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2025-12-31-accounts

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1124890

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

FOR

THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

Mark J Rees LLP Chartered Accountants Granville Hall Granville Road Leicester Leicestershire LE1 7RU

THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

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Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 17
Independent Examiner's Report 18
Statement of Financial Activities 19
Balance Sheet 20
Notes to the Financial Statements 21 to 27
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 28 to 29
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THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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 102) (effective 1 January 2019) and the obligations of their Royal Charter.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims

The objectives of the English Association are to benefit the public by promoting the knowledge and appreciation of the English language and its literatures and to foster good practice in its teaching and learning at all levels. The Association has pursued and will pursue its objectives by any one or more of the methods set out below.

  1. Affording opportunities for professional and other co-operation amongst all those interested in English language and literature.

  2. Furthering the due recognition of English as an essential element in education at all levels and participating publicly in any national debate on the teaching of the subject at any level.

  3. Providing a forum for the discussion of practice and principle in the teaching and learning of English in all sectors of education from primary to university level.

  4. Encouraging and facilitating advanced study in English language and literature.

  5. Holding conferences, lectures and other meetings to respond to the professional needs of teachers and lecturers in all educational areas and to further the objects of the Association.

  6. Publishing a range of journals, books, papers and leaflets to promote the study and appreciation of English.

  7. Forming local branches to carry out the objects of the Association.

  8. Establishing relations with kindred bodies and co-operating with such bodies but only in furtherance of the objects of the Association.

  9. Enrolling members, collecting subscriptions from members and donations from any person interested in the objects of the Association.

  10. Engaging in any other activity which shall be conducive to the objects of the Association.

The Association reviews its aims, objectives and achievements each year and this report summarises activities and achievements during 2025. In undertaking the review, the trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit in deciding what activities the Association should undertake.

The charitable status of the English Association substantially enhances its ability to pursue its aims for the public benefit in a number of ways:

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THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Activities and achievements during 2025

Publications

English is the flagship higher-education journal of the Association and is dedicated to new developments in English studies. Published four times per year by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Association, English provides a forum for discussion on all aspects of English literature and language, and on professional topics. It includes scholarly essays and reviews on all periods of literary history, alongside new work by contemporary poets. It publishes work that speaks to the discipline as a whole, including reflections on pedagogy and on the place of English literature and language in the world beyond academia. The journal is edited by a team based at the University of East Anglia, led by Professor Will Rossiter.

The Use of English is the longest-standing of journals for teachers, including trainee teachers, of secondary and further English. Published three times a year, it brings together vigorous, independent comment on theory, policy and practice. It carries a substantial section of reviews of important books on the teaching of the subject, plus works of literary criticism and anthologies and editions. The journal is edited by Chris Green and Brittany Kuhn.

English 4-11 supports literacy in the primary classroom and is for teachers, including trainee teachers, of primary English. Accessible and lively, the magazine is packed with articles, covering Early Years Education to the end of Key Stage 2. Published three times a year, the magazine includes accounts of innovative practice and successful projects, reports of classroom research, reviews of books, software and other resources, interviews with authors, and articles to spark discussion. It is a joint publication of the English Association, the National Association for the Teaching of English, and the United Kingdom Literacy Association and is edited by a joint Editorial Board, led by Katheryn Brereton.

The English Association Newsletter encourages conversation about topics important to the subject community, and is published three times per year. It is edited by Dr Rebecca Fisher, the CEO of the English Association, in collaboration with guest editors.

The Year's Work in English Studies is a qualitative narrative bibliographical review of scholarly work on English language and on literatures written in English. The volume includes a detailed overview from Old English to contemporary critical works for a given year and is published annually on behalf of the Association by Oxford University Press.

The Year's Work in Critical and Cultural Theory is a companion volume to The Year's Work in English Studies and is also published annually for the Association by Oxford University Press. It provides a narrative bibliography of work in the field of critical and cultural theory, recording significant debates and issues of interest in a broad field of research in the humanities and social sciences. The series is of interest to scholars working in many areas of literary and critical and cultural studies as well as in media, visual arts, history and political theory.

English at the Interface is a series comprising one or two monographs annually, published on behalf of the Association by Liverpool University Press. Monographs can be on any field of English Studies - Literature and Language - from the mediaeval period to the present.

Bookmarks are a series of pamphlets intended to supplement the enthusiasm of the literature teacher and to provide additional independent resources for readers wanting to broaden their engagement with literature. They are downloadable free of charge from the Association's website.

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THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The following were published during the year:

The calendar year 2025 saw the publication of three issues of English as follows:

The ongoing production lag means four issues were not published in 2025 as planned (an issue had however been published at the very close of 2024). This is not due to a lack of content. In addition, late 2025/early 2026 witnessed a paucity of peer-reviewers. Individual articles thus often go to six peer-reviewers instead of 2-3 with a high volume of declines and the effect is delaying production.

