Chairs Report 2024-2025
Hello and welcome to you all, it’s lovely seeing people here wanting to learn more about the PTA and how the money you generously give to the school is spent.
For those of you who don’t know me I’m Lorna Exton, I’ve been a parent at Hawes Down for 9 years, I’m a teacher by profession but not working in schools at the minute-so I fill my time doing PTA things and this year have been privileged enough to be chair of the PTA.
The AGM is the only formal meeting held by the PTA. It is our chance to report on the activities of the previous year and hold the required elections to our committee for the new academic year.
Our PTA is a registered charity, as such there is a formal constitution (or rules) we have to stick to. Our purpose is to raise much needed funds for our school through a variety of events for the children, their families and the wider community. All parents, carers and teachers are automatically members of our PTA, but it is run by a committee of people who give their time for free to plan, organise and run events and activities.
Contrary to belief it’s not all about the money, we also try to run events that give the children lovely experiences too, they are not designed to make a profit, of course it’s great if they do-but that’s never the focus. We try to provide opportunities for parents to come together without their children, to form bonds and friendships with other parents and enhance a community feel at the school. We are always mindful of the cost of our events to families, at times I know it feels like we are constantly asking parents to shell out extra money. For our big events we have tried hard to source additional external sponsorship, so we aren’t always hitting the same pockets, whilst still making money for the school. We’ve have also tried to give back to the community when we can. Our left over cakes from our cake sales have been very well received at the local food bank. Our surplus second hand uniform has been donated to a primary school in Downham in addition to Bromley Brighter Beginnings. We also want to help make Hawes Down a great place to work, we launched the staff “eggcelent” awards in the Spring, where staff could nominate a colleague who they felt deserved a surprise pat on the back for being “eggceptional” We delivered 100’s of chocolate eggs to staff with a little note saying why their colleagues thought they were so inspirational, fabulous and deserving of a treat. In the summer the great rock/paper/scissors pin badge game created a buzz in the staffrooms too.
Feedback from the playground shows that parents have enjoyed this years new PTA newsletters, Andrea has done a stunningly professional job at keeping everyone updated on what is going on. Our Instagram page has seen vast increases in traffic too, by raising the profile of it and reaching a wider audience we are able to attract businesses to sponsor events we run. This is very much a behind the scenes job, Andrea and Michelle have worked tirelessly to boost our exposure online-thank you!
This year our team has welcomed many new members, meaning we have been able to share jobs out and get more done. I want to thank those new joiners for taking the plunge and joining the team, PTA’s often have a bad reputation-we’re the ones on the playground people tend to avoid. Our completely diverse group of PTA members come from all sorts of cultural and employment backgrounds, between us our skills set is immense, we are yet to find a box that someone can’t find think their way out of-I’d go as far to say it’s our superpower.
Last year we set ourselves the ambitious target of raising £21k, having been asked to fund £16k worth of projects within school in the previous academic year. Aurora (our Treasurer) will give you the rundown of the events we have run and what we have funded, and how much we have raised, but I wanted to say formally how immeasurably proud I am to be at the helm of this incredible group of fundraisers. What has been achieved this year wasn’t without a lot of hard work, sweat and tears, but I hope once she’s finished speaking you will be as blown away by our achievements as I am.
Over the year people have asked me how I’ve found it being chair. It’s my first “go” at it and I’ve been honest in my response. I feel like I’m holding the reins to a pack of huskies embarking on their first run of the day. Their enthusiastic woofing has been deafening at times, sometimes, I’m hanging on for dear life as my team of fundraising huskies sprint through the woods, it’s all I can do to hang on and keep up. I have steered them through the challenges our route throws up, navigate the playground and school rules and restrictions that come our way. Sometimes a member of the pack gets tired and needs a break, sometimes one veers off in an alternative direction and needs to be guided back in line with the others. Two years ago the sleigh was heavy as there were so few huskies, this year we have been turbo charged with fresh legs. We are a team, a successful team, who have run a great distance together. We look after each other and together we have shown we can achieve huge success. It’s been a great year, our best yet, I couldn’t be more proud to have steered this sleigh.
As we embark on this years journey it’s important to acknowledge the huge efforts put into the PTA by those who’s children have now left the school. Claire-Marie will be very much missed, she did so much behind the scenes, her energy and dedication to making the kids experiences positive ones and her passion for the ARPS was second to none. Also thanks must go to the committee members whose unwavering effort has meant our fundraising juggernaut has kept on track.
We are well supported by the school, and must thank Ms Bretherick and the Senior Leadership team, our teacher representative Mr Brookes, Mrs Jamieson who embraced our idea to make a Hawes Down album and all the staff that have helped us to run events. A special mention to the lovely office ladies, who help enormously with our communications with parents, to Steve Bence our caretaker for all of his behind the scenes setting up and putting away and to Jane in the kitchen who allows us to utilise her fridges and freezers when we need additional space.
