h t i s f u l Run a PTA


fundraising With nearly a third of UK children living in poverty, it’s essential to approach events and fundraisers with care


Adopt a whole-school community approach to


events. If you’re organising a fair, make sure all pupils get some free turns or


tokens for activities so no one misses out.


Be mindful of the timings of activities and events. Make sure they don’t coincide with requests for financial contributions from the school, such as money for trips.


Set up a PTA pantry. Read how St Michael’s CofE


Primary PTFA turned an old changing room into a free pantry for struggling parents on page 9.


Ten tips for poverty-aware


Make inclusion and affordability key


considerations for all,


rather than only giving targeted support to children from low- income families.


Make it clear in all your communications that donations are optional. Don’t ask children to hand over cash in front of their peers.


Ensure activities that benefit other charities, such as Children in Need, focus on a variety of


ways for pupils to engage with the cause. Could they make a poster, sign a petition or run an assembly? Praise children and award prizes for ideas and enthusiasm, not just for raising money.


Consider how many different charity, fundraising, non-


uniform and dressing-up days you have across the year and when they take place. Try to reduce the number, space them out and give families plenty of notice.


Put affordability and inclusion at the heart of your leavers’


celebrations. Archbishop Holgate’s School in York set up Project Prom, asking sixth formers to donate dresses and suits to be


reused by younger students. w


Try to fundraise from


sources other than children and families in your school. Apply for grants, ask local businesses for sponsorship and donations, or use online fundraising portals such as easyfundraising,


which allow families to donate through online shopping at no extra cost.


Listen to your school community. Set up systems for getting feedback from parents and children. Aim for a committee that includes a representative range of parents.


School Fundraising SPRING 2025 43


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BY NUALA CALVI


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