Registered number 05482194
National Youth String Orchestra (A company limited by guarantee having no share capital)
Report and Accounts
31 August 2025
National Youth String Orchestra (A company limited by guarantee having no share capital) Company Information
Directors
John Bimson Charles Clark Richard Davison Karen Humphreys MBE (Appointed 23 September 2024) Dale Wilkins (Appointed 23 September 2024) David Woodhead
Accountants
J MacArthur, FCA Amati UK Ltd 13 Cross Rise Glossop SK13 8TE
Bankers
CAF Bank 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ
Registered office
The Coach House Broad Street Orford Woodbridge IP12 2NQ
Registered number 05482194
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Directors' Report
The directors present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025.
Governing Document
The Company is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 25 May 2005. It is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. There are currently six members (the directors) each of whom has agreed to contribute £10 in the event of the company being wound up in circumstances where its liabilities exceed its assets.
Appointment of Directors
Pursuant to the Articles of Association there shall be at least three directors. Appointments of directors are by resolution of the members or the directors (the members and directors are the same persons). If appointed by the directors, the new director is required to retire at the next annual general meeting (but may be reappointed). At each annual general meeting one third of the directors are required to retire by rotation but may be reappointed.
During the course of the year we were delighted to welcome Karen Humphreys MBE and Dale Wilkins to the board. Karen was previously the head of the Junior Royal Northern College of Music and Dale is head of safeguarding at the Boarding Schools Association.
Objects
The objects of the Company are the furthering of the musical education of children and young people enabling them to perform in public. Its primary activity is the running of specialist string chamber orchestras providing quality training for talented, young string players up to the age of 21 and giving them regular experience of the art of public performance.
Risk Assessments
The Company regularly reviews its child protection policy, risk assessments, critical incident response plans and safeguarding training.
Activities
We were very pleased to return again to Stamford School in Stamford, Lincolnshire for both the spring and summer residencies. Stamford School and its staff are very welcoming and the school is centrally located with excellent facilities for our four orchestras.
The senior orchestra is open to string players aged up to 21 with a standard of Grade 8 and above. The residencies consist of sectional and full orchestra training, with the summer residency also including concerts in major venues.
This year under NYSO’ Artistic and Music Director Damian Iorio the senior orchestra rehearsed and performed Respighi’s third suite of Ancient Airs and Dances, Bliss’s Suite for Strings and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition in the orchestration for string orchestra by Jacques Cohen.
NYSO Camerata is for string players aged 13 to 17 with a standard of Grades 6 to 8 and NYSO Sinfonia is for string players aged 9 to 12 and Grades 5 to 7. Both orchestras develop ensemble skills and incorporate Kodaly musicianship and Dalcroze eurhythmics sessions linked to the repertoire to develop the specific skills needed for ensemble playing.
All our orchestras benefit from intensive coaching by leading professional string players, all of whom are also experienced in developing young talent, supported by a pastoral team to ensure the wellbeing of the young players.
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NYSO Camerata, conducted by Leon Bosch, rehearsed and performed a programme that explored different styles and technical and musical challenges: Giovanni Bottesini’s Adagio Sostenuto, the Serenade for Strings by Oscar Straus (he dropped the second ‘s’ from his name to avoid confusion with the unrelated well-known family of composers), Puccini’s Crisantemi and Dag Wiren’s Serenade for Strings.
NYSO Sinfonia, conducted by Rachel Erdos, also rehearsed and performed a challenging programme of Ferenc Farkas’s Piccola Musica di Concerto for String Orchestra, Handel’s Concerto for Two Double Basses with soloists from the orchestra’s double bass section (this is an arrangement of one of Handel’s Sonatas) and the Overture by Rossini to his opera Il Signor Bruschino. NYSO Sinfonia also combined with NYSO Sinfonietta under Rachel Erdos for Ernesto Halffter’s Habanera.
NYSO Camerata, NYSO Sinfonia and NYSO Sinfonietta also had extensive Kodaly and Dalcroze musicianship training.
NYSO Sinfonietta, directed by Monica Wilkinson, is for string players aged 7 to 10 with the aim of building the foundations of musicianship and string playing, which are harder to teach in individual lessons. Given the ages of the players, its residencies are shorter than those of our other orchestras. They rehearsed and performed a variety of works from memory, in itself an important aspect of training including an extended and varied reworking of Benjamin Britten’s Old Abram Brown as well as joining NYSO Sinfonia in Halffter’s Habanera, as mentioned above. Giving them the opportunity to be with the more advanced group of players is important to stretch them and to show them their next goals.
All four orchestras gave concerts in Stamford and the senior orchestra was also delighted to return for the third time in recent years to perform as part of the Three Choirs Festival, this time in Leominster Priory.
It is central to our ethos to welcome young players without regard to their financial means. We are grateful to our many Friends and other generous individuals who have supported and continue to support us.
Orchestra tax relief is an important element of our funding. We are grateful to Graham Suggett of Creative Tax Reliefs for his assistance and to HMRC for their promptness in handling claims.
