Minutes from PFA meeting held 8 September 2026

Attendance

Present: Laura Cooksey (Vice-Chair), Toby Foster (Treasurer), Katie Aitchison (Secretary), Danielle McLeod (Principal teacher), Jill Horsburgh (Head teacher), Ruth von Krause, Louise Birkett, Victoria Cox

Apologies: Andrea Thacker, Lisa Norris, Nicky Wilson, Pauline Lannagan

Discussion points

Breakfast club

There are 8–14 children attending breakfast club. There are currently no parent helpers assisting RD to run breakfast — we have previously had someone daily when there were bigger numbers in attendance. RD reported that it would be great to have assistance, in particular someone available from 8:30am to put the room back together and tidy while RD is in the playground with the children. We have welcomed donations of bread for breakfast club from Darren at the Ayton shop and are grateful for their continued support. LB suggested exploring the Tesco blue token scheme for breakfast club funding.

  • LB to explore

Playground updates

Final spending planned for the playground improvement project: priority is for the woodchip area to be dug out, lined and decked with anti-trip barrier and anti-slip treatment applied. After lots of previous discussions the council have approved the spending and we are hopeful the work will be completed in the October break. The work will be done by the SBC work order from the community justice system. This has been quoted at £5,505.85 and will also include some repairs and painting of existing wooden furniture.

  • DM to book in the work

Remaining funds are to be spent on redoing the playground markings; quotes have already been obtained.

  • DM to let PFA know about costings

LB highlighted the issue of the low-level vegetable beds being used by cats, and suggested reaching out to local groups such as Abundant Borders or Ayton Garden Society for support.

  • LB to follow up

School needs for the year - transport etc.

We discussed the expected financial support needed by the school from the PFA: buses for the hockey and rugby festival, dance festival, cross country, Priory Live, and a possible summer 2027 outing to the Museum of Flight. TF reported on discussion at the Eyemouth High School parents council on the inequity of funding support to our area for transport, particularly given our geographic location. TF to share a letter being sent to SBC highlighting our difficulties, and suggested we send a similar letter. JH explained the new process of transport booking for schools is now centrally tendered through SBC passenger transport.

  • TF to share copy of EHS letter with PFA council

Wish list from school

DM reported that school is still looking for nurture bits and sensory support items. DM explained the work the current P6/7 class are doing with alternative seating, to great success.

  • DM to request specific items to support

DM reported the school will have a visiting music teacher, John Jacobs, doing music theory with P6/7 initially, with more individual music lessons possibly becoming available soon. The school would benefit from some new instruments, perhaps some percussion or boomwhackers. JH will look to school funds to support this initially.

  • DM to review current stock

Still to purchase new stylus for iPad use. Will wait to hear about Generation Science again coming to the school in the new year.

Big project wish list items are a new stage, stage lights, and updating classroom smart screens — agreed we will pursue these once the playground project is complete.

Fundraising ideas for the year

  • Recent book sale
  • Movie night in the hall with popcorn
  • Christmas raffle
  • A trail around the village, or perhaps castle grounds, coinciding with book week

PFA council membership and office bearers

We discussed the need for new recruits to council and more people to take on office bearer roles. JH suggested a flyer for the open afternoon.

  • Office bearers to create flyer for the 22nd of September

Treasurers update

Outgoings since last meeting:

  • £48.40 — calculators
  • £711.75 — Northumberland Zoo
  • £800.00 — bus for zoo

Income since last meeting:

  • £1020.00 — Sponsored Walk via JustGiving, for playground
  • £286.71 — sports day
  • £143.00 — Ayton Show

Current balances:

  • Cash: £448.31
  • NatWest: £7738.36
  • Total: £8186.67

Restricted funds:

  • Playground: £7042.23
  • Transport: £35.56
  • Unrestricted: £1108.88

School update

All new P1s and returning students have settled well into the new year. A new family have joined the school, taking the roll up to 65. The three class teachers have all sent out curriculum overviews for the term to parents. The P6/7 class will be going to Ayton Castle for outdoor education this term, and with Tweed Forum they will be doing some river dipping — Ayton Castle have requested to film them using the ground as part of Alan Carr’s TV show. Permission slips have been sent to P6/7 parents, and all children can attend even if they do not want to be involved in filming. There is a school open afternoon on Tuesday 22 September, and parents’ evenings will be in October. JH reported that the school improvement plan has been submitted to SBC and will be published soon.

Next meeting

The next meeting will be the AGM, held at school on 27 October at 6:30pm.