But none of what we have achieved this year would be possible without the entire Hawes Down community, who have rolled up their sleeves when asked and supported our efforts with enthusiasm (and cash). Your support isn’t taken for granted, other local PTA’s struggle hugely with parent engagement so we are very thankful and appreciative for all that you do to help where you can.
It goes without saying that we’d welcome more huskies to help pull the sled, if you think you’d like to get involved please do speak to one of us afterwards….I promise we don’t bite.
So, to elect the committee:
Chair:
Treasurer:
Secretary:
Treasurer’s Report 2024 to 2025
Current Financial Status
The balance of both accounts as at 31st August is £14,647.68. The accounts are with the auditor currently.
Revenue
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The profit for the year was £30,478.44 - which is £over 10,00 more than the previous school year(£ 20,358.96) through a range of fundraising events, sales and affiliates. This fantastic result could not have been achieved without the support of new member of the PTA who joined at the beginning of last school year, and of course an army of volunteers, the HDPS families and the school staff.
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This includes an impressive £4,794.48 in match funding (partly from the Summer 24 Fair and some 25 events).
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The general expenses for the year were 1,742,90, including £914.99 for our new shed, allowing us to reorganise the Hub to make it a more functional and pleasant space for our HDPS families. This also included a £359.99 subscription to PTA Events Premium (giving us more advantageous transaction fees and the potential to sell advertisement through our PTA Events ticketing platform). This also included our Parentkind membership fee of £162 and the purchase of Christmas and end-of-year gifts for the staff members, as a thank you for their support.
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The Summer fair was our biggest earner, achieving an unbelievable £12,671.71 (before match funding) - over £3,00 more than last year, which is the result of the re-introduction of the silent auction and led by Andrea.
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Our other biggest earners this year we the reinstated cake sales (£2,416), Hub second-hand sales (£1,327), Spring Disco (£1,121) and the popular, adult-only Quiz Night event (£1,066)
Please see below for the detail of the events and sales.
| Event/Sales | Income | Expenses | Proft | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match funding | 4794.48 | 0.00 | 4,794.48 | |||
| Crazy Hair Day 24 | 36.00 | 0.00 | 36.00 | |||
| The Hub sale | 1,326.76 | 0.00 | 1,326.76 | |||
| Afliations / Donations | ||||||
| Your School Lottery | 731.30 | 0.00 | 731.30 | |||
| Astra Recycling | 110.30 | 0.00 | 110.30 | |||
| Easy Fundraising | 601.04 | 0.00 | 601.04 | |||
| Parentkind cashpot | 66.29 | 0.00 | 66.29 | |||
| Donations | 224.00 | 0.00 | 224.00 | |||
| Autumn events | ||||||
| Fireworks | 1,703.29 | -1,258.60 | 444.69 | |||
| Golf days | 499.00 | 499.00 | ||||
| Autumn Disco | 1,316.71 | -583.35 | 733.36 | |||
| Xmas events | ||||||
| Wreath making 2024 | 778.46 | -203.88 | 574.58 | |||
| Elfridges | 3,889.02 | -2,859.31 | 1,029.71 | |||
| Xmas grotto KS1 + Fun afternoon KS2 |
1,251.14 | -195.65 | 1,055.49 | |||
| LPBS Xmas Concert drinks and Rafe | 1,066.57 | -199.67 | 866.90 | |||
| Brilliant bargains | 379.78 | 0.00 | 379.78 | |||
| Xmas tree sale commission | 100.00 | 0.00 | 100.00 | |||
| Spring events | ||||||
| Wonka Day | 1,153.74 | -572.46 | 581.28 | |||
| Quiz Night | 1,693.67 | -627.73 | 1,065.94 | |||
| Spring Disco | 2,114.60 | -993.94 | 1,120.66 | |||
| Cake sales | 2,416.26 | 2,416.26 | ||||
| HD Rocks album | 1,260.75 | -761.93 | 498.82 | |||
| Summer events | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crazy Hair Day | 157.69 | -40.00 | 117.69 | ||
| May ice cream sales | 380.34 | -155.73 | 224.61 | ||
| Summer fair 2025 | 19,994.6 6 |
-7,322.95 | 12,671.71 | ||
| LBPS SUMMER CONCERT Drinks Sale | 450.95 | -123.40 | 327.55 | ||
| 2025/2026 events | |||||
| ELFRIDGES 2025 | -707.97 | -707.97 | |||
| WREATH 2025 | -47.85 | -47.85 | |||
| COLOUR RUN 2025 | 2,423.57 | -2,044.61 | 378.96 | ||
| General Expenses | 0.00 | -1,742.90 | -1,742.90 | ||
| Total 23-24 | 50,920.3 7 |
-20,441.93 | 30,478.44 |
Funding
This year has been especially prolific in funding resources, events and initiatives, representing a total of £39,076.74.
