2025-09-30-accounts

Company registration number: 01110693 Charity registration number: 266193

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

(A company limited by guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Contents

Reference and Administrative Details	1
Strategic Report	2 to 4
Trustees' Report	5 to 7
Accountants' Report	8
Independent Examiner's Report	9
Statement of Financial Activities	10
Balance Sheet	11 to 12
Notes to the Financial Statements	13 to 24

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Reference and Administrative Details

Chairman

Joanne Green

Secretary

Philip William Aird

Charity Registration Number

266193

Company Registration Number

01110693

The charity is incorporated in England & Wales.

Registered Office

46 Topham Crescent Thorney Peterborough PE6 0SR

Principal Office

61 Worlds End Lane Weston Turville Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP22 5RX

Independent Examiner

Welbourne & Co Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants 16 Birch Grove Elm, Wisbech Cambridgeshire PE14 0AP

Accountants

Coates Business Services Ltd Accountants and Business Advisors 46 Topham Crescent Thorney Peterborough PE6 0SR

Page 1

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present their strategic report for the year ended 30 September 2025, in compliance with section 414C of the Companies Act 2006.

Achievements and performance

The year ended 30 September 2025 was another important year for ESTA, and one in which the organisation continued to work hard to support string teachers, students and the wider teaching community.

The wider environment for music education remains extremely challenging. Many teachers continue to face rising costs, changing patterns of work, reduced local provision and a professional landscape which can feel increasingly isolated. These issues affect not only teachers, but also the young people and adult learners who depend on skilled, committed instrumental teaching.

Against this background, ESTA has continued to focus on its central purpose: supporting high quality string teaching, providing professional connection and encouraging the development of teachers at every stage of their careers.

ESTA Education has remained one of the organisation’s most significant areas of work. The MA and PGCert programmes, validated by the University of Chichester, continue to provide a distinctive route for instrumental teachers who wish to deepen their practice, reflect on their teaching and gain a recognised qualification rooted in practical teaching. We remain proud that ESTA is able to offer this kind of professional development within a specialist music teaching context.

The combination of online study, mentoring and in person residential work continues to be an important part of the ESTA Education model. It allows teachers from different locations and backgrounds to study together, while also giving them opportunities to build professional relationships and share practice in a supportive setting. This sense of community is an important part of what ESTA is able to offer.

Membership has also remained a key focus. ESTA exists for its members, and the Council has continued to think carefully about how membership can provide practical value, professional support and a stronger sense of belonging. Legal cover, publications, events, resources and opportunities for connection are all part of this work, but the wider aim is to ensure that teachers feel supported and represented.

Publications and communications continue to play an important role in ESTA’s work. ARCO, JESTA, newsletters and online communication all help to share ideas, celebrate good practice and keep members connected with the wider profession. This work relies on a great deal of skill and care, and the trustees are very grateful to the work of Eve Kennedy in maintaining and developing ESTA’s public voice.

The ESTA Bursary Committee has continued its valuable work in supporting students and teachers through the funds entrusted to ESTA. These bursaries make a real difference, particularly where financial support allows someone to attend a course, receive training or access an opportunity that might otherwise have been out of reach. The trustees remain very aware of the responsibility involved in managing these funds properly and ensuring that they are used in line with their intended purposes.

Council has also continued to work on strengthening ESTA’s governance and organisational resilience. As a small charity with a wide range of activity, ESTA depends heavily on the commitment of trustees, staff, volunteers, tutors, mentors and members. During the year, work continued to make systems clearer, improve documentation and ensure that the organisation is better placed to manage its responsibilities in areas such as safeguarding, finance, education, bursaries and member support.

Page 2

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

ESTA’s relationship with the wider music education world also remains important. The organisation continues to benefit from the expertise and generosity of its members, corporate partners, tutors, mentors, course leaders and supporters. These relationships help ESTA to remain outward looking and to respond to the needs of the profession as they develop.

