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2023-12-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1072179

ENGLISH SCHOOLS' ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

ENGLISH SCHOOLS’ ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees

Mr N Branson Dr D Davies Mr R Pepper Mr J Macintosh Mr A Whitton

President

President The Lord Lingfield Kt DLitt DL Charity number 1072179 Registered office 25 Station Road Reepham Norfolk NR10 4LF

Independent examiner

Mervyn Clarke FCCA Baker Clarke FDV Limited Swiss House Beckingham Street Tolleshunt Major Essex CM9 8LzZ

Bankers

HSBC Howardsgate Welwyn Garden City Herts AL8 6BH

ENGLISH SCHOOLS’ ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR

CONTENTS

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Page
Trustees Report 1-5
Independent examiner's report 6
Statement of financial activities 7
Balance sheet 8
Notes to the financial statements 9-14
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ENGLISH SCHOOLS' ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR

TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Objectives and activities

1. Purposes and Aims

To advance the education of young people under 25 by providing opportunities for them to participate in a variety of musical activities, including orchestra, choirs and other music groups.

To promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in and appreciation of the art of orchestral and choral music in all its aspects by the representation of public orchestral and choir concerts and by such other charitable ways as the trustees shail from time to time determine.

2. Ensuring our work delivers our aims

We review our aims, objectives and activities regularly. These reviews look at what we achieved and the outcomes of our work. The reviews look at the success of each key activity and the benefits they have brought to those groups of people we are set up to help. The reviews also help us ensure our aims, objectives and activities remained focused on our stated purposes. We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aim and objectives and in planning our future activities. In particular, the Trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.

  1. The focus of our work Our principal activity is the annual Orchestra Course, which takes place over the October half-term. This comprises a five-day Residential Course during which a programme of music is rehearsed for the Annual Concert which takes place in a national venue on the final afternoon.

Music for the Annual Concert is always chosen to present a challenge to our musicians - extensive tuition and sectional rehearsals being given during the course by our professional tutors to ensure that such challenge is met with resounding success.

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ENGLISH SCHOOLS' ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR TRUSTEES REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

4. 2023 Activity Report

With the retirement of Robert Pepper OBE as Musical Director after the 2022 Concert, the priority for 2023 was to recruit a new Musical Director for the English Schools’ Orchestra. The Trustees agreed to invite Lewis Gaston to take on the role of Guest Conductor for the 2023 Course and Concert, with a view to a permanent appointment as Musical Director if all parties agreed following the concert.

The Course was run at a new venue for 2023 following notice given by Dame Alice Owen’s School that they were no longer able to host the Course. Mount Grace School (also in Potters Bar) was chosen and proved to be a very satisfactory course venue. Lincolnsfield Residential Centre continued as the overnight accommodation for residential students.

Other than the change of venue and conductor, the annual Autumn Course ran over the usual half term week from 24th-28th October with the Concert at Cadogan Hall on Saturday 28th October. Lewis chose the theme of the Concert as a celebration of the coronation of King Charles lil. The three pieces chosen were linked directly to the coronation or favourites of the royal family. The programme consisted of:

William Walton — Crown Imperial March Benjamin Britten — Sinfonia da Requiem Edward Elgar —- Symphony no. 1 in Ab

The Orchestra was slightly smaller than 2022 due to the programme requirements, with 74 students and 10 mentors, including a new leader, Gabriella Bavetta. Students came from a total of 40 different schools across the country with 27 students previously attending an ESO course and 70% of students being residential. This represented the highest percentage of students attending as residential participants and one of the highest number of different schools providing students. This has demonstrated the increasing reach of the Orchestra across the country and the subsequent increase in residential applications.

As part of our community outreach we welcome a larger number of students receiving bursary support of various kinds. For many years we have been able to refer more disadvantaged students to the Potential Trust for financial support and this has now expanded to include other bodies willing to support students who are eligible to take part.

The ESO Mentor Scheme went very well with its clear structure for recruitment of mentors to help students develop during the course and consider their career opportunities as a professional musician. It was once again aimed at prior ESO musicians now in their final year of University/Music College or in postgraduate education. It was wonderful to welcome back former members in this role and to hear of their progress since leaving the ESO, as well as their plans for a future in the music profession. We also welcomed talented students new to the orchestra in their final year of postgraduate education who were looking to become professional musicians. As with the orchestra members the mentors increasingly come from a wider geographical area across the UK. The ever fuller national reach of the orchestra is part of our ongoing objective to encompass as many areas as possible in our recruitment. Throughout the evening, the English Schools’ Orchestra demonstrated remarkable teamwork and cohesion, their youthful energy channelled into a mature and captivating performance. The conductor's skilful guidance and the Orchestra's dedication and talent combined to create a transcendent musical experience. The Orchestra's performance of Edward Elgar's Symphony No. 1 was especially noteworthy, revealing their potential as future stars in the world of classical music.

