PTFA
We are very fortunate in having a Parents, Teachers and Friends Association, Friends of Cheriton Bishop Primary School (charity number 1026641). The Friends Association exists to provide closer links between home and school, and it is an excellent way to bring staff, parents and friends together socially in support of the school children through fundraising and other activities. All families are automatically members of the PTFA when their child joins our school.
Role of the Committee
The Committee meet on a regular basis with smaller working groups meeting as necessary when we are planning larger events. The Committee also hold open PTFA meetings where any member can come along, find out what the association are planning, share ideas and get involved.
Our Committee includes:
Chair - Anna Southall
Vice Chair - Louise Moorhouse;
Treasurer - Debbie Marsden;
Joint Secretary - Hannah Wannell and Jo Tripp;
Pre School Committee Representative - Christine Grist
Ordinary Committee Members
Volunteers
We welcome any help from parents, teachers and friends, and have a growing list of volunteers who commit some of their time to helping the association. Every little helps, so just one hour of assisting at event or wrapping lucky dip prizes or folding raffle tickets (just a few examples) would be invaluable.
How we Raise and Spend Money
The majority of our funds are raised through the events that we run. We also apply for local and national grants for set projects, for example outdoor play equipment. Donations from the association are extremely important. You can donate time, money, items for sale, raffle prizes and auction lots or offers of services and skills. For example, our LoveOurSchool events where volunteers get together to spruce up the outdoor spaces at school. We have also been fortunate to receive matched funding for past events, which extends our impact even further!
The PTFA committee are responsible for deciding how our PTFA funds are spent. Usually the Headmaster provides a ‘wish list’ of items that the school and preschool would like us to consider funding, this includes input from the children themselves through the School Council.
We also invite input from parents too, so if you have an idea of something that would benefit all the students in the school, please do share it with the Committee. We can discuss it at a meeting and feedback.
Funds are typically spent on the ‘extras’ that are not provided by the school’s budget, thus making our children’s learning experiences so much more fulfilling and exciting. Our Constitution commits the association to spending money on things that will benefit the children directly.
If you would like to join our committee or as a volunteer, or have any suggestions for fundraising or events, grants, or match funding links then please find a committee member at school, find us on Facebook or email ptfacheritonbishop@gmail.com. Thank you.
Childcare Provision and SEN
We work closely with the following organisations.
Community Recycle Scheme
This new scheme donates a collection of second-hand, overstocked and end-of-line equipment to schools in the UK. A wide range of items has already been given away, including shade sails [1], post pad protectors and colourful fence pales. The full range of items can be viewed online [2], where requests can also be submitted. Several companies are involved with this initiative, including A&S Landscape a supplier of polycarbonate canopies [3].