Londonderry Primary School PTA Trustees’ Annual Report for the year 1 August 2024 to
31 July 2025
Purpose of the Charity
The purpose of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is to advance the education of pupils in the school, in particular by:
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e Developing effective relationships between the staff, parents and others associated with the school.
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e Engaging in activities or providing facilities or equipment which support the school and advance the education ofthe[pupils.]
The benefit which flows from improved relationships between home and school 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 and through pupils having access to resources, events, activities and links with the local community which are not available through direct school funding.
The benefit is for children at Londonderry Primary School. Charity trustees (PTA committee members) are usually also parents at the school which their children attend and hence gain benefit in the same way as all other beneficiaries.
Governance
As a PTA we work closely with the pupils’ families and teaching and support staff for Londonderry Primary School. This both supports and compliments the work of our committee and volunteers and ensures that the views, requirements and concerns of all stakeholders can be fully realised.
The PTA is governed by its Constitution (adopted from Parentkind) which has been agreed and is adhered to by all members of the PTA committee. We regularly review processes to ensure best practice is forefront in all aspects of what we do.
Trustees during this Reporting Period
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|Chair|Christine|Wilson|Acting Principal|Donal McGarrigle|
|Secretary|Sarah|Eltiott|Teacher Rep|Rebecca|Bell|
|Treasurer|Natasha Adamson|Teacher Rep|Natalie|McCormick|
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Communication Officers Rachel Rankin & Amanda Gamble
Teacher representatives are elected as trustees for a term of one year only, replaced each year by other members of the teaching staff.
Activities during this Reporting Period
As in previous years, the fundraising year began with the children designing personalised Christmas cards and gifts, which parents could order. The PTA earneda fixed profit per item sold.
Throughout the year, the PTA organised several successful events: Half Term Disco, Christmas Wreath Workshop, Crazy Christmas Hair Day, Movie Night and Coin Wars.
In June, we held our biggest fundraising event of the year, the Summer Fair. Despite economic challenges and unsettled weather, the event saw a strong community turnout and raised a total profit of £3,677.40, after expenses. Of this, £1,545.00 came from raffle ticket sales under a society lottery. We are especially grateful to the local businesses that generously donated raffle prizes, despite the ongoing difficulties faced by small enterprises.
The Summer Fair was not only a financial success but also a great opportunity to showcase the PTA’s work and encourage new volunteers to get involved.
Thanks to the funds raised this year, we were able to support the school community in the following ways:
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Contribution towards the new playground markings - £5,500.00
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Licences for the iPads —- 517.88 3. Teacher Wish Lists - £1,700.00 4. Annual Twinkt subscription - £379.21
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Abook for every child at Christmas - £301.00
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Achocolate egg for every child at Easter - £227.77
How the charity has mitigated any harm flowing from its purposes
We work closely with the school SMT to undertake risk assessments on all activities and ensure that our activities follow the ethos of the wider school environment.
How the charity has ensured that any private benefit has been incidental to the public benefit
The trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. Any private benefit arising from the charity’s activities such as participation in events or receipt of donated items, has been incidental and necessary in furthering the charity’s purposes for the public benefit.
Statement of compliance with the duty to have regard to the Commission’s guidance
in setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year, the trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern !reland’s guidance on public benefit. We have ensured that all activities undertaken have furthered the charity’s purposes and delivered meaningful benefit to our beneficiaries.
Financial overview & statement of the charity’s policy on reserves
The PTA has no other assets or liabilities other than the bank accounts (current and reserve) held in its name. We opened the period of account on 1 August 2024 with cash in the bank and in hand of £3,759.85. Income for the year totalled £11,317.14, mostly from fundraising activities but with additional income from private donations, a Crowdfunding page, Asda Cash Pot for Schools and cashback donations via Easyfundraising made online by our supporters. Expenditure for the year totalled £10.963.26, leaving cash in the bank and in hand of £4,123.73 at the close of the period on 31 Juiy 2025.
The PTA works closely with the school to ensure that all funds raised are quickly and effectively used to support the objectives of the association. As part of this approach, the PTA aims to carry only modest reserves from year to year.
This policy is periodically reviewed, particularly in cases where a larger fundraising target requires a multi-year strategy.
The Reserves Policy is based on a sum equivalent to 3 months’ average expenditure. This should be sufficient to meet any unforeseen item of major expenditure on activities or to be able to continue, in the short term, funding planned activities in the event of an unexpected cancellation of a planned fundraising activity.
Statement of thanks to the volunteers and supporters throughout the 2024/25 year
Continued thanks go to Campbell Keatings, the Tesco Community Champion (Newtownards) for his ongoing support which includes regular donations of stock that we sell and use at events such as the Summer Fair and Tesco’s continued support of other school activities.
Our thanks to Mr McGarrigle (Acting Principal at the time) and the teachers and ancillary staff for their support at the events throughout the year and to our regular committee members and volunteers for their continued support, generously offering their time and support to the association’s work.
The trustees remain optimistic for another productive year ahead, with the expectation that the funds and resources raised will continue to deliver meaningful benefits to both the children and the wider school community.
Signed on behalf of Londonderry Primary School PTA
Mrs. Natasha Adamson LLB Hons
Treasurer
Londonderry Primary School PTA 2024/25
Londonderry Primary School Parent Teacher Association c/o Londonderry Primary School Glenbrook Road, Newtownards, Co Down, BT23 4EY
Registered with the Charity Commission of Northern treland No, 104230