Our PTA is looking for a new Chair and Secretary, along with new committee members, as all current committee members will be stepping down.

I want to take a moment to thank the outgoing committee for their hard work and for raising a huge amount of money for the school over the years — especially Kielye and Carrie, who have given so much to Heathlands, both in the short time I've been here and before that.

There's no expectation for a new committee to carry on with every existing event — this could be a chance to reset and refresh what the PTA does.

If you're interested or have any questions, please contact Kielye Mitchell or come and speak to me directly.

 

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Role of PTA Chair:

 

Main purpose

 

The PTA Chair directs your committee’s meetings, making sure everyone’s views are heard, and that everyone is involved in the meeting. They should make sure all committee members are familiar with the association’s constitution, model policies, and their role and responsibilities as a committee member and trustee. The PTA Chair also holds the casting vote where there is a tied vote.

 

Duties and responsibilities of the PTA Chair

 

• Prepares for meetings (with the Secretary) 

• Invites committee members, parents, and staff to PTA committee meetings. 

• Suggests items for the agenda.

• Identifies outstanding items from the last meeting. 

• Prepares introductions for any new committee members attending. 

• Sets the ground rules for meetings, and makes sure they are inclusive and efficient. 

• Delegates tasks to other committee members and volunteers, and checks they’re completed.

• Liaises with the school, and requests a‘wish list’ for the PTA committee to use when deciding which projects to fund. 

• Ensures the committee fulfils its role in respect of the governance of the association as set out in its constitution – for example, holding an AGM, electing committee members, working with the Treasurer to ensure annual returns are completed.

• Ensures any decisions made are clear, fit the objectives of the association, and are made by agreement of the committee as per your PTA’s constitution.

• The PTA Chair cannot make decisions alone: all decisions must be made by the whole PTA committee.

• Writes the annual report for the association (with the Secretary)

• Writes the Chair’s report for the AGM.

• Can be a signatory on the PTA bank account (along with at least one other committee member)

• Makes sure the association is GDPR-compliant.

Key skills

• Confident and assertive – able to control meetings and call them to order when necessary, making sure everyone has an opportunity to speak.

• Able to remain impartial – ensures contributions are brief and that everyone’s views are respected.

• Calm, friendly and approachable – as the main point of contact for the PTA for all members, the PTA Chair must be inclusive, and make sure everyone feels welcome.

• Organised and able to delegate – most PTAs organise a lot of activities. The PTA Chair should make sure the workload is shared and that tasks are completed as agreed

 

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Role of PTA Secretary:

 

The PTA Secretary supports the PTA committee to build effective communication links between the school and the association. They also maintain accurate records.

 

Duties and responsibilities of the PTA Secretary

• Prepares for meetings (with the PTA Chair)

• Takes minutes at meetings, recording attendance, action points, decisions, and proposals

• Circulates approved minutes, along with a reminder of any actions agreed

• Maintains association records

• Makes sure the association is GDPR-compliant

• Updates trustee details with relevant charity commission (as appropriate)

• May be a signatory on the PTA bank account (along with at least one other committee member)

• Handles the association’s correspondence 

Key skills

• Organised and efficient – keeps accurate records in a format that can easily be handed over to a successor

• Good listener – able to identify key discussion points, actions, and agreements at meetings to accurately record in minutes

• Calm, friendly, and approachable – able to communicate confidently with the school and the committee members