About us

The PSA stands for Parent Staff Association, which is a voluntary organisation of parents/ carers and teachers.

We are a registered charity whose purpose is to create a sense of community between families and staff which supports the school, and raise money for our school.

​Sadly, due to a lack of Government funding over the years, we are needed more than ever to help purchase key items and invest in our children’s education.

Infant playground, funded by the PSA

What does the PSA do?

The PSA organise numerous social events throughout the year, which are a great opportunity to get together and have fun, whilst raising a significant amount of money for the school. Events include the Christmas and summer fairs, quiz nights and school discos.

Money raised is spent on projects and resources to benefit pupils across the school. Funds are allocated by the PSA following the submission of a bid form to request money; all bids are considered on their own merits.

Find out more about PSA fundraising projects.

Who are the PSA?

Many people assume the PSA is made up of just a few parents but did you know that YOU are the PSA! Every parent / carer and member of staff at the school is automatically a member of the PSA. Anyone in the PSA can come to any of the meetings, and new faces are always welcome.

Before Covid meetings took place in people’s homes / cafes / pubs however these are now held virtually with log in details circulated through our private Facebook group and class reps.

Charity Commissions state that we must have trustees and a core committee. Currently that consists of three Trustees and a core committee of six. Our core committee has a Chairperson, Treasurer, Events Co-ordinator, Secretary and a person responsible for Comms (Advertising).

Sandpit with decking cover, funded by the PSA

How can you help?

There are so many ways to help! Find out more on our How to Help page.

HOW TO HELP

Who runs the cake sales?

Due to Covid after cake sale on a Friday are currently not running, but hopefully when these strange times are over they will quickly return. The dates for when cake sales happen is fixed by Amy Sood.

So who runs and profits from the after-school cake sales? These are run by each year group with notification of when and the need for volunteers coming from the Class Reps. These are not a PSA led event.

All the money raised is solely for the benefit of that year group teachers to purchase items that they feel will be of benefit to their specific class, e.g. art supplies for a project coming up that term.

For any questions regarding cake sales please see your Class Rep.

Does the PSA raise money for other charities?

As a charity we cannot raise money for other worthy causes. That said we are more than happy for individuals to use our social media platforms of Ashley Down Families PSA Facebook page as well as class ‘whats app’ groups (info on the latter circulated through class reps) for school related news.

Please be aware that any advertising for businesses will have to be removed. However if there is a business or organisation that the school and children can directly benefit from which parents or carers wish to recommend then please feel free to share, such as Swimming Lessons, Music lessons / Teachers, Theatre performances, After school clubs & Holidays Clubs etc.

Should you wish to sell items please use Facebook group ‘Ashley Down Schools – Things we have sale or for FREE!’

Shade sail, funded by the PSA