Nevertheless, in 2026 I still intend to publish four issues:

The deadline for the PGR essay prize (EPEP) was 31 January and winners were notified in mid-April, with an official announcement in process. The winners were Lizette Gerber for her essay on black temporalities in Toni Morrison's novels, and Sosthenes Ekeh for his essay on intersectionality in the novels of Buchi Emechata and Mariama Ba. Overall, the submissions for this year's EPEP show a preoccupation across the discipline with identity, history, and trauma that speaks sharply to our political present. This preoccupation is attuned to the journal's objective of being responsive to effects on the sector, discipline and attendant fields, and to our historical moment. As such, the special issue on libraries as places or historical and present refuge to be for migrant communities will illustrate the ethos and mission of the EA.

Editor's report:

The English Association's journal (for teachers of English in secondary and further education) The Use of English was published - following the usual pattern - three times in 2025. The Editors were proud to publish a number of important articles, and it was good to note the generally positive response to all three editions. The spring journal saw new Co-Editor Chris Green present his first edition (on the theme of 'Change'). Outgoing Co-Editor Kayte Haselgrove (who we thank for all her work on the publication) led the summer edition - on the theme of 'Diversity'. The editorial team them welcomed Brittany Kuhn as a new member, in time for publication of the autumn edition on the topic of 'Intelligence: human and artificial'. Across the year we welcomed articles (including creative pieces) representing a diverse range of voices within the English community, and it was good to commence publication of a series of articles which will explore the place of medieval literature in the secondary/FE context.

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THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Editor's report:

English 4 - 11 published three excellent issues in 2025. The range of subjects covered as well as the varied background of the authors was really pleasing to see. Often the editorial board is offered more articles on reading than writing or speaking and listening, but in these issues all three aspects of primary English teaching are celebrated with many practical ideas provided for practitioners. Those contributing articles include primary teachers, leaders of organisations and educational researchers. Members of the editorial board have also written articles, particularly for the autumn issue when we had less external offers. The latter is always the biggest challenge as although some articles are sourced through board member contacts, we do rely on the majority arriving unsolicited to the EA inbox. This can produce a wonderful selection of articles for one issue but then be less profligate for the next one. That is where the knowledge and experience of board members is so appreciated. Their expertise in primary English and their willingness to put pen to paper; as well as our Reviews Editor ensuring we have excellent book reviews; means that we always have an exciting issue.

Editor's report:

Each issue of the Newsletter covered a current cross-sector topic, with articles written by teachers and researchers:

238: Boys and English: why are young men turning away from our subject? 239: Reading and writing: reciprocity in teaching and practice 240: Widening participation in English: sector-wide best practice

Editors' report:

In 2025, we finished the principal editorial work on YWES, Volume 104 by early March-by which time, all of the chapters had been submitted to Oxford University Press.

During this same period, we've made a wide variety of personnel changes that have assisted us in completing the primary editorial work and production duties for the YWES at a more effective and expeditious rate.

As always, the coming year will be characterized by a large number of new appointments designed to assist us in continuing to bring the volume to completion in a timely and professional manner.

Editors' report:

In 2025, we worked towards volume 33 of the Year's Work in Critical and Cultural Theory. Due to some issues with the transfer to the new ScholarOne system, some delays resulted in the publication of the volume, which only was published in early 2026. We are happy to confirm the new editors who will be taking over after the completion of volume 34: Aleksandr Prigozhin and Lucy Arnold.

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THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The Association's monograph series English at the Interface published three books in 2025. In April, Helen Stringer's study The Life of Rachel Speght: A Forward Woman was published, which considers Speght as a seventeenth-century writer, polemicist, and 'public housewife', as well as a courageous thinker and protagonist. In the same month Proximities: Literature, Mobility and the Politics of Displacement by John Culbert appeared, which focuses on the politics of modern travel and migration, showing how today's contradictions of global mobility reveal ongoing practices of land theft, displacement, and dispossession. Finally, in September, Rachel White's Elizabethan Occult Poetics: Exploring Practice and Knowledge in English Poetry was published, examining the absorption of occult discourses into the theory and practice of poetry as well as their presence in poetic content. English at the Interface is published by Liverpool University Press, and the series is buoyant with three further monographs scheduled to appear in 2026 on varied topics (for details see https://liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/topic/book-series/english-association-monographs-english-at-the-interface). The series is edited by Professor Claire Jowitt with the support of Christabel Scaife as commissioning editor at LUP.

