## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period** **From 1[st] Jan 2020 Period start date To 1[st] Jan 2021 Period end date** ## **Charity name: MERYC-England** ## **Charity registration number: 1169504** ## **Objectives and Activities** **----- Start of picture text -----**
SORP
referenc
e
Summary of the Para The objectives of the charity are to advance
1.17
purposes of the charity the musical education of all children in
as set out in its England aged 0 – 5 years.
governing document
Summary of the main Para The three key areas of activity focus on:
1.17
activities in relation to and 1. Holding conferences and seminars
those purposes for the 1.19 2. Training in early childhood music
public benefit, in education (ECME)
particular, the activities, 3. Representation and communication
projects or services through consultation on current
identified in the policy on early years music education
accounts. and music in early childhood from
birth.
Activities 2020-21
1. Conferences:
This year’s conference due to take place in
Nov 2020 was postponed to Nov 2021
because of COVID19. In order to ensure
ongoing interest and support of ECME
practitioners throughout the year, and to
keep people feeling connected during the
pandemic, in July 2020 the Board approved
setting up a series of eight one-day
seminars in anticipation of the postponed
one-day conference to be held in Newcastle
University, entitled ‘Hear and be heard’.
The conference committee has arranged
and publicised the series and it is being run
virtually. The seminar programme acts as a
valuable platform for students and those
new to research to present their projects
and work in music with young children and
families.
2. Training
2020-21 is the third year of operation for
the Certificate in Music Education, which
was initiated by MERYC in partnership with
CREC in 2017. This trains practitioners to
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level 4. It was set up to fulfil two objects as
set out in the charity’s 5 year strategic
development plan 2017-22, namely:
-attempting to increase the quantity and
quality of research that will inform early
childhood musical experience by supporting
research initiatives of all kinds;
- attempting to raise the quality of practice
in early childhood music by encouraging
evidence-based practice, critical reflection
and the adoption of principles of social
justice;
The CME:EC is now running successfully and
independently, being accountable to Trinity
College, London. Susan Young resigned
from the MERYC Board in March 2020, but
continues as mentor and as EQA for the
programme, employed by Trinity College. .
In July a formal MOU was drawn up to define
the relationship between MERYC-England
and CREC. This formalises and strengthens
the relationship between CREC and MERYC-
England and makes clear the
responsibilities of each partner in ensuring
the impactful delivery of the L4 CME:EC
course. Whilst it is CREC that is the
validated body and the body to whom the
students apply and are enrolled, via the
MoU, MERYC-England is responsible for
liaising and collaborating with CREC in
selecting the Course Director who in turn
oversees the course delivery and support
team and has full responsibility for course
content and standards in line with the
Trinity College London regulations and
guidance. MERYC-England can bestow the
role of honorary trustee on the position of
course director for the duration of their
contract, in order to maintain close
affiliation with the CME:EC course.
Dr Jessica Pitt oversees the MA in Early
Childhood Music under the auspices of
CREC, thus maintaining this partnership and
promoting the values and mission of the
charity at this academic level.
All courses at both levels have continued to
run virtually because of the COVID
pandemic since March 2020.
3. Representation and communication
This has been carried out through the
efforts of individual trustees this year.
Because of COVID national bodies and
gatherings have been moved on line.
Statement confirming Para All trustees familiarise themselves with the
1.18
whether the trustees ‘Essential Trustee’ national guidance, have
have had regard to the reviewed the constitution of the CIO and
guidance issued by the regularly explore and discuss the
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Charity Commission on public benefit applicability of principles related to good governance, as defined in the CGC. ## **Additional information (optional)** **----- Start of picture text -----**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP
reference
A key objective of MERYC is providing support and
Para 1.38 advice to other organisations and schemes whose aims
Policy on and activities are concordant with the aims and
grant principles of MERYC-England. This year, despite a drop
making in revenue the trustees continued their grant giving (a
total of up to £600) to support small scale projects by
Early Years music practitioners in offering CPD related
to early years music education and music with families
with under-fives. This is in line with MERYC-England’s
ongoing commitment to encouraging the link between
research and practice. Applicants are informed of the
opportunity through the Early Years Facebook page and
other social media and encouraged to apply by showing
how their project for the grant relates to the principles
of MERYC-England, as shown on the MERYC website.
