Ysgol Maes y Coed is a school in Neath, Port Talbot. Unlike your average school, the site caters for children from the age of 2 right up to 19. With specialist equipment and staff, the school provides support to children with a range of learning difficulties and to date, their PTFA has raised more than £2,000 with easyfundraising. We spoke to Catherine, PTFA treasurer to learn more about this remarkable school.
Tell us all about the school
We are a large special school located in Neath and we provide a warm, caring and supportive environment for 120 pupils from ages 2 to 19 years, all with severe or Profound learning needs. We are especially proud of the progress pupils make from their staring points and that the children are happy coming to school here – we are a place where each child is supported to learn, fulfil their potential and develop as young people.
As a PTFA we support the school to provide equipment, extras and opportunities for our pupils. Our mission is to enhance the learning experience as well as their enjoyment here at the school. We also provide an important link between our school and our parent community.
What does the school need funding for?
We are continually helping the school to improve it’s facilities. The needs of the children can vary greatly and we want to ensure we can always provide opportunities for play and for learning to children, regardless of their limitations. We also raise funds to be able to offer treats and experiences for the children at various times of the year – including our leavers prom, our Easter Bunny visit and Christmas celebrations.
Why did you decide to join easyfundraising?
Access to funding is a challenge for all schools. We have a very supportive parent network but due to the rising costs of living it can be hard for them to give regularly. Easyfundraising is the perfect platform for parents, staff and friends to support the PTFA without any cost to themselves and just by taking one extra step when ordering online from so many well-known retailers. It was a no-brainer and we’re so pleased how well it’s gone for us. We have raised over £2,600 so far.
What has the money raised helped to fund?
We have recently helped to finance the School Prom in the summer for our older pupils. We also use the easyfundraising money to cover the costs of running our minibuses (fuel, tax etc.) so that pupils can have outings in vehicles perfectly adapted to their needs.
What are you currently fundraising for?
We are currently fundraising so that a sensory / soft-play area within the school can be re-vamped. It’s a really important part of our facilities range and gets plenty of use. We need to raise a significant amount to refresh and develop it.
How do you encourage parents/staff to support you via easyfundraising?
We have a parentmail system for contacting all parents and regularly post requests for them to join easyfundraising and to mention it to friends and family. Staff are also made aware of this system via internal messaging and information on the staff noticeboards. There are a range of materials easyfundraising provide, specifically designed for schools to use – handouts, social messages and emails. To date we have more than 120 supporters shopping and raising for us – it would be really hard to try and find that many people who could regularly donate from their own pocket!
What would be your top tip for other schools on easyfundraising?
Regular reminders to parents are highly important, and to stress that it is completely free to raise, with the funds coming from the retailers shopped with. Make sure parents know the range of retailers and also try and give regular updates about how much has been raised and what that money is being used for / how it will benefit their child.
How you can support Ysgol Maes Y Coed PTFA
The Ysgol Maes Y Coed school is clearly playing such an important role for young people across their community. If you are a parent of a child at the school or would just like to get behind their fundraising efforts, you can support the school with every shop via easyfundraising. Sign up to support them here.
Are you connected to a school that would benefit from year-round free funding? Register them as a cause here.
If you’d like to know more about the school, visit their website.