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THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Conferences, key meetings, and events

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||| |---|---| |January|Meeting of the English 4-11 Editorial Board| |CPD webinar: Lit in Colour: research, engagement and impact to date| |CPD webinar: Opening Doors to improving writing| |CPD webinar: REF2029 information session| |CPD webinar: Thinking Forwards: Everything to Everybody| |CEO was the keynote speaker at the Ark Curriculum+ conference in London with trustee Matt| |Carnaby| |CEO spoke at the Network of English Teaching Leads online conference| |CEO joined the Arts and Minds campaign and attended the campaign launch in London| |CEO attended the AQA English Stakeholder roundtable in London| |CEO attended the ASCL Literacy and Oracy conference| |Brittany Kuhn appointed as the new co-editor of The Use of English (succeeding Kayte| |Haselgrove)| |February|Meeting of the Finance Committee| |Meeting of the Higher Education Committee| |Meeting of the Primary and Early Years Education Committee| |Meeting of the Membership Oversight Group| |CPD webinar: Let's Think in English: Weaving the art of English and science of intelligence| |CPD webinar: I'll go chat with Paris: AI chatbots and Shakespeare| |CPD webinar: Thinking Forwards: Living with machines| |CEO was the keynote speaker at the online Haberdasher's Trust English Subject Lead training day| |March|Meeting of the BOT| |Meeting of the English 4-11 Editorial Board and the English 4-11 Picture Book Awards panel| |CPD webinar: Is literary theory "a thing" in GCSE and A Level English Literature?| |CPD webinar: Gathering Voices FE teach-meet| |CPD webinar: Thinking Forwards: Linguistic (in)justice in schools| |CPD webinar: Diversifying the curriculum through the life of Billy Waters: free resources for| |KS3/4 English| |CPD webinar: Is there still a place for nursery rhymes in primary and early years education?| |CEO spoke at the Meridian Trust English leads CPD day (online)| |CEO attended the PiXL Cross-Phase English Conference in London| |EA responded to the Education Committee call for evidence on FE and Skills| |EA responded to the Curriculum and Assessment Review interim report| |April|Meeting of the Finance Committee| |Meeting of the Secondary and Further Education Committee| |Meeting of te Fellowship Committee| |Meeting of the Membership Oversight Group| |CPD webinar: The State of the Subject: from "despairing appraisals" to robust proposals| |CPD webinar: Thinking Forwards: The role of aesthetic effects on narrative inference| |CEO attended the Classics APPG in Whitehall| |CEO presented on the Connecting English and Maths project at the Joint Maths Association| |Conference in Loughborough| |May|Meeting of the Finance Committee| |Meeting of the Higher Education Committee| |Meeting of the Primary and Early Years Education Committee| |Meeting of the Common English Forum| |CPD webinar: Reading for pleasure and growth: a fresh perspective from a network of UK| |schools|

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THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

CPD webinar: Planning primary English CPD webinar: Close reading: what,how,why? CPD webinar: Thinking Forwards: Imagination and cognition: narratology meet psychology CEO attended the ASCL Curriculum Conference in London EA Launched the English OpenDoors resources

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||| |---|---| |June|Meeting of BOT| |EA Annual General Meeting| |EA Annual Conference| |CPD webinar: Reading through adaptations| |CPD webinar: Writing for enjoyment in secondary schools| |CPD webinar: Gathering Voices FE teach-meet| |CPD webinar: Creative Translation in the English classroom: how can it work?| |CPD webinar: English and boys: why are young men turning away from our subject?| |CPD webinar: Thinking Forwards: Working together in Further Education| |CPD webinar: Innovations in assessment in FE English| |CEO plus trustees Tracey Maloney and Kirstie Hewett were keynote speakers at the Let's Think| |in English conference in London| |CEO and trustee Elizabeth Draper attended the UKLA Conference| |Seven new trustees appointed to the Board of Trustees| |July|Meeting of the Finance Committee| |Meeting of the Remuneration Committee| |CPD webinar: Reading and writing: reciprocity in teaching and practice| |CPD webinar: Supporting all readers in secondary school - what,who,where,why| |CPD webinar: Widening participation: case studies of good practiceCEO attended the English:| |Shared Futures conference in York and spoke on a panel; EA trustees and Lead for Cross - Sector| |Educational Policy (Robert Eaglestone) hosted five panels| |CEO attended the Poetry By Heart finale in London| |CEO keynoted the online National Association of Advisors roundtable| |CEO co-convened a workshop exploring how subject associations can connect teachers with| |research (part of a funded project, Oxford Knowledge Exchange)| |The EA responded to the DFE's Writing Framework| |The EA joined an open letter to the Prime Minister on oracy in the curriculum| |August|CPD Webinar: Post-16 GCSE English Language: exploring summer 2025 in FE settings| |September|Meeting of the BOT| |Meeting of the Finance Committee| |Meeting of the English 4-11 Editorial Board| |Meeting of the Fellowship Committee| |CPD webinar: The science of poetry: crossing the arts/science divide in schools| |CPD webinar: Words That Burn: exploring human rights through poetry in the classroom| |CEO, Lead for Cross-Sector Educational Policy (Robert Eaglestone) and Cathy Shrank FEA| |wrote blogs for Pearson's Schools blog.| |EA contributed to Climate change and nature in England's revised school curriculum policy| |proposal| |EA announced the Michael Murphy Memorial Poetry Prize longlist and shortlist| |October|Meeting of the Finance Committee| |Meeting of the Common English Forum| |Event in-person: Chaucer our contemporary: teaching, reading and rewriting medieval literature| |today| |Event in-person: Opening Doors to Excellence for All: a forum for new routes to exciting English|

