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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Would you be worried if a school didn't have a PTA?

31 replies

ButterPieify · 26/01/2011 12:08

The school we have signed DD1 up to doesn't have a PTA. It is in a very deprived area and could probably really do with all the help it could get, but the website says they have tried, but can't get enought interest.

On the one hand, surely this means that involved parents like us SHOULD send our kids there, and work hard for the good of every child.

On the other hand, WAIL. I actually want to HE, but keep having moral dillemmas re elitism and so on. My politics says I should send my kids with everyone elses, and work to improve things for everyone, but my heart sinks at the idea that I'd be the only parent (well, me and DH) volunteering for anything or getting involved...

Am I being silly?

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jemimapotts · 27/01/2011 11:13

I'd ask to speak to the head or deputy. Say you are considering sending your DC there, but have a few concerns. You've noticed that there is not a PTA, have heard from 'friends' that a PTA is a positive influence in a school. Why isn't there one there, and would there be support from the management team to set one up. Also ask if they encourage parents to help out in the classroom. This shows an openess and confidence about working with parents. From experience, I would now be very wary of sending my DC to a school where this is not welcomed.

mackereltaitai · 27/01/2011 11:13

How about asking for a parent-governor you can talk to, and/or some recent sets of Governing Body minutes?

jemimapotts · 27/01/2011 11:18

In the past I would have felt cheeky asking for this kind of information, but wish I had!!! It's important you get it right for your DC. I didn't ask the questions and ended up having to move my DC after 4 1/2 years!

StewieGriffinsMom · 27/01/2011 11:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

suesfault · 27/01/2011 11:44

I don't think you'll sound like an arse - its a valid question to ask about a PTA. If they say you don't have one its OK to ask why and if the head would welcome one.

I guess you might get a slightly defensive reply if the head feels that there is something lacking on their partnut tbh I'd go more on your own gut feel when you visit the school which should definitely be during the school day.

LatteLady · 27/01/2011 15:59

Can I suggest that you have a look at this website, www.ncpta.org.uk/ which we found really helpful when our school set up a PTA. We are an inner city school and most of our parents are EAL, so it has been a hard slog for the organisers as we can have problems ensuring that people are escorted to meeting but it really is starting to take off.

Talk to your Governors and see if they will fund your membership to NCPTA, it is not expensive but well worth it.

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