In summary, the English Schools' Orchestra's performance at Cadogan Hall was a true testament to the power of music and the promise of young talents. They transported the audience through a mesmerizing journey, effortlessly navigating the vast emotional! landscapes of Walton, Britten, and Elgar. This Concert was a celebration of musical excellence, leaving the audience deeply moved and with a newfound appreciation for the exceptional talents within our youth.

Following the Concert, the Trustees offered Lewis Gaston the role as permanent Musical Director which he accepted. Applications are opening from 1st February 2024 for places on the Autumn 2024 Course.

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ENGLISH SCHOOLS' ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR TRUSTEES REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

How our activitles deliver public benefit

  1. How the Charity benefits the school community The ESO gives opportunities to very able young musicians. These young people will all be stalwarts of their Schoo! and County orchestras. However, with the ESO, the musicians are challenged to a much higher level and they work with other young musicians who are also at the same high level of performance. This exposure gives the young musicians a degree of confidence and competence otherwise unavailable to them. The knock-on effect is that they bring this confidence back to their own school communities as role models, inspiring the next generation of young gifted musicians.

2. How the Charity benefits the wider community

The ESO gives able young musicians the opportunity to play music at a standard way higher than they would get at school. They play with other equally highly talented young musicians and learn how to work in a dedicated team. The ability to work as an individual and as a team member is a really important part of growing up and offers openings in all sorts of areas to work in the wider community. Many ESO members work as volunteers across a variety of sectors and their ESO experience is undoubtedly of significant benefit in their ability to use their interpersonal skills. A very important contribution of the ESO is to offer the wider community the opportunity to hear, at affordable prices, top class musical repertoire played by highly competent musicians.

Financial review

As is the case for many charities, the ESO receives no government funding and relies on students’ fees, sponsorship and small donations. Expenditure was associated predominately with our Annual five-day Course and Concert,

  1. Principal Funding Sources Student fees cover approximately half of the cost of the Annual Concert. Our wish is to make the course fees manageable to parents who already have annual musical costs to consider. The ESO has a major sponsor, Harrison Catering Ltd, together with regular sponsors, Mr and Mrs H So, Street Foundation and George Cadbury Fund.

  2. Investment Policy At this time, aside from retaining a prudent amount in reserves each year, most of the Charity’s funds are to be spent in the short term so there are few funds available for long term investment.

3. Reserves Policy

The Trustees have examined the Charity’s requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the organisation. It has established a policy whereby funds held by the Charity should be 12 months of the expenditure in order to guarantee the continuation of the Annual Concert. A substantial amount of reserve is held in a Charities Aid Foundation twelve-month deposit account.

4. Plans for Future Periods

The Charity plans continuing the activities outlined above in the forthcoming years. An Annual Concert is the major event for those very musical 13 to 18 year old students. Music graduates are invited to become mentors to these students on the Annual! Course, taking on leadership roles during rehearsals and the final concert.

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ENGLISH SCHOOLS' ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR

TRUSTEES REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Structure, governance and management

  1. Governing Document

The organisation is a Charity, registered with the Charity Commission on 28 October 1998 governed by a Declaration of Trust dated 19 September 1998.

  1. Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees The Charity has five Trustees, chaired by the ESO’s President. All Trustees of the Charity give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the Charity. Any expenses reclaimed from the Charity are set out in note 8 to the accounts.

  2. Trustee Induction and Training To ensure all the correct legal obligations are met, we make it a smooth and welcoming experience for the prospective trustee. Information is sent about becominga trustee and including any legal obligations of either party.

4. Risk Management

The Trustees have conducted a review of the major risks to which the Charity is exposed. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the Charity faces. Significant external risks to funding have led to the development of a strategic plan which will allow for the diversification of funding and activities. Internal contro! risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects. Procedures are in place to ensure compliance with health and safety of staff, volunteers, students and visitors. These procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of the Charity.

§. Organisational Structure The ESO has a Board of Trustees of five members, led by its President, Lord Lingfield, who meet termly and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the Charity. At present the Board's members come from a variety of professional backgrounds relevant to the work of the Charity.

The Board appoints a Course Director and a Musical Director, who lead the Annual Course and Concert. Musical staff are recruited, venues booked, students and mentors recruited, repertoire chosen in order to create a first-class Annual Concert to inspire all who take part.

  1. Responsibilities of the Trustees Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charitable company as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees should follow best practice and: e select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently ° make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent ¢ prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is not appropriate to assume that the company will continue on that basis

The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

Mr N Branson Dr D Davies Mr R Pepper Mr J Macintosh Mr A Whitton

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ENGLISH SCHOOLS' ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR

TRUSTEES REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

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The Trustees Report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
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Lord Lingfield Kt DLitt DE / W Dr D Davies
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30 April 2024 =—
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ENGLISH SCHOOLS' ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF ENGLISH SCHOOLS' ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR

{ report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of English Schools’ Orchestra and Choir (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the Trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2017 Act).

| report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination | have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared financial statements in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn. | understand that this has been done in order for financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have/come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention

should be drawn in this repoft in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

