PTFA are you involved?

[seeker]

That's it really. We had our PTFA AGM last night and 10 people came - and that included 4 committee members and the Head and Deputy Head!
There are 425 children at the school!

We had a very active year last year, raised loads of money, bought loads of good stuff, got fab feedback from parents, publicised the meeting everywhere - but nobody came. We even served wine!

Do you get involved with your PTFA? If you don't, can you tell me why?

I am; ds only just started at the school so I wanted to know what money was going where (cos I'm nosey!) and I was shocked - only FIVE non-committee members turned up and that included me!!!

The school has about 180 students and only about 15 were at this meeting - mostly all the old committee (was voting for new roles etc)

Seems odd that so many parents don't want to take these opportunities to have a say and see what and why money goes where it does - I learned an awful lot about the lack of funding for all the school needs and why they spend in such n such a class and not another etc

I didn't realise we were invited to the meetings... I will ask at our school and see. If we are I will go!

I went to my first one last night, there were 7 of us - 180 children at school. No wine though

I have been involved for the past 5 years, it's not nice when only a few from a few hundred turn up though

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Of course they would want you, every bit of help is so appreciated

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Well the pta at my school haven't found out about mine and Ive been there for 5 years

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I am part of our PTFA and, like you, I'm shocked at the same old faces that turn up all the time, no new ones. Our school has over 400 pupils and approx 15 mums/dads turn up for meetings. I really don't think they have any idea how much work and effort goes into all the functions - summer fair, xmas fair, auction, quiz night etc etc. I didn't have a clue until I joined in.

I'm sure new members would be welcomed with open arms at any school.

Harman, so what1 Honestly there are no forms to fill in, no declarations to be made so no one will know

The named trustees are supposed to be CRB checked, the other people going to PTA mtgs or events (so, not the officers) don't usually get CRB'd (although this varies by PTA policy). So your secrets should be safe as long as you don't volunteer to be secretary/treasurer/chair... anyway, it depends what you were cautioned for, Harman. The receivers of the CRB info are supposed to use balanced judgement and common sense to decide whether it's actually relevant. For instance, plenty of people did dumb things as underage teenagers that are irrelevant to their ability to be responsible adults a decade or two later.

I am the Hon Secretary. It's a thankless task.

There are over 500 children at our school and probably about 20 people come to the meeting - that includes 6 committee members adn a few teachers.

It's crap.

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I had a caution as a teenager yet I have a full crb check for my employment no problem
Please don't let it stop you helping out x

ours has the AGM immediately after new parents' reception drinks and also the Governor's AGM at the same time..this at least ensures one year of good attendance. ppl had to fill in a form to be elected, though this year (reception) I am a class rep. we are going to meet one morning for coffee in someone's house, go out to pizza express and have a midweek evening out.(we have already had one coffee morning to raise money for the macmillan charity)

this is particularly important for our class this term as half the class (the younger 4 year olds) go home at noon and so we havent really got to know the other half of the mums and also the children comne form variuos diffenrt pre schools /nurseries so not everybody knows each other do you have class reps?

Does your PTA really have a rep from EVERY class, samanthar? How do they get found/chosen (notes in bookbag, maybe?).

I have seen a lot of disclosures and none have ever had any offenses or cautions (or anything) recorded, so I honestly don't know where the line is supposed to be drawn, BUT the CRB Code of Practice says that any exclusions from employment/participation have to be well-justified. I think it's actually up to the LEA, really, to issue guidance on what's relevant. I would have thought a few slaps against your ex in middle of a heated argument is a far cry from presenting a hazard when selling tickets at the Christmas Tombola...

Only five or six parents turn up to ours out of a school of 450 - in and odd way I am relieved to see this isn't that unusual.
We work very hard to raise money and it is very dispiriting how few people are prepared to help.

Harman - I would agree that the reason for your caution would not be a problem in any way with helping out. Its obvious the sort of things that would be a problem. Your help I am sure would be very much appreciated.

We have an active PTA but I guess only a small number of parents turn up regularly to meetings. We tend to do OK in terms of getting parents to help out at events. One year, our AGM was like yours seeker, and actually not enough people there to be officially allowed to elect officers. The chair cancelled the up and coming film show, high point of the infants' calendar, and threatened to do same with junior disco. We got more people to the re-run AGM!!!