Friends of Greatham School Greatham Primary School Petersfield Road Greatham Hampshire GU33 6HA
Registered Charity Number: 1177716
Trustees’ Annual Report for the Year Ending 31 July 2024
The Friends of Greatham School (FROGS) is a registered charitable organisation committed to enriching the educational experience of all pupils at Greatham Primary School. Our core purpose is to provide additional financial and practical support to the school, enabling it to offer opportunities, resources, and experiences that extend beyond the standard curriculum. We work closely with staff, parents, carers, and the wider community to identify areas where our contributions can have the greatest impact.
Our primary method of support is through a variety of fundraising activities and community events, which not only raise vital funds but also strengthen the connection between families, the school, and the broader local community. These activities are designed to be inclusive and enjoyable, helping to build a positive school culture and shared sense of purpose. All proceeds from our efforts are reinvested into the school to benefit current and future pupils, whether through funding educational equipment, enhancing outdoor learning environments, subsidising enrichment activities, or supporting school-wide initiatives that promote wellbeing and learning.
By working together in partnership with the school and the local community, FROGS continues to play a meaningful role in ensuring that every child at Greatham Primary School has access to a vibrant, supportive, and well-resourced learning environment.
Objectives and Activities
In accordance with our charitable objectives, the FROGS is dedicated to fostering a strong, collaborative relationship between the school and its wider community. Our aim is to build lasting and effective partnerships among parents, carers, school staff, governors, and other individuals or organisations who are invested in the success and wellbeing of the pupils.
We believe that a thriving school community is rooted in active engagement, mutual respect, and shared responsibility. To that end, FROGS actively works to create opportunities for communication and cooperation between all stakeholders, ensuring that everyone feels involved in and connected to the life of the school. This includes hosting social events, promoting volunteer involvement, and encouraging parent participation in school activities and decision-making processes.
In addition, FROGS is committed to organising and funding a wide range of initiatives, activities, and projects that directly support the school and enhance the educational experience of its pupils. This may include the purchase of new equipment and learning materials, the improvement of school facilities, or the provision of extracurricular opportunities that broaden pupils’ horizons and encourage creativity, exploration, and personal development.
Our goal is to help ensure that every child at Greatham Primary School benefits from a rich, inclusive, and inspiring learning environment; one in which they are supported not only by their teachers, but by a whole community that values education and works together to make it flourish.
Throughout the academic year, FROGS organised and supported a diverse calendar of fundraising events, each designed to bring the school community together while raising essential funds to support Greatham Primary School. These events not only serve as key opportunities to generate income for the charity but also play an important role in strengthening the community spirit that is central to the ethos of the school.
Our flagship events, the Summer Fair and Christmas Fair, were once again highlights of the school year. These much-loved occasions drew strong attendance from pupils, families, staff, and residents, offering a range of entertainment, games, food stalls, and fundraising activities. Both events were not only successful in financial terms but were widely praised for their inclusive, joyful atmosphere and their ability to bring the wider community together.
In addition to these larger fairs, FROGS also hosted several school discos throughout the year. These were extremely popular with pupils across all year groups, giving children the chance to relax, socialise, and enjoy music and dancing in a safe and familiar environment. The discos are always a highlight for the children, and proceeds contribute directly to enriching their school experience.
Fundraising efforts continued throughout the year with several smaller, targeted stalls and sales, including regular bake sales, refreshments stalls at sports day, and seasonal sales during key school events. These provided ongoing opportunities to raise money while adding value and enjoyment to school occasions.
A particularly special event was the annual Carol Concert held at the local church, which not only showcased the musical talents of the pupils but also brought together families and community members in a festive and reflective celebration. FROGS supported this event by providing refreshments and helping to coordinate the logistics, reinforcing our commitment to being actively involved in all aspects of school life.
Together, these events form the backbone of our fundraising efforts and are a testament to the dedication of our volunteers, the enthusiasm of the children, and the incredible support we receive from parents, staff, and the local community. Each occasion, big or small, plays a vital role in helping us fund projects that directly benefit the pupils of Greatham Primary School.
