The S&PA (School and Parents Association) welcomes everyone with an interest in Cams Hill School. All parents, pupils and staff are automatically members. The Association is also open to those people who are former parents, pupils, relatives or members of the surrounding community.

Although the main function of the S&PA is to raise funds to benefit the school and the pupils, it also provides an interface between the staff and parents on concerns of a general nature, and acts as a sounding board for ideas that the staff or parents may wish to implement.

The money we raise helps to bridge the gap between the funds that the LEA allocates and what the school really needs. It provides the extras that benefit all our children, so that they can enjoy additional resources to enhance their education, and provides services to pupils, parents and staff.

Every pound we raise makes a difference.

Over the last year, the S&PA has raised nearly £5000, which has been used to buy various pieces of equipment and other resources, as well as supporting the Healthy Schools initiative by pledging to provide water coolers for the school. This was achieved via our regular events: the Nearly New Uniform Shop, the 200 Club, the Weather Lottery and the Christmas Craft Fayre.

In addition, we run two big raffles a year; organise a number of smaller social and fund-raising events, such as quiz nights; provide refreshments at various school functions; and collect Sainsbury’s and Tesco vouchers.

The S&PA committee has such a great bunch of people on it, a good balance of teachers, experienced parents and new parents, that it is not a difficult job. There is a good, relaxed atmosphere at our meetings; people are all happy to share information, bounce ideas off each other, volunteer to do jobs as needed and generally work together to get things done.

One of the great things about our committee is that nobody is stuck in the mindset that "it's always been done this way, so it can never change"! We are always keen to explore new ideas, and to welcome people who are inspired to be involved.

Many people on the committee have one "bite-sized" role, such as organising a specific event, collecting Computers for Schools vouchers, selling nearly-new clothes, providing refreshments, keeping the website up to date, being treasurer, taking minutes and so on. This helps everyone to feel involved without being overwhelmed with work. Of course, there are always some people who just come along to find out what's going on, or to volunteer for a particular event and that is great too - the more the merrier.

If you do want to come and see what we do, please feel free to do so; there will be no pressure to get more deeply involved unless you want to.

The commitment is one meeting per month during term time, and helping at various events during the year. We do not mind who you are, as long as you care about Cams Hill School.

If you want to know more about us and our activities and you would like to join parents, governors and teachers in raising funds that will benefit all our children, please become an active member of the S&PA.