Applications were reviewed by a panel of trustees and
are accountable by a report before the end of the
current financial year (31 Dec 2020).
Para 1.38 The charity aims to hold a music education conference
Policy on biennially, in alternate years to EuNet MERYC. This
social regular conferencing acts both as a means to maintain
investmen professional connectedness and as a way of building
t including revenue for the charity.
program .
related
investmen
t
All MERYC Trustees are volunteers. There are three
Para 1.38 committees; conferencing, training and representation.
Contributi These may co-opt new members and volunteers to fulfil
on made the aims of the charity, eg calling on students or
by parents to help with a music education conference.
volunteers
Other
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## **Achievements and Performance** SORP reference **----- Start of picture text -----**
The key achievements this year have been:
Consolidation:
Using the time during the pandemic to consolidate
Summary of aspects of governance in the charity, particularly in
Para 1.20
the main its relationship to the Certificate Course. Zoe
achievemen Greenhalgh the director of the course is also an
ts of the honorary trustee of the charity. In line with our
charity, charitable objects, trustees have continued to
identifying promote the CME EC course. Since Jan 2017
the (validation), 14 students have passed, 35 are
difference currently studying and 4 have withdrawn. There have
the charity’s been no failed submissions. Recruitment has
work has benefitted from places funded by Youth Music
made to the programmes. The External quality Assurer’s (EQA)
circumstanc report emphasises the strong mentors, exemplary
es of its leadership and adaptability to the recent limits
beneficiarie imposed by the pandemic. A full report is available on
s and any the CREC website.
wider
benefits to Succession:
society as a While the Board regrets the resignation of its
whole. foundational trustee, Susan Young, this has also been
an opportunity to formalise the relationship with
CREC through the MOU and to consider succession of
the MERYC Trustees membership. This is an ongoing
process, involving risk assessment and forward
planning.
Conferencing/seminars
The seminar series which aims to keep music
practitioners, artists and researchers in touch in lieu
of the one-day postponed conference, has started
successfully in September with the first seminar
focused on Deep Listening. Hosted remotely by
trustees Stephen Grocott and Linda Bance, this
attracted 35 delegates and raised revenue net
£381.00. Tickets prices were deliberately set at
£12.00 with non waged at £5.00. We aimed to be
sensitive to participants whose work has been
seriously affected by cancellations due to the
pandemic.
Representation
Individual trustees have represented the charity
through different platforms this year. Jessica Pitt gave
an interview for Early Years TV, with Kathy Brodie, as
part of a Speech and Language Summit, July 2020.
This provided the opportunity to talk about MERYC-
England’s aims and purposes; highlighting the
CME:EC and our conferences. This was viewed by
over 33,000 people from 111 countries. Speaking
engagements present the chance for promoting the
aims of MERYC-England. There have been a number
of workshops and presentations this year for a range
of organisations: Sound Connections -Tri-borough
Music Hub (London Early Years Music Network);
Midlands Arts Centre; Festival Bridge; Anglia Ruskin
University. Through Jessica Pitt’s teaching at CREC,
she recommends MERYC-England’s seminar days and
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conferences as an ideal platform for masters students to present their research in early childhood music education. Margareta Burrell has promoted MERYC activities through her ongoing MA studies, with colleagues in the Dalcroze society and through her training and workshops. Steve Grocott and Barbara Cavanagh hosted discussions with a range of music practitioners on issues and approaches arising through the Early Years Music Facebook page, on which they regularly post. ## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: **----- Start of picture text -----**
Although the pandemic curtailed active music making
and meeting in person in education contexts, we
Achievements Par continued to advance our objectives through social
against objectives a media; Facebook and Twitter.