In addition to our calendar of in-person events, FROGS also benefits from passive fundraising initiatives, which provide a valuable stream of income throughout the year with minimal ongoing effort from supporters. One of the most successful of these has been Your School Lottery, an online lottery platform designed specifically to help schools raise funds in a sustainable way.
As part of our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, FROGS has continued to promote eco-friendly fundraising initiatives that not only generate income for the school but also help reduce waste and encourage reuse within the community. One key initiative has been our second-hand uniform sales, which provide parents and carers with access to affordable, good-quality school clothing. These sales are held regularly throughout the year and have been well received, offering a practical solution for growing families while extending the life of donated garments.
In addition, we have partnered with third-party textile recycling companies to collect unwanted clothing and household fabrics. These collections offer families an easy way to dispose of items sustainably, with proceeds from the weight of donated goods going directly to FROGS. This initiative not only supports our fundraising goals but also aligns with broader environmental values by encouraging the school community to think more consciously about waste and recycling. By integrating sustainability into our
fundraising efforts, we aim to model responsible practices for our pupils while continuing to support the school in meaningful ways.
Achievements and Performance
During the financial year ending 31 July 2024, FROGS successfully raised a total income of £29,833.08. These funds have been thoughtfully directed towards a variety of projects and resources, all aimed at enriching the educational environment and supporting the wellbeing of pupils at Greatham Primary School.
Among the many initiatives funded this year was the creation of a stunning woodland-themed mural in the Key Stage 1 area. This artwork has transformed the space into a warm, imaginative, and visually engaging environment, fostering creativity and a sense of belonging for our younger learners. We also allocated funds towards sporting equipment, including new basketball hoops, to encourage active play and support physical health and teamwork across all year groups. A particularly memorable project was the introduction of ducklings into the classroom during the spring term, offering a unique, hands-on learning experience that captivated the children and deepened their understanding of science and nature. FROGS also made it possible for pupils to attend theatre trips, helping to broaden their cultural horizons and give them access to enriching experiences beyond the classroom—regardless of individual financial circumstances. For our Early Years cohort, we invested in a variety of sensory learning resources, designed to support development through exploration, play, and sensory engagement. These targeted investments reflect FROGS’ ongoing commitment to ensuring every child at Greatham Primary School has access to a stimulating, inclusive, and supportive educational experience.
Financial Review
The financial activities of FROGS for the year ending 31 July 2024 demonstrate a successful and wellmanaged fundraising year. Our total income for the period amounted to £29,833.08, representing a significant achievement and highlighting the generosity, enthusiasm, and continued support of the school community, residents, and partnering organisations. This income was generated through a combination of major fundraising events, as well as ongoing passive income streams including Your School Lottery and textile recycling collections.
Our total expenditure for the year was £14,448.85, with funds carefully allocated to a range of projects designed to directly benefit pupils and enhance the educational environment at Greatham Primary School. These included the woodland mural for Key Stage 1, new sports equipment such as basketball hoops, contributions to theatre trips, Early Years sensory learning materials, and the duckling project, among other initiatives.
As a result of this prudent financial management, FROGS closed the year with a healthy surplus, which will allow us to plan and commit to further enrichment opportunities and improvements in the year ahead. We remain committed to ensuring that all spending aligns with our charitable objectives and delivers the greatest possible value to the children and the wider school community.
A detailed breakdown of income and expenditure is maintained by the Treasurer and is available to any interested party upon request, in the interest of transparency and accountability.
Structure, Governance, and Management
FROGS is governed by a board of trustees who are responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of the charity. The trustees oversee all activities to ensure they align with FROGS’ charitable
objectives and are carried out in the best interests of the school and its pupils. Trustees are elected annually from among the parent body of Greatham Primary School, bringing a diverse range of perspectives and skills to the committee. This governance structure supports transparent, collaborative decision-making and ensures that the voices of parents and carers are represented in the charity’s work.
