The three core aims of the PSA are:

1. Community and Belonging – to create a sense of community within the parent body

2. Bridging and Activation – to be a bridge between the school and the parent body

3. Funding – to support the students by providing additional resources not funded elsewhere

 

Previous events have included Quiz Nights, Christmas Fairs, Fashion Shows, a virtual Cookalong and School Birthday celebrations in the form of Bingo nights, a Ceilidh and Murder Mystery Dinners. They welcome parent input with new ideas. The PSA communicates through volunteer class representatives and event volunteers, who get messages out to the whole parent body.

 

The funds raised at PSA events in recent years have paid for new toilets, a three-year lease on a minibus, new equipment for the Design & Technology department, the refurbishment of the foyer, new outdoor benches and picnic rugs. A £25,000 donation funded the construction of a sheltered ‘Outdoor Quad’ external seating area where students can relax and socialise, and a further £10,000 funded lighting and sound equipment in the Rivermead Drama Studio. Their most recent donation in 2022, provided £10,000 to help fit out the new Sports Centre.

 

All parents are automatically members of the PSA while they have a child at the school. Classlist (an online school community app) is the PSA’s main communication channel with parents and is used for ticket sales to PSA events. We encourage all parents to sign up to Classlist.

 

As a Registered Charity (No. 285731), the PSA holds an AGM every September to which all parents are invited. Parents may also attend Committee meetings which are held every half-term to observe and contribute from the floor. Most of meetings are virtual to make it easier for parents to attend.