon reporting

As the academy trust has not consumed more than 40,000 kWh of energy in this reporting period, it qualifies as a low energy user under these regulations and is not required to report on its emissions, energy consumption or energy efficiency activities.

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 11 -
Plans for future periods

The school will continue to focus on delivering quality education to its pupils. This continues to be in high demand based on the numbers that continue to apply to the school, although there is a decline in the secondary age population in the local area over the next five years. The School Improvement Plan, referred to elsewhere in this report, informs of the specific areas which will be targeted in the next twelve months to ensure that progress continues to be made.

The total number of pupils in school is the single most important factor in determining the total amount of grant the school receives each year.

The budget for the 2025‑26 financial year has been set and agreed by the Governors. This confirms that the school plans to use £155,000 of its reserves to balance the budget. A multi‑year forecast has also been submitted to the ESFA including budget estimates for 2026‑27 and 2027‑28. The School Development Plan has been fully costed, and sufficient provision made available within the 2025‑26 Budget Forecast. At this point the estimates for 26‑27 and 27‑28 are indicating a significant use of reserves to support the budget.

Funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others

The School does not hold funds on behalf of others.

Estates Management

The school does not own the building, instead we are part of a Wirral Schools PFI Agreement, which was signed in 2001.

The contract ends in 2031.

Effectively Wirral School Services Ltd is the landlord.

The PFI project was split into two phases, a Construction Phase and an Operation Phase during which certain Facilities Management Services are performed by WSSL thought their FM Services Contractor Dalkia. Catering Services are provided through WSSL by Chartwells.

The following FM Services are provided to the school by Dalkia,

- 24 Hour Helpdesk

- Cleaning

- Caretaking

- Grounds Maintenance

- Catering

- Security

- Planned Preventative Maintenance

- Reactive maintenance

- Energy management

These services must be provided in accordance with the specifications for Support Services as detailed in the Project Agreement, as well as industry standards & law.

Daily contact is made with caretaking and cleaning staff from Dalkia concerning any aspect of the above services.
Jobs are logged on the Helpdesk as and when necessary. Performance deductions apply in those cases where the remedial action required, takes longer than it should.

Each week the Headteacher and the Business Manager meet with Dalkia’s Facilities Manager to discuss any matters affecting the school building.

Each term a “Keeping in Touch” meeting takes place in school where representatives from the school, the Council, Dalkia, and Wirral School Services Ltd are present. These meetings provide an opportunity to identify work that need to be undertaken, feedback on tasks already completed and any Lifecycle works that need to be considered.

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 12 -
Auditor

In so far as the trustees are aware:

- there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditor is unaware; and

- the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information.

Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited was appointed auditor to the charitable company. A resolution proposing re-appointment 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 16 December 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

S Bridge
J Ogunmyiwa
Chair
Headteacher & Accounting Officer
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
GOVERNANCE STATEMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 13 -
Scope of responsibility

As trustees, we acknowledge we have overall responsibility for ensuring that Wirral Grammar School For Girls 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 the DfE's Governance Guide.

The board of trustees has delegated the day-to-day responsibility to the Headteacher, 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 Wirral Grammar School For Girls and the Secretary of State for Education. The accounting officer is also responsible for reporting to the board of trustees any material weaknesses or breakdowns in internal control.

Governance

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:

Trustees
Meetings attended
Out of possible
S Bridge (Chair)
4
4
C Field (Vice Chair)
3
4
G Dougherty
4
4
N Hayward
3
4
E Arnold
3
4
N Rice
3
4
K Spence
4
4
A Cooper
4
4
S Jacobs
4
4
R Smith
3
4
F Barrick
4
4
J Forshaw
2
4
J Schwarz
2
4
E De Boorder (Resigned 31 August 2025)
1
4
V Attwood
4
4
J Ogunmyiwa (Headteacher & Accounting Officer)
4
4
S Reed
3
4
H Hill
4
4
D Rosores-Parry (Appointed 31 August 2025)
0
0
E Mok (Resigned 25 September 2024)
0
0
Conflicts of interest

Each year all Directors, Trustees, Senior Managers and budget holders are required to complete and sign a Related Party Transaction declaration form. In addition to this, at the beginning of each committee meeting, members are asked to declare any pecuniary interests they may have and where relevant the details are recorded on the school website.