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THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

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||| |---|---| |CPD webinar: Illuminated Text: interactive video and visual arts for exploring Shakespeare| |The EA responded to the loss of English teacher training bursaries| |The EA responded to the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper| |November|Meeting of the Finance Committee| |Meeting of the Higher Education Committee| |Meeting of the Primary and Early Years Education Committee| |Meeting of the Secondary and Further Education Committee| |Meeting of the Fellowship Committee| |Meeting of the Directors of Admissions network| |Meeting of the Coordination Group| |CPD webinar: Reading and wellbeing: experiences across the lifespan| |CPD webinar: Decolonising Assessment (with Decolonising the Discipline)| |CPD webinar: Reigniting reading for pleasure: empowering schools with LoveReading4Schools| |CEO attended the OCR English Consultative Forum in Cambridge| |The EA responded to the Curriculum and Assessment review final report| |December|Meeting of the BOT| |CPD webinar: Adventures in close reading poetry with A History of England in 25 poems| |CPD webinar: Using AI responsibly in assessment| |The EA responded to the government's call for evidence on Further Education ITR|

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In 2025, the EA received funding from a series of externally funded projects: - Speaking Citizen: £6,208

Committee reports

Higher Education Committee

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||| |---|---| |Members:| |Joe Barber|Manchester Metropolitan University| |Katherine Baxter|(Chair) Northumbria University| |Ben Davies|Portsmouth University| |Jerome de Groot|University of Manchester| |Robert Eaglestone|Royal Holloway, University of London| |Martin Halliwell|University of Leicester| |Elspeth Jajdelska|Strathclyde University| |Suzy Joinson|Chichester University| |Claire Jowitt|University of East Anglia| |Nicole King|University of London| |Clare Lees|Institute of English Studies, School of Advanced Studies, University of London| |Gail Marshall|University of Reading| |Anshuman Mondal|University of East Anglia| |Andrea Macrae|Oxford Brookes University| |Bronwen Price|Independent scholar| |Lynda Pratt|University of Nottingham| |Antony Rowland|Manchester Metropolitan University| |Cathy Shrank|University of Sheffield| |Richard Stacey|Glasgow University| |Nathan Waddell|University of Birmingham| |Greg Walker|University of Edinburgh| |John Wrighton|Aberdeen University|

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THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Changes in membership:

Highlight of activities:

Secondary and Further Education Committee

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||| |---|---| |Members:| |Matt Carnaby|Chair (from November 2024) - Astrea Academy Trust| |Hollie Barnes Lomax|Deputy Chair - Cambridge Regional College| |Tracey Maloney|Director (e-Qualitas)| |Joan Foley|Lecturer in Arts and Humanities (Open University)| |Sarah Mullin|Visiting Professor of Education (Sunderland University)| |Angela Rodrigues|Deputy Head of Sixth Form (The Cotswold School)| |Joe Barber|Manchester Metropolitan University| |Freddie Baveystock|English teacher (Harris Westminster Sixth Form)| |Director of English and Drama (The Perse School, Cambridge) (co-Editor of The| |Chris Green|Use of English)| |Ella Taylor|Librarian, Harris Westminster Sixth Form| |Jo Heathcote|English Curriculum and assessment consultant| |Kirsty Haughton|Head of English and Literacy at Nottingham College| |Helen Thomson|Doctoral student and experienced teacher| |Jo Hill|Treasurehouse London| |Dr Brittany Kuhn|English teacher at Suffolk New College (co-Editor of The of English)|

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Change in membership:

New members: Molly Bird, Rebecca Morris, Afsan Redwan, Maud Sampson Members leaving: Jo Hill, Ella Taylor

Highlights of activities:

We are thoughtful, trusted space where teachers can find perspective on the questions that matter in the teaching of English: curriculum, reading, writing, oracy, assessment, literature, language and the life of the subject in schools and colleges.

