Parent and teacher Association PTA

Mrs_J_S

Thanks for that definitely worth exploring. Hope we have some actual doers at our school after all this will be mortified if I end up with a load of keyboard warriors and playground !!!!!!!!!!. lol

GobbledyGook

You will usually find in most schools there are at least a handful of doers. Those doers will then be able to tempt the 'don't mind helping, but don't want any responsibility' brigade into helping. As a result of the above the 'would love to help, but I'm crippled by a lack of confidence' will in time step out also.

You might find yourself getting little help in the beginning, especially if people have tried before and have been batted down by the head and/or governors. People may not see the point in making the effort in the beginning if they "know" it's going to fail. Also if the Head is able to make people worry about repercussions towards the children then they will be understandably nervous.

The way to go (imo) is to be big and loud. If everyone knows then it gives people the chance to talk to each other and that brings the old 'if you do it I will' into play.

Mrs_J_S

Big and Loud I can do the problem is the head always seems to be bigger and louder lol.
I have put feelers out tonight and there is a lot of truth in what you say. But the suport is there. I just need to be the voice where all others have failed. out of a class of 30 it is my understanding that 20 children have their names on waiting lists at other schools, how is this woman getting away with this, i just don't get it, well I have started so I will finish, just let her try and take her issues with me out on my kids there is nothing like a mother scorned. Thanks for all you support, advice and suggestions.

pollypenny

The must be a parent governor. He or she should be amenable.

Perhaps the head had previous bad experience with PTA members trying to interfere with decisions .

VickyA_2

The governors are ultimately responsible for the whole school and the HT is merely their "(wo)man on the ground". Having said that, governors are volunteers. The only way to contact my school's governors is through the school office, merely because there have been issues in the past.

The HT of my school is also head of another school (we are in a federation) and she is mega keen for all kinds of parental support. Can you and another couple of parents who are keen, approach him/her for a meeting, outlining why and how you wish to support the school? That could be in the form of a "Friends of X School" or a PTA.

If he/she is still reluctant, ask for a precise reason why they're reluctant and if there's still no joy, I'd wonder whether it's the right school for your child to be attending. Most HTs bend over backwards to get support through the door. Hey, you could always come to my school as we're fundraising to re-open our swimming pool. Fancy the challenge?

sujac

Have a look at PTA-UK they are quite helpful with these matters and have a whole section about starting up new PTA. You do have to be a member but if you look for your local rep you may be able to get some advise about where to start, then once you've paid your fee (covers you for insurance etc) you'll be able to make more of the resources on there.

Good luck!!