About PTA
A HUGE WELCOME TO THE FRIENDS OF ST. MARY'S SCHOOL, OXTED!
Congratulations, as a parent at our school, you are now a member of an organisation that will help to support the school and benefit your child through their early school years, from Reception through to to Year 6.
Join the PTA Leadership Team!
After several years, Jessica and Charlotte have decided to step down in September from the PTA and pass the reins to a new group of parents with fresh ideas. With all three trustee positions – Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer – up for grabs, this is an excellent opportunity for a group of friends to get involved and steer the committee.
Role descriptions are provided below, and we are always open to informal chats to help you learn more. Rest assured, Charlotte and Jessica will continue to be part of the school community and will be on hand for advice and support.
For more information, feel free to email us. We look forward to welcoming new enthusiastic members to our PTA team!
TRUSTEES
CHAIR: Jessica Son
Jessica has two children at school, one in Year 2 and one in Year 5.
TREASURER: Charlotte Magnus
Charlotte has two children at school too, in Year 1 and in Year 4.
SECRETARY: Vacant
COMMITTEE ROLE DESCRIPTIONS
PTA Chair Description
The PTA Chair directs your committee’s meetings, making sure everyone’s views are heard, and that everyone is involved in the meeting. The PTA Chair also holds the casting vote where there is a tied vote.
Duties and responsibilities of the PTA Chair
Prepares for meetings (with the Secretary)
Invites committee members, parents, and staff to PTA committee meetings
Suggests items for the agenda
Identifies outstanding items from the last meeting
Prepares introductions for any new committee members attending
Sets the ground rules for meetings, and makes sure they are inclusive and efficient
Delegates tasks to other committee members and volunteers, and checks they’re completed
Liaises with the school
Ensures the committee fulfils its role in respect of the governance of the association as set out in its constitution – for example, holding an AGM, electing committee members, working with the Treasurer to ensure annual returns are completed if the PTA is registered as a charity
Ensures any decisions made are clear, fit the objectives of the association, and are made by agreement of the committee as per your PTA’s constitution
Can be a signatory on the PTA bank account (along with at least one other committee member)
PTA Treasurer Description
The treasurer controls the PTA funds in line with the committee’s decisions as well as charity law. They make sure upcoming events are affordable and profitable and report financial information to the rest of the team.
Duties and responsibilities of the PTA Treasurer
Manages the day-to-day finances
Keeps a detailed and accurate record of the PTA’s financial activity
Arranges floats for events
Banks the takings from events and fundraisers
Completes the Charity Commission annual return (if registered)
Gets accounts audited where necessary
Key skills
Confident at handling money and budgets
Good with numbers
Methodical
PTA Secretary Description
The PTA Secretary supports the PTA committee to build effective communication links between the school and the association. They also maintain accurate records.
Duties and responsibilities of the PTA Secretary
Prepares for meetings (with the PTA Chair)
Takes minutes at meetings, recording attendance, action points, decisions, and proposals
Circulates approved minutes, along with a reminder of any actions agreed
Maintains association records
Makes sure the association is GDPR-compliant
Updates trustee details with relevant charity commission (as appropriate)
May be a signatory on the PTA bank account (along with at least one other committee member)
Handles the association’s correspondence
Key skills
Organised and efficient – keeps accurate records in a format that can easily be handed over to a successor
Good listener – able to identify key discussion points, actions, and agreements at meetings to accurately record in minutes
Calm, friendly, and approachable – able to communicate confidently with the school and the committee members
SUPPORTING US
All support is warmly welcomed.
Please see the page 'Supporting Us' to find different ways that you can do this and remember that you can always email us at pta@stmarysprimary.org.
FUNDRAISING AND EXPENDITURE
Keep tracks on what we have raised and how it has been spent here.