In July 2023, the committee voted to adopt the Parentkind Model Constitution, a well-established framework designed specifically for parent-teacher associations and similar school-based charities. This updated constitution replaced our previous governing document and provides clear, modernised guidance on our objectives, powers, and operational procedures. The Parentkind model supports best practices in charity governance and remains in force, ensuring FROGS operates effectively, legally, and in a way that reflects the evolving needs of the school community.
Plans for the Future
Looking ahead, FROGS remains committed to supporting Greatham Primary School in delivering an exceptional educational experience for all pupils. We are excited to continue our fundraising efforts and have already identified key projects that will make a lasting impact on the school community.
One of our major initiatives in the coming year is the refurbishment of the school library. We aim to transform this important space into a vibrant, welcoming, and modern resource that encourages a love of reading and provides pupils with an inspiring environment in which to explore books and learning materials. This project will not only enhance the library’s functionality but also support literacy development across all year groups.
Additionally, we are working towards the provision of astro turf for the school playground, an initiative that will significantly improve the inclusivity of the school’s outdoor facilities. The new surface will provide a safe, all-year-round space for physical activity, particularly benefiting our wheelchair users and those with mobility challenges. The all-weather nature of astro turf means that the pupils will be able to engage in sports, play, and physical education activities regardless of weather conditions, promoting both physical health and wellbeing for all children.
To support these projects, we will continue to organise fundraising events throughout the year and explore grant funding opportunities to help us achieve our goals. We are also dedicated to enhancing communication with the school community, ensuring that the needs and preferences of pupils, parents, and staff are considered when making decisions about the allocation of funds and the direction of future initiatives.
We are fully committed to ensuring that the funds we raise are spent wisely and effectively, directly benefiting the pupils and contributing to the long-term development and success of Greatham Primary School. By working collaboratively with the school and the local community, we will continue to build on the legacy of FROGS and ensure that the school remains a place where every child can thrive.
Acknowledgements
FROGS would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers, parents, staff, and members of the local community who have so generously supported our activities throughout the year. The unwavering dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment have been invaluable to the success of our fundraising initiatives and school projects. Whether you have helped organise events, contributed time and expertise, or supported us in countless other ways, we are deeply grateful for your ongoing involvement. It is thanks to your collective efforts that we have been able to make such a meaningful difference to the children at Greatham Primary School.
We would also like to offer our sincere appreciation to the trustees for their continued guidance, leadership, and dedication. Their careful oversight ensures that FROGS remains focused on its mission to enhance the educational experience of all pupils at the school. The trustees’ commitment to steering the charity in line with our objectives, as well as their thoughtful decision-making, has played a critical role in the continued success and sustainability of FROGS. Together, they help ensure that FROGS can support the school in the most effective way possible.
Friends of Greatham School Trustees
FRIENDS OF GREATHAM SCHOOL
Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31st July 2024
INCOME
Donations received £ 29,833.08 £ 29,833.08 Fundraising expenses £ 8,364.06 Donations to school £ 5,967.92 Banking Charges £ 116.87 £ 14,448.85 £ 15,384.23
EXPENDITURE
PROFIT
Balance Sheet as at 31st July 2024
ASSETS
Current Account £ 29,705.05 Cash in hand £ - £29,705.05 Liabilities £ - £ - £ 29,705.05
LIABILITIES
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NET ASSETS
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Review of the Cash holding of Friends of Greatham School
Registered Charity Number: 1177716
The FROGs Treasurer provided me with access to the year end accounts files, including all HSBC banks accounts and expenditure receipts for the year end July 24.
Whilst I have not been through every transaction, I have verified the opening and closing cash balance against the HSBC bank statements and verified a random selection of receipts and payments throughout the year, which were successfully traced. I also verified the selection of expenditure against the completed expenditure forms, duly approved and receipted.
In summary, nothing in my review has given me cause for concern that the cash balance is not materially correct for the year to 31[st] July 2024.
R.Stephens
Rachel Stephens
87 Tilmore Gardens
Petersfield
GU32 2JA