Staff & Governing Body

Leadership Team Trustee report (Click Here)

Rosie Simmonds Head teacher

Mrs Elaine Aldrich Deputy Head teacher

Mrs Caroline Jupp

Mrs Emma Preston

Class Teachers:

Mrs K. Brandon reception - Puffins -Yr R

Miss A Green class 1 - Yr1

Mrs N. Irvine class 2 - Yr2

Miss R. Key class 3 - Yr3

Miss A. Garner class 4 - Yr4

Mrs C. Jupp and Mrs E Aldrich class 5 - Yr5

Mrs E Preston class 6 - Yr6

Mrs Aldrich and Mrs Simmonds teach in every class!

The school has approximately 192 children, seven year groups, Reception to Year 6,

organised in seven classes.

ICT Technician and HLTA Mr D. Pembery

Nursery Nurse and HLTA Mrs W. Adams

HLTA Mr R. Welbourne

Teaching Assistants

Mrs S. Hipkin

Mrs D. Jordan

Mrs E.Shaw

Mrs J. Davis

Business Manager Mrs V. Baker

Administration Assistant Mrs M. Dady

Caretaker Mr S. Dawson

Cleaning staff Mrs S. Clements

Mr A. Buffham

Mrs C. Sewell

Miss R. Ashby

Governing Body

Mrs Rosie Simmonds

Mrs Wendy Neale

Mr Jeff Townsend

Mr Mervyn Baker

Mr Andrew Davis

Mrs Julie Belverstone

Mrs Hayley Snow

Mrs Sarah Davey

Mrs Andrianna Morphew

Mrs Elaine Aldrich

Mr Doug Pembery

Mr Steven Parkinson

Mrs Emma Booty

Mr John Berry

Mrs Vanessa Baker

Headteacher

Chair / Trust Member / Director

Vice Chairman / Trust Member / Director

Trust Member/ Director

Director

Clerk

Reference and Administrative details of the Academy, its Governors and Advisors.

Governors (Trustees) Wendy Neale ** + Chair

Jeff Townsend ** + Vice Chair

Mervyn Baker ** +

Andrew Davis ** +

Rosie Simmonds + Headteacher / Accounting Officer

Hayley Snow

Julie Belverstone (resigned 3 October 2011)

Sarah Davey

Victoria Witheridge Pearce (resigned 3 October 2011)

Elaine Aldrich

Doug Pembery

Steven Parkinson

Emma Booty Responsible Officer

John Berry

Andrianna Morphew (appointed 27 June 2011)

Clerk to Governors Vanessa Baker

Leadership Team Rosie Simmonds Headteacher

Elaine Aldrich Deputy Headteacher

Emma Preston

Caroline Jupp SENCO

Vanessa Baker Business Manager

Registered Office 104 Church Road

Leverington

Wisbech

Cambs

PE13 5DE

Statutory Auditors Price Bailey LLP

Causeway House

1 Dane Street

Bishops Stortford

Herts

CM23 3BT

Bankers Barclays Bank plc

12 Old Market

Wisbech

Cambs

PE13 1NN

Company Registration 7491215

** Trust member

+ members of the Finance & Audit Committee

The Governors present their report for the period ended 31st August 2011.

Structure, Governance and Management

Constitution

Leverington Primary Academy, which was incorporated on 13 January 2011, is a company limited by guarantee and an exempt charity. The Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association are the main governing documents of the Academy. Members of the Company are nominated by either the Secretary of State for Education or appointed by the Governing Body. The Articles of Association require the members of the company to appoint at least 4 governors to be responsible for the statutory and constitutional affairs of the company and the management of the Academy (known as Trust Members).

The governors also act as trustees for the charitable activities of Leverington Primary Academy and are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law. The charitable company is known as Leverington Primary Academy.

Members’ Liability

Each member of the Company undertakes to contribute to the assets of the Company in the event of it being wound up while a member, or within one year of retiring, such amount as may be required, not exceeding £10, for the debts and liabilities. Academy insurers encompass all relevant insurance including Governor third party indemnity provision.

Public benefit

The governors confirm they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

Governors

Terms of office for Governors is four years and if eligible can be re-elected.

The Governing Body have delegated powers to the following sub committee:

Finance & Audit

Personnel

Property

Curriculum

Each committee has an annually approved terms of reference.

From conversion on April 1st 2011 to August 31st 2011, the Governors held two full meetings and three committee meetings. All new Governors can have a tour round school with a chance to meet staff and pupils. All Governors have access to all policies, procedures, minutes, accounts, budgets, Academy Development Plan and Self Evaluation and other relevant documents they will require to undertake their role. Induction for Governors is available and is promoted through our subscription with Cambridgeshire Governor Support Service. All Governors are encouraged to attend relevant training to ensure they can fulfil their role.