The trustees would like to thank everyone who has contributed to ESTA’s work during the year. This includes Council members, committee members, staff, tutors, mentors, volunteers, donors, corporate members, students and individual members. ESTA is only able to achieve what it does because so many people give their time, experience and goodwill to the organisation.

Although the challenges facing music education are considerable, the trustees believe ESTA continues to have an important role to play. The need for professional support, high quality training, advocacy and connection between teachers is as strong as ever. ESTA will continue to work to meet that need and to support the future of string teaching.

Financial Review

The year ended 30 September 2025 saw the charity return to surplus. Total income for the year was £262,899 (2024: £276,529) and total expenditure was £229,963 (2024: £258,694), giving net income before investment gains of £32,936. After net gains on investments of £19,429 (2024: £11,361), the net movement in funds for the year was a surplus of £52,365 (2024: £29,196).

Unrestricted funds improved from a deficit of £13,465 to a surplus of £746, and restricted funds increased to £350,646 (2024: £312,492), giving total funds carried forward of £351,392 (2024: £299,027). This improvement is attributed to the growth in ESTA Education income and tighter control of governance and operational costs.

Page 3

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

Plans for future periods

Aims and key objectives for future periods

The trustees remain focused on strengthening ESTA’s work and ensuring that the organisation continues to support string teachers, students and the wider music education community in a practical and meaningful way.

Fundraising will continue to be an important priority. ESTA has begun to develop its fundraising initiatives more actively and has already held one successful event, with further events being planned. The aim is to build a broader base of support for the organisation’s charitable work, particularly in areas where funding can help teachers and students access training, bursaries and professional development.

ESTA will also continue to widen its reach. Monthly webinars, local events and more targeted activity in geographically rural areas will help the organisation communicate with a wider audience and support teachers who may not easily be able to attend larger national events. This is an important part of ESTA’s role, particularly for teachers who work independently or in areas where music education provision is more limited.

A further priority is the continued development of ESTA’s training and courses pathway. ESTA Education remains central to the organisation’s future, and the trustees wish to build a clearer route for teachers at different stages of their professional development. As part of this work, ESTA hopes to develop and launch a Level 4 instrument specific qualification by 2027. This would provide a valuable new entry point into structured teacher training and support the wider aim of raising standards in instrumental teaching.

The annual Summer School will also continue to develop. ESTA is moving to a new home for the course, which should offer a better experience for delegates, tutors and visitors. The trustees hope this will strengthen the Summer School as a key part of ESTA’s annual programme, bringing together professional development, community, performance and practical teaching in one setting.

ESTA will also work to develop stronger relationships with conservatoires, educational institutions, corporate partners and the wider music industry. These links are important if ESTA is to remain connected, relevant and able to advocate effectively for string teachers and learners.

The trustees believe that these areas of work will help ESTA become more visible, more resilient and more useful to the profession. The central aim remains the same: to support excellent string teaching and to ensure that teachers, wherever they work, feel part of a wider professional community.

The strategic report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 10 June 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... Joanne Green - Chairman and trustee

Page 4

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Trustees' Report

The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 30 September 2025.

Trustees and officers

The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:

Trustees:

Philippa Barton Laura Ritchie Maureen Smith Jacquelyn Myrna Woods Nicole Jessica Kate Wilson Philip Heyman Catherine Elliott William Bruce Edmund Osborne Wilson Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason Francis Cummings Joanne Green James Tudball Thomas Gregory Clifton Harrison Elizabeth Partridge

Chairman:

Joanne Green

Secretary: Philip William Aird

Objectives and activities

Objects and aims

The aims of the company are:

• to promote the highest artistic and pedagogic standards among teachers and students

• to promote lifelong high quality learning of stringed instruments open to all, regardless of social or economic background

The objectives of the company are:

• to encourage close co-operation across all levels of string teaching

• to provide local and national forums for the exchange of ideas and experience in string teaching

• to work with other professional organisations to provide support and guidance for new string teachers

• to sponsor research and study of all phases of all string playing and teaching

• to promote conferences, workshops, lectures, discussions and to sponsor publications

• to seek dissemination of pedagogical and related material amongst members

Page 5

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Trustees' Report

Public benefit

The company functions through local, national and international conferences, masterclasses and workshops. Contacts are maintained with other organisations involved in music education. ESTA Centres throughout the country serve as a focus for local activities.

