The Friends are anyone connected to the school. When your child joins Owslebury School you become a Friend and your input is sincerely valued. We work together with the staff and governors primarily to fundraise for non-essential but enhancing equipment and resources for the school. We organise two annual fairs; at Christmas and in the summer, discos for the children, social evenings for adults, pre-loved uniform sales, cake sales, hot chocolate after school on Fridays and ice cream in the summer and much, much more. We are always open to new ideas for fundraising and warmly welcome specific skills offered by our talented parents. We understand that as a small school any offer of help is invaluable and our recent success of raising many thousands of pounds is down to all contributions, no matter how small. The core group of friends consists of the Chair, treasurer and secretary. They are supported by several coordinators and a network of class representatives. This ensures that no one has too heavy a role on their shoulders and that more people can feel more involved, enhancing the school’s sense of community.

How We Spend the Money We Raise?

Usually, our Head Teacher and our Chair of Governors will have a ‘shopping list’ of items that the school would like to purchase. This will often be as a result of the school council requesting something. Recently, money raised has been spent on paying for the whole school to see the pantomime at the Mayflower Theatre, various trips, workshops and much needed laptops and iPads. We try and keep some money in reserve but rely on regular fundraising events and initiatives during the year. We would very much like to contribute towards the playground equipment and sensory garden. Please see below how you can help us achieve this.

Friends Meetings

The Friends meet half termly or more frequently when large events are being organised, with the exception of the AGM. Our Annual General Meeting is held at the beginning of the academic year and this is an opportunity for all parents to come along and hear in more detail how we operate. It is also when we elect our new committee and specific coordinators. Due to our other commitments, it is impossible to get everyone involved in the same place at the same time so we try to organise meetings at flexible times during the day or evening so more people can be present.

How Can You Get Involved?

There are lots of ways you can help the Friends to help your school:

• ‘Like’ the Friends Facebook page Please click here
• Sign up to ‘Giving Machine’ Please click here
• Buy pre-loved school uniform Please click here
• Offering to help before events or at other times during the year – it really is a case of ‘many hands make light work’. It doesn’t matter if you can’t help on a regular basis or even if you can’t come into school. There are always little jobs that can be done from home if you have half an hour to spare.
• Persuading employers / friends / contacts to donate prizes for raffles or things to sell at the Fairs
• Attending events, buying tickets and showing your support
• Volunteer to be Committee Member or coordinator
• Come along to the AGM and other meetings and give us your ideas for fundraising events – this is also the time to ask questions or voice your opinions.

The Friends Is A Registered Charity – Why?

The Friends of Owslebury School is a registered charity because the Charities Act requires all organisations such as ours with an annual income in excess of £5,000 to register with the Charity Commission

Links with Local Business

We have, over time, developed strong links with the local community and are always well supported by both residents and businesses, for which we are very grateful.  Many of our local shops are very generous in their donations of raffle prizes etc.

Support from Parentkind