Organisational Structure

The Governors are responsible for setting general policy, adopting an annual plan and budget, monitoring the Academy by the use of budgets and making major decisions about the direction of the Academy, capital expenditure and senior staff appointments. The Leadership Team consist of the Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, SENCO and TLR experienced Teacher and Business Manager. The team control the Academy at an executive level implementing policies and reporting to the Governing Body. The Leadership Team is responsible for the day to day operation of the Academy, in particular organising staff, facilities and children. They are responsible for the authorisation of spending within agreed budgets and for the appointment of staff following safeguarding recruitment.

Risk Management (Objectives, Policies and Uncertainties)

The Governors have assessed the major risks to which the Academy is exposed, including provision of facilities and operational areas of the Academy and its finances including Support Staff Pension scheme deficit.

The Governors have implemented a number of systems to assess risks that the Academy faces, especially in operational areas (e.g. in relation to teaching, health & safety, bullying, school trips) and in relation to the control of finance. They have introduced systems, including operational procedure (e.g. vetting new staff, supervision of school grounds) and internal financial controls (see below) in order to minimise risk. Where significant risk still remains they have ensured they have adequate insurance cover. The Academy has an effective system of internal financial controls.

Objectives and Activities

Objects, aims and objectives

The principal object and activity of the company is the operation of Leverington Primary Academy to provide education for pupils of mixed gender and different abilities between the ages of 4 and 11. Children enter and exit the Academy through Cambridgeshire LA Admissions code of practice, having no selection criteria.

The main objectives of the Academy during the period to 31st August 2011 are summarised below:

· To ensure that every child enjoys the same high quality education in terms of resourcing, teaching and care

· To continue to raise the standard of educational achievement and progress of all our children

· To improve the effectiveness of the Academy, by keeping the curriculum and organisational structure under continual review.

· To provide value for money for the funds expended

· To comply with all appropriate statutory and curriculum requirements

· To maintain close links with the local Community and the Wisbech Schools’ Partnership

· To conduct the Academy’s business in accordance with the highest standards of integrity, probity and openness.

Strategies and activities

The Academy’s main strategy is encompassed in its mission statement, which is ”Every person has a part to play in shaping the next generation” and in our Academy motto “Caring, Sharing, Thinking, Learning”. To this end the activities provide:

· Teaching and learning for all children to ensure they reach their full potential

· Continued Professional Development opportunities for all staff in line with Investors in People, along with annual Performance Management.

· Extended school provision including Breakfast Club

· Promoting Community Cohesion

Equal Opportunities policy

The Governors recognise that equal opportunities should be an integral part of good practice within the work place. The Academy aims to establish equal opportunity in all areas of its activities including creating a working environment in which the contribution and needs of all people are fully valued, including accessibility and all abilities.

Achievements and Performance

We pride ourselves on our high standards across all areas including our continued outstanding overall effectiveness

Pupil outcomes and achievements: Key Stage 2 2011: cohort of 27 Year 6 children

English Target to achieve, set in October 2010: Level 4+: 84 % (Level 5: 42 %)

Test result: Level 4+: 96% (Level 5: 33%) 2 levels progress (Key Stage 1-Key Stage 2) = 96%

Reading: Level 4+: 96% (Level 5: 63%) 2 levels progress = 100%

Writing: Level 4+: 86% (Level 5: 19%) 2 levels progress = 81%

Maths Target to achieve: Level 4+: 92% (Level 5: 23 %)

Test result: Level 4+: 96% (Level 5: 52%) 2 levels progress = 100 %

Going Concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Governing Body has a reasonable expectation that the Academy Trust has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason it continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the Statement of Accounting Policies.

Financial and risk management objectives and policies

The Academy has continued to embed the system of internal control, including financial, operational and risk management which is designed to protect the Academy’s assets and reputation.

The Finance and Audit Committee undertakes a comprehensive review of the risks to which the Academy is exposed. They identify systems and procedures, including specific preventable actions which should mitigate any potential impact on the Academy. The internal controls are then implemented and the subsequent year’s appraisal will review their effectiveness and progress against risk mitigation actions. In addition to the annual review, the Finance and Audit Committee will also consider any risks which may arise as a result of a new area of work being undertaken by the Academy.

A risk register which is maintained at the Academy is reviewed at least annually by the Finance and Audit Committee and more frequently where necessary. The risk register identifies the key risks, the likelihood of those risks occurring, their potential impact on the Academy and the actions being taken to reduce and mitigate the risks. Risks are prioritised using a consistent scoring system.

Outlined below is a description of the principal risk factors that may affect the Academy. Not all the factors are within the Academy’s control. Other factors besides those listed below may also adversely affect the Academy.

1. Government funding

The Academy has considerable reliance on continued government funding through the YPLA. In 2010/11, 93% of the Academy’s revenue was ultimately public funded and this level of requirement is expected to continue. There can be no assurance that government policy or practice will remain the same or that public funding will continue at the same levels or on the same terms.

This risk is mitigated in a number of ways:

· By ensuring the Academy is rigorous in delivering high quality education and training

· Considerable focus and investment is placed on maintaining and managing key relationships with the YPLA

2. Maintain adequate funding of pension liabilities

The financial statements report the share of the pension scheme deficit on the Academy’s balance sheet in line with the requirements of FRS 17.