Grants are available to members for financial assistance with short courses on teaching, and with chamber music initiatives particularly in geographically remoter districts.

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

Structure, governance and management

Organisational structure

ESTA String Teachers Association Limited is a company limited by guarantee and a registered UK charity. It is the British branch of the European String Teachers Association. The Council, whose members are normally directors of the company and trustees, oversees the management. Council members are elected at the annual general meeting.

An Executive Committee carry out policies and objectives.

Financial instruments

Objectives and policies

The charity's activities expose it to a number of financial risks including credit risk, cash flow risk and liquidity risk. The use of financial derivatives is governed by the charity’s policies approved by the board of trustees, which provide written principles on the use of financial derivatives to manage these risks. The charity does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

Cash flow risk

The charity’s activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The charity uses foreign exchange forward contracts and interest rate swap contracts to hedge these exposures.

Interest bearing assets and liabilities are held at fixed rate to ensure certainty of cash flows.

Credit risk

The charity’s principal financial assets are bank balances and cash, trade and other receivables, and investments.

The charity’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. The amounts presented in the balance sheet are net of allowances for doubtful receivables. An allowance for impairment is made where there is an identified loss event which, based on previous experience, is evidence of a reduction in the recoverability of the cash flows.

The credit risk on liquid funds and derivative financial instruments is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit-ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies.

The charity has no significant concentration of credit risk, with exposure spread over a large number of counterparties and customers.

Page 6

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Trustees' Report

Liquidity risk

In order to maintain liquidity to ensure that sufficient funds are available for ongoing operations and future developments, the charity uses a mixture of long-term and short-term debt finance.

Further details regarding liquidity risk can be found in the Statement of accounting policies in the financial statements.

Statement of trustees' responsibilities

The trustees (who are also the directors of ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland".

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

• observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable accounting standards, comprising FRS 102 have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that can disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 10 June 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... Joanne Green Chairman and trustee

Page 7

Accountants' Report to the Trustees on the Preparation of the Unaudited Statutory Accounts of

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

In order to assist you to fulfil your duties under the Companies Act 2006, we have prepared for your approval the accounts of ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd for the year ended 30 September 2025 as set out on pages 10 to 24 from the company's accounting records and from information and explanations you have given us.

This report is made solely to the Board of Directors of ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd, as a body, in accordance with the terms of our engagement letter. Our work has been undertaken solely to prepare for your approval the accounts of ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd and state those matters that we have agreed to state to the Board of Directors of ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd, as a body, in this report in accordance with guidance from our professional body. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd and its Board of Directors as a body for our work or for this report.

It is your duty to ensure that ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd has kept adequate accounting records and to prepare statutory accounts that give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and of ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd. You consider that ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd is exempt from the statutory audit requirement for the year.

We have not been instructed to carry out an audit or a review of the accounts of ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd. For this reason, we have not verified the accuracy or completeness of the accounting records or information and explanations you have given to us, and we do not, therefore, express any opinion on the statutory accounts.

......................................

Coates Business Services Ltd Accountants and Business Advisors 46 Topham Crescent Thorney Peterborough PE6 0SR 10 June 2026

Page 8

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 30 September 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees of the Company (and its directors 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 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited 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 (‘the 2011 Act’). 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

Since the Company's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.

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

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

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

3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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

4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].

