Parents, Teachers and Friends Association (PTFA)

The DVIS Parents, Teachers, and Friends Association (PTFA) exists to enrich children's education by fostering a sense of community and raising funds to support the school. With over 270 families, plus staff, governors, and friends, the PTFA raises over £50,000 each year to fund resources and activities that benefit the school. The funds are raised through events and activities that bring the community together, and all efforts are powered by volunteers, including parents, staff, and friends.

Charity Number: 1044321 

What’s happening in 2024/25?

This year we’re aiming to raise £50,000 to cover our usual annual activities and specifically fund revamping of the playground. In Autumn term, we raised £23,000 thanks to the hard work of our community. 

Annually, the PTFA funds various school needs, including field trip coaches, learning subscriptions, enrichment books, outdoor play resources, and child/parent/teacher development activities. So far, we’ve paid for:

• The Christmas pantomime with visiting Santa

• DoodleMaths subscription

• Contribution to staff christmas party

Thanking you as volunteers

While donations are important, the PTFA values the involvement and energy of volunteers, as these events provide enjoyment, build connections, and teach children valuable life skills like teamwork and resilience. Volunteering also offers parents and carers the chance to actively engage in school life. 

Whether it’s baking/buying some biscuits for a cake sale, 30-mins selling pre-loved uniform/manning a stall at our fairs, or using your skills to create and run an event, there is a lot of fun to be had! If you are new or already involved, the PTFA welcomes your support to continue making a positive impact on the school community.  

You can get involved by joining the PTFA WhatsApp groups from the newsletter, talking to your class rep, or reaching out via email for more information (dvisptfa@gmail.com – please note this is a monitored email so we may not get back to you instantly).

The practicalities

The PTFA is made up of governors, parents, carers, and staff at the school. If you're part of the school community, you're already a member and are welcome to participate in meetings and events. The PTFA operates entirely through volunteers: a small core committee oversees the management; individual/teams of parents lead specific events, supported by others; and, class representatives spread the word. The committee members also serve as Trustees, as the PTFA is a registered charity.

The PTFA holds an annual AGM to review finances, vote on roles, and discuss funding priorities, then meets informally once or twice a term to keep things on track. Funding decisions are made through staff suggestions and voting at the AGM, with funds being allocated throughout the year based on targets. There’s always a reserve fund for emergencies.

There are many ways to contribute, from organizing events to helping with administrative tasks. Joining the WhatsApp groups is an easy way to get started and stay involved in the PTFA's activities.