Amongst the most significant investments, the PTA funded the drums workshops for Y5/6, computing resources and 32 tablets and accessories for the whole school, whole-school class resources, whole-school books for reluctant readers, the evidence for learning ARPS software and ARPS sandit, and of course the much needed A/C units.
The whole school benefitted from a huge range of funding - Please see below for the detail of the events and sales.
| Date | # | Info | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Oct 2024 | HDSI24 3 |
ARPS Pushchairs | (876.00) |
| 18 Oct 2024 | HDSI24 4 |
Workshops | (890.00) |
| 18 Oct 2024 | HDSI24 5 |
Drums | (1,448.00) |
| 18 Oct 2024 | HDSI24 6 |
IOW contribution | (500.00) |
| 02 Oct 2024 | n/a | Y6 leavers party venue booking | (200.00) |
| 20 Nov 2024 |
HDSI27 2 |
Computing resources | -2735.42 |
| 20 Nov 2024 |
HDSI27 1 |
REKENREK | -279 |
| 20 Nov 2024 |
HDSI26 8 |
PICTURE NEWS SUBSCRIPTION | -300 |
| 20 Nov 2024 |
HDSI26 9 |
Book corners | -1800 |
| 27 Feb 2025 |
HDSI30 0 |
Wellbeing corner | -539.65 |
| 27 Feb 2025 |
HDSI30 1 |
Christmas KS1 snacks | -138.89 |
| 27 Feb 2025 |
HDSI30 2 |
Panto coaches | -1500 |
| 10 Mar 2025 |
n/a | ZACTIV , Workshop | -125 |
| 10-Jul-25 | HDSI34 9 |
Literacy membership, Library books, Ikea shelves | -3278 |
| 10-Jul-25 | HDSI33 5 |
Dyslexia overlays | -59.47 |
| 10-Jul-25 | HDSI33 | Y5 DT resources | -71.42 |
| 4 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Jul-25 | HDSI35 0 |
EYFS Resoources | -735.54 |
| 10-Jul-25 | HDSI33 0 |
BIG CAT 1 year subs | -240 |
| 10-Jul-25 | HDSI34 7 |
Sandpit | -1249.99 |
| 10-Jul-25 | HDSI33 2 |
Hose for EYFS area | -34.16 |
| 10-Jul-25 | HDSI33 1 |
Adaptive teaching resources | -942.79 |
| 10-Jul-25 | HDSI34 8 |
32 tablets and accessories | -5399 |
| 09-Jul-25 | HDSI34 5 |
Life worshops | -910 |
| 09-Jul-25 | HDSI34 1 |
Book corners 2025 | -1800 |
| 09-Jul-25 | HDSI34 6 |
iow Trio contribution | -500 |
| 09-Jul-25 | HDSI34 2 |
Class resources | -1800 |
| 07-Jul-25 | HDSI30 3 |
Evidence ARPS | -1995 |
| 07-Jul-25 | HDSI34 0 |
AC UNITS | -4039.85 |
| 07-Jul-25 | HDSI33 3 |
Books for reluctant readers | -2749.19 |
| 04-Jul-25 | HDSI32 9 |
Y6 1st aid | -234.5 |
| 04-Jul-25 | HDSI32 7 |
Drumming classes | -1310 |
| 09-Jul-25 | n/a | Y6 leavers | -50 |
| 22-Jul-25 | n/a | EXP85 Extenson leads A/C unit (funding) | -93.14 |
| 22-Jul-25 | n/a | EXP86 KALLAX FOR MISS BC (funding) | -90 |
| 14-Aug-25 | HDSI36 2 |
Polydron | -162.73 |
| Total | (39,076.74) |
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report ~~ee~~ Report to the directors of Hawes Down Primary School Parents Teacher Association
On accounts for the year 31 August 2025 Charity 1049656 ended no. ~~ee~~
Set out on pages
Respective responsibilities The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in of directors and examiner accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Act and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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to follow the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Act, and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
- My examination was carried out in accordance with general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the directors concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention
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Independent examiner's In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention statement 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
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have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Date: 11/10/25 Signed: ~~—~~ Name: ~~LT~~ Helen Dale Relevant professional ~~CO~~ FCA
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IER
qualification(s) or body (if any):
Address: 134 Hawes Lane, West Wickham, Kent BR4 9AF
Section B Disclosure
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IER
Give here brief details None of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
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IER