Running your PTA

Clare advice & support

When running a PTA, you’ re bound to encounter challenges – and that’ s where we can help. At Parentkind, we have a dedicated team of advisers, headed up by our PTA Community Manager, Clare. With 25 years of experience and a wealth of knowledge to share, she offers her straight-talking advice on your issues

Our school won’ t allow us to host Halloween-themed events, what can we do?

We’ re aware that some schools, especially faith-based schools, aren’ t always keen on Halloween. You can talk to them to find out if they’ d be happy with you changing to a broader‘ autumn’ theme. You could also suggest calling it a‘ Monster Mash’ or‘ Monster’ s Ball’ instead of a Halloween disco. If you’ re really keen to go ahead with the Halloween theme, ask how the school would feel if you held the event off school property. Whatever you choose, it’ s worth bearing in mind that a PTA works more effectively when there is a good relationship with the school. If you think this could be jeopardised by hosting a Halloween event, then maybe don’ t push it.

Does Santa need a DBS check?

Being Santa once a year doesn’ t give someone enough access to children to require a DBS check, however it is a safeguarding issue that needs to be addressed when you do your risk assessment for the event. No adult should have unsupervised access to children, so have a‘ Mother Christmas’ or elf present, and make sure the child’ s parent stays with them for the visit. 16 PARENTKIND. ORG AUTUMN / WINTER 2026