FOSMAS: Your PTA and a Registered Charity
Who are we?
Over the years, FOSMAS has flourished as a Parent Teachers Association (PTA) and the main fundraising arm of the school. In 1994 FOSMAS became a registered charity. It has enjoyed the services and talents of many committed parents, friends and staff.
We organise events every term and it is always encouraging to see fresh faces, where we harness the enthusiasm and enterprise of parents new and old. Attending FOSMAS Annual General Meetings and helping at the many events is an excellent way of forging closer links with your child’s school, hearing about any new developments and working together with others to the benefit of the children. Meetings are always informal, usually accompanied by a glass of wine and lively conversation as well as the all important task of planning events and fundraising.
We organise events every term and it is always encouraging to see fresh faces, where we harness the enthusiasm and enterprise of parents new and old. Attending FOSMAS Annual General Meetings and helping at the many events is an excellent way of forging closer links with your child’s school, hearing about any new developments and working together with others to the benefit of the children. Meetings are always informal, usually accompanied by a glass of wine and lively conversation as well as the all important task of planning events and fundraising.
Why do we have FOSMAS?
FOSMAS is an essential part of our school and is an integral part of the school community. Our aim is to organise activities and events to raise funds to supplement the school's educational offer, above and beyond the core funding provided by the Education Authority. All parents and carers and school staff are members of FOSMAS and everyone’s contribution is valued. Our school would not be the lively and welcoming learning environment it is without the enthusiasm, commitment and hard work of FOSMAS.
Over the years FOSMAS has raised many, many thousands of pounds, which have been invested on improving equipment and resources to enhance our children’s education and the facilities in school in general.
But FOSMAS is about MUCH more than just fundraising! FOSMAS exists to provide closer links between home and school. Being part of FOSMAS is an excellent way to bring staff, parents and friends together socially in support of the school working towards a common goal. Not all of our events are run as strict fundraisers. As an example, our children’s Christmas parties are run with the aim of giving the children a good time and as a way of thanking families for their continued support to the PTA, our Autumn term KS1 drinks evening is to welcome the new Reception year parents. Quiz Dinners pitch classes and staff against each other, and (thankfully) almost always the teachers' table wins!
All parents and members of the school community are automatically members of FOSMAS and all parents can get involved if they want to, even if they only have a small amount of time available. And it’s fun! Just ask any of the Committee members or class reps.
Why are we a Registered Charity?
The Charities Act 1993 requires organisations such as ours with an annual income in excess of £5,000 to register with the Charity Commission.
As a Charity we must abide by Charity Commission rules and regulations and we are bound by a Governing Document. Our Governing Document lays down rules about how we operate as a charity and how we conduct ourselves and is held by the Secretary of FOSMAS.
It states that the objects of the charity are to:
Being a Registered Charity gives us many extra benefits.
We are registered charity no. 1030955
For further information see the Charity Commission website where you can find general information about charities and access information regarding FOSMAS's membership and financial history.
FOSMAS also belongs to PTA UK (the new name for the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations) which is the national charity that advances education and supports PTAs. We pay an annual membership fee to NCPTA which gives us lots of member benefits: a comprehensive insurance package, support and advice on PTA and fundraising matters, opportunities to meet with other PTAs to discuss and share experiences, regular newsletters and the PTA magazine, an extensive list of PTA information and resources.
How we raise funds
As in most schools, the majority of our funds are raised through the events that we run. Each term, there is always something going on! We always try to respond to the children’s requests for events and it is truly the icing on the cake to see them having fun at the events or enjoying using a piece of new equipment that FOSMAS has donated.
In order for these fundraising activities to be a success we rely on the support of the whole school. Giving time to help organise or help at events, donating items for sale or raffle, offers of services or skills – all these are invaluable contributions to our fundraising efforts and without them we would not be able to continue.
How we spend the funds we raise
Any income raised at events net of costs is banked straight away. We increasingly use digital methods such as PayPal, card reader and CAF online giving. It is at our Committee meetings that the decisions on how to spend the money are taken, in collaboration with the Head Teacher. In the main FOSMAS funds are for the ‘extras’ not provided by the school budget, that make our children’s learning experiences so much more fulfilling and exciting. FOSMAS funds are not generally spent on improving the fabric of the school building as this is the responsibility of the school Governing Body. Our Governing Document commits us to spending money on things that will benefit the children directly.
Usually, the Head Teacher and the staff will have put together a ‘wish list’ of items that the school would like to purchase. Sometimes this will be as a result of the children asking for something. At other times it will be for resources to improve a particular area of the Curriculum or school environment.
All funds raised are donated to the school, with a small reserve kept aside for key large projects. That way we ensure that in supporting our school, your and everybody’s child will feel the benefit straight away. There are times when we have a big project underway that we need to save money for, and organise special campaigns to fund raise. In previous years the laptops, library (Studium) and KS1 playground were renovated with the support of FOSMAS funding. In 2020 we are excited to be supporting the school's new Vision to become an excellent school and the best place for our children to flourish. A video recording of the Head Teacher's webinar on the new vision can be seen here: click for Nov 2020 video
For the current year's income and expenses details please see our Annual Reports section.
How you can get involved
There are lots of ways you can help and support your child through FOSMAS. Offering to help before events or at other times during the year is so valuable – it really is a case of ‘many hands make light work’. It doesn't matter if you can’t help on a regular basis or don’t wish to be involved with the organising of events or day-to-day running of FOSMAS. We always need more people to help run stalls, set up the venues and tidy up afterwards.
You can attend the AGM (usually in October, in 20/21 in January 2021) and give us your ideas for fundraising events – this is also the time to ask questions or voice your opinion.
You can help by letting us know if you have any contacts or skills we could use. Or if you have any new ideas for fundraising.
