What is a Parent Teacher & Friends Association (PTFA)?

Our PTFA – F.O.G.S is an organisation of parents and staff. Its role is to encourage closer links between home and school. We are best known for our fundraising work, but also have a very useful social function too. Fundraising events provide an opportunity for parents, staff and pupils to get together and have a lot of fun and laughter.

 

How is the PTFA organised?

At The Grange, all parents/carers and teachers are automatically members of the PTA.

We hold our annual general meeting in September, at the start of the school year. At this meeting a committee is elected to run the PTFA – usually consisting of a chair, a vice-chair, a treasurer, a secretary and ordinary committee members. These ordinary members include at least one, and often two, parents from each class as 'class reps'. Their job is to pass on information from the PTFA to other parents in their child’s class.

 

F.O.G.S usually meet once a term and set up smaller working groups to organise individual events.

 

How is money raised?

We raise money through events. We often hold one main event each school term – for example, a Christmas Bazaar in the winter, Bingo in the spring, and a summer fair. Other F.O.G.S events include school uniform sales, cake sales, discos, firework displays, and many more. We’re always looking for new fundraising ideas.

 

How is money spent?

Funds raised by F.O.G.S are intended to provide ‘extras’ not already provided by the school's main income – often 'fun things' or luxury items that make learning more interesting and exciting.

 

The PTFA committee and the headteacher decide how to spend our funds. Common items include computers, playground equipment, art equipment and smaller purchases such as presents for Father Christmas to distribute, or lights for a Christingle celebration.

 

How can I be involved in my PTFA?

There are many different ways you can help with the PTFA, whether you have lots of time to offer or not.

Some of the roles are time-consuming, although also rewarding. If you can’t commit to a big job, look out for things you can do less frequently (eg running a stall at the summer fair, baking for a cake sale). And you can always support PTA events by simply turning up.