1.4
set 1 On a more longterm basis, we continue to
consolidate relationships through collaborative
research and practice. Through Jessica Pitt’s role as
Lecturer in Music Education at The Royal College of
Music MERYC-England and RCM have collaborated
through an EY arts scoping project culminated in a
successful dissemination event at RCM in July 2019,
bringing together professionals from museums, arts
organisations, musicians, and educators. We hope
the collaboration between RCM and MERYC-England
can continue through future research planned for
next year: 2021.
Fund raising activities in the form of conferences
were postponed to 2021.
Performance of The first (pilot) seminar in our Hear and Be Heard
fundraising Par series raised £381.00. We aim to increase revenue
a
activities against 1.4 through the seminar series in 2021, and are on
objectives set 1 course to do this, with 50 attendees booked on the
second seminar in January.
Investment Par
performance a
1.4
against objectives 1
Other
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## **Financial Review** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Review of the charity’s Para 1.21 At the end of this period the Charity’s
financial position at the bank account with the Co-operative
end of the period Bank shows a balance of £5,324
Statement explaining Para 1.22 The policy to hold a reserve of £2,500
the policy for holding was reviewed in October 2020.It was
reserves stating why decided to reduce reserves to £2000.
they are held This is regarded as an indication of
prudent financial management
against risk of activities failing to
meet costs, and to ensure there is a
balance in the account, when
applying for grants.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 £2,000.
Reasons for holding zero Para 1.22
reserves
Details of fund materially Para 1.24
in deficit
Explanation of any Para 1.23
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a
going concern
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## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: **----- Start of picture text -----**
The principal source of revenue is
from delegate conference and
The charity’s principal seminar fees.
sources of funds Para 1.47
(including any
fundraising)
Investment policy and
objectives including any Para 1.46
social investment policy
adopted
The principal risks are the capacity of
individual trustees to continue the
A description of the Para 1.46 activities that generate funds. All are
principal risks facing the totally committed to the purposes and
charity aims and the objectives. All are
volunteers.
Other
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## **Structure, Governance and Management** Description of charity’s trusts: Type of governing document Para 1.25 Constitution **----- Start of picture text -----**
(trust deed, royal
charter)
How is the charity Para 1.25 Charitable Incorporated Organisation
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)
Trustee selection Para 1.25 Trustees are representative of a range
methods including of practice and from different regions
details of any in England. A balance is maintained
constitutional provisions between researchers and
e.g. election to post or practitioners, to ensure the charity’s
name of any person or objectives are met, according to the
body entitled to appoint constitution document.
one or more trustees
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## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: **----- Start of picture text -----**
All trustees are encouraged to
familiarise themselves with the
Policies and procedures Constitution, with the Charity
adopted for the Para 1.51 Commission guidelines for good
induction and training of governance and with the principles of
trustees the CGC. Principles are reviewed
regularly in the light of current
projects and activities.
All Trustees act in a voluntary
capacity, with expenses agreed in
The charity’s advance where applicable, eg for
organisational structure Para 1.51 specific tasks relating to conference
and any wider network administration, representing MERYC
with which the charity on a range of bodies, eg Music Mark
works and Music Education Council. The
Charity works in close partnership
with the Centre for Research in Early
Childhood (CREC), Birmingham.
MERYC-England abides by and
adheres to the same policies and
procedures as CREC. All trustees
have been DBS checked.
MERYC-England relates regularly with
the European MERYC network (Eunet-
Relationship with any Para 1.51 MERYC) to share, to learn from, and
related parties promote practice and research in
early childhood music, through joint
conferences and ongoing dialogue.