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 to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

...................................... 10 June 2026

Richard Welbourne FCCA Welbourne & Co Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants 16 Birch Grove Elm, Wisbech Cambridgeshire PE14 0AP

Page 9

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30 September 2025 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)

	Total Total
	Unrestricted Restricted 2025 2024
Note	£ £ £ £
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies 3	87,610 15,626 103,236 137,441
Charitable activities 4	147,077 - 147,077 128,149
Investment income 5	- 11,986 11,986 9,163
Other income	600 - 600 1,776
Total income
	235,287 27,612 262,899 276,529
Expenditure on:
Raising funds	(476) - (476) (651)
Charitable activities 6	(135,641) (5,715) (141,356) (153,261)
Governance costs 7	(84,959) (3,172) (88,131) (104,782)
Total expenditure
	(221,076) (8,887) (229,963) (258,694)
Gains/losses on investment
assets	- 19,429 19,429 11,361
Net (expenditure)/income
	14,211 38,154 52,365 29,196
Net movement in funds
	14,211 38,154 52,365 29,196
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
	(13,465) 312,492 299,027 269,831
Total funds carried forward 20
	746 350,646 351,392 299,027

All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown is shown in note 20.

The notes on pages 13 to 24 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Page 10

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

(Registration number: 01110693) Balance Sheet as at 30 September 2025

	2025 2024
Note	£ £
Fixed assets
Intangible assets 12	1 1
Tangible assets 13	744 1,316
Investments 14	346,539 307,799
	347,284 309,116
Current assets
Debtors 15	48,914 11,439
Cash at bank and in hand 16	29,294 8,081
	78,208 19,520
Creditors: Amounts falling due within oneyear 17
	(74,100) (25,859)
Net current(liabilities)/assets
	4,108 (6,339)
Total assets less current liabilities
	351,392 302,777
Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than oneyear 18
	- (3,750)
Net assets
	351,392 299,027
Funds of the charity:
Restricted income funds
Restricted funds	350,646 312,492
Unrestricted income funds
Unrestricted funds	746 (13,465)
Total funds 20
	351,392 299,027

The notes on pages 13 to 24 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Page 11

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

(Registration number: 01110693) Balance Sheet as at 30 September 2025

For the financial year ending 30 September 2025 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors' responsibilities:

• The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; and

• The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

The financial statements on pages 10 to 24 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 17 May 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

.........................................

Joanne Green

Chairman and Trustee

The notes on pages 13 to 24 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Page 12

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

1 Charity status

The charity is limited by guarantee, incorporated in England & Wales, and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £Nil towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.

The address of its registered office is: 46 Topham Crescent Thorney Peterborough PE6 0SR

The principal place of business is: 61 Worlds End Lane Weston Turville Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP22 5RX

These financial statements were authorised for issue by the trustees on 10 June 2026.

2 Accounting policies

Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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)) (issued in October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Basis of preparation

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the charity.

Income and endowments

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of the income receivable can be measured reliably.

Page 13

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

Donations and legacies

Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

Gift aid

Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the Statement of Financial Activities at the same time as the gift to which they relate.

Investment income

Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due.

Expenditure

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.

Raising funds

These are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, the management of investments and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Grant provisions

Provisions for grants are made when the intention to make a grant has been communicated to the recipient but there is uncertainty about either the timing of the grant or the amount of grant payable.

Governance costs

These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees’ meetings and reimbursed expenses.

Page 14

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

Taxation

The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Intangible assets

Intangible assets are stated in the Balance Sheet at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment. They are amortised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.

Tangible fixed assets

Individual fixed assets costing £100.00 or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

Amortisation

Amortisation is provided on intangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:

over their expected useful economic life as follows:
Asset class	Amortisation method and rate
Intangible assets	20% per annum by equal annual instalments

Depreciation and amortisation

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:

residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:
Asset class	Depreciation method and rate
Fixtures, fittings and software	25% per annum by equal annual instalments

Fixed asset investments

Fixed asset investments, other than programme related investments, are included at market value at the balance sheet date. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and their market value at the start of the year, or their subsequent cost, and are charged or credited to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period of disposal.

Unrealised gains and losses represent the movement in market values during the year and are credited or charged to the Statement of Financial Activities based on the market value at the year end.

Page 15

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

Trade debtors

Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.

Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Trade creditors

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Foreign exchange

Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate of exchange at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are reported at the rates of exchange prevailing at that date.

