Istruzione e Formazione
Charity Commission Investigation: But No Halt in Durand's Developments
The trustees of Durand Education Trust (DET) have already been cooperating fully with the Commission and have agreed an action plan with it which is designed to secure DET's continued charitable income and hence the future of the Durand boarding programme at St Cuthman's.
Part of the background is a major disagreement between DET and the Education Funding Agency (EFA) as to whether DET was regulated by the EFA or by the Charity Commission. DET is delighted that the outcome has been in favour of the Commission and that an attempt on the part of the EFA to require DET's charitable assets to be handed over has in consequence been foiled. Such a transfer would have resulted in significant risk to the long term viability of boarding.
A spokesperson for DET said:
"As things stand, the Durand Education Trust is not being prevented from continuing the fund-raising activities that support the development of the Durand Academy boarding project. Nor is the use by the public and the school of the facilities owned by the Trust at Hackford Road being affected.
"Sir Greg Martin continues to lead both the Durand Academy and the continuing development work of DET. Under the last 20 years of Sir Greg's leadership over £8M of charitable income has been raised for Durand and the capital assets of DET are currently valued at £14.5M. All of this is being used for educational opportunities for Durand pupils and for the school's local community, to which DET remains absolutely committed. Payments to Sir Greg personally from DET's income during this period have averaged less than £50K per annum."