PTA/fundraising at secondary: what works and what doesn't?

[nobutreally]

I am potentially going to get strong-armed into taking over as chair of my secondary PTA next year. I've been chair at primary but secondary seems so different, and I'm wondering what will/won't work, in terms of reasonable parental involvement!

For context: we are a typical mums net style 'leafy comp' - relatively wealthy catchment, sought-after school with well above average results for the area, although an area where loads go private at secondary. At the moment, the PTA is pretty low key - one key event a year, with a very small group of dedicated volunteers who do pretty much everything.

I'd like to 'up' things a little: but I can't quite get my head around what might work - so mn, at your secondary schools, what are the good earners for the PTA, and what has helped drive engagement? As a parent, what do you love ... and hate?

I'm a firm believer that the role of the PTA is both to raise money and to promote the 'community of the school' - but I can see that the latter is harder to do in the context of a secondary. As a parent do you want to stay at arms-length with school/the PTA - or is the fact that you are in school so little actually a reason to want engage a bit more... (hopeful, I know!)

I've been debating suggesting a ball as I know these are usually serious earners - although may take a while to get enough momentum behind it? Do balls still work at secondary?

Ours just does a sponsored walk, asking (nicely) for everyone to try to raise at least a fiver.

In a school of 1200, that must surely give them £5000 profit even if they have to do massive risk assessments and pay for a crossing attendant.

Anything else is a low-key, in-school effort involving cake.

Make sure your PTA is signed up for easy fundraising, then try and persuade parents to register (it is all free of charge) before doing their on line shopping.

2nd hand uniform.
Yr7-8 discos.
Refreshments at talent show & music recitals (or similar events).
50:50 club? I never do it, but it makes a steady trickle income (staff like it, apparently).
Sometimes town fairs or craft fairs where they do tombola or similar.

Our big earners are the school shows, though. A BIG musical production (cast = 60 kids, crew=another 12+ kids) every year plus a non-musical play (cast of ~30). The parents pay about £10/ticket & will go to multiple shows & rope in half the family to attend, too. We the Friends sell cakes & booze & drinks at breaks. Co-run with the drama dept & an army of volunteer parents who help backstage.

Not the slightest titch of a chance local people would pay £75/ticket for a ball here.

Thanks for all of these ideas - much appreciated and I'll trawl through. Interestingly, quite a few of these we do but they are done in aid of the charities the schools support and/or managed by the school as non-profits: so our Y7/8 disco for example is free entry - the PTA do sell some refreshments, but it's priced cheap for obvious reasons. Maybe we need to rethink the balance a little!

Ito parents balls - round this way I've seen tickets at more like £50-£60 pp I think: the policy tends to be to cover the costs with ticket then milk the auction/raffle/extras for the real cash!

If your local primaries routinely profit from balls, then probably the local parents can rustle up a fiver for their kid to have a nice disco experience (£3 entry & £2 for sweets).

We made a fortune putting on a short comedy play with adults (staff and parents) and using the school facilities for the performances. Lots of work (and fun) for those in the plays but made lots and lots. It was only an hour long so we had a buffet after. Tiny school (120 pupils) but we raised nearly £4000 and all those involved loved it. Lots of the kids have frustrated performer parents. Likewise" xxx Has Got Talent" with adults / kids etc competing for £100. Judges pick 4 finalists and audience vote on those.

I take my hat off to all you hard working PTA members. PTAs are pretty successful at primary schools round here, but no-one is bothered once the children go to secondary school.

Our school had a fund raising day for the school charity. It changed every year. They dressed up and did a walk or other activities to raise money on the day. Also half the ball profits to the charity. The destination of the funds was clearly stated to parents.

Thanks for those additional ideas - the comedy play sounds amazing MrsKnightley (and very Jane Austen if I've 'read' your name right) - I wonder if we would get volunteers....

We have a charity week, Bubbles - each house has a charity over the year, and they fundraise for the charity through the year, but with a special push that week. However, I think all those funds go direct to the charity, not split with the school.

Lljkk - yes, I think you are probably right. I guess the question always with that sort of thing is whether it's better to ensure everyone can definitely make it (as there are bound to be some where even £3 might just put them off, and currently it's a lovely bonding thing...). The impression I have (I'm early days on the PTA and learning) is that the school really values inclusion and does everything it can to ensure that all events are open to everyone. I don't want to damage that ... but I wonder if a voluntary donation would at least push the coffers up a bit!

Our school recently sent a letter home asking if people would be happy to donate by standing order. They made the point that parents don't necessarily want to be involved in organising, or go to, things like Christmas fairs, and would people prefer to donate £5 a month etc. They sent the letter a couple of weeks ago though and I don't know if the run-up to Christmas is the best time.

We also have an Easy fundraising account. And second hand uniform sales. It's also a leafy area (but we don't have a sixth form, so I think different leafy area to you, OP).

Yes, there must be two of them, iprefercoffee (earl grey for me, if you're making) ;-) They do try and do that, I believe - but there doesn't seem to be a great take up! I agree that may be a thing to push more, as by secondary, lots of parents aren't in 'making a cake and coming to the fete' mode

I think a charity week is a bit too long. One day focussed activities and giving. They did like to promote giving to the school and it’s difficult if the charity always comes first.

Fundraising ideas that seem successful:
Quiz nights
Race nights
Tribute act nights
Christmas fair
Non-uniform days
Refreshments at Parents evening, school concerts, etc
Christmas/Easter raffle

The money club ... you subscribe each month, each month there’s a winner for less than the input. Easy to run.

Getting professional style photos from one of your parents for the leavers proms and the achievement evenings. Needs a couple of willing parents who are good photographers. Sell the product at reasonable mark up to cover costs etc. .

If a pretty unleafy comp, a make up evening for parents. Will start slowly then after two years snowball

If you have enough DBS parents, a pay for crèche at parents evenings...