The school is a single academy trust and as such has no issues with regards to the ownership or control of any subsidiary, joint venture or association.

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
GOVERNANCE STATEMENT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 14 -
Governance reviews

The trustee carry out a continuous review of governance throughout the year.

The finance and audit committee is a sub-committee of the main board of trustees. Its purpose is to provide financial and audit oversight.

Attendance at meetings in the year was as follows:

Trustees
Meetings attended
Out of possible
S Bridge (Chair)
1
3
C Field (Vice Chair)
2
3
N Hayward
2
3
E Arnold
3
3
A Cooper
1
3
S Jacobs
2
3
J Forshaw
1
3
J Schwarz
1
3
V Attwood
2
3
J Ogunmyiwa (Headteacher & Accounting Officer)
3
3
H Hill
3
3
Review of value for money

As accounting officer, the Headteacher 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:

- reviewing contracts as they fall due

- assessing the value for money of key items

- working with the CFO on financial matter to ensure the school received best value.

The purpose of the system of internal control

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 Wirral Grammar School For Girls for the period 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025 and up to the date of approval of the annual report and financial statements.

Capacity to handle risk

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 2024 to 31 August 2025 and up to the date of approval of the annual report and financial statements. This process is regularly reviewed by the board of trustees.

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
GOVERNANCE STATEMENT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 15 -
The risk and control framework

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 audit 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;

- identification and management of risks.

The board of trustees has decided:

- to employ an external accountants as internal auditor; or

This option has been chosen because of the expertise and offering best value for money.

The internal auditor'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. In particular, the checks carried out in the current period included:

- System & Control

- Bank & Payment Testing

- Wages

- Compliance.

On a termly basis, the auditor reports to the board of trustees through the finance and audit committee on the operation of the systems of control and on the discharge of the financial responsibilities of the board of trustees. On an annual basis, the auditor prepares a 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.

Review of effectiveness

As accounting officer, the Headteacher 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 auditor/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

- correspondence from the DfE, 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 audit and risk committee and a plan to address weaknesses [if relevant] and ensure continuous improvement of the system is in place.

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
GOVERNANCE STATEMENT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 16 -
Conclusion

Based on the advice of the finance and audit 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 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

S Bridge
J Ogunmyiwa
Chair
Headteacher & Accounting Officer
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
STATEMENT OF REGULARITY, PROPRIETY AND COMPLIANCE
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 17 -

As accounting officer of Wirral Grammar School for Girls, I confirm that I have had due regard to the framework of authorities governing regularity, propriety and compliance, including the trust’s funding agreement with the Department for Education (DfE), and the requirements of the Academy Trust Handbook, including responsibilities for estates safety and management. I have also considered my responsibility to notify the academy trust board of trustees and DfE of material irregularity, impropriety and non-compliance with terms and conditions of all funding, including for estates safety and management.

I confirm that I and the board of trustees are able to identify any material irregular or improper use of all funds by the academy trust, or material non-compliance with the framework of authorities.

I confirm that no instances of material irregularity, impropriety or 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 DfE.

J Ogunmyiwa
Accounting Officer
16 December 2025
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 18 -

The trustees (who are also the directors of Wirral Grammar School for Girls for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with the Academies Accounts Direction 2024 to 2025 published by the Department for Education, United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law, the trustees must not approve the financial statements 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 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 2019 and the Academies Accounts Direction 2024 to 2025;

- 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 financial statements; and

- prepare the financial statements 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 financial statements 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 financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Approved by order of the members of the board of trustees on 16 December 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

S Bridge
J Ogunmyiwa
Chair
Headteacher & Accounting Officer
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO THE MEMBERS OF WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 19 -

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Wirral Grammar School for Girls for the year ended 31 August 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, 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 201 9 and the Academies Accounts Direction 2024 to 2025 issued by the Department for Education.