Targets for Improvement

The Academy will continue striving to improve the levels of progress achieved by all the children. The Governing Body monitor the Academy Development Plan and Self Evaluation to ensure Ofsted outstanding criteria is maintained.

Financial Review

Financial Report for the period 1st April – 31st August 2011

Most of the Academy’s income is obtained from the YPLA in the form of recurrent grants.

During the period ended 31st August 2011, total expenditure of £366,695 was more than covered by recurrent grant funding from the YPLA together with other incoming resources. The excess of income over expenditure (excluding fixed assets and pensions transferred on conversion to the academy status) for the period was £91,772.

At 31st August 2011 the net book value of fixed assets was £1,650,433 and movements in tangible fixed assets are shown in note 12 to the financial statements. The assets were used exclusively for providing education and the associated support services to the children of the Academy.

Reserves Policy

The Governors review the reserve levels of the Academy annually. This review encompasses the nature of income and expenditure streams, the need to match income with commitments and the nature of reserves. This will ensure sufficient funds to cover unexpected emergencies and urgent maintenance. A high percentage of reserve levels will be required for the future building expansion programme due to the deterioration of existing buildings, especially the temporary mobile classroom.

Funds held as Custodian Trustee on behalf of others

The Academy is the Banker School for the local Cluster of schools, across all phases, known as the Wisbech Schools’ Partnership. All schools contribute to these funds which are primarily used for.

a) Employment costs of an Extended Schools’ Co-ordinator who works on behalf of the Wisbech Schools’ Partnership

b) Enriched curriculum activities to raise the aspirations of the children in this area of deprivation

c) The Wisbech Schools’ Partnership works together to address local and national initiatives or staff training needs.

The funds for the Wisbech Schools’ Partnership are accounted for separately (with separate fund and ledger codes) within the Academy’s bank account and reported to the Wisbech Schools’ Partnership every half term and the Academy Governors every month. Another school is the employer of the Extended Schools’ Co-ordinator and invoices the Academy for her salary. This ensures transparency across the Partnership.

Auditor

In so far as the governors are aware:

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

· the governors 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 the information.

Under Section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006 Price Bailey LLP will be deemed to have been reappointed as auditors 28 days after these financial statements were sent to members or 28 days after the latest date prescribed for filing accounts with the registrar, whichever is earlier.

Approved by order of the members of the Governing Body on 28th November 2011 and signed on its behalf by:

Wendy Neale

Chair

Statement on Internal Control

Scope of Responsibility

As Governors, we acknowledge we have overall responsibility for ensuring that Leverington Primary Academy 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.

The Governing Body has delegated the day-to-day overall 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 Leverington Primary Academy and the Secretary of State for Education. They are also responsible for reporting to the Governing Body any material weakness or breakdowns in internal control.

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 ongoing process designed to identify and prioritise the risks to the achievement of Academy Trust policies, aims an 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 Leverington Primary Academy for the period ended 31st August 2011 and up to the date of approval of the annual report and financial statements.

Capacity to handle risk

The Governing Body 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 Governing Body 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 ended 31st August 2011 and up to the date of approval of the annual report and financial statements. This process is regularly reviewed by the Governing Body.

The risk and control framework

The Academy’s system of internal financial 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 within an annual budget and periodic financial reports which are reviewed and agreed by the Governing Body

· 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

· Delegation of authority and segregation of duties

· Identification and management of risks

The Governing Body has considered the need for a specific internal audit function and has decided not to appoint an internal auditor. However, the Governors have appointed Mrs Emma Booty, a governor, as Responsible Officer (RO). Her role includes giving advice on financial matters and performing a range of checks on the Academy Trust’s financial systems.

Review of effectiveness

As Accounting Officer, the Headteacher has responsibility for reviewing the effectiveness of the system of internal control. During the period in question the review has been informed by:

· The work of the Responsible Officer

· The work of the external auditor and

· The work of the executive managers within the Academy Trust who have responsibility for the development and maintenance of the internal control framework.

Approved by order of the members of the Governing Body on 28th November 2011 and signed on its behalf by:

Wendy Neale Rosie Simmonds

Chair Accounting Officer

Statement of Governors’ Responsibilities

The Governors (who act as trustees for charitable activities of Leverington Primary Academy and are also the directors of the Charitable Company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the governors’ report and financial statements in accordance with the Annual Accounts Requirements issued by the Young People’s Learning Agency, United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.

Company Law requires Governors to prepare financial statements for each financial period. Under company law the governors 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 financial statements, the Governors are required to:

· Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently

· Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP

· Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent

· State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements

· Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charitable Company will continue in operation.

The Governors 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 Governors 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 grants received from the YPLA/DfE have been applied for the purposes intended.

Approved by order of the members of the Governing Body on 28th November 2011 and signed on its behalf by:

Wendy Neale

Chair