Running your PTA

Katie Homer is the Class Rep for all three of her children’ s classes at Northgate Primary School – we sat down to hear her inside scoop on the role

“ I enjoy knowing I’ m making a difference and helping to bring people together. Whether it’ s sharing reminders, answering questions or helping to organise socials, I like creating a sense of community for both children and adults.”

Northgate Primary School is home to just over 450 pupils, and Northgate Association is the PTA for the school. I’ ve been a member for five years and we have a small but dedicated group of engaged, motivated individuals who lead fundraising for the school.

I was volunteered by my eldest son’ s nursery teacher( you know how that happens!). I had no idea what I was getting myself into. But now, five years later, I’ m the Class Representative for all three of my children’ s classes and I’ m also the PTA Communications Lead, coordinating messages to all the other Class Reps. It’ s a bigger role than I imagined, but a very rewarding one.

The school manages formal communications through newsletters, emails and its website, while the Class Reps focus on sharing information, answering questions and sending helpful reminders – from PE days to those all-important dress-up day costumes! Class Reps also work closely with the PTA to promote events, gather feedback from parents and recruit volunteers, helping to keep everyone connected and engaged. As PTA Communications Lead, I’ ve also created a WhatsApp group that includes all the Class Reps across all years so we can support each other and disseminate information in a standardised way.

Being a Class Rep offers a unique opportunity to gain real insight into the school. Over time, I’ ve built wonderful relationships with the teachers, leadership team, support staff and office staff. It’ s great for getting to know everyone in the class too! If a parent asks me a question I don’ t know the answer to, I’ m always happy to use this network to quickly find out the answers.

Beyond communication, the Class Reps often help to organise social events for both children and adults, building friendships and fostering a real sense of community. The PTA relies on us to share reminders about events, gather feedback and source volunteers, and it’ s an essential part of successful fundraising and school engagement. Our work strengthens relationships between families and the school, helping every parent feel more involved and supported.

Stay organised. Store key dates, Amazon wish lists, PE days, uniform requirements and contact info in the WhatsApp group description to cut down on repetitive questions. Communicate clearly. Share only what’ s needed – don’ t replicate the newsletter, but highlight key dates and reminders like harvest festival or that forgotten book day costume!

Ask for help. People are usually happy to volunteer for events, provide raffle prizes or help organise socials if you just ask.

Don’ t do it alone.

There’ s no rule saying you have to do everything yourself – share the role with friends to make it easier.

Enjoy it. Building a community and seeing your efforts make a real difference is incredibly rewarding!

Image: Kate Homer, Northgate Association 14 PARENTKIND. ORG SPRING 2026