The results of overseas operations are translated at the average rates of exchange during the period and their balance sheets at the rates ruling at the balance sheet date. Exchange differences arising on translation of the opening net assets and results of overseas operations are reported in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity (attributed to non-controlling interests as appropriate).

Other exchange differences are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities in the period in which they arise except for:

1) exchange differences on transactions entered into to hedge certain foreign currency risks (see above);

2) exchange differences arising on gains or losses on non-monetary items which are recognised in other comprehensive income; and

3) in the case of the consolidated financial statements, exchange differences on monetary items receivable from or payable to a foreign operation for which settlement is neither planned nor likely to occur (therefore forming part of the net investment in the foreign operation), which are recognised in other comprehensive income and reported under equity.

Page 16

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

Fund structure

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustee’s discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.

Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.

Pensions and other post-retirement obligations

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme which is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the charity has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.

Page 17

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

3 Income from donations and legacies

	Unrestricted
	funds	Restricted funds	Total funds
	£	£	£
Donations and legacies;
Gift aid reclaimed	6,495	-	6,495
Regular giving and capital donations	81,115	15,626	96,741
Other income from donations and legacies	-	-	-
Total for 2025	87,610	15,626	103,236
Total for 2024	84,905	52,536	137,441

4 Income from charitable activities

	Unrestricted
	funds	Total funds
	£	£
Events and courses	147,077	147,077
Total for 2025	147,077	147,077
Total for 2024	128,149	128,149

5 Investment income

	Restricted funds Total funds
	£ £
Other income from fixed asset investments	11,986 11,986
Total for 2025
	11,986 11,986
Total for 2024
	9,163 9,163

Page 18

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

6 Expenditure on charitable activities

6 Expenditure on charitable activities
	Unrestricted
	funds Restricted funds Total funds
Note	£ £ £
Events and courses	124,564 - 124,564
Membership benefits	11,077 - 11,077
Grant funding of activities	- 5,715 5,715
Total for 2025	135,641 5,715 141,356
Total for 2024
	140,703 12,558 153,261

7 Analysis of governance and support costs

Governance costs

Governance costs
	Unrestricted
	funds	Restricted funds	Total funds
	£	£	£
Wages and salaries	31,941	-	31,941
Pension costs	3,380	-	3,380
Legal fees	5,052	-	5,052
Depreciation, amortisation and other similar costs	572	-	572
Othergovernance costs	44,014	3,172	47,186
Total for 2025	84,959	3,172	88,131
Total for 2024	102,480	2,302	104,782

8 Net incoming/outgoing resources

Net incoming/(outgoing) resources for the year include:

Net incoming/(outgoing) resources for the year include:
	2025 2024
	£ £
Depreciation of fixed assets	572 572

Page 19

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

9 Trustees’ remuneration and expenses

During the year the charity made the following transactions with trustees:

Sarah Drury

£178 (2024: £Nil) of expenses were reimbursed to Sarah Drury during the year.

The expenses relate to reimbursed travel expenses.

William Bruce

£75 (2024: £1,160) of expenses were reimbursed to William Bruce during the year.

The expenses relate to reimbursed travel expenses.

Catherine Elliott

£Nil (2024: £400) of expenses were reimbursed to Catherine Elliott during the year.

The expenses relate to professional services provided by the trustee.

Joanne Green

Joanne Green received remuneration of £Nil (2024: £96) during the year.

The expenses relate to professional services provided by the trustee.

Philip Heyman

£75 (2024: £Nil) of expenses were reimbursed to Philip Heyman during the year.

The expenses relate to professional services provided by the trustee.

10 Staff costs

The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:

The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:
	2025 2024
	£ £
Staff costs during the year were:
Wages and salaries	31,941 31,941
Pension costs	3,380 3,380
Other staff costs	196 -
	35,517 35,321

Page 20

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

The monthly average number of persons (including senior management / leadership team) employed by the charity during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows:

charity during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows:
	2025 2024
	No No
Employees	1 1

1 (2024 - 1) of the above employees participated in the Defined Contribution Pension Schemes.

