 Frequently asked questions We always get the ‘same old parents’ along to help with everything – they are on the PTA, the Governors and they come in to school to help. How can we get more parents involved? Start where you are at! Invite those ‘same old parents’ to try something new by joining the Action Team. Once they understand the way that EPPa works, they will identify new faces to help them. Part of the difficulty that schools face, and the reason that they get the ‘same old faces’ turning up, is because what schools offer parents is generally more of the same type of activity. Once the Team is established and identifies new ways of engaging parents (by pooling ideas and using the EPPa toolkit resources), you will find that parents come forward to help, using their skills and expertise to support projects or to come along to participate in projects.  Can we run the scheme if we don’t have an active PTA? EPPa is not dependent on the existence of a school Parent Teacher or similar association. EPPa is aimed at promoting better partnerships in the widest possible sense. Most PTAs are concerned with fund-raising and it is important to point out that although some projects will require funds, the pilot Teams achieved this through appealing to organisations such as the National Lottery Charities Board funds, local businesses, local council grants and other similar grant-giving bodies. In order to apply for funding from such bodies, the Action Team will need a constitution that is community focused rather than school support focused (as is likely to be the case with a PTA charity constitution). A suitable community-focused model constitution is supplied for Action Teams with the EPPa package. What would be the relationship between the PTA and the Action Team? In some schools the PTA continues to operate independently of the Action Team. In others, the two groups work very closely together supporting each other in a complementary way. Do we have to do the Award? No. EPPa is a school development toolkit first and foremost. Schools wanting recognition for their good work with parents may wish to consider working towards the award. Does the scheme have to be led by parents? Yes. The Action Team pilot proved conclusively that parent-leadership was key to the sustainability of partnership development between parents, teachers and the community. How long does it take to achieve the award? This depends on how far your school is already working well with parents. We would expect that fulfilling the Award criteria would take between 12 months and 18 months for most schools. However, this time could be reduced or extended depending on work already in progress at your school. There is no time limit. Is the scheme going to take a lot of teacher time? EPPa is about handing responsibility for management of the projects to parents and the community. Initially the senior management team at the school will be involved in establishing the Action Team. This may also involve selected teachers with an interest in home-school relations. It is a requirement of EPPa that the Staff Awareness Session is delivered to all staff before the Action Team begins work. Although all staff are made aware of EPPa operating in their school, this does not mean that teachers have to become actively engaged in projects. Once the Team is established, at least one senior manager needs to be actively involved with the Team’s decision-making processes and other teachers may wish to be involved in projects that interest them. How do we raise funds to do projects? The EPPa Toolkit contains a comprehensive guide to raising funds through grant giving bodies and trusts (such as the National Lottery). Because the Team is constituted as a community group it will be eligible to apply for funding for projects that engage the local community in learning. Action Teams have successfully raised money for projects costing between £5,000 and £30,000 and that doesn’t include donations of actual goods such as computers, or for providing experts and trainers for special events. What sort of support is available once we have the EPPa Toolkit? There is a telephone help-line that accompanies the Toolkit. This is staffed by real people with experience of the EPPa strategy. There is also access to the Member’s Area on this website, where Action Teams can network to share best practice and ask for help. Personal visits can be arranged to schools and LEAs (at extra cost). More about EPPa About Eppa / The EPPa Toolkit / Testimonials / EPPa Award / FAQs / Ordering |
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