Welcome to CRISPA
PTA
We realise that starting school can be a nervous and daunting time for your child, but also for you as well. There always seem to be so many questions to ask. Here we aim to tell you about CRISPA and what we do to contribute to school life.
Why do we have a PTA? What do they do?
A Parent teacher organisation is a group of parents and teachers who work together to organise fundraising and social events to raise money for the school. We help boost the school’s budget and buy additional extra resources for learning and play that the school could not otherwise afford. Thousands of pounds have been raised over the last few years, which have been spent on improving equipment and resources to enhance our children’s education and the facilities in school.
Our PTA is about much more than just fundraising though. It also supports closer links between home and school and it is an excellent way to bring staff, parents and friends together socially in support of the school, working towards a common goal. It is fun too – as we are sure you will find out if you join us at one of the varied events throughout the school year.
All parents automatically become members of CRISPA when their children join our school. Parents and members of the school community can get involved in a variety of ways if they want to, even if they only have a small amount of time available.
We are a Registered Charity – Number 1141421
It is a legal requirement that organisations such as ours, with an annual income in excess of £5,000, register with the Charity Commission. As a Charity we must abide by Charity Commission rules and regulations. Being a Registered Charity allows us to raise funds more easily from grant giving trusts, local businesses and to take advantage of charity matched giving schemes.
Role of the Committee
Our PTA committee consists of a number of parent volunteers. No members of the PTA are paid. They do everything on a voluntary basis for the benefit of every child in the school. The committee meet on a regular basis usually once a month. If you are interested in joining the committee, please email us for further information.
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Our Annual General Meeting is held at the beginning of the academic year and this is the opportunity for all parents to come along and hear in more detail about events run, funds raised and how the money has been spent. We also elect our new committee at this meeting.
How We Get Information to You
We have our own notice board at the school entrance which we endeavour to keep up to date with posters advertising events. We also use the Parent Pay email system that the school uses so that letters come straight to your inbox. We often ask for help or support for upcoming events – if you can help, please email us on s18crispa@cranmore.solihull.sch.uk or use the reply slip on the bottom of our letters and hand it in at the office addressed to CRISPA.
How Can You Get Involved?
There are lots of ways you can help and support your child through the PTA. Offering to help at events during the year is so valuable – it really is a case of “many hands make light work”. It doesn’t matter if you can’t help on a regular basis, or even if you can’t come into school. There are always small jobs that can be done from home if you have half an hour to spare. We really couldn’t achieve what we do without the behind the scenes help that exists throughout the school. You can of course if you feel able, volunteer to be a Committee Member. Or you can simply give us your ideas for fundraising events – we are always grateful for new ideas!
We want to see the success of the school continue and always welcome new parents to involve themselves if they can.
How We Raise Money
Events
Like most PTAs, the majority of our funds are raised through the events and activities that we run. Some of our most popular events are the School Discos, Christmas Cards, and the Summer and Christmas Fayre’s. We also have had quiz nights, tea towels, family fun days, teddy bear picnics, Mother’s and Father’s Day gifts and much more. There is always something going on and it is truly rewarding to see the children (and parents) having fun at the events or enjoying using a piece of new equipment that the PTA has donated.
Donations
Donations are extremely important to making these events as successful as possible. These can be time, money, items for sale, donations for raffles or offers of services and skills.
Charity Matched Giving
Charity Matched Giving is very simple. Companies or businesses pledge to donate an amount of money which relates to the amount that an employee fundraises for our PTA.
If you think that your employer has a matched giving scheme already in operation or if you would like some more information, please talk to one of the PTA committee, or email us.
How is the Money Spent?
Once money is raised from events the funds are banked straight away by the Treasurer. In terms of spending the money, our Head Teacher Mrs Ward will have a ‘shopping list’ of items that the school would like to purchase. Often it will be for resources to improve a particular area of the curriculum or school environment. CRISPA funds the ‘extras’ not provided by the school budget.
CRISPA fundraising purchases from the last few years have included new Forest School waterproof clothing, a new shed, greenhouse, a subscription to an educational handouts website, football goals, painted playground markings (hopscotch, snakes and ladders, dartboard and more), classroom canopies, equipment for the library plus the outside teaching area.
We try to endeavour to spend funds in ways that benefit ALL children so you can be sure in supporting our school, your child will benefit, along with everyone else.
