We’ve seen a number of questions recently about why the PTA doesn’t fund certain activities or cover specific costs within the school.
It’s a fair question, and it’s important we address it openly.
The Role of the PTA
The PTA is an independent charity that exists to enhance the school experience for all children.
Our focus is on funding projects and resources that:
- Benefit the whole school community
- Deliver long-term value
- Go beyond what is considered core provision
This might include things like playground improvements, additional equipment, or enrichment resources.
Why We Can’t Fund Everything
From time to time, requests come up for the PTA to fund specific activities or ongoing costs.
As much as we would love to support everything, there are some important reasons why we don’t:
- Sustainability — PTA funds are limited and need to be used carefully across the whole school
- Fairness — We aim to benefit all pupils, not just specific groups or one-off events
- Long-term impact — Our priority is lasting improvements, rather than recurring or operational costs
If we tried to cover everything, we would quickly reduce our ability to support the wider school community in a meaningful way.
A Different Way to Think About Support
One of the biggest opportunities we have as a parent community is not just fundraising — it’s what we can contribute beyond money.
There is a huge amount of skill, experience, and willingness to help across our parent community.
And in many cases, these contributions can:
- Reduce costs
- Improve what we’re able to deliver
- Take pressure off both the school and the PTA
Introducing a More Collaborative Approach
We’d like to start building a stronger network of parents who are able to contribute their time, skills, or services when needed.
This could include:
- Helping with event setup, logistics, or coordination
- Offering professional skills (e.g. design, marketing, printing, IT, photography)
- Supporting projects that would otherwise require external costs
- Volunteering at events or helping behind the scenes
In some cases, this kind of support can directly reduce the need for fundraising or allow us to use funds more effectively.
Share Your Skills
If you’d be open to getting involved, we’d love to hear from you.
👉 You can share your skills and availability here:
https://www.boldmerepta.org/about/share-your-skills-with-the-pta/
There’s no obligation — even occasional help can make a real difference.
A Practical Example — Where Skills Can Help
A good example of how skills and support can make a real difference is our current storage situation.
We have an external storage shed available for PTA use, but it needs:
- The doors refitting and properly secured
- Some clearing and organising before it can be used effectively
This is something that, if outsourced, would require PTA to fund for the school. However, with the right support from within our parent community, it’s something we may be able to resolve without additional cost.
If you have experience in areas such as:
- Carpentry
- General building or repairs
- Site clearance or organisation
—or are simply willing to lend a hand—your help would be hugely appreciated.
👉 You can let us know via the skills form here:
https://www.boldmerepta.org/about/share-your-skills-with-the-pta/
Working Together as a Community
The PTA plays one part in supporting the school, but the wider parent community is just as important.
By combining:
- Fundraising where needed
- Volunteering time
- Sharing skills and services
We can create a more sustainable and collaborative way of supporting the school.
Turning Feedback Into Support
We also know that parents care deeply about the school and the experiences their children have — and that’s a positive thing.
When questions or concerns are raised, it often reflects a genuine desire to see things done well.
One of the most powerful ways to make a difference is to take that energy and turn it into support.
Even small contributions — whether it’s helping at an event, offering a specific skill, or supporting behind the scenes — can have a meaningful impact.
Final Thought
It’s completely natural to want the best for our children — and that’s something we all share.
By working together in different ways, we can continue to support the school and create great experiences for all pupils.