Public Benefit
The Company provides benefit to the public by providing world-class coaching and performance opportunities to children and young persons from across the UK regardless of background or means. Fees charged only cover part of the costs and bursaries are available in appropriate cases. The Directors confirm that they have referred to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit.
Result for the year
The Company made a surplus for the year of £20,802.
Reserves
The directors have established the level of reserves (that is those funds that are freely available) that the Company ought ideally to have. Reserves are needed to bridge the funding gaps between income and expenditure and to cover fluctuations from year to year in numbers of players attending our residencies and the level of bursaries towards the costs of attending the Company’s residencies where appropriate. The directors therefore consider that the minimum level of reserves as at the year end would be £100,000.
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The reserves at 31 August 2025 were £175,231. Uncertainties for next year include the effects of increases in cost of living, general economic uncertainties and the effect of cuts in recent years to music education which affect the pipeline of players. The directors have considered the implications of these factors and consider that these reserves will be sufficient to ensure the continued operation of the Company for the next financial year.
Small Company Provisions
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
This report was approved by the board on 5[th] May 2026 and signed on its behalf.
Charles Clark
Director
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Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts to the directors of National Youth String Orchestra (A company limited by guarantee having no share capital) for the year ended 31 August 2025 Registered number: 05482194
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31st August 2025.
Responsibilites and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees of the Company (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited for this year under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination, I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; or
-
the accounts do not accord with such records; or
• the accounts do not comply with relevant accounting requirements under section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
- the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
J MacArthur FCA
5 May 2026
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National Youth String Orchestra (A company limited by guarantee having no share capital) Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 August 2025
| Donations 4 Charitable activities 5 Other activities 6 Investment income 7 Less bursary costs Total income Direct costs 8 Administrative expenses 8 Net income / (expenditure) Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
2025 Unrestricted funds £ 1,630 208,623 1,094 3,294 (28,341) 186,300 (139,354) (26,144) 20,802 20,802 154,429 175,231 |
2025 Restricted funds £ 50 - - - (50) - - - - - - - |
2025 Total funds £ 1,680 208,623 1,094 3,294 (28,391) 186,300 (139,354) (26,144) 20,802 20,802 154,429 175,231 |
2024 Total funds £ 5,656 189,019 756 2,935 (24,585) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 173,781 (126,698) (32,079) |
||||
| 15,004 | ||||
| 15,004 139,425 |
||||
| 154,429 |
There were no recognised gains or losses other than as shown above. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
See Note 3 for comparative Statement of Financial Activities analysed by funds.
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National Youth String Orchestra (A company limited by guarantee having no share capital) Registered number: 05482194 Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2025
| Notes Current assets Debtors 11 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 12 Net current assets Total net assets Total funds of the charity Funds brought forward Net income/(expenditure) for year Funds carried forward |
2025 £ 51,624 172,212 223,836 (48,605) 175,231 175,231 154,429 20,802 175,231 |
2024 £ 51,071 120,367 |
|---|---|---|
| 171,438 (17,009) 154,429 |
||
| 154,429 | ||
| 139,425 15,004 |
||
| 154,429 |
The directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to obtain an audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Act.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
The accounts have been prepared and delivered in accordance with the special provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
Charles Clark Director Approved by the board on 5 May 2026
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National Youth String Orchestra (A company limited by guarantee having no share capital) Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025
1 Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Charities SORP 2015 (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Funds
The unrestricted funds represent funds which are expendable at the discretion of the directors in furtherance of the general objectives of the Company and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds subject to specific restrictions imposed by the donors. These funds are not available for the directors to apply at their discretion. The purpose and use of the restricted funds is set out in note 15 to the financial statements.
Income
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds on an accruals basis.
Taxation
The Company is a registered charity and is thus exempt from tax on income and gains falling within Part 10 of the Income Tax Act 2007 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.
Foreign currency translation
Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recognised at the rate of exchange ruling at the date of the transaction. At the end of each reporting period foreign currency monetary items are translated at the closing rate of exchange. Non-monetary items that are measured at historical cost are translated at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction.
2 Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
In the application of the Company's accounting policies, which are described in note 1, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts 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 if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.
The directors do not consider there are any critical judgements or sources of estimation uncertainty requiring disclosure beyond the accounting policies listed above.