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/
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SignedMervyn isClarkesseceesseesFCCA,LettieBaker LAA fnClarke FDV Ltd
Chartered Certified Accountan
Dated: 30 April 2024 \
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ENGLISH SCHOOLS' ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds funds funds
2023 2023 2023 2022 2022 2022
Notes £ £ £ £ £ £
Incomefrom:
Annual Course and
concert		 3 34,280 - 34,280 41,293 . 41,293
Sponsorship and
donations
Investments		 4
5		 21,767
937		 -
-		 21,767
937		 30,851
218		 -
-		 30,851
218
Totalincome 56,984 - 56,984 72,362 - 72,362
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities		 6 64,378 1,000 65,378 66,557 - 66,557
Net income/(expenditure)
movement infunds		 and (7,394) (1,000) (8,394) 5,805 - 5,805
Reconciliation offunds:
Fundbalances at 1 January
2023		 87,515 4,075 91,590 81,710 4,075 85,785
Fund balances at 31
December2023		 80,121 3,075 83,196 87,515 4,075 91,590

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

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ENGLISH SCHOOLS' ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

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2023 2022
Notes £ £ £ £
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand 83,196 91,590
Net current assets 83,196 91,590
The funds of the charity
Restricted funds 10 3,075 4,075
Unrestricted funds 11 80,121 87,515
83,196 91,590
The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 30 April 2024
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Dr
D Davies g y | 4 :
Trustee _“iii
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ENGLISH SCHOOLS' ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Charity information

English Schools' Orchestra and Choir is a Charity, registered with the Charity Commission on the 28th October 1998, registration number 1072179.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's [governing document], the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of ireland” (‘“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 402)" (effective 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

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

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

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ENGLISH SCHOOLS' ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

{Continued)

The charity does not have any Fixed Assets.

1.7 Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

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ENGLISH SCHOOLS' ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

3 Income from charitable activities

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||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |Unrestricted|Unrestricted| |funds|funds| |2023|2022| |£|£| |Incoming|resources|from|activities to further the|Charity's|Objects:| |Annual|concert and|course|34,280|38,890| |Prior year|receipts| |Annual|concert|and|course|-|1,843| |Other events|-|560| |34,280|41,293|

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||||| |---|---|---|---| |Unrestricted|Unrestricted| |funds|funds| |2023|2022| |£|£| |Sponsorships|21,000|30,550| |Donations|767|301| |Other trading|activities|21,767|30,861|

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||||| |---|---|---|---| |Unrestricted|Unrestricted| |funds|funds| |2023|2022| |£|£| |Interest|receivable|937|218|

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ENGLISH SCHOOLS' ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

6 Expenditure on charitable activities

Charitable
Expenditure
2023		 Other
events
2023		 Total
2023		 Charitable
Expenditure
2022		 Other
events
2022		 Total
2022
£ £ £ £ £ £
Annual concert and
course
Trusteeexpenses
Insurance		 59,534
629
562		 2,670
-
-		 62,204
629
562		 62,140
662
525		 1,807
-
-		 63,947
662
525
Governance costs 983 - 983 1,423 . 1,423
61,708 2,670 64,378 64,750 1,807 66,557
Grantfunding of activities
(see note 7)		 1,000 - 1,000 . - =
62,708 2,670 65,378 64,750 4,807 66,557
Analysis by fund
Unrestrictedfunds		 61,708 2,670 64,378 64,750 4,807 66,557
Restricted funds 1,000 - 1,000 - - -
62,708 2,670 65,378 64,750 1,807 66,557

Governance costs include: Website costs £61, DBS checks £462, PP&S £327, Telephone £31 and Bank charges £102.

7 Grants payable

Grants to individuals

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Total
2023
£
1,000
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8 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.

Expenses amounting to £629 for stationery and sponsorship expenses were reimbursed to two Trustees. No Trustee or other person related to the Charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the Charity during the year.

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ENGLISH SCHOOLS' ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

9 Taxation

As a Charity, The English Schools’ Orchestra and Choir is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or s256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the Charity.

10 Restricted funds

The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.

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||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |At1January|Resources|At 31| |2023|expended|December| |2023| |£|£|£| |Donations|to|Students’|musical|needs|4,075|(1,000)|3,075| |Previous year:|Ati|January|Resources|At 31| |2022|expended|December| |2022| |£|£|£| |Donations|to|Students’|musical|needs|4,075|-|4,075|

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11 Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

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||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |At|1|January|Incoming|Resources|At 31| |2023|resources|expended|December| |2623| |£|£|£|£| |General|funds|87,515|56,984|(64,378)|80,121| |Previous|year:|At|1|January|Incoming|Resources|At 31| |2022|resources|expended|December| |2022| |£|E|£|£| |General funds|81,710|72,362|(66,557)|87,515|

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ENGLISH SCHOOLS' ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

12 Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds
2023 2023 2023
£ £ £
Fund balances at 31 December2023 are represented by:
Currentassets/(liabilities) 80,121 3,075 83,196
80,121 3,075 83,196
Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds
2022 2022 2022
£ £ £
Fund balances at 31 December2022 are represented by:
Current assets/(liabilities) 87,515 4,075 91,590
87,515 4,075 91,590

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