In our opinion the financial statements:

-

give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 August 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, f or 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 2024 to 2025.

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 the academy trust in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements 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.

Conclusions relating to going concern

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 financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees 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. O ur 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 th is 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.

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO THE MEMBERS OF WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 20 -
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

-

the information given in the trustees' r eport including the incorporated strategic report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

-

the trustees' r eport including the incorporated strategic report ha s been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

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' r eport, 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 financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

-

certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

-
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the s tatement of trustees' r esponsibilities, the trustees 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 the academy trust’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 have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO THE MEMBERS OF WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 21 -

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 schools' 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 members of the board of governors of their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities;

- any matters we identified having obtained and reviewed the schools' 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; and

- 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 t rusts' 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 Academ y Trust Handbook and Accounts Direction 2024-25 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.

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO THE MEMBERS OF WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 22 -

Audit response to risks identified

As a result of performing the above, we identified the presentation of the T rust's Statement of Financial Activities, revenue recognition and overstatement of wages and other costs as the key audit matters related to the potential risk of fraud. The key audit matters section of our report explains the matters in more detail and also describes the specific procedures we performed in response to those key audit matters.

In addition to the above, 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 members of the board 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;

- reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance and reviewing correspondence with relevant authorities where matters identified were significant; and

- in addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls we carried out testing of the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments; assessed whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates were indicative of a potential bias; and evaluated the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business.

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: http s://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.

Robert Hall (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited, Statutory Auditor
Accountants
24 Nicholas Street
Chester
CH1 2AU
16 December 2025
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
INDEPENDENT REPORTING ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT ON REGULARITY TO WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EDUCATION
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 23 -

In accordance with the terms of our engagement letter dated 29 August 2025 and further to the requirements of the Department for Education (DfE) as included in the extant Framework and Guide for External Auditors and Reporting Accountants of Academy Trusts, we have carried out an engagement to obtain limited assurance about whether anything has come to our attention that would suggest, in all material respects, the expenditure disbursed and income received by Wirral Grammar School for Girls during the period 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025 have not been applied to the purposes intended by Parliament and that the financial transactions do not conform to the authorities which govern them.

This report is made solely to Wirral Grammar School for Girls and the Secretary of State for Education in accordance with the terms of our engagement letter. Our work has been undertaken so that we might state to Wirral Grammar School for Girls and the Secretary of State for Education 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 Wirral Grammar School for Girls and the Secretary of State for Education, for our work, for this report, or for the conclusion we have formed.

Respective responsibilities of the accounting officer of Wirral Grammar School for Girls and the reporting accountant

The accounting officer is responsible, under the requirements of Wirral Grammar School for Girls’s funding agreement with the Secretary of State for Education and the Academy Trust Handbook, 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 dated 29th August 2025 and the requirements of the extant Framework and Guide for External Auditors and Reporting Accountants of Academy Trusts. 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 2024 to 31 August 2025 have not been applied for the purposes intended by Parliament or that the financial transactions do not conform to the authorities which govern them.

Approach

We conducted our engagement in accordance with the Framework and Guide for External Auditors and Reporting Accountant of Academy Trusts issued by the DfE, which requires a limited assurance engagement as set out 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

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
INDEPENDENT REPORTING ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT ON REGULARITY TO WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EDUCATION (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 24 -
Conclusion

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 2024 to 31 August 2025 has not been applied for the purposes intended by Parliament or that the financial transactions do not conform to the authorities which govern them.

