Bellemoor School | Southampton

1                    This statement relates to the financial summaries for Bellemoor School for the year ended 31^st March 2006. The governing body is responsible for ensuring that the school:

• keeps proper accounting records during the year which will disclose, with reasonable accuracy and at any time, the financial position of the school, have been drawn up in accordance with the DfES’ Consistent Financial Reporting guidelines, and will enable it to prepare an annual income and expenditure statement that complies with DfES guidelines

• maintains and operates an effective system of internal control to safeguard all the resources delegated, granted or otherwise entrusted to the school and ensure they are used cost effectively.

2          The system of internal control has been developed and is co-coordinated by the head teacher. It aims to provide as much assurance as is reasonably possible (not absolute assurance) that assets are safeguarded, transactions are properly authorised and recorded and that material errors or irregularities are either prevented or can be detected promptly.

3          Our review of the effectiveness of the systems of internal control is informed by:

• our regular scrutiny of financial and other performance monitoring data

• regular reports from the head teacher and other managers to the governing body

• the most recent report of the school’s internal auditor dated 13 June 2006

• our most recent self-evaluation of the internal controls undertaken in May 2006

4          We are, therefore, satisfied that the internal control systems in operation at the school during the year were adequate and effective but noted that:

• The school inventory needed to be extended to include non IT equipment and assets.

5          We propose over the coming year to continue to monitor the internal control systems to ensure they remain adequate and that the area identified in 4 above is addressed.

By order of the Governing Body of Bellemoor School

(Signed)____________________________________Dated _______________

(Head Teacher

(Signed)____________________________________Dated _______________

(Chair of Governing Body)

(Signed)____________________________________Dated _______________

(Chair of Finance Committee of the Governing Body)