Other
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## **Reference and Administrative details** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Charity name MERYC-England
Other name the charity
uses
Registered charity 1169504
number
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Charity’s principal Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC) address St Thomas Children’s Centre, Bell Barn Road, Attwood Green, Birmingham, West Midlands, B15 2AF Telephone: +44(0)121 464 0020 ## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Name of person (or body)
Dates acted if not for
Trustee name Office (if any) entitled to appoint trustee
whole year
(if any)
1 Dr Alison Street Chair
2 Linda Bance
Margareta
3
Burrell
Prof Chris Pascall Representing
Centre for
4
Research in Early
Childhood (CREC
5 Dr Jessica Pitt
Barbara Treasurer
6
Cavanagh,
7 Stephen Grocott
Zoe Greenhalgh Honorary Trustee From March 2020
8
Director CME:EC
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
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Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved **Director name** Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity **Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year** ## **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others** Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets ## **Additional information (optional)** ## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)** |**Type of**
**adviser**
**Name**
**Address**|**Type of**
**adviser**
**Name**
**Address**|**Type of**
**adviser**
**Name**
**Address**| |---|---|---| |Finance|Sean Delaney|CREC (as above)| |||| |||| |||| **Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)** ## **Exemptions from disclosure** Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details ## **Other optional information** ## **Declarations** **The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.** **Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees Signature(s) Full name(s)** Dr Alison M Street **Position (eg** Chair MERYC-England **Secretary, Chair, etc)** **Date** 26 Jan 2021 **Charity Name No (if any) MERYC-England 1169504 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period** Period start date Period end date **To from** 01-Jan-20 01-Jan-21 ## **Section A Receipts and payments** |**A1 Receipts**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**to the nearest**
**£**
**382**
**30**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**412**
**-**
**-**
**412**
**280**
**450**
**56**
**786**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**786**
**- 374**
**-**
**5,698**
**5,324**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**to the nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|**Endowment**
**funds**
**to the nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|**Total funds**
**to the nearest £**
**382**
**30**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**412**
**-**
**-**
**412**
**786**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**786**
**- 374**|**Total funds**
**to the nearest £**
**382**
**30**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**412**
**-**
**-**
**412**
**786**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**786**
**- 374**|**Last year**
**to the nearest £**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Seminarprogramme Eventbrite|**382**|||||**-**| |Donation|**30**|||||**-**| |||||||**-**| |||||||**-**| |||||||**-**| ||**-**|||||**-**| ||**-**|||||**-**| ||**-**|||||**-**| |**_Sub total_**_(Gross income for_
_AR)_|**412**|||||**-**| |||||||| |**A2 Asset and investment sales,**
**(see table).**||||||| ||**-**|||||| ||**-**|||||**-**| |**_Sub total_**||||||**-**| |**_Total receipts_**
**A3 Payments**||||||| |||||||**-**| |||||||| |Seminar expenses|**280**|||||**-**| |Awards for teachmeet|**450**|||||**-**| |Trustee travel &subsistence|**56**|||||**-**| |||||||| |||||||| |||||||| |||||||| |||||||| |||||||| |**_Sub total_ **|**786**|||||**-**| |||||||| |**A4 Asset and investment**
**purchases, (see table)**||||||| ||**-**|||||| ||**-**|||||| |**_Sub total_ **|**-**|||||**-**| |**_Total payments_**
**_Net of receipts/(payments)_**
**A5 Transfers between funds**
**A6 Cash funds last year end**
**_Cash funds this year end_**||||||| |||||||**-**| |||||||| ||**- 374**|**-**|**-**|**- 374**||**-**| ||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**-**| ||**5,698**|**-**|**-**|**5,698**||| ||**5,324**|**-**|**-**|**5,324**||| CCXX R1 accounts (SS) 30/10/2021 1 ## **Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period** |**Categories**
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
**B1 Cash funds**
**B2 Other monetary assets**
**B4 Assets retained for the**
**charity’s own use**
**B5 Liabilities**
**B3 Investment assets**|Signature
**Details**
**Details**
**Details**
**Details**
**_Total cash funds_**
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
**Details**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**5,324**
OK
OK
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Cost (optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Cost (optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**liability relates**
**Amount due**
**(optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
Print Name
Alison M Street|**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**| |---|---|---|---| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||OK| ||||**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**Current value**
**(optional)**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**Current value**
**(optional)**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**When due**
**(optional)**| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||Date of
approval| |||Alison M Street|05-Oct-21| ||||| CCXX R2 accounts (SS) 30/10/2021 2