Supporting your school
PTA Fundraising Activity of the Year Award
Winners: Stocks Green School Association
“ Altogether, we raised £ 13,000— approximately £ 130 per child.”
“ The idea came for Stocksfest came from our brilliant Site Manager, Ken Till. Before he even joined the school, Ken – a local parent and musician – imagined bringing a live music festival to our school grounds. When he pitched it to me I loved the ambition, and we knew we had a team who could make it happen.
Our aim was to raise funds, of course, but also to bring people together after some difficult years. We wanted to create something joyful and bold that would spark genuine community pride.
We had 13 PTA committee members and 80 volunteers – including parents, staff, pupils, governors and local business owners. Our headteacher, Mr Hipkiss, was behind us all the way, and many staff gave up their time to help on the day.
Stocksfest was held on our school field in Hildenborough – the size of three football pitches.
We had a 30-piece orchestra at the entrance, live bands, NERF laser tag, stilt walkers, food vans, bubble tea, handmade jewellery stalls and a brilliant bar and BBQ run by parents. Around 1,000 people came throughout the day.
Altogether, we raised £ 13,000 – approximately £ 130 per child. These funds are already delivering real impact.
Stocksfest is now an annual event. It showed what’ s possible when a small school with a big imagination brings its whole community together. It wasn’ t just a fundraiser – it changed how people feel about what we can achieve.”
- Words by Erin Florendine, Chair
Changing the Life of the School Award
Winners: Friends of Coltishall Primary School
“ The Happiness Hive provides a quiet space for pupils to read, craft, play team games, talk or simply reset.”
“ In 2024, Friends of Coltishall Primary School brought a transformational project to life: the Happiness Hive, a dedicated outdoor cabin designed to support pupil wellbeing and emotional regulation. Made possible through our exceptional fundraising efforts, the Hive has become a deeply valued space that complements the school’ s wider wellbeing approach, including the myHappyminds programme.
This purpose-built cabin was created in response to the school’ s need for a calm, structured space to support mental health, emotional development and social connection. With standard local school capital funding set at just £ 6,000 per year, a project like this would normally take years to realise. But thanks to the school community’ s support across multiple fundraising events, we could fully fund the cabin’ s build.
Now fully integrated into daily school life, the Happiness Hive provides a quiet space for pupils to read, craft, play team games, talk or simply reset. It is used at lunchtimes and during lessons as part of emotional regulation support, 1:1 pastoral care, and group interventions. For children with additional SENCO needs or those experiencing anxiety or overwhelm, it’ s become a safe, consistent environment that promotes confidence, inclusion and self-awareness.
The Hive is not just a cabin, it’ s a symbol of what’ s possible when parents, teachers and children work together for lasting change. Its creation has improved emotional wellbeing, strengthened the school’ s support systems and enhanced everyday experiences for every pupil.”
- Words by Wendy Griffith, Chair
26 PARENTKIND. ORG SUMMER 2026