Many thousands of parents are volunteer members of Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) at their child's school; giving their time and energy to fundraising and working in partnership with the school.
In 2005 figures show that PTAs raised over £73 million last year providing funds to improve the school experience for millions of children both in the primary and secondary sectors.
This amazing achievement makes a real difference to schools and their pupils, providing extra resources and in some cases making it possible for activities such as school trips to happen.
A successful PTA will bring together parents and teachers who are interested in supporting the school. It provides an opportunity for everyone to work together with a common purpose.
PTA activity will vary from school to school; almost all PTAs are involved in fundraising and most will organize social events for parents and children. Many provide helpers for outings and special events and a large number run clubs for sport, music or drama. Some PTAs will organise meetings to inform parents about education issue, particularly when changes are taking place.
All parents and teachers can get involved, even if they only have a small amount of time available. Parents, teachers and others involved with the school are free to decide on what they want to do and on the framework under which they will work.
In a world where everyone's time is precious, getting people to join a PTA and motivating them to get involved can be a daunting task. "We try and get to know new parents when their children start school and encourage them to come along to a PTA meeting to find out more," says Lynne Maguire from Our Lady of Compassion Parents' Association.
Fundraising is a key part of life for the majority of PTAs. This will involve event organising and a certain degree of creativity and innovation. Others, particularly secondary school PTAs may meet less frequently and fundraise without ever holding an event.
Many established PTAs have found a successful formula and will commit a great deal of time and effort to organising and holding key events each school year.
Collingwood College PTA in Camberley, Surrey holds a fashion show every September involving around 100 students plus parents, teachers, staff, and younger siblings. The show is supported and made possible by local shops and businesses. Since the first show took place, the event has raised over £100,000. ‘The show has developed over the years and we now have an established plan of action and duties for those involved. The event has become a real focal point in the school calendar and is a great boost for the college community.
Each PTA member will know how much time they can give. For some this may be organising one key event each year, whilst others prefer to play a more supportive role perhaps running a stall at the Summer Fair or selling refreshments at the school disco.
Meetings are very informal, with event planning and organising as the main focus. PTAs tend to meet a couple of times each term with an extra meeting just before an event. Meetings may be held at school usually in the evenings, but some PTAs get together at a local pub and make the time more of a social gathering.
The lifecycle of a PTA committee will vary. Some members may stay involved for 10 years or more - particularly if they have subsequent children attending the school. Others may stay for a few years and then move on.
It is worth remembering that the key motivation for PTA volunteers is to help make a difference that their children will benefit from. Much of the fundraising activity of a PTA is done for specific projects or to buy equipment for the children to use. This may range from skipping ropes and balls for playtime, to the more ambitious project of equipping an ICT suite.
Often the children themselves are directly involved with the fundraising and may even come up with ideas for activities that will raise money. Each class at Watlington Primary School, Oxfordshire were given £10 and asked to use it to generate more money. Working closely with teachers and staff, the children came up with enterprises ranging from buying tea, coffee and croissants, to sell as breakfasts, to a very successful car-washing service. From an initial outlay of £90 the final total raised was an amazing £1,095.
The NCPTA has over 13,000 member PTAs across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Membership fees are based on the size of the school and range from £55 to £95 a year, and provide many benefits. Find out more by visiting ncpta.org.uk