Reporting Accountant
Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited
16 December 2025
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 25 -
Unrestricted
Restricted funds:
Total
Total
funds
General
Fixed asset
2025
2024
Notes
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
Income and endowments from:
Donations and capital grants
3
77
-
26
103
27
Charitable activities:
- Funding for educational operations
4
-
8,239
-
8,239
7,776
Other trading activities
5
46
115
-
161
161
Investments
6
52
-
-
52
50
Total
175
8,354
26
8,555
8,014
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
7
-
-
-
-
0
50
Charitable activities:
- Educational operations
8
19
8,408
4
8,431
8,023
Total
7
19
8,408
4
8,431
8,073
Net income/(expenditure)
156
(54)
22
124
(59)
Other recognised gains/(losses)
Actuarial gains/(losses) on defined benefit pension schemes
18
-
317
-
317
(26)
Net movement in funds
156
263
22
441
(85)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
1,048
463
399
1,910
1,996
Total funds carried forward
1,204
726
421
2,351
1,911
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 26 -
Comparative year information
Unrestricted
Restricted funds:
Total
Year ended 31 August 2024
funds
General
Fixed asset
2024
Notes
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
Income and endowments from:
Donations and capital grants
3
-
1
26
27
Charitable activities:
- Funding for educational operations
4
-
7,776
-
7,776
Other trading activities
5
40
121
-
161
Investments
6
50
-
-
50
Total
90
7,898
26
8,014
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
7
-
50
-
50
Charitable activities:
- Educational operations
8
14
8,005
4
8,023
Total
7
14
8,055
4
8,073
Net income/(expenditure)
76
(157)
22
(59)
Other recognised gains/(losses)
Actuarial losses on defined benefit pension schemes
18
-
(26)
-
(26)
Net movement in funds
76
(183)
22
(85)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
973
646
377
1,996
Total funds carried forward
1,049
463
399
1,911
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025
- 27 -
2025
2024
Notes
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
12
164
27
Current assets
Debtors
13
204
205
Investments
14
295
278
Cash at bank and in hand
2,430
2,277
2,929
2,760
Current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
15
(742)
(531)
Net current assets
2,187
2,229
Net assets excluding pension liability
2,351
2,256
Defined benefit pension scheme liability
18
-
0
(345)
Total net assets
2,351
1,911
Funds of the academy trust:
Restricted funds
16
- Fixed asset funds
421
399
- Restricted income funds
726
808
- Pension reserve
-
(345)
Total restricted funds
1,147
862
Unrestricted income funds
16
1,204
1,049
Total funds
2,351
1,911

The financial statements on pages 25 to 48 were approved by the trustees and authorised for issue on 16 December 2025 and are signed on their behalf by:

S Bridge
J Ogunmyiwa
Chair
Headteacher & Accounting Officer
Company registration number 07695736 (England and Wales)
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 28 -
2025
2024
Notes
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
19
233
(323)
Cash flows from investing activities
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
52
50
Capital grants from DfE Group
26
26
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
(141)
-
Increase in investment
(17)
-
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities
(80)
76
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period
153
(247)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year
2,277
2,524
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year
2,430
2,277
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 29 -
1
Accounting policies

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.

1.1
Basis of preparation

The financial statements of the academy trust, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared under the historical cost convention in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard Applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Academies Accounts Direction 2024 to 2025 issued by the Department for Education, the Charities Act 2011 and the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Trust. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £'000.

1.2
Going concern

The trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate, ie 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 financial statements 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 financial statements.

1.3
Income

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

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

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

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.

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 30 -
Other income

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.

Donated goods, facilities and 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 financial statements until they are sold. This income is recognised within ‘Income from other trading activities’.

Donated fixed assets

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.

1.4
Expenditure

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.

Expenditure on raising funds

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.

Charitable activities

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.

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 31 -
1.5
Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Assets costing £5,000 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 of each asset on a straight-line basis over its expected useful life, as follows:

Long term leasehold property
Over the life of the lease
Computer equipment
20% straight line
Fixtures, fittings & equipment
20% straight line

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.