As committee of volunteers drawn from the profession, we cannot provide answers to every question or intervene in every debate (no matter how much we might like to). What we can do is curate ideas, share expertise, convene conversations and help teachers navigate the changing landscape of English education

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THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Our ambition is simple: that when teachers of English are seeking answers to the questions about their subject, the English Association is a place they know they can turn. We are the lighthouse lighting the way.

Of all the things affecting the weather in English classrooms across the country, the committee has focused on: the year of reading, raising the importance of English and being able to respond to the hot topics that are yet to come.

Primary and Early Years Education Committee

Members: Kirstie Hewett Chichester University - School Improvement Specialist Sonia Carvell Primary Teacher Megan Dixon Consultant Jake Hope Reading development & children's book consultant Suzanne Hughes Primary Teacher

Changes to membership:

:Brenda Marshall, Chris Brown, Uhzama Jabeen and Lorna Watson stepped down from the Committee. Laura Spargo and Mia Sneyd, both education consultants, and Jo Beer, Senior Lecturer ITE, joined us.

The committee has begun to make good progress across a number of key areas.

We've continued to align our work with the wider priorities of the English Association, particularly around resource development to support the aims of being necessary.

The committee have really begun to engage in discussion and suggest ways in which we might develop the member offer. A smaller working group have begun to build an "opportunities for joy and purpose" initiative. This is starting to take shape - perhaps as a series of social media outputs designed to offer practical classroom ideas while also prompting wider professional reflection. We've also begun thinking about how this work could feed into longer-term position papers to ensure consistency across the Association's voice.

Committee members have been particularly keen to develop some curated resources to support classroom practice, with a view to supporting teachers to identify those of high-quality. One member has worked with Becky to set up a Padlet and this seems to have been well received by the wider committee, and we are now working towards establishing clear criteria for what counts as a high-quality resource focusing on things like accessibility, evidence base and relevance to early years and primary contexts. Committee members are contributing materials to help this develop into a useful, shareable tool which we hope to extend beyond the committee in the near future.

Our programme of events has also continued. We have begun a new termly session aimed at teachers and English Leads. This has had some positive feedback. Planning is continuing for future events, including links to the National Year of Reading, but it is of course a continued challenge for committee members to find time to dedicate to this on top of their full-time employment roles.

One of our members has been working on a poetry resource aimed at early career teachers which is nearing completion and will come to the committee for a review shortly. Work is also progressing on Shakespeare support materials, with discussion around how best to disseminate these potentially through webinars or short video content.

We have supported EA campaigns such as work on the CAR and meeting with the DfE to discuss the draft National Curriculum.

Finally, we've had some useful discussions around links between our different workstreams, ensuring that outputs - whether events, resources, or social media - are coherent, evidence informed and useful to teachers.

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THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Fellowships

The new Fellows of the English Association were honoured at the Awards Ceremony following the Annual General Meeting on 14 June 2025:

Professor Ruth Ahnert Dr Giuseppe Albano Professor Marc Alexander Professor Isobel Armstrong Professor Heike Bauer Professor Dr.Ingo Berensmeyer Professor Michael Bradshaw Ms Gill Burbridge Dr Paula Byrne Dr James Byrne Professor Brycchan Carey Professor Daniel Cook Mr Bob Cox Professor Laurence Davies Mr Tony Day Professor Nandini Das Imtiaz Dharker Alison J Donnell Professor Linda Dryden Ms Myfanwy Edwards Professor Paul Farley Professor Ewan Fernie Professor Kay Fuller Professor Maria Cristina Fumagalli Professor John Gardner Julia Green Professor David Herd Professor Suganthi John Rachel Johnson Ms Louise Johns-Shepherd Dr Anouk Lang Professor Alberto Lazaro Ms Trisha Lee Professor Raphael Lyne Professor Dan McIntyre Professor Dr Martine Middeke Professor Marisol Morales-Ladron Professor Sue Niebrzydowski Professor Juan Ignacio Oliva Cruz Professor Claire Pettitt Dr Rebecca Pinner Dr Richard Price Professor Patricia Pulham Professor Dominic Rainsford Professor Deryn Rees-Jones Professor Christine Reynier Professor Dr Gabriele Rippl Mr Mark Roberts Katherine Rundell Professor Nathalie Saudo-Welby

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THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Professor Dr Barbara Schaff Emma Slater Professor Neelam Srivastava Professor Tiffany Stern Dr David Stewart Professor Adrian Streete Mrs Patricia Sweeney Professor Marion Thain Professor Ayanna Thompson Professor Samantha Walton Jenny Webb Professor Angela Woods Professor Saeko Yoshikawa

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THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Awards and prizes

The following were awarded at the Awards Ceremony on 14 June 2025:

The Betty Haigh Shakespeare Prize

This year the judges selected two winners of the 2024 Betty Haigh Shakespeare prize:

The judges selected a highly commended essay: Iris Cool's "The Cartoon Star-Crossed Lovers of Gnomeo and Juliet: Should Children Try To Understand Shakespeare?" The winning essay will be published in the spring 2025 Newsletter, and the prizes will be formally awarded at the Conference in 2025.

