Hotham School Fund

The Fund’s purpose is to support Hotham in maintaining the exceptional quality of education in our school. This could mean supplementing the budget to ensure that staffing levels, the environment and educational opportunities pupils at Hotham are maintained. The funds are transferred to Hotham Primary School and the governing body will decide how best to deploy these funds. The School Fund also oversees large-scale fundraising projects which benefit the children of Hotham and the wider local community. These projects (such as our Annexe Appeal) leave a lasting legacy many years into the future.

The PTFA is a community minded association which organises events and social gatherings. Within these events there are opportunities to raise funds. These funds are most often used to enrich the facilities and experience of children at Hotham Primary School, such as playground upgrades, room refurbishments, theatre trips, music workshops, technology upgrades, etc. The parents work with staff to decide annually how these funds are used.

Anyone can donate to the Fund. Most donors will be current Hotham parents, though sometimes alumni parents, grandparents or others may want to make contributions as well. In addition, some employers offer matching programs for charitable giving and in that way contribute to the Fund.

 Every contribution counts! The Fund benefits all children at Hotham Primary School and we all share the common goal of providing the best possible education for our kids.

The identity of donors will be kept strictly confidential and not shared with staff, children or Governors.

It is entirely up to you. You are welcome to give whatever you can afford or feel comfortable with – as either a regular or one-off gift. There is no pressure to donate, if you are not in a position to contribute, please don’t worry.

The money raised by the School Fund is used in different ways. We use some of our funds to supplement the school’s operating budget, ensuring that those things which make the school special (for example specialist teachers, fantastic resources and facilities) are retained. The Fund also oversee large-scale fundraising projects. These projects benefit the children of Hotham for many years into the future, and also have a wider reaching impact on our local community.

The local fall in pupil numbers and the ongoing reduction in school funding means a significant decrease in government funding. This means that the school has to use its financial reserves, which will eventually be exhausted if the school does not reduce what it offers our children. This could affect:

• The breadth and depth of curriculum currently provides

• Specialist teachers – PE, music and so on

• Maintaining additional teaching assistants, who currently allow for needed interventions and the capacity to extend the curriculum to meet the needs of individual students

• Regular renewal of teaching resources

• Refurbishment and redevelopment of specialist spaces for learning

The School Fund is also used to benefit our community more widely. For example, with large-scale fundraising projects which can impact the local community beyond our school gates.

Yes the School Fund is a registered charity (number 1213653).

The fund is overseen by the trustees and school governors. Its responsibilities as a charity are fulfilled through the Charity Commission and it is audited yearly by the local authority.