1.6
Liabilities

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.

1.7
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.

1.8
Leased assets

Rentals under operating leases are charged on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

1.9
Investments

Current asset investments are stated at market value.

1.10
Financial instruments

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.

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 32 -
Financial assets

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.

Financial liabilities

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.

1.11
Taxation

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.

1.12
Pensions benefits

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.

1.13
Fund accounting

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.

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 33 -

Restricted general funds comprise all other restricted funds received with restrictions imposed by the funder/donor and include grants from the Department for Education Group.

2
Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

Accounting e stimates 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.

Critical accounting estimates and assumptions

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.

Local Government Pension Scheme

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 2025. 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 2025 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.

Critical areas of judgement

The trustees have considered the classification of depreciation between direct and support costs. The deprecation charge has been allocated based on the proportion of teaching and support staff.

3
Donations and capital grants
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
2025
2024
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
Capital grants
-
26
26
26
Other donations
77
-
77
1
77
26
103
27
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 34 -
4
Funding for the academy trust's educational operations
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
2025
2024
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
DfE/ESFA grants
General annual grant (GAG)
-
7,506
7,506
7,219
Other DfE/ESFA grants:
- Pupil premium
-
91
91
94
- 16-19 core education funding
-
54
54
16
- Teachers pay grant
-
291
291
208
- Others
-
233
233
224
-
8,175
8,175
7,761
Other government grants
Local authority grants
-
38
38
15
Special educational projects
-
15
15
-
-
53
53
15
Other incoming resources
-
11
11
-
Total funding
-
8,239
8,239
7,776
5
Other trading activities
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
2025
2024
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
Hire of facilities
27
-
27
21
School Fund income
-
94
94
88
Other income
19
21
40
52
46
115
161
161
6
Investment income
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
2025
2024
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
Other investment income
52
-
52
50
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 35 -
7
Expenditure
Non-pay expenditure
Total
Total
Staff costs
Premises
Other
2025
2024
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
Expenditure on raising funds
- Direct costs
-
-
-
-
50
Academy's educational operations
- Direct costs
5,646
3
510
6,159
5,694
- Allocated support costs
583
1,324
365
2,272
2,329
6,229
1,327
875
8,431
8,073
Net income/(expenditure) for the year includes:
2025
2024
£'000
£'000
Operating lease rentals
1,205
1,262
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
4
4
Fees payable to auditor for:
- Audit
10
12
- Other services
5
7
Net interest on defined benefit pension liability
12
17
8
Charitable activities
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
2025
2024
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
Direct costs
Educational operations
-
6,159
6,159
5,694
Support costs
Educational operations
19
2,253
2,272
2,329
19
8,412
8,431
8,023
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
8
Charitable activities
(Continued)
- 36 -
Analysis of support costs
2025
2024
£'000
£'000
Support staff costs
583
620
Depreciation
1
-
Technology costs
35
21
Premises costs
1,323
1,340
Legal costs
1
34
Other support costs
312
293
Governance costs
17
21
2,272
2,329
9
Staff
Staff costs and employee benefits
Staff costs during the year were:
2025
2024
£'000
£'000
Wages and salaries
4,497
4,325
Social security costs
528
480
Pension costs
1,194
1,044
Staff costs - employees
6,219
5,849
Agency staff costs
10
2
Total staff expenditure
6,229
5,851
Staff numbers
The average number of persons employed by the academy trust during the year was as follows:
2025
2024
Number
Number
Teachers
75
73
Administration and support
34
69
Management
5
5
114
147
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
9
Staff
(Continued)
- 37 -
Higher paid staff
The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs and employer national insurance contributions) exceeded £60,000 was:
2025
2024
Number
Number
£60,001 - £70,000
5
3
£70,001 - £80,000
2
1
£80,001 - £90,000
1
-
£100,001 - £110,000
-
1
£110,001 - £120,000
1
-
Key management personnel

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 benefits (including employer pension contributions and employer national insurance contributions) received by key management personnel for their services to the academy trust was £767,421 (2024: £627,461).