The Beatrice White Prize

Dr Amy Faulkner, for her publication Wealth and the Material World in the Old English Alfredian Corpus (Boydell and Brewer,2023).

English 4-11 Picture Books Awards

Non Fiction 7-11

Ayo's Adventure: Across the African Diaspora from Alfro to Zulu by Ain Heath Drew and Erin K. Robinson (Barefoot Books)

Non-fiction 4-7

Mushrooms Know: Wisdom from our friends the fungi by Kallie George and Sara Gillingham (Greystone Kids)

Fiction 7-11

Blitz: One Family's War by Martin Impey (Harbour Moon Publishing)

Fiction 4-7

Colin's Castle by Holly Swain (Farshore)

The Margaret Mallett Awards for Children's Non-Fiction

Time Runs Like A River by Emma Carlisle (Bonnier Books)

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THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

The statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 December 2025 shows a surplus of incoming resources over resources expended for the year of £47,010 (2024: £148,379). The Association's total reserves increased during the year from £371,333 to £418,341. Cash at bank and in hand at the end of the year was £432,204 (2024: £353,132).

Risk management

Trustees have identified the major risks to which the Association is exposed and put in place mitigations and policies to manage and control risk. In the areas of operational, governance, financial and compliance risk, trustees are confident that the quality of the Association's staff and professional advisors minimises the exposure to risk.

Reserves policy

The balance sheet at 31 December 2025 shows unrestricted reserves of £417,192. Restricted reserves relating to the various prize funds amount to £1,149. The Association's reserves therefore stood at £418,341 on 31 December 2025.

The unrestricted fund includes tangible assets, debtors, cash in the bank and in hand.

It is the Association's policy to try to maintain reserves equivalent to six months' estimated expenditure, together with monies sufficient to protect the EA from identified future operational risks such as volatility arising from the revaluation of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) and the effect on the Association's income from potential developments in the publication industry.

In addition, under its arrangements with the University of London the Association is required to hold reserves of no less than £50,000 in respect of the membership of the Association's employees in the USS.

Therefore, members of council have resolved to target reserves of not less than £350,000 to ensure the continuing operation of the Association, including contractual commitments to its employees and to publishers, during any periods of economic uncertainty.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes a charitable company, incorporated by Royal Charter.

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THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Organisational structure

The management of the Association is carried out by the Board of Trustees, whose members are the council of the Royal Charter entity and trustees of the registered charity. Trustees give their time to the Association voluntarily and receive no benefits for the work they do on its behalf. Expenses reclaimed by trustees for their attendance at meetings of the Association are set out in a note to the accounts.

The Finance Committee is responsible for the financial and administrative operations of the Association, including risk management, and reports directly to the Board of Trustees.

The Secondary and Further Education Committee reports to the Board of Trustees and is responsible for and responding to national issues regarding secondary and further education; the committee also advises the editors of The Use of English.

The Primary and Early Years Education Committee reports to the Board of Trustees and is responsible for responding to national issues regarding primary education; the English 4-11 Editorial Board is responsible for editing English 4-11 and administering the annual English 4-11 Picture Book awards.

The Higher Education Committee responds to national issues regarding higher education and reports to the Board of Trustees.

The Fellowship Committee is responsible for all matters pertaining to the Fellowship and its special interest groups, and reports to the Board of Trustees.

The Publications Committee is responsible for the publications portfolio.

The Remuneration Committee is responsible for the annual review of staff salaries and benefits, including pensions. This committee also convenes on an ad-hoc basis to review any new staffing proposals as they arise, to ensure that any proposed roles are appropriate to the EA, and to the sector, and that the proposed salaries are attractive and reasonable.

In 2025 the Association was staffed as follows: Chief Executive Officer, 1.0 FTE

Administration Officer, 0.8 FTE Mar - Oct (to cover parental leave), 1.0 FTE Jan - Feb, Nov - Dec Finance Officer, 0.4 FTE (on parental leave Mar - end of Dec)

History of The English Association

The English Association was founded in 1906. On 1 January 2001 its activities, assets and liabilities were transferred to a newly incorporated company limited by guarantee, in accordance with a scheme approved by the Charity Commission. On 1 December 2006 the Association was incorporated by Royal Charter.

