Both Pocklington Prep School and Pocklington School have their own Parents Associations with separate committees and constitutions but with broadly the same aim: to support each school by organising social events and fundraising activities which support the individual school and external charities.

Events organised by the Friends provide opportunities for parents to meet and get to know each other and other members of the school community.  Parents, guardians, parents of former pupils, grandparents, members of staff, Governors and other people associated with the school are all welcome at any of our fundraising or social events.

Friends of Pocklington Prep School - FOPPS

Our Role

The Friends of Pocklington Prep School is the school’s parents committee, it is more than just a PTA.

We support the school by organising a number of social events for both parents and children, and carry out fundraising events throughout the school year.

Committee

Chair: Antonia Cowling
Secretary: Janette Campbell and Jules Rook
Treasurer: Karen Spruyt
Committee Members: Becky Marson
School Representative: Sarah Cobb

What we do

In previous years The Friends have supported the school Christmas Fair, Sports Day, Teddy Bears Picnic and have organised school discos for the children and various social events for parents.

As a result of the fantastic support and participation of the parents, the fundraising by The Friends has recently provided the school with a climbing wall, piano, sports and playground equipment and a bronze.

Get Involved

Joining The Friends gives you the unique opportunity to meet other parents and guardians throughout the school. It is also a network of support.

There are many ways you can get involved, by attending events, coming to the meetings or just giving an extra hand when able.

For more information, and to get involved, contact us at friendsofpocklingtonprep@pocklingtonschool.com

Friends of Pocklington School - FOPS 

Who FOPS are and what do we do?

The Friends of Pocklington School (FOPS) committee is a group of current parents. Our aim is to bring together all the members of our school community, and in the process raise money to support our school, particularly student projects and on occasion, external charities. 

Fundraising

​Back in the Michaelmas term 2018, guests ventured to The Principal, York, to enjoy an evening of laughter and dancing at the Friends of Pocklington School Christmas Ball (See report below). This final fundraising total from this event was £1500 which has been donated to the following school projects:

A donation towards Boarders' Fireworks, an event which FOPS have been long standing supporters of;

A clay slab roller for the Art Department;

A LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Robotic Building Kit for use in Science, IT and Design Departments;

Hire of a mobile planetarium, a fantastic educational unit for pupils.

These educational resources will benefit pupils across the school years in Prep and Senior School and the FOPS committee are looking forward to seeing them in use next term.

Social Events and supporting the school

FOPs help promote and assist with school events and initiatives.  This provides an opportunity to chat to members of the school community whilst welcoming guests to events such as Parents' Evenings, the Parents' Forum and Sports' Day.

The FOPS Big Breakfast!

In March 2019, the inaugural FOPS 'Big Breakfast was held in the school dining hall.  To launch the event, First Year pupils, parents and guardians were invited to come and try the magnificent school breakfast on a Saturday morning.  Families were joined by members of the FOPS committee, the Headmaster Toby Seth, Miss Cheadle (Head of Lower School) and the Lower School Housemasters/mistresses.  The occasion provided a great opportunity for fellow families to meet each other and get to know the Lower School staff in a friendly and informal environment.

The event was a great success with over forty guests enjoying the fruits of the breakfast bar.  What a great way to start a Saturday! 

Following on from this event, Fifth Year and Upper Sixth pupils and parents were invited to a Big Breakfast in May, before they went on study leave prior to external examinations. The next Big Breakfast is due to be held in June, inviting Second Year families.  The aim is to invite a different year group each half term, so keep a look out for an email invitation!

The Friends of Pocklington School Christmas Ball Saturday 8 December 2018

Friends of Pocklington School (FOPS) came together for an evening of fun, friendship and fundraising at the annual Pocklington School Ball, held at The Principal York.

Guests enjoyed a glass of prosecco, before entering the room for dinner, which had been turned into a beautiful winter wonderland.

Annie Harrison, Chair of FOPS Committee, began proceedings by presenting the finder of the hidden ‘golden star’ with a Pocklington School teddy bear and a magnum of prosecco. A fun game of ‘heads and tails’ followed before Annie gave a short speech, thanking guests and sponsors for their support of the event.  She closed by raising a toast to leaving Headmaster, Mark Ronan, and his wife Fiona and wished them well for their future in Ireland.

After a sumptuous meal, the raffle was drawn, prizes were won and then it was time to hit the dance floor with music provided by a live DJ, whose job had been made very easy! Guests had been given the opportunity to ‘Choose their jam’ in return for a small donation so the dance floor rocked from the beginning to end, as guests jived to their favourite party tunes.

Annie Harrison, Chair of FOPS said: “We had a wonderful evening of laughter, dancing and fundraising. The atmosphere and sheer joy of the evening led to generosity from all our guests and I’m sure the warm glow of giving was enhanced by the dancing!

She continued: “The final total is yet to be confirmed but the raffle and music requests have raised in excess of £1000 which is due to the support of our School community, friends and the kind and generous donation of raffle prizes. Many thanks to all who came to support us on the night, our kind sponsors and the FOPS Committee for all their hard work!”

How you can get involved

Membership to the Friends of Pocklington School association is automatically extended to current parents and/or guardians of pupils attending the school and can also be extended to former parents, grandparents, friends of the school and members of staff on request.  All our events are open to all FOPS members and their friends.  Attending events, or giving your time, services or skills, will make a real difference to our pupils. 

You may like to consider playing a more active role by joining the FOPS committee - new committee members are always very welcome.  The committee meets at least termly, or more frequently in the run up to an event.  We generally hold the meetings immediately after school drop-off on a week day and go somewhere local with meetings lasting 1-2 hours. 

If you would like more information about FOPS, ways to help or get involved in the committee, please email the School Staff Liaison, Leanne Maycock, at friends@pocklingtonschool.com.  You can also follow us on twitter here: @Pockfriends 

The Friends of Pocklington School Constitution can be downloaded here:

Friends of Pocklington School Constitution