MANAGING YOUR PTA – Working together
Harness pupil power Involve older pupils in the PTA – not only do the children get the benefi t of any funds raised, but they get to experience what the PTA does and how it works. Pupils could run a ‘grow a pound’ challenge, where the aim is to run the most successful stall at your summer or winter fair. From the school’s perspective, it allows pupils to take responsibility for a project while learning about business and enterprise. For the PTA, it relieves some of the fundraising pressure on your committee and encourages parents to attend events in which their children are involved. Find out more about pupil-run stalls at
pta.co.uk/ fairs/springsummer. Form a pupil PTA council where
pupils can tell you about the issues they believe need addressing and suggest ways to spend PTA funds. They could even become regular fundraising helpers and learn valuable volunteering skills.
Engage staff The relationship between the school staff and the PTA is important. A public show of support from the headteacher tells parents, families and the community that the PTA’s efforts are valued, which, in turn, boosts support and donations. Your
Showing that you support each other means the school and the PTA won’t be viewed as separate entities
headteacher’s backing is pivotal in setting an example and leading the way for other teaching staff to support the PTA. Showing that you support each other means the school and the PTA won’t be viewed as separate entities. If teachers aren’t sure how they can
help, invite them to contribute their skills – you may fi nd weaknesses in your committee can be fi lled by staff members. Whether it’s designing posters, writing newsletters or sorting uniform, highlight the areas in your committee where specifi c skills are needed and advertise them on the staff noticeboard. Of course, not all staff members
will be able to make a signifi cant time commitment, but many hands make light work, so let them know that any help is appreciated.
Make sure staff members know
they are welcome at all your PTA events. Just having them there shows that there are strong ties between the school and the PTA. Encourage staff to get involved by
offering them perks at your events. For example, offer staff members a free ticket to run in a colour run. Not only will this encourage more spectators to attend (who doesn’t want to see Miss Smith being covered in rainbow powder?) it also allows staff to let their hair down and have fun.
Use school resources By using the school to distribute your announcements and information, you can bypass concerns of GDPR rules and transfer the consideration to the school, who will already have training in data protection. Read more about how GDPR applies to PTAs at
pta.co.uk/ running-a-pta. The school’s facilities can also
be used for PTA events, whether it’s allowing you to use classroom furniture, letting you plug into the mains electricity, offering storage facilities on-site, or even providing the caretaker free-of-charge, when needed, for an event. The PTA may also have equipment in its stores that the school could use: for example, gazebos, PA systems and catering equipment.
Next steps Get together with your school and committee to discuss how you can build on the different ways in which you support one another. Look at ways the PTA can incorporate the school’s own goals into its events, fundraising and spending, and how you can engage staff. By working together, you can raise more funds, bring the community together and make the whole experience more special for the children.
PTA+ online
Visit
pta.co.uk/running-a-pta for more advice on how to boost support at your events.
16 AUTUMN 2019
pta.co.uk
IMAGES: UZENZEN/
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