10
Trustees' remuneration and expenses

One or more of the trustees has been paid remuneration or has received other benefits from an employment with the academy trust. The Headteacher and other staff trustees only receive remuneration in respect of services they provide undertaking the roles of Headteacher and staff members under their contracts of employment, and not in respect of their services as trustees.

The value of trustees' remuneration and other benefits was as follows:

|  | 2025 | 2024
|  | £ | £
E De Boorder | Remuneration | 8 0,000-8 5,000 | 70,000-7 5,000
| Pension contributions paid | 20,000-2 5,000 | 15,000-20,000
J Ogunmyiwa | Remuneration | 115,000-120,000 | 10 5,000-1 10,000
| Pension contributions paid | 35,000-4 0,000 | 25,000-30,000

During the year ended 31 August 2025, expenses totalling £nil were reimbursed or paid directly to Trustees (2024 - £Nil).

11
Trustees' and officers' insurance

In accordance with normal commercial practice, the academy trust has purchased insurance to protect trustees and officers from claims arising from negligent acts, errors or omissions occurring whilst on academy trust business. The insurance provides cover up to £5,000,000 on any one claim. The cost of this insurance is included in the total insurance cost.

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 38 -
12
Tangible fixed assets
Long term leasehold property
Computer equipment
Fixtures, fittings & equipment
Total
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
Cost
At 1 September 2024
77
210
75
362
Additions
49
-
92
141
Disposals
-
(118)
(52)
(170)
At 31 August 2025
126
92
115
333
Depreciation
At 1 September 2024
50
210
75
335
On disposals
-
(118)
(52)
(170)
Charge for the year
4
-
-
4
At 31 August 2025
54
92
23
169
Net book value
At 31 August 2025
72
-
92
164
At 31 August 2024
27
-
-
27
13
Debtors
2025
2024
£'000
£'000
Trade debtors
15
6
VAT recoverable
37
1
Other debtors
3
5
Prepayments and accrued income
149
193
204
205
14
Current asset investments

Current asset investments include a fixed deposit of £295,000 (2024 - £278,000) held with Virgin Money on an interest rate of 3.94%.

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 39 -
15
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025
2024
£'000
£'000
Trade creditors
255
(2)
Other taxation and social security
125
237
Other creditors
138
-
Accruals and deferred income
224
296
742
531
16
Funds
Balance at
Gains,
Balance at
1 September
losses and
31 August
2024
Income
Expenditure
transfers
2025
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
Restricted general funds
General Annual Grant (GAG)
737
7,506
(7,517)
-
726
Pupil premium
-
91
(91)
-
-
Other DfE/ESFA grants
-
578
(578)
-
-
Other government grants
-
53
(53)
-
-
Other trading income
33
-
(33)
-
-
School fund
38
126
(164)
-
-
Pension reserve
(345)
-
28
317
-
463
8,354
(8,408)
317
726
Restricted fixed asset funds
DfE group capital grants
380
26
(4)
-
402
Capital expenditure from GAG
19
-
-
-
19
399
26
(4)
-
421
Total restricted funds
862
8,380
(8,412)
317
1,147
Unrestricted funds
General funds
223
175
(19)
-
379
School Extension
120
-
-
-
120
Future Capital Projects
105
-
-
-
105
Inflation Mitigation
600
-
-
-
600
1,048
175
(19)
-
1,204
Total funds
1,910
8,555
(8,431)
317
2,351
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
16
Funds
(Continued)
- 40 -

The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:

General annual grant must be used for the day to day running of the academy trust.

Pupil Premium funding is for the additional support of students who are from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Other DfE funding represents other forms of funding received from the DfE and any significant grants are shown separately in the note above.

