Friends of Ravenshead C of E Primary School is a registered charity run by parent volunteers who organise school events to raise money for the school and children.
Gedling eye caught up with Amy Scrivener, Chair of the Parents, Teachers, Friends, Association (PTFA) that has raised a staggering £60,000 plus for the school over the last 5 years.
Amy said “I’ve been a Trustee on the PTFA for 4 years and I absolutely love organising school and community events to raise money for the extras for the children.

“We’ve got a really great group of parents, carers and teachers who dedicate their spare time, it really is a team effort.
“I meet with the school council and the Head of KS2 Mrs Sanders each year to get their input on what they would like us to fundraise for.
“Last year they asked for Basketball nets and it was rewarding when we were able to give the money for this from our fundraising efforts.”
Amy told us that they are incredibly fortunate to work very closely with many businesses within the area, who support them with sponsoring events or donating prizes to our raffles. Their main sponsor for his year is EMR Group LTD.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing over the last few years as a few years ago they won the NISA ‘making a difference in the community award’ which combined with money they had already raised meant they were able to renovate the Keystage 2 quad area.
They were working with a local housing development within the village at the time to come and do the work however half way through the developers sold the development which meant that they pulled out of supporting the school, which was quite devastating to everyone involved.
A few months ago the PFTA got together and designed a scaled down version of the project to fit the budget and thanks to lots of people giving up their free time to dig mud, pull out weeds, dig tree roots and lift rotten wooden plant pots they filled a builders skip. A few of parents are Joiners and they built a pergola and seating area.
Amy said “The difference we’ve been able to make in the space for the children is wonderful.

“We’ve still got a lot of work to do and the weather has hampered us a little at the minute as we need to paint it all, and then we can begin to add in the finishing touches, like plant pots, chalkboards, outdoor cushions, even a water feature!”
NEXT PROJECT
The PTFA are always thinking ahead and they have 2 year fundraising target for 2022-2024 of £24,000, with over £5,500 already raised.
They plan to renovate a neglected outdoor area next and buy outdoor equipment and ‘fixed to the playground’ exercise equipment.

Head Teacher – Mrs Emma Johnson said to Gedling Eye that “We are extremely lucky to have such an active and involved PTFA. The PTFA arrange so many wonderful things for our children – Easter and Summer Fairs, sponsored jumps on a bouncy castle, scarecrow trail, discos and film nights.
“They even give all of the children a Christmas present! The money raised from the PTFA really helps us to provide things for the children which would be unaffordable out of the school budget.
“Recently, the PTFA have been working really hard to develop one of our outdoor quad areas into a really lovely space for the children. They have given up so much of their own time to plan and develop the area – we are incredibly grateful!”
Further information including contact details can be found on the Friends of Ravenshead C of E Primary School facebook page here.