What does the PTA do?

[quinne]

I know its a bit of an odd question but I recently joined the PTA at my DS's new school. The work seems to be about fund raising through various events and not much else.
I'd like it to be about helping the school to develop a stronger reputation locally so that it doesn't always have the threat of losing a teacher hanging over it but is the PTA the wrong place to do this?
The school had a poor reputation a few years ago, much of it deserved. But a new head arrived four years ago and all the old problems (bullying etc) have been sorted out. What it needs is to tell people that it has improved but there doesn't seem to be anyone trying to do that.

Sorry for the long ramble..!

no... PTA's are usually about trying to raise funds to enhance the environment for the dc.
Ours is also trying to create stronger community links within the school and local area but I think that's quite unusual.
You could suggest to the head, the PTA could take on some of this role as Ofsted is very hot on community or even create a new committee to concentrate on community and standing.

Fundraising and organising social events is what the PTA does. It doesn't have any say in the running of the school.

You could apply to be a Parent or Community Governor when a vacancy comes up. They have more influence.

When is the next Ofsted report? The improvements should come out in the report and people will read that when they're looking for schools.

That sounds like a great idea. Don"t ask permission - certainly not from the head - just put together a plan and get on with it.

I think there was an ofsted inspection about a year ago and the changes were noted and written well about, but the overall finding was still "satisfactory", albeit with some "good" and one "outstanding" factors.
As a newcomer, I think one of the problems is that the school doesn't advertise itself. You would hardly know it was there from the street as it is so tucked away. However, there are some really good teachers and there are places in every year, which is something of a miracle locally where more schools have two form entry and are full to bursting.
I have ideas that might work... better signage, marketing via the website and leafleting in the village, getting the local free papers to write about individual child's achievements (winning national competitions etc)and so, but I don't really know if they would work and I can't do it alone or without the school's help. I know the head is interested but apart from the PTA, all the parents just seem really passive about the school generally and don't help out with anything.

You could try going to the next Governors meeting and making some suggestions? Here the PTA is very much about school events, many fundraising (tho not all). It would be seen as overstepping the boundaries for them to, for example, market the school through articles in local press about individuals.

"Don"t ask permission - certainly not from the head"
What a bizarre thing to suggest - why do you think the headteacher should not be involved in something like this, particularly as it may even be completely outside the remit of the PTA?

I would be tempted to go to the governors (which will include the head) with your marketing ideas.

The GB may have a committee that looks at marketing - sounds like it should! so they will help.

I think what you suggest is very much outside the remit of the PTA. But contacting local papers etc is always a good plan. You need to do it via the head tho deffo.

PTA generally raises money for the school and undertakes social events.

I think you need to speak to one of the parent governors - there may be committees within the school you can join?

Many PTA members are under the impression that their PTA's sole duty is fundraising, but that's not necessarily the case. Ask to see a copy of the PTA constitution which should spell out their full remit.

It is slightly on the fringes of what a PTA does - bit of an overlap between PTA and governing body really. I would suspect that the problem is that everyone is too busy to have time to do this sort of thing - and if parents tend not to help out much then PTA is best to concentrate resources it does have on fundraising events.

You really do need head's support and permission. (I was rather at zanzibars comment to - how NOT to win friends and influence people ...). You need to have a plan. Can you design websites? You could offer to do that for example. You could offer to contact local newspaper (schools news always good copy) BUT you would need to take this on yourself at first and not necesarily expect help. If it's successful then maybe you'll get a few helpers later. .