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year.

11 Taxation

The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.

12 Intangible fixed assets

12 Intangible fixed assets
	Website Total
	£ £
Cost
At 1 October 2024	27,520 27,520
At 30 September 2025
	27,520 27,520
Amortisation
At 1 October 2024	27,519 27,519
At 30 September 2025
	27,519 27,519
Net book value
At 30 September 2025
	1 1
At 30 September 2024
	1 1
13 Tangible fixed assets
	Furniture and
	equipment Total
	£ £
Cost
At 1 October 2024	22,247 22,247
Additions	- -
At 30 September 2025
	22,247 22,247

Page 21

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

		Furniture and
		equipment	Total
		£	£
Depreciation
At 1 October 2024		20,931	20,931
Charge for theyear		572	572
At 30 September 2025		21,503	21,503
Net book value
At 30 September 2025		744	744
At 30 September 2024		1,316	1,316
	14 Fixed asset investments

14 Fixed asset investments
	Rathbone	Rathbone	Rathbone	Rathbone
	Investment	Investment	Investment	Investment
	Management	Management -	Management -	Management -
	- Tertis Fund	Joan Dickson	Nutshell	Stringwise	Total
	£	£	£	£	£
Cost or Valuation
At 1 October 2024	49,909	40,981	71,651	145,258	307,799
Revaluation	896	701	4,738	13,094	19,429
Additions	1,757	1,442	2,655	20,807	26,661
Disposals	(2,185)	(1,986)	(1,815)	(1,364)	(7,350)
At 30 September 2025	50,377	41,138	77,229	177,795	346,539
Net book value
At 30 September 2025	50,377	41,138	77,229	177,795	346,539
At 30 September 2024	49,909	40,981	71,651	145,258	307,799

Investments are included at market value on the balance sheet date. Any gain or loss on revaluation is taken to the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA).

the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA).
15 Debtors
	2025 2024
	£ £
Trade debtors	48,914 11,439

Page 22

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

16 Cash and cash equivalents

16 Cash and cash equivalents
	2025		2024
	£		£
Cash at bank		29,294		8,080
Short-term deposits		-		1
		29,294		8,081

17 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

17 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
	2025		2024
	£		£
Bank loans		13,750		5,000
Trade creditors		37,422		14,228
Other creditors		18,977		2,680
Accruals		3,951		3,951
		74,100		25,859
18 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year
	2025		2024
	£		£
Bank loans		-		3,750

19 Pension and other schemes

Defined contribution pension scheme

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the year represents contributions payable by the charity to the scheme and amounted to £3,380 (2024 - £3,380).

20 Funds

	Other Balance at 30
	Balance at 1 Incoming Resources recognised September
	October 2024 resources expended gains/(losses) 2025
	£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
	(13,465) 235,287 (221,076) - 746
Restricted
	312,492 27,612 (8,887) 19,429 350,646
Total funds
	299,027 262,899 (229,963) 19,429 351,392

Page 23

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

				Other	Balance at 30
	Balance at 1	Incoming	Resources	recognised	September
	October 2023	resources	expended	gains/(losses)	2024
	£	£	£	£	£
Unrestricted funds	15,539	214,830	(243,548)	(286)	(13,465)
Restricted	254,292	61,699	(12,558)	9,059	312,492
Total funds	269,831	276,529	(256,106)	8,773	299,027

21 Analysis of net assets between funds

21 Analysis of net assets between funds
	2025
	Unrestricted funds Restricted Total funds
	£ £ £
Intangible fixed assets	1 - 1
Tangible fixed assets	744 - 744
Fixed asset investments	- 346,539 346,539
Current assets	74,101 4,107 78,208
Current liabilities	(64,100) - (64,100)
Creditors over 1year	(10,000) - (10,000)
Total net assets
	746 350,646 351,392
	2024
	Unrestricted funds Restricted Total funds
	£ £ £
Intangible fixed assets	1 - 1
Tangible fixed assets	1,316 - 1,316
Fixed asset investments	- 307,799 307,799
Current assets	14,827 4,693 19,520
Current liabilities	(25,859) - (25,859)
Creditors over 1year	(3,750) - (3,750)
Total net assets
	(13,465) 312,492 299,027