In accordance with an order of the Charity Commission, on 1 January 2009 all of the activities, assets and liabilities of the existing registered charity (number 1078935) were transferred to a new registered charity (number 1124890). This transfer was necessary following the incorporation of the Association by Royal Charter. From 1 January 2009 the Association ceased to transact its affairs through the medium of the company limited by guarantee and from that date the affairs of the Association have been carried out through the new registered charity and the entity incorporated by Royal Charter. During 2010 the old registered charity was dissolved and the company limited by guarantee was removed from the Register of Companies.

Page 15

THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number RC000811 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number 1124890

Principle address

Senate House Malet Street London WC1E 7HU

Trustees

Prof G Walker Prof M Halliwell Prof D Duff Dr N King E Draper T Maloney Dr F M Douglas Prof A J P Thomson Prof A Mondal C Martin (from June 2025) B Davidson (from June 2025) J Morris (from June 2025) L Cuthbertson (from June 2025) K Stone (from June 2025) Dr L Robinson (from June 2025) K Armstrong (from June 2025)

Dr R Fisher is the Charity's Chief Executive Office.

Independent Examiner

Phillip Bott FCA BSc (Hons) The Institute of Chartered Accountants Mark J Rees LLP Chartered Accountants Granville Hall Granville Road Leicester Leicestershire LE1 7RU

BANKERS

Barclays Bank plc 2 Victoria Street London SW1H 0ND

Scottish Widows Bank PO Box 883 Leeds LS1 9TY

Page 16

THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................ and signed on its behalf by: 5 May 2026 ........................................................................ Prof J Richards - Trustee

Page 17

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The English Association

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The English Association (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.

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.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity's members. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's members as a body, for our work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Phillip Bott FCA BSc (Hons) The Institute of Chartered Accountants Mark J Rees LLP Chartered Accountants Granville Hall Granville Road Leicester Leicestershire LE1 7RU

Date: .............................................

Page 18

THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
2
1,833
Charitable activities
4
Advancing English
240,112
Investment income
3
3,315
Total
245,260
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
5
Advancing English
198,250
NET INCOME
47,010
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
370,182
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
417,192		 Restricted
funds
£
-
400
-
400
400
-
1,149
1,149		 2025
Total
funds
£
1,833
240,512
3,315
245,660
198,650
47,010
371,331
418,341		 2024
Total
funds
£
1,827
225,701
3,184
230,712
82,333
148,379
222,952
371,331

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 19

THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

BALANCE SHEET 31 DECEMBER 2025

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
9
702
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
10
37,458
Cash at bank and in hand
430,855
468,313
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
11
(51,823)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
416,490
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
417,192
NET ASSETS
417,192
FUNDS
12
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
1,349
1,349
(200)
1,149
1,149
1,149		 2025
Total
funds
£
702
37,458
432,204
469,662
(52,023)
417,639
418,341
418,341
417,192
1,149
418,341		 2024
Total
funds
£
1,200
48,801
353,132
401,933
(31,802)
370,131
371,331
371,331
370,182
1,149
371,331

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by: 5 May 2026

............................................. Prof J Richards - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 20

THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011 and its Royal Charter. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Financial reporting standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions

The charity has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemption in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland':

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. The exception to this is Subscription and Publication income which is recognised in the period to which it relates.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Fixtures and fittings - 5% on cost Office equipment - 20% on cost Computer equipment - 33% on cost

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charity operates both a defined contribution scheme and a defined benefit scheme.

Defined contribution scheme: Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the statement of financial activities in the period to which they relate.

continued...

Page 21

THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

Defined benefit scheme: An actuarial valuation of the scheme is carried out by an independent professionally qualified actuary every three years.

Debtors

Short term debtors are measured at transaction price, less any impairment. Loans receivable are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment.

Creditors

Short term creditors are measured at the transaction price. Other financial liabilities, including bank loans, are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

Gifts
3.
INVESTMENT INCOME
Deposit account interest
4.
INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Activity
Subscriptions
Advancing English
Publications
Advancing English
Other
Advancing English		 2025
£
1,833
2025
£
3,315
2025
£
97,423
128,483
14,606
240,512		 2024
£
1,827
2024
£
3,184
2024
£
96,513
119,574
9,614
225,701

continued...

Page 22

THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

5. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

----- Start of picture text -----
||||| |---|---|---|---| |Direct|Support| |Costs|costs|Totals| |£|£|£| |Advancing English|155,573|43,077|198,650|

----- End of picture text -----

6. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2025 nor for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Trustees' expenses

There were trustees expenses of £1,153 (2024: £1,260) paid for the year ended 31 December 2025.

