Baildon PTA

The Parent Teacher Association meets at least once every six weeks in the staff room of the Jenny Lane school so they can come up with new money-spinning ideas. Christine Hickman is one of the longest serving parents on the PTA now and no stranger to promoting the school in the local community and further afield. “It’s been eight years now since I first got involved but I get a lot out of helping school. It’s good for children to see their parents taking an interest. “We try to meet on different nights every time so that people can get a chance to make the meetings. If it’s always on the same night it gets difficult for some people who have to work or have other commitments. “Another way of reaching out to people who can’t make evening meetings was a coffee afternoon we held, where people came before the end of school to have a cuppa and share ideas with us on what we could be organising to support the school. “We’re looking for a new chairman at the moment but we’re always hoping for new members to come along to meetings,” she said. Events organised by the PTA so far include quizzes, race nights, childrens’ discos and two Pokemon roadshows. “We usually manage to make between £500 and £700 at fetes - it all mounts up,” said Mrs Hickman. “We raised money for the children and spend it on things they need. We also pay for every coach that leaves this school on outings, so it helps reduce the overall cost of trips. “We’re very lucky to have the support of lots of local businesses. They help us out with raffles or running events, we always send our thank-yous afterwards because we really are very grateful.” The PTA teams up with different classes during the year for Baker Days in which the class bakes and parents sell the goodies for them. Then it is up to that class to decide how to spend the money. On the last day of term pop and crisps left over from events are handed out to pupils. “We’re very child friendly!” says Mrs Hickman who’s also a big fundraiser for her son’s football team, Shipley Juniors. You cvan contact us on (01274) 595071.