Here is a summary of what Knaphill Schools PTA has funded in the past few years:
Junior School Library School Renovation
With thanks to the Your Councillor Community Fund and County Councillor Saj Hussain as well as the kindness of local business – Wickes, Homebase and Select Carpets, we have successfully renovated our Junior School library. A team of volunteers from the PTA used funds and donations to decorate and transform the old ICT suite into a new reading forest.
Canopy at the Junior School
After several years of fundraising, securing planning permission and dealing with Covid, the canopy at the Junior School was installed during 2021 half term break. The total cost of £14,500 was entirely funded by the PTA. The canopy is large enough to provide a sheltered area for outdoor learning and lessons, outdoor dining and a much needed sheltered area in summer and wet weather.
New Lower School Library:
£8,760 was spent on the refurbishment of the Lower School library and a fantastic new selection of books. The result is a wonderful woodland themed area where children can explore, enjoy and read these new books:
School Trips and Activities:
The PTA often makes contributions towards the cost of school trips, to help make these more affordable and accessible to all pupils. In 2018-2019, £1,200 was donated to subsidise the cost of trips for pupils at the Lower School. In 2020-2021, we bought tickets and snacks for all children to enjoy an online pantomime. Christmas crackers were also bought for the children to enjoy during Christmas lunch.
Chrome Books and iPads:
Thanks to the wonderful amount of money we raise we can help the schools update their computing equipment. In 2017-2018, the Junior School received £5,393 to purchase much needed new Chrome Books and iPads. In 2020-2021, the PTA gave the Junior School £7,670 to spend on 32 new chrome books, licences and a charging trolley to help the school adapt during the coronavirus pandemic.
Outside Play Areas:
Outside play equipment and areas are such a valuable resource for Early Years learning. In 2017-2018, £3,866 was donated to cover the cost of play equipment and Early Years outside area to give our youngest pupils an exciting area to play and learn in outdoors.
Wooden Enclave:
In 2018-2019, the PTA donated £723 to help with the upkeep of the wooden enclave, which is used for Forest School and outdoor learning. The PTA also contributes towards the cost of the Eco Garden at the Junior School, with £94 donated in 2017-2018. We also help maintain these areas during the monthly Green Afternoons.
Junior School Playground:
In 2019, the PTA donated £5,820 for new benches (made from recycled plastic) and new raised planters in the Junior School playground to improve this area for pupils.
Books:
Books are obviously essential to our children’s learning but constantly need to be refreshed, updated and replaced. In 2020, the PTA donated £1,098 for new Oxford Reading Tree books which have arrived and are now being enjoyed by pupils.
Defibrillators and First Aid:
In 2019 and 2020, teams of parents, staff and pupils took part in the Surrey Half Marathon events to raise money to purchase two defibrillators for our schools. The defibrillators cost £780, with a further £500 set aside for maintenance over the next 5 years. Money from the 2020 Surrey Half Marathon is being used to purchase first aid equipment and will also be used to fund first aid training sessions for pupils and staff.
Maths and English Outside Area:
In 2019-2020, the PTA donated £6,050 for the Maths and English outside area.
Future Projects…
If you have any ideas on how PTA money could be spent, please do get in touch as we would love to hear your ideas!