What does the PTA do?
The PTA is a registered charity run by a committee (Charity number: 1147450) - Chris Stevenson is the chair, Suzy Morrow is the vice chair and Stephanie Nailor Stevenson is the treasurer. But the PTA is really everyone who is a parent or guardian of a child at the school, or a member of the school staff. There are opportunities for everyone to get involved and every contribution helps whether it’s leading a big project or taking five minutes to help tidy up after an event.
We raise money for the school and we run events for the children and we aim to combine those two things wherever possible. Things have been a bit different over the last couple of years with all the restrictions in place but things are slowly getting back to normal and we usually have several events each term.
Our regular events include an annual sponsored event, discos, ice cream Fridays during the warmer weather, Easter Egg Bingo and Bunny Hunts, a summer fair and Christmas fun. This year for the first time we’ve been selling tickets to events like the Round Table fireworks display, certain Assembly Halls’ shows and Legoland – ideal for a class outing or just a day with family, which have been very popular. We also have regular pre-loved uniform sales.
Where does the money raised go?
Over the years the money raised has paid for things like the forest school log cabin, play equipment, smart boards (big interactive white boards) for all the classrooms in both infants and juniors and helped fund the relocation and refurbishment of the library. We are now working towards (and very close to being able to go ahead with) a new all-weather path for the junior field which will allow the children to access the lovely outdoors space and take part in the daily mile all year round.
How do I find out more?
Information about our events is sent out via Parentmail. We also share information through our social media (mostly Facebook and Instagram) and via your class reps so please join your class WhatsApp group and keep an eye out for all the news. We usually hold meetings six times a year at school – usually straight after drop off on a Tuesday - these are announced in the newsletter. We use the meetings to plan events, share information with parents and helpers about those events, and get your feedback and ideas too! Everyone is welcome to attend. We especially encourage class reps to come along to find out what’s coming up and where help is needed, but you don’t have to be a class rep to be involved.
If you would like to find out more about getting involved, have an idea for an event or would like to help out with something soon, please complete the attached form. You can email it to us at stjamespta@gmx.com or print it out and post it in our letter box in the school office reception area.
Match Funding
Finally, match funding has been a very helpful source of income for the PTA in the last few years. If you work for a company that offers match funding, we can help you join one of the PTA activities and ensure that you meet your company’s match funding criteria. Typically this is offered by large corporations like Fidelity, Barclays and BP but an increasing interest in Corporate Social Responsibility has led to more businesses across the board setting up schemes. Please let us know if you would like to become a match funder or would like more information.
AGM
Every year we hold our AGM yearly to report on the previous year’s work and elect the new committee members. This is a meeting for all members of the PTA, not just the elected committee members. It is our chance to tell you about our achievements and the difference we have made. We need the support of parents so that decisions taken at the AGM are valid and in line with our constitution.
Details will be sent via Parentmail nearer the time.