The PTA has been running successfully at Byfield School for many years, and this is due to the enthusiasm and commitment of its members, who are a group of parents of the children who attend Byfield School and their teachers. Meetings are held about once a month in order to organize fund raising events and to discuss how the money raised is best spent, plus other various issues. All parents and teachers are regarded as members, although being a committee member is voluntary.
A few years ago the PTA became a registered charity. Last academic year the PTA raised just under £4000 through many different events. Our Summer Ball last year with a 4 course dinner and live music in the Village Hall was a huge success as always helped in particular by the decorations made by the school children. Last year saw our first "That’s Entertainment" evening, originally an idea from a parent that grew into a fabulous evening of live music. The Byfield Church Fete is another such example of working together with other organisations within the village community. Other popular events are the Byfield Bop, Bags 2 School, Plant Sales, Hot Dog Day, Northbrook wrapping paper and of course the various raffles.
The existence of the PTA helps to firmly cement the School into the foundations of the village community, whilst at the same time supporting the work of the teachers in providing the children with facilities the school might not otherwise have. The children have benefited recently from PTA funds through a new floor in the School Hall, a trip to a living rainforest to research decorations for the Summer Ball and through the provision of the new Outdoor Covered Play Area, which is required by Ofsted. The latter has been an enormous undertaking for the PTA which has finally been completed and the school is now purchasing play equipment which the PTA will also fund. If you are interested in finding out more about our fundraising, or have any ideas please speak to either myself or any of the committee members.
Fiona Jones PTA Chair