Other restricted grants and donations represent amounts given to the trust for specific revenue purposes.

The pension reserve fund separately identifies the pension deficit on the Local Government Pension Scheme, and through which all of the movements on the scheme are recognised.

DfE group capital grants represents funding provided by the DfE to be used for capital projects. This funding may be used for specific capital projects which are not considered to be capital additions.

Unrestricted funds represent other income to the academy trust which is not received as funding with a specific purpose.

The academy trust is not subject to GAG carried forward limits.

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
16
Funds
(Continued)
- 41 -
Comparative information in respect of the preceding period is as follows:
Balance at
Gains,
Balance at
1 September
losses and
31 August
2023
Income
Expenditure
transfers
2024
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
Restricted general funds
General Annual Grant (GAG)
997
7,219
(7,479)
-
737
Pupil premium
-
94
(94)
-
-
Other DfE/ESFA grants
-
224
(224)
-
-
Donations
-
1
(1)
-
-
Teacher pay grant
-
208
(208)
-
-
Other government grants
-
16
(16)
-
-
Local Authority SEN
-
15
(15)
-
-
School Trip Income
-
1
(1)
-
-
Other trading income
-
33
-
-
33
School fund
-
87
(49)
-
38
Pension reserve
(351)
-
32
(26)
(345)
646
7,898
(8,055)
(26)
463
Restricted fixed asset funds
DfE group capital grants
358
26
(4)
-
380
Capital expenditure from GAG
19
-
-
-
19
377
26
(4)
-
399
Total restricted funds
1,023
7,924
(8,059)
(26)
862
Unrestricted funds
General funds
973
90
(14)
(825)
224
School Extension
-
-
-
120
120
Future Capital Projects
-
-
-
105
105
Inflation Mitigation
-
-
-
600
600
973
90
(14)
-
1,049
Total funds
1,996
8,014
(8,073)
(26)
1,911
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 42 -
17
Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted
Restricted funds:
Total
Funds
General
Fixed asset
Funds
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
Fund balances at 31 August 2025 are represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
-
-
164
164
Current assets
1,204
1,468
257
2,929
Current liabilities
-
(742)
-
(742)
Total net assets
1,204
726
421
2,351
Unrestricted
Restricted funds:
Total
Funds
General
Fixed asset
Funds
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
Fund balances at 31 August 2024 are represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
-
-
27
27
Current assets
1,049
1,339
372
2,760
Current liabilities
-
(531)
-
(531)
Pension scheme liability
-
(345)
-
(345)
Total net assets
1,049
463
399
1,911
18
Pension and similar obligations

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 Merseyside Pension Fund. 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.

There were £137,528 (2024 - £112,400) in outstanding contributions at the end of the financial year.

Teachers' Pension Scheme
Introduction

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.

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
18
Pension and similar obligations
(Continued)
- 43 -
Valuation of the Teachers' Pension Scheme

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 will be implemented from 1 April 2024.The next valuation result is due to be implemented from 1 April 2027.

The employer's pension costs paid to the TPS in the period amounted to £953,963 (2024: £927,734).

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 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.

Local Government Pension 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 21.1% for employers and 5.5 to 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.

Total contributions made
2025
2024
£'000
£'000
Employer's contributions
159
168
Employees' contributions
36
40
Total contributions
195
208
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
18
Pension and similar obligations
(Continued)
- 44 -
Principal actuarial assumptions
2025
2024
%
%
Rate of increase in salaries
4.1
4.1
Rate of increase for pensions in payment/inflation
2.7
2.7
Discount rate for scheme liabilities
6.1
4.9
Inflation assumption (CPI)
2.6
2.6
The current mortality assumptions include sufficient allowance for future improvements in mortality rates. The assumed life expectations on retirement age 65 are:
2025
2024
Years
Years
Retiring today
- Males
20.6
20.8
- Females
23.3
23.4
Retiring in 20 years
- Males
21.7
22
- Females
24.7
25.1
Sensitivity analysis

