Trustees Annual Report 2023
Name of organisation Strabane Academy Parents, Teachers and Friends Association
Northern Ireland Charity Number 100409 Principal Address; Strabane Academy, 61 Derry Rd, Strabane, BT82 8LD
Names of Trustees
Mr David Hampton (Chairman)
Mr Scott Pollock (Treasurer)
Mrs Cathy Sayers (Secretary)
Governing Document
The governing document has been approved by Parentkind (formerly PTA UK).
The purpose of the Association is to advance the education of pupils in the school in particular by
-
Developing effective relationships between the staff, parents and others associated with the school
-
Engaging in activities or providing facilities and equipment which support the school and advance the education of the pupils
Public Benefit
1. Improved relationships between home and school
The benefit which flows from this purpose includes funding for additional resources for the school and links built with the local community. This is demonstrated through having an active PTA that works in partnership with the school and engages parental support. This purpose does not lead to harm. The benefit is for children at Strabane Academy. Charity Trustees are usually also parents at the school which their children attend and hence gain benefit in the same way as other beneficiaries.
2. Advancing the education of pupils in the school
The benefit which flows from this purpose includes increased educational progress and attainment of pupils in the school and links built with the local community. This is demonstrated through pupils having access to resources, events, activities and links with the local community which are not available through direct school funding. This purpose does not lead to harm. The benefit is for children at Strabane Academy. Charity Trustees are usually also parents at the school which their children attend and hence gain benefit in the same way as other beneficiaries. This benefit is incidental and necessary to ensure the benefit is provided to all beneficiaries. There is no private benefit to any individual.
The trustees have had regard to the Commission’s Public Benefit requirement and statutory guidance.
Main Activities/Achievements this year
The account of the main activities/achievements this year were outlined by the Chairman at the AGM and are outlined in the paragraphs below.
The Chairman thanked everyone in attendance for attending the meeting and extended a warm welcome to new members.
The Chairman explained the role of the Association and its important function within the school’s community.
He mentioned the importance of the Association in raising funds for a variety of co-curricular activities, which the school did not have a budget for. He informed the attendees that it was a great opportunity to meet other like-minded parents, make friends and have fun. The Chairman provided an overview of the main events that took place over the past year with the caveat that these have been restricted due to the association not having returned to its pre-covid status as yet.
Pre loved Uniform Swap/Sale
Uniform swap and sale proved to be a great success last year and was well supported within the school community. The Chairman recognised how this initiative has been of benefit to pupils throughout the school.
There have been some suggestions from parents as to how this service may be enhanced. The option of opening on a Saturday morning in order to facilitate those parents who are working during the week will be assessed. The Uniform Swap was also well attended by pupils and parents during A- Level and GCSE results days and Induction mornings. This facility was very much appreciated by those who attended.
Free Breakfasts
The association was able to access funding from Kellogg’s to allow pupils access to free breakfasts throughout the year.
Poly Tunnel and Enhanced grounds – The association worked with Live Here Love Here and managed to access funding to build a poly tunnel and enhance the school grounds through the provision of additional hedging, trees and shrubs
Charity Support – The following charities and organisations have been supported throughout the year ; Think Pink, Autism NI, Air Ambulance, MacMillian Cancer, Anti-Bullying, Foyle Down Syndrome Trust
The chairman highlighted the potential role of the PTFA as the welcoming face of the school, which could be demonstrated by attendance at various events throughout the year. Due to Covid restrictions, there have been limited opportunities for the PTFA to show their support over the last 2 years. There were however a couple of opportunities to attend sporting events. The provision of refreshments was particularly welcomed by those in attendance. Hopefully the presence of PTFA will become more evident over the coming months as it is likely that the majority of school events will resume as normal this year.
Thanks
The Chairman extended thanks to the Treasurer for preparing the accounts and the Treasurer’s report. He also thanked everyone for their ongoing support throughout the year.
Treasurer’s Report- a review of the Charity’s Financial Position
The Treasurer provided an up-to-date report, detailing accounts for the year ending 31[st] March 2023 The accounts have been calculated and agreed by an Independent Examiner.
The Treasurer alluded to the fact that the PTFA has been restricted with regards to the number of activities that have taken place over the last year.
Principal’s recognition of the public benefit.
The Principal thanked the Association for their tremendous support throughout the past academic year.
SAPTFA not only raised vital funds for the school but during these unique times, developed new and creative ways of helping the school community and in particular the most vulnerable pupils – most notably with our pre-loved uniform initiative and free breakfasts. He thanked his colleagues for their hard work and dedication emphasising the importance of the partnership between school, home and the pupils. He thanked the Committee members and all Strabane Academy’s parents for their ongoing support. The Principal also commended the resilience of the school community as he outlined the sense of togetherness that had seen us through one of the most challenging times in the school’s history.
He outlined with delight, the fact that the school’s extensive extra and co-curricular programme had returned following the pandemic.
He confirmed the school’s enrolment – 653 pupils, with approximately 42 teaching staff and 30 support staff. It was noted that the school continues to be regularly oversubscribed.
He concluded his comments by thanking everyone present for coming and expressed his sincere appreciation for their considerable efforts across the Academy.
Re AGM January 2023