What is the PTFA?

It is the Parents, Teachers and Friends Association and we are an open and friendly group working towards a common goal, supporting the education of the children at your school and strengthening the school community. 

We actively raise funds to support school projects; from Christmas and Summer Fayres to Halloween Discos. Our events bring in extended families and the local community, as well as hosting events just for the Widey school children. Our funds raised have supported so many projects across the whole school domain and since 2021 include:

• Scooter/bike pods (Upper playground shelter)
• KS2 History wall
• Year 6 coach to Woodlands
• Year 3 coach to Kents Cavern
• Wellbeing art books for Year 4
• Xmas online Panto (oh yes it is!)
• Mobile music speaker
• Drums
• Widey Field Gun team kit
• Local artist Mural on year 3 wall

Thinking about volunteering?

It doesn't matter how many children you have, how old you are, or what your background is. The skills that the PTFA requires are so diverse, everyone has something to offer. You may love event management, crafts, PR, social media, recycling our preloved uniform to new homes, or just want to make new friends and become part of the school team.

We have fun too and feel a great sense of pride bringing our children, families and staff together to raise money and make some great memories at the same time!

What's happening next?

Contact Us:

ptfa@wideycourt.plymouth.sch.uk

Please get in touch for any event questions, if you'd like to volunteer, or just come along to one of our informal meetings to see what we do. From our PTFA shed in the Year 1/Pirate Ship playground, we also sell the Widey rucksacks (£12), bookbags (£8) and team water bottles (£2), along with pre-loved uniform. 

For our latest events and reminders:

Widey Court PTFA 'Facebook' page & Widey Court PTFA Twitter page.

Meet Our Committee Members - 2022/2023

Kelly King

Chair

My name is Kelly King and this will be my fourth (maybe fifth?!!) year on the PTFA. This year I took on the role of Chair after being both a co-chair and committee member previously. I have two boys - George and Elliott. George is now 11 and and left Widey last year, whilst Elliott is in Year 4. I am proud to be part of a group of people who passionately believe in providing opportunities for the children at Widey in a fun, family orientated way. 

Linda Ludlow

Deputy Chair

I joined the PTFA in the summer of 2018 as a general volunteer and committee member. Now based in Plymouth and able to get to weekday evening meetings, I stepped up to PR/Media Co-ordinator and after a few year's experience, I've stepped up to support Kelly in her Chair role. I love helping to event manage and raise lots of money for the school. We all bring unique skills to the committee and can pull on our networking and experience in the workplace, plus with a great sense of motivation and enthusiasm we can be involved in great events. I have a daughter in Year 5 and a son in year 2.

Kellie Clewer

Secretary

I have helped the PTFA at Widey for many years, but officially joined the Committee in 2017 as Treasurer. I then took on the role of CO Chair in 2018. I love to organise events and come up with new ideas on how best to raise money for our school, benefiting all the pupils of Widey during their primary years. I have 3 boys, one has already completed his time at Widey and is now at secondary school, a 9 year old in year 4 and a 5 year old in year 1. With lots going on, i'm now supporting the Secretary role.

Catherine Pearse

Fundraiser Co-ordinator

I joined the PTFA in 2017 as a volunteer and moved up to Fundraising Co-ordinator a year later. I’m responsible for contacting local businesses and collating all the raffle donations. I love spending other people’s money for buying raffle and draw prizes! 😊 My eldest daughter left Widey last year and is now at Notre Dame, but I still have my youngest here in Year 4.

Lizzie Shewring

Committee Member

I joined the PTFA in 2019 when my daughter started Widey.  My daughter is now in year 3 and my son is in year 1. It has been great helping and being part of the team organising some amazing events over the past few months. I love arts and craft so you will often see me at the craft table at events or behind the scenes putting together packs to entertain the little ones over the school holidays and raise important funds for school.
 

Tanya Stanbury

Committee Member

I joined the Widey PTFA in 2021 when my eldest son started in foundation. I wanted to be a part of the PTFA to support the school in its endeavours to raise funds for the school and help out at the events throughout the year. After all the planning and time that the PTFA dedicate to each event, seeing the enjoyment that the children get out of them makes it all very rewarding and satisfying for the hard work that the PTFA team put into the organisation of each event. 

I am looking forward to all the future events that we get to be a part of over the years to come.

Vanda Sampson

Active Volunteer

I joined the PTFA in September 2019 after four years of volunteering at the annual events. Being a big fan of taking lots of notes, it was a natural process to take on the minutes as well as continuing to help out as Secretary for a year, but now i help at the events when they need more volunteers. I have a child in Year 6 and one in Year 5, so I can keep a closer eye on them at the school discos too!

Makeover 2021!

Calling all keen folk who want to make a difference at Widey. A great chance to meet new people and join the detox fun! The PTFA are planning a few sessions this year to freshen up the outside areas of KS1 and KS2. 

Do you have a flair for art or painting? Would you mind helping to clear leaves and move old play equipment from outside the Year 1 & 2 classrooms? Are you a gardener wanting to make a place for children to see plants thrive? If so, don your old clothes and bring any tools, gardening gloves and morale and meet us outside Reception.

We’d love the children and their families, particularly of Year 1 & 2 initially, to get involved with the planning. We’re hoping that you’ll offer your suggestions too of what you may have seen at other schools or what we’re lacking in the small space we have. Keep an eye out for a PTFA bargain that we could purchase to enhance break and lunch time play.

Volunteering really does make a difference; it enhances a public spirit and feel good factor and gets you to meet other parents and carers of your child’s class and year group. We’d like an idea of how many people would be available and what your skills are, as well as your suggestions, so please contact the PTFA on our FB or email us asap at ptfa@wideycourt.plymouth.sch.uk .

Outdoor Makeover continues!

After the success and praise of Phase 1, we called all keen volunteers again to join us with Phase 2. We cleaned the other side of the KS1 building, outdoor area and also power-washing where we cleared during Phase 1 week. Definite wellies or old boots were required and useful tools!

As usual, please register with us if you can help with future projects or if you have outdoor equipment or games you would like to donate, via the PTFA FB page or email PTFA@wideycourt.plymouth.sch.uk Please remember to pass on to any interested Grandparents or relatives who would not see this email. Many thanks and hope to see you all at future projects.