Page 24

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

	Total	Total
	2025	2024
	£	£
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies (analysed below)	103,236	137,441
Charitable activities (analysed below)	147,077	128,149
Investment income (analysed below)	11,986	9,163
Other income (analysed below)	600	1,776
Total income	262,899	276,529
Expenditure on:
Raising funds (analysed below)	(476)	(651)
Charitable activities (analysed below)	(141,356)	(153,261)
Governance costs (analysed below)	(88,131)	(104,782)
Total expenditure	(229,963)	(258,694)
Net income/(expenditure)	32,936	17,835
Gains/(Losses) on investments	19,429	11,361
Net movement in funds	52,365	29,196
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward	299,027	269,831
Total funds carried forward	351,392	299,027

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements. Page 25

ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

	Total	Total
	2025	2024
	£	£
Donations and legacies
Gift Aid tax reclaimed	6,495	9,458
Subscriptions	65,615	61,676
Sponsorship (Joan Dickson Fund)	198	2,000
Sponsorship (Stringwise Fund)	15,428	286
Sponsorship (Tertis Viola Fund)	-	50,250
Sponsorship (Unrestricted)	15,500	10,000
Other income	-	3,771
	103,236	137,441
Charitable activities
Events	17,403	62,656
ESTA Education	129,674	65,493
	147,077	128,149
Investment income
Income from listed investments (Joan Dickson Fund)	1,442	1,161
Income from listed investments (Nutshell Fund)	2,655	2,078
Income from listed investments (Stringwise Fund)	5,807	5,414
Income from listed investments (Tertis Viola Fund)	2,082	510
	11,986	9,163
Other income
Sundry income	250	1,566
DBS application fees	350	210
	600	1,776
Raising funds
Advertising	(476)	(651)
	(476)	(651)
Charitable activities
Direct costs	-	-
ESTA Events and Accredited Courses (Stringwise Fund)	-	-
ESTA Events and Accredited Courses (Tertis Viola Fund)	-	(1,400)
ESTA Events and Accredited Courses	(124,564)	(130,320)
Member's legal and public liability cover	(11,077)	(10,383)

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ESTA String Teachers Association Ltd

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30 September 2025

	Total Total
	2025 2024
	£ £
Grants payable (Joan Dickson Fund)	(2,250) (4,950)
Grants payable (Nutshell Fund)	(1,390) (5,608)
Grants payable (Stringwise Fund)	(350) -
	(141,356) (153,261)
Governance costs
Training courses	(313) -
Training courses (Joan Dickson Fund)	(350) -
Credit card charges	(2,329) (3,168)
Wages and salaries	(31,941) (31,941)
Staff pensions	(3,380) (3,380)
ESTA liability and trustee insurance	(8,247) (10,910)
Telephone and fax	(115) (773)
Computer software and maintenance costs	(3,512) (4,259)
Printing, postage and stationery	(86) -
Trade subscriptions	(365) (529)
Sundry expenses	(342) (2,188)
Staff training	(196) -
Travel and subsistence	(953) (4,931)
Customer entertaining	(78) (153)
Accountancy fees	(4,531) (4,468)
Consultancy fees	(23,277) (34,144)
Management fees for investments (Joan Dickson Fund)	(361) (354)
Management fees for investments (Nutshell Fund)	(662) (639)
Management fees for investments (Stringwise Fund)	(1,364) (1,267)
Management fees for investments (Tertis Viola Fund)	(435) (42)
Legal and professional fees	(521) (537)
Bank charges	(4,031) (241)
Bank interest payable	(170) (286)
Depreciation of office equipment	(572) (572)
	(88,131) (104,782)

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements. Page 27