7. STAFF COSTS

----- Start of picture text -----
|||| |---|---|---| |2025|2024| |£|£| |Wages and salaries|92,030|80,871| |Social security costs|693|6,733| |Other pension costs|11,729|(90,558)| |104,452|(2,954)|

----- End of picture text -----

There was no remuneration or other benefits paid to the Key Management Personnel during the year ended 31 December 2025 nor for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

Charitable activities

----- Start of picture text -----
||| |---|---| |2025|2024| |3|3|

----- End of picture text -----

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000 in the year ended 31 December 2025 nor in the year ended 31 December 2024.

8. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - 31 DECEMBER 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
||||| |---|---|---|---| |Unrestricted|Restricted|Total| |fund|funds|funds| |£|£|£| |INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM| |-| |Donations and legacies|1,827|1,827| |Charitable activities| |-| |Advancing English|225,701|225,701| |Investment income|3,184|-|3,184| |Total|230,712|-|230,712|

----- End of picture text -----

EXPENDITURE ON

continued...

Page 23

THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

8. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - 31 DECEMBER 2024 - continued

Unrestricted
Restricted
fund
funds
£
£
Charitable activities
Advancing English
82,293
40
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
148,419
(40)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
221,763
1,189
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
370,182
1,149
9.
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Fixtures
and
Office
Computer
fittings
equipment
equipment
£
£
£
COST
At 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025
2,597
3,572
52,136
DEPRECIATION
At 1 January 2025
2,343
3,496
51,266
Charge for year
22
48
428
At 31 December 2025
2,365
3,544
51,694
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2025
232
28
442
At 31 December 2024
254
76
870
10.
DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2025
£
Trade debtors
6,608
Prepayments and accrued income
30,850
37,458		 Total
funds
£
82,333
148,379
222,952
371,331
Totals
£
58,305
57,105
498
57,603
702
1,200
2024
£
2,303
46,498
48,801

continued...

Page 24

THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

11. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Trade creditors
Other creditors
12.
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Beatrice White fund
Betty Haigh prize fund
TOTAL FUNDS
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Beatrice White fund
Betty Haigh prize fund
TOTAL FUNDS		 At 1.1.25
£
370,182
1,099
50
1,149
371,331
Incoming
resources
£
245,260
-
400
400
245,660		 2025
2024
£
£
3,034
8,014
48,989
23,788
52,023
31,802
Net
movement
At
in funds
31.12.25
£
£
47,010
417,192
(100)
999
100
150
-
1,149
47,010
418,341
Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(198,250)
47,010
(100)
(100)
(300)
100
(400)
-
(198,650)
47,010

continued...

Page 25

THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

12. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparatives for movement in funds

At 1.1.24
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
221,763
Restricted funds
Beatrice White fund
1,099
Betty Haigh prize fund
90
1,189
TOTAL FUNDS
222,952
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming
resources
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
230,712
Restricted funds
Betty Haigh prize fund
-
TOTAL FUNDS
230,712		 Net
movement
At
in funds
31.12.24
£
£
148,419
370,182
-
1,099
(40)
50
(40)
1,149
148,379
371,331
Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(82,293)
148,419
(40)
(40)
(82,333)
148,379

PROFESSOR BEATRICE WHITE PRIZE FUND

The Professor Beatrice White Fund was established in 1988. The annual prize of £100 is awarded to the outstanding scholarly article in the field of English Literature before 1590, noted in the current volume of The Year's Work in English Studies.

BETTY HAIGH FUND

The Betty Haigh Fund was established in 1996 and is used to finance the Betty Haigh Shakespeare Prize Competition, an essay competition open to all A Level students of English Literature.

continued...

Page 26

THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

13. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Page 27

THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
Gifts
Investment income
Deposit account interest
Charitable activities
Subscriptions
Publications
Other
Total incoming resources
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities
Wages
Social security
Pensions
Publication costs
Events
Prizes and awards
Funded projects
Support costs
Management
Office costs
Marketing
Events
Meeting expenses
Governance
Office equipment depreciation
Computer equipment
Finance
Bank charges
Card processing charges
Carried forward		 2025
£
1,833
3,315
97,423
128,483
14,606
240,512
245,660
92,030
693
11,729
33,923
14,241
1,988
969
155,573
20,334
10,925
422
181
172
69
429
32,532
615
783
1,398		 2024
£
1,827
3,184
96,513
119,574
9,614
225,701
230,712
80,871
6,733
(90,558)
34,239
12,790
1,525
-
45,600
18,526
6,396
421
548
-
69
429
26,389
95
747
842

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 28

THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Finance
Brought forward
Bookkeeping
Governance costs
Legal and compliance fees
Consultancy and advice
Independent examiners remuneration
Total resources expended
Net income		 2025
£
1,398
4,571
5,969
576
1,040
2,960
4,576
198,650
47,010		 2024
£
842
3,700
4,542
432
2,580
2,790
5,802
82,333
148,379

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 29