The Parents’ Association
The Parents’ Association
Parents’ Association Membership
Parents and guardians of all students who gain a place at Bedford Modern School automatically become members of the Parents’ Association – and there’s no membership fee.
Starting at BMS is exciting, but we know that connecting with other parents can feel like a challenge. Without the traditional “school gates” chat, the school bus and car park pick-ups can make meeting new people a slower process. This is exactly why the Parents’ Association is here – to bridge that gap and help you find your community.
One of the best and fastest ways to establish a new social circle is to come along to our various social events and meet some of the wider school community. The Parents’ Association also encourages members to get involved with the activities that we organise, and we are very grateful for volunteer help with the planning and running of these.
How you can get involved
As members of the Parents’ Association, you are warmly invited to get involved with our various events and projects, and there are opportunities to be more hands-on too.
You don’t have to become a fully signed up officer of the committee to get involved – you may be able to help out occasionally at one of our events, be on the tuck shop at the school disco, help label up kit in the Nearly New Shop or simply support us by contributing to our fundraising efforts.
Choose a commitment that works for you.
- Committee Member
- Volunteer
- Attendee
- Supporter
…or all of these!
Typical Parents’ Association Activities:
- Nearly New Shop
- 500 Club Lottery
- Biennial Summer Ball/Fun Day
- School Discos
- Quiz
- Christmas Shop
- Christmas Art
- Support School Events
- Stikins Labels
- EasyFundraising
The Aims of the Parents’ Association
- Facilitating social interaction between parents and, where appropriate, between parents, governors and staff.
- Supporting the provision of information to parents.
- Engaging in activities which support and advance the education and experience of students.
- Providing funding for equipment and facilities which might not otherwise be available.
The Committee
We hold our AGM in September, and committee meetings every half term to plan, discuss and report on our activities. The committee has officer roles of Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer and Secretary, plus twelve Ordinary Committee Members. These are voluntary roles – joining the committee is a great way of getting to know the school community on a deeper level.
We are very grateful for support at our meetings from various members of the BMS Senior Leadership team – we work together to design events and activities that work harmoniously with the school’s extremely busy calendar!
Other than our PA events, we are often to be found at BMS events, supporting school and chatting to parents – do come and say hello, we are a friendly bunch! And we’re always on the lookout for new committee members!
Volunteering
We can’t do what we do without you! If you feel you have ideas to share or would like to find out more about our activities, please do come along to a committee meeting. We understand that many parents cannot find time to formally join the committee, but there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with our activities and events – please look out for our requests for volunteers.
Parents’ Association History
We were delighted to find a page from an old BMS prospectus carefully tucked away in some old Parents’ Association documents…
“In March 1923, Mr H W Liddle MA, then Head Master of the Modern School, invited the parents to tea with the object of establishing a closer and more personal contact between them and the School. On that afternoon the ‘Bedford Modern Parents’ Association’ was formed.
The primary purpose of the Association is ‘to support the welfare of Bedford Modern School, fostering a keen and earnest interest on the part of the parents in the splendid record of the School, and in the achievements of its boys.’
The Association endorses the inspiring message of the late Rev J E Taylor, MA B.Litt, that ‘the parents have the solemn responsibility of making men and training them, not for a career, not for time, but for eternity itself’. Ideals must be translated into practice however and it is hoped that in striving to realise this aim, parents will avail themselves of the opportunities offered by the Association of a fuller contract with the School.
Full opportunity is taken of the many ways in which the Association gives valuable practical aid to the School. Substantial sums of money are raised and handed over each year for a wide range of equipment and requests. Among the many fund-raising activities, regular clothing sales provide a very practical way to help parents.
A varied programme of social activities provides opportunity for parents and staff to meet on an informal basis.
Recognizing the wider role of the School within the community, substantial donations are also made to local charities.”
EasyFundraising
Raise funds while you shop – for free!
Turn your everyday online shopping into donations for Bedford Modern School Parents’ Association at no extra cost to you. With over 8,000 retailers including Argos, Amazon, John Lewis, eBay, M&S, Booking.com and much more, you can help us raise funds every time you spend.
How it works:
- Join for free – sign up at easyfundraising.org.uk.
- Shop – start your shop via the easyfundraising site or app.
- Donate – the retailer sends us a donation after you checkout; nothing for you to do and it won’t cost you a penny extra!
No catches, no hidden fees!
Stikins
Naming Kit: Getting ready for the new term? Save yourself the headache of lost property and support the school at the same time with Stikins Name Labels.
Why we recommend them: Our Nearly New Shop team can vouch for these – they are the only labels that stay stuck! They are tough enough for the washing machine and dishwasher, ensuring uniforms and lunchboxes always make it home. No iron needed – simply stick them on!
Support BMSPA: Order via the link below using our unique code 36594. We earn a 30% commission on every order, which goes directly back into school fundraising.
Order Your Stikins Labels Here