FOFS - The Friends of Frogwell School

The parent/teacher association at Frogwell is known as the Friends of Frogwell School (FOFS). We are a registered charity, with a committee made up of parents and teaching staff.

Our aim, according to our official constitution, is: "To promote and support activities for and on behalf of the school, its pupils and staff in order to increase the contact between school and parents, and to raise funds which would not otherwise be obtainable from local or national authorities." In other words, FOFS' role at Frogwell is to organise events that bring the school and the families of the children that come here closer together and, of course, to fund-raise. We make, on average, around £10,000 each year in a variety of ways...

There are the end-of-term discos for the children; the Summer Spectacular, held on a Friday night in July; the Christmas Bazaar, with a chance to see Father Christmas; a spring fashion show, where the children can be models; a beauty night, where mums (and occasionally dads) get the chance to try different things from mini manicures to massage; a firework display and lots more. In the last year we've also held an adults-only disco and a race night – and we have plans for other events too.

All the money FOFS makes is put back into school. The staging used in school productions was bought by FOFS. Digital cameras, TV/video players for each year group, play equipment, furniture... FOFS has provided the money for the school to buy them. Our latest project has been to help finance the school's sensory garden.

We also provide funds on a smaller scale. Every month each teacher has a set amount of money – normally £20 – to spend on those little extras to help in the classroom. Sometimes they'll save the money with one big item in mind or it will be used for craft items, wet play games, wallcharts, puppets... all sorts of things that make a difference to both the teachers and the children. FOFS also helps subsidise school trips too.

FOFS is vital to Frogwell, but we can't function without the help and support of parents, whether it's coming on the committee or coming to an event.

We hope we put the fun into fund-raising – and make a difference to all the children at Frogwell as a result.

If you'd like to know more about FOFS then please contact the school who will put you in touch with a committee member.