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f s r t h o a Agenda EVENT PLANNING
CALENDAR The spring term is the ideal time to try something new. Why not create events and fundraisers around these celebrations, anniversaries and competitions.
JANUARY
6 RSPB’s Big Schools’ Bird Watch (6 Jan-20 Feb)
NEW LEGISLATION Making uniforms affordable
A new law designed to make schools provide affordable uniforms came into effect in September. But what exactly is it, and how does it impact PTAs?
School uniforms can give pupils a sense of identity, reduce bullying and make things easier for parents. But expensive uniforms which can only be bought from specialist shops achieve the opposite, causing financial anxiety and deterring less well-off families from applying to the school in the first place. Following a campaign by The
Children’s Society, Labour MP Mike Amesbury introduced a bill in 2020 aiming to reduce the financial burden of the cost of school uniforms. The law came into effect in England and Wales in September.
Second-hand sales If your PTA doesn’t yet have a second-hand uniform initiative, now is the time to speak with the headteacher about setting one up – it also raises money for the school. You can read more here:
pta.co.uk/ fundraising/ideas/ love-your-pre-loved- school-uniform/
Out with the old If your uniform has changed, ask the school what you should do with items in your PTA stores that are no longer required. Ideally, they’d continue in circulation until worn out.
Uniform policy A school’s uniform policy is set by its governing board or academy trust board. If parents have complaints – for example, the uniform includes a long list of branded items or is only available through one expensive supplier – they or the PTA should approach the governors or headteacher. If the problem isn’t resolved, PTAs or parents can contact Citizens Advice, their MP or the Department of Education.
READ
A longer version of this article at
pta.co.uk
Grants Some local councils offer assistance towards uniform costs for parents on income
support. Find your local authority at
gov.uk/help- school-clothing-costs
22 Chinese New Year (Rabbit) 25 Burns Night 30 National Storytelling Week (28 Jan-5 Feb)
FEBRUARY 2
Time To Talk Day
3 NSPCC’s Number Day 6 Schools’ Football Week (6-12 Feb) Children’s Mental Health Week (6-12 Feb)
7 Safer Internet Day
13 Student Volunteering Week (13-19 Feb)
14 Valentine’s Day International Book Giving Day
15 Decimal Day 17 Random Acts of Kindness Day 21 Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day)
MARCH
1 St David’s Day 2 World Book Day 3 World Wildlife Day 6 Holi (6-7 Mar) 10 British Science Week (10-19 Mar) 13 Neurodiversity Celebration Week (13-19 Mar)
17 St Patrick’s Day Comic Relief (Red Nose Day) The Great British Spring Clean (17 Mar to 2 Apr)
18 Global Recycling Day 19 Mother’s Day 20 UN French Language Day 21 World Poetry Day 23 World Maths Day
pta.co.uk SPRING 2023 7
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