Scheme liabilities would have been affected by changes in assumptions as follows:

2025
2024
£000
£000
Discount rate + 0.1%
-34
-42
Discount rate - 0.1%
35
43
Mortality assumption + 1 year
53
71
Mortality assumption - 1 year
-52
-69
CPI rate + 0.1%
35
43
CPI rate - 0.1%
-34
-42
Defined benefit pension scheme net asset/(liability)
2025
2024
£'000
£'000
Scheme assets
3,113
2,788
Scheme obligations
(2,841)
(3,133)
Net asset/(liability)
272
(345)
Restriction on scheme assets
(272)
-
Total liability recognised
-
(345)
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
18
Pension and similar obligations
(Continued)
- 45 -
The academy trust's share of the assets in the scheme
2025
2024
Fair value
Fair value
£'000
£'000
Equities
1,728
1,483
Bonds
165
134
Cash
56
47
-
42
Property
345
315
Other assets
819
767
Total market value of assets
3,113
2,788
Restriction on scheme assets
(272)
-
Net assets recognised
2,841
2,788
The actual return on scheme assets was £244,000 (2024: £219,000).
Amount recognised in the statement of financial activities
2025
2024
£'000
£'000
Current service cost
119
119
Interest income
(139)
-
Interest cost
151
17
Benefit changes, curtailments and settlements gains or losses
(3)
(3)
Administration expenses
3
3
Total amount recognised
131
136
Changes in the present value of defined benefit obligations
2025
2024
£'000
£'000
At 1 September 2024
3,133
2,930
Current service cost
119
119
Interest cost
151
153
Employee contributions
36
40
Actuarial (gain)/loss
(487)
106
Benefits paid
(111)
(215)
At 31 August 2025
2,841
3,133
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
18
Pension and similar obligations
(Continued)
- 46 -
Changes in the fair value of the academy trust's share of scheme assets
2025
2024
£'000
£'000
At 1 September 2024
2,788
2,579
Interest income
139
-
Actuarial gain
105
219
Employer contributions
159
168
Employee contributions
36
40
Benefits paid
(111)
(215)
Effect of non-routine settlements and administration expenses
(3)
(3)
At 31 August 2025
3,113
2,788
Restriction on scheme assets
(272)
-
Net assets recognised
2,841
2,788
Restriction of pension scheme assets

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.

19
Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash flow from operating activities
2025
2024
Notes
£'000
£'000
Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period
(as per the statement of financial activities)
123
(60)
Adjusted for:
Capital grants from DfE and other capital income
(26)
(26)
Investment income receivable
6
(52)
(50)
Defined benefit pension costs less contributions payable
18
(40)
(49)
Defined benefit pension scheme finance cost
18
12
17
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
4
4
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
1
(25)
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
211
(134)
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
233
(323)
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 47 -
20
Analysis of changes in net funds
1 September 2024
Cash flows
31 August 2025
£'000
£'000
£'000
Cash
2,277
153
2,430
21
Long-term commitments
Operating leases
At 31 August 2025 the total of the academy trust's future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases was:
2025
2024
£'000
£'000
Amounts due within one year
7
10
Amounts due in two and five years
10
10
17
20
Other contractual commitments
At 31 August 2025 the total of the academy trust's future minimum lease payments under other contractual commitments was:
2025
2024
£'000
£'000
Amounts due within one year
1,247
1,290
Amounts due in two and five years
5,401
5,448
Amounts due after five years
1,377
2,295
8,025
9,033

The other contractual commitments relate to the future PFI liability.

22
Related party transactions

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.

During the year Mrs Kathryn Spence, Trustee, donated £100 towards history/politics prizes for A level students.

During the year Ms Helen Hill, Trustee, acted as an examination invigilator on a casual basis.

WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
- 48 -
23
Members' liability

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.

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