3 Comparative Statement of Financial Activities
| Income less Bursary costs Total income |
2024 Unrestricted funds £ 194,316 (20,535) 173,781 |
2024 Restricted funds £ 4,050 (4,050) - |
2024 Total funds £ 198,366 (24,585) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 173,781 |
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National Youth String Orchestra (A company limited by guarantee having no share capital) Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025
| Expenditure Direct costs (126,698) - Administrative expenses (32,079) - Total expenditure (158,777) - Net income / (expenditure) 15,004 - Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward 139,425 - Total funds carried forward 154,429 - 4 Income from donations 2025 £ Donations 375 Gift aid on donations - Friends subscriptions 1,305 Total income from donations 1,680 Donations received from directors in the year totalled £125 (2024: £200). 5 Income from charitable activities 2025 £ Residency fees 159,668 Concert fees 2,400 Ticket sales 2,603 Orchestra tax relief 43,952 Total income from charitable activities 208,623 |
(126,698) (32,079) |
|---|---|
| (158,777) | |
| 15,004 139,425 |
|
| 154,429 2024 £ 4,361 - 1,295 |
|
| 5,656 | |
| 2024 £ 139,606 - 3,292 46,121 |
|
| 189,019 |
| Residency fees are stated as the gross amount before the award of bursaries. The amount received | Residency fees are stated as the gross amount before the award of bursaries. The amount received | Residency fees are stated as the gross amount before the award of bursaries. The amount received | |
|---|---|---|---|
| by the Company is the net amount. All income from charitable activities relates to unrestricted funds. | |||
| 6 | Income from other activities | 2025 | 2024 |
| £ | £ | ||
| Sale of t-shirts | 1,013 | 715 | |
| Donations from easyfundraising.org.uk | 81 | 41 | |
| Total income from other activities | 1,094 | 756 |
Income from fundraising events received from the directors during the year was nil (2024: nil).
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National Youth String Orchestra (A company limited by guarantee having no share capital) Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025
| 7 Investment income Bank interest received Total investment income 8 Expenditure on charitable activities Direct costs Administrative expenses Bank charges Total expenditure on charitable activities 9 Net income/expenditure is stated after charging: Independent examiner's fee Accounts preparation 10 Employees Average number of persons employed by the Company 11 Debtors Trade debtors Other debtors 12 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Other creditors |
2025 £ 3,294 3,294 2025 £ 139,354 26,026 118 165,498 2025 £ 360 720 1,080 2025 Number 0 2025 £ 4,342 47,282 51,624 2025 £ 1,905 46,700 48,605 |
2024 £ 2,935 |
|---|---|---|
| 2,935 | ||
| 2024 £ 126,698 32,000 79 |
||
| 158,777 | ||
| 2024 £ 150 300 |
||
| 450 | ||
| 2024 Number 0 |
||
| 2024 £ 3,214 47,857 |
||
| 51,071 | ||
| 2024 £ 1,905 15,104 |
||
| 17,009 |
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National Youth String Orchestra (A company limited by guarantee having no share capital) Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025
13 Related party transactions
Donations received from directors in the year totalled £125 (2024: £200). The directors did not receive any remuneration for their services in either year nor were they reimbursed for any expenses in either year as no director expenses were incurred.
14 Other information
National Youth String Orchestra is a private company limited by guarantee having no share capital and incorporated in England. Its registered office is The Coach House, Broad Street, Orford, Woodbridge, England, IP12 2NQ.
| 15 Statement of funds Balance 1st September 2024 £ Unrestricted funds: General reserve 154,429 Total unrestricted funds 154,429 Restricted funds: - Bursaries - Total restricted funds - Total funds 154,429 |
Income £ 186,250 186,250 50 50 186,300 |
Expenditure £ (165,448) (165,448) (50) (50) (165,498) |
Balance 31st August 2025 £ 175,231 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 175,231 - |
|||
| - | |||
| 175,231 |
Details of the restricted funds are set out below:
Bursaries
A number of donations were received in order to provide bursaries to those students who would not otherwise be able to afford to attend NYSO residencies.
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National Youth String Orchestra (A company limited by guarantee having no share capital) Detailed profit and loss account for the year ended 31 August 2025
This schedule does not form part of the statutory accounts
| Income Residency fees Donations Friends subscriptions Fundraising Concert fees Ticket sales Orchestra tax relief Interest receivable Bursary costs Direct costs Hire of Concert Venues Coaching Director & Assistant House Staff Travel Music hire Auditions Accommodation Other direct costs Administrative expenses Staff costs: Admin support Arts administration Staff training and welfare General administrative expenses: Telephone and internet Broadband and website Stationery and printing Subscriptions Bank charges Insurance Equipment expensed Sundry expenses Legal and professional costs: Accountancy fees Advertising and PR Other legal and professional |
2025 £ 159,668 375 1,305 1,094 2,400 2,603 43,952 3,294 (28,391) 186,300 860 27,992 20,975 18,325 6,617 1,722 500 60,226 2,137 139,354 12,652 2,877 694 16,223 123 141 590 628 118 1,285 325 39 3,249 1,080 1,603 3,989 6,672 26,144 |
2024 £ 139,606 4,361 1,295 756 - 3,292 46,121 2,935 (24,585) |
|---|---|---|
| 173,781 | ||
| 1,666 26,900 19,400 14,927 4,910 563 140 56,173 2,019 |
||
| 126,698 | ||
| 17,142 4,172 109 |
||
| 21,423 | ||
| 198 1,041 358 491 79 574 209 2 |
||
| 2,952 | ||
| 450 2,848 4,406 |
||
| 7,704 | ||
| 32,079 |
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