Friends of Cranham School (FOCS)

The Friends of Cranham School (FOCS) are the PTA of Cranham Church of England Primary School. FOCS is a registered charity whose membership is made up of all families of children attending the school. 

We organise a variety of social and fundraising events such as school discos, quiz nights, raffles and sponsored events. The money we raise helps to provide extra facilities to enhance the children's experience of our beautiful school, and the social events help to build and celebrate the strength of our community.

We're so lucky to have the support and involvement of Cranham families to help us plan and run our events successfully.  If you're interested in supporting us with our fundraising, sharing new ideas as well as helping us to run some old favourites, please get in touch at friendsofcranhamschool@gmail.com.  Your involvement makes a huge difference.

 FOCS Facebook

FOCS_Gallery

How we work with the school

We work closely with the head teacher, the teaching staff and the school office team to ensure that we can help strengthen the opportunities the Cranham school has to offer, plus ensure that the children attending the school have the best possible learning experience in our beautiful setting.  The school team are often involved in our fundraising events, whether they’re selling raffle tickets, running event stalls or taking a custard pie in the face for charity!

What FOCS provides for the school

All of the money we raise is used to enhance the experience of every child at Cranham school.  Typically, the funds are used to purchase new equipment and books, providing activities and learning opportunities for the children, and subsidising school trips and transport.   Most recently, FOCS has paid for EYFS Cranham Bears for our new Reception children, materials for Christmas activity day, Jubilee and Coronation coins for all children, various pieces of sports and play equipment, and Year 6 leavers' gifts.

Our FOCS committee roles

Our last AGM was held on 20 September 2023 when the following committee roles were made for 2023/24:

Chair – Nikki Hale

Secretary – Nicki Clapton

Treasurer – Sam Kruk

Our wider events planning team consists of everyone who'd like to be involved!

FOCS AGM

Our AGM is our only formal meeting of the year and is usually held in the autumn term.  Everyone who is part of FOCS is warmly invited to join us to find out about how our association is run and how our funds are raised and spent.  All of our meetings are super friendly and relaxed, and they are a great way of catching up with other Cranham school families.

Our AGM is also the time when we elect the roles of our Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer, which is requirement of our charitable status.  If you’d be interested in taking on a committee role and would like to know what’s involved, please get in touch with the committee team at friendsofcranhamschool@gmail.com who would be very happy to explain what these roles entail. 

Check out the records of our meetings here:

AGM - 20 September 2023

AGM - 29 September 2022

How we keep in touch

We have lots of news to share so we use a few channels to do this.

We produce regular FOCS newsletters which are emailed to Cranham families via the school admin team.  They’re also displayed at the school reception entrance and shared on the school website.  We’re active on our FOCS Facebook page too, so check this out for event news and updates, as well as Facebook Messenger and the school’s Instagram for reminders and quick messages.

As our community is so important to us and often involved in our events, you’ll also see updates in the Cranham village magazine, local notice boards, and the local press and media.

FOCS Newsletters

• FOCS newsletter Jan 2024
• FOCS newsletter Nov 2023
• FOCS newsletter Sep-Oct 2023
• FOCS newsletter Sep 2023
• FOCS newsletter July 2023 v1
• FOCS newsletter April 2023 MT
• FOCS newsletter March 2023
• FOCS newsletter Sep 2022 v1

How you can help

You’re vital to the success of the school

FOCS’ fundraising makes a significant difference to our children’s education.

It’s totally flexible!

Whether it’s an hour to shop for one of the events, 30 mins running a stall, making a few calls from home to source raffle prizes or sponsorship, or bringing your skills and expertise to our committee - it all makes a tremendous difference.

You’ll feel more connected

Have your say, make or lead new fundraising suggestions.

You’ll be part of a great network

Every FOCS event is an opportunity to meet other families and the school staff team.

You’ll be a role model

Your children will see you playing a part in making their education more varied, showing good team work and community spirit.

It’s great fun!

Help plan events and socials and be part of the fun.

Keep FOCS going for future years.

Help us maintain a strong team who can continue to raise funds and support the fun stuff as our children progress through their year groups.

Donate to FOCS

Donate to FOCS each time you shop by signing up to Easy Fundraising!  It’s so easy to sign up and it won’t cost you any extra - you spend, brands donate! www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/fcs

Reduce lost property by using Stikins Name Labels in clothes, lunchboxes, shoes etc. and raise money for our school.  Click here to order Stikins Name Labels and use our unique fundraising number (5226) each time you place your order - it's so easy!  Check out more product and scheme details below:

stikins school fundraising leaflet 2023 24 5226.pdf