What is the PTA?
The Parent Teacher Association at Scholes (Elmet) Primary School is known as FOSP (Friends of Scholes Primary).
FOSP is a charity registered in England and Wales (registered charity number: 1030922) and our aim is to advance the education and experience of pupils in the school by organising activities or providing facilities or equipment which support the school.
While all parents / carers and staff are considered members of FOSP, the FOSP committee is a group of parents and staff who give their time on a voluntary basis to organise and run fundraising activities for those in our school community. FOSP meet approximately every six weeks (once a half term). We welcome all parents and carers at the school to join in.
The funds we raise provide ‘extras’ for the school. Each year, the school gives us a ‘wish list’ of items they feel would be of benefit. For example, we’ve contributed towards the refurbishment of the swimming pool, iPads for each class as well as musical instruments and outdoor play equipment.
For more information, or if you’d like to join in with PTA in some way, contact the school office.
FOSP events
Our main fundraising events are four school discos – Hallowe’en, Christmas, Easter and Summer. We also hold events for parents and the wider community such as quiz nights, copper contests, drawing competitions and Bags4School (clothing recycling). If you have ideas for any other events, please speak to the FOSP Chair, leave a message at the school office or on our Facebook page, ‘Friends of Scholes Primary’, or come along to our next meeting!
Other ways to fundraise
Please spread the word among your family and friends about these ways to raise money for FOSP, so we can benefit our school!
We welcome donations of any amount to help achieve our aim of advancing the education of pupils at the school. One-off or regular donations can be made – thank you for your support.
Matched funding
Many organisations offer matched funding schemes where money raised for charity by employees is matched by the organisation (usually up to a certain amount). If you work for such an organisation and are willing to help out at one of the FOSP events, we can double the amount we raise. If you can help with matched funding, please email matchedfundingFOSP@gmail.com
Supermarket vouchers
We always collect supermarket vouchers, such as those from Sainsbury’s Active Kids, Tesco Schools and Clubs and Morrisons Let’s Grow (and tokens like Nestle Box Tops from cereal packets, too!). The school uses vouchers like these to buy new equipment for the playgrounds at lunchtime – a new parachute, some skipping ropes, new balancing equipment…
Join in
If you’d like to find out more about what we do, or become involved in FOSP, either as a committee member or volunteer at events, you’re welcome to come along to one of the meetings. You’d be very welcome and it’s a great way to be part of school life!