You can of course if you feel able, volunteer to be a trustee in the Committee.
If you have anything at all to offer, or any questions, please speak to any of the Committee members, contact your class rep, email us, or find us at the school gates.
Remember FOSMAS cannot continue in its valuable role without the support of its members. FOSMAS needs you!
FOSMAS is an essential part of our school and is an integral part of the school community. Our aim is to organise activities and events to raise funds to supplement the school's educational offer, above and beyond the core funding provided by the Education Authority. All parents and carers and school staff are members of FOSMAS and everyone’s contribution is valued. Our school would not be the lively and welcoming learning environment it is without the enthusiasm, commitment and hard work of FOSMAS.
Over the years FOSMAS has raised many, many thousands of pounds, which have been invested on improving equipment and resources to enhance our children’s education and the facilities in school in general.
But FOSMAS is about MUCH more than just fundraising! FOSMAS exists to provide closer links between home and school. Being part of FOSMAS is an excellent way to bring staff, parents and friends together socially in support of the school working towards a common goal. Not all of our events are run as strict fundraisers. As an example, our children’s Christmas parties are run with the aim of giving the children a good time and as a way of thanking families for their continued support to the PTA, our Autumn term KS1 drinks evening is to welcome the new Reception year parents. Quiz Dinners pitch classes and staff against each other, and (thankfully) almost always the teachers' table wins!
All parents and members of the school community are automatically members of FOSMAS and all parents can get involved if they want to, even if they only have a small amount of time available. And it’s fun! Just ask any of the Committee members or class reps.
Why are we a Registered Charity?
The Charities Act 1993 requires organisations such as ours with an annual income in excess of £5,000 to register with the Charity Commission.
As a Charity we must abide by Charity Commission rules and regulations and we are bound by a Governing Document. Our Governing Document lays down rules about how we operate as a charity and how we conduct ourselves and is held by the Secretary of FOSMAS.
It states that the objects of the charity are to:
- develop more extended relationships between the staff, parents and others associated with the school
- engage in activities which support the school and advance the education of the pupils attending it
- provide and assist in the provision of such facilities or items for education at the school (not provided from statutory funds) as the committee in consultation with the governing body shall from time to time determine
Being a Registered Charity gives us many extra benefits.
- We are able to apply for Gift Aid, which can earn us an extra 25p in every £1 pound donated to the PTA
- We can raise funds more easily from grant giving trusts, local businesses etc.
- We can take advantage of charity matched giving schemes - many parents work at companies who match fund any money we raise
We are registered charity no. 1030955
For further information see the Charity Commission website where you can find general information about charities and access information regarding FOSMAS's membership and financial history.
FOSMAS also belongs to PTA UK (the new name for the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations) which is the national charity that advances education and supports PTAs. We pay an annual membership fee to NCPTA which gives us lots of member benefits: a comprehensive insurance package, support and advice on PTA and fundraising matters, opportunities to meet with other PTAs to discuss and share experiences, regular newsletters and the PTA magazine, an extensive list of PTA information and resources.
How we raise funds
As in most schools, the majority of our funds are raised through the events that we run. Each term, there is always something going on! We always try to respond to the children’s requests for events and it is truly the icing on the cake to see them having fun at the events or enjoying using a piece of new equipment that FOSMAS has donated.
In order for these fundraising activities to be a success we rely on the support of the whole school. Giving time to help organise or help at events, donating items for sale or raffle, offers of services or skills – all these are invaluable contributions to our fundraising efforts and without them we would not be able to continue.
How we spend the funds we raise
Any income raised at events net of costs is banked straight away. We increasingly use digital methods such as PayPal, card reader and CAF online giving. It is at our Committee meetings that the decisions on how to spend the money are taken, in collaboration with the Head Teacher. In the main FOSMAS funds are for the ‘extras’ not provided by the school budget, that make our children’s learning experiences so much more fulfilling and exciting. FOSMAS funds are not generally spent on improving the fabric of the school building as this is the responsibility of the school Governing Body. Our Governing Document commits us to spending money on things that will benefit the children directly.
Usually, the Head Teacher and the staff will have put together a ‘wish list’ of items that the school would like to purchase. Sometimes this will be as a result of the children asking for something. At other times it will be for resources to improve a particular area of the Curriculum or school environment.
All funds raised are donated to the school, with a small reserve kept aside for key large projects. That way we ensure that in supporting our school, your and everybody’s child will feel the benefit straight away. There are times when we have a big project underway that we need to save money for, and organise special campaigns to fund raise. In previous years the laptops, library (Studium) and KS1 playground were renovated with the support of FOSMAS funding. In 2020 we are excited to be supporting the school's new Vision to become an excellent school and the best place for our children to flourish. A video recording of the Head Teacher's webinar on the new vision can be seen here: click for Nov 2020 video
For the current year's income and expenses details please see our Annual Reports section.
How you can get involved
There are lots of ways you can help and support your child through FOSMAS. Offering to help before events or at other times during the year is so valuable – it really is a case of ‘many hands make light work’. It doesn't matter if you can’t help on a regular basis or don’t wish to be involved with the organising of events or day-to-day running of FOSMAS. We always need more people to help run stalls, set up the venues and tidy up afterwards.
You can attend the AGM (usually in October, in 20/21 in January 2021) and give us your ideas for fundraising events – this is also the time to ask questions or voice your opinion.
You can help by letting us know if you have any contacts or skills we could use. Or if you have any new ideas for fundraising.
You can of course if you feel able, volunteer to be a trustee in the Committee.
If you have anything at all to offer, or any questions, please speak to any of the Committee members, contact your class rep, email us, or find us at the school gates.
Remember FOSMAS cannot continue in its valuable role without the support of its members. FOSMAS needs you!
