As Wanstead High School marks its 100th anniversary, the PTA are working hard to help improve the school for future generations. Chair of the PTA Dennis Weeks reports their successes so far
We are the Wanstead High School PTA, a group of parents who find a bit of time to help out the local school at a time when they so desperately need it. There are around 30 regular volunteers in our group, and quite a few more occasional ones. We believe this to be an important cause in our community.
We took over in early 2023 after the school invited parents to relaunch the PTA following the closure of the old PTA as a result of Covid. A number of us got together, formed a new committee and began the journey of identifying what was needed and how we could help at the school.
As you may know, the school is celebrating 100 years of service, and I am sure many of you reading this may well have been a part of that history. Some of the buildings in existence today were part of the original school. Those intervening years have produced some wonderful students and stories that are coming up in the centenary celebrations this month. However, they have also left some tired and distressed areas of the school and a number of limitations for current pupils to endure. It is these types of things we think our PTA can do something about to benefit future generations of students attending our school.
We set ourselves three main objectives. To revamp the school field that is often not in a usable state due to weather effects on the ground. To provide a large canopy shelter in the limited playground area so students can still venture outside of classrooms in inclement weather. To revamp the toilet areas, which would make those featured in escapades on Grange Hill look luxurious. These are our capital project aims and we are very close to delivering the shelter as the first of them. In just over a year, we have raised nearly £65,000 from our events, donations, sponsorships and recycling school uniform via our pre-loved shop. This has been an amazing achievement and a testament to every single volunteer who has helped along the way. We have attracted corporate sponsors to match-fund our efforts and swell our balances thanks to some amazing parents and their companies who provide this charity. One project we are now developing is to obtain and improve the environment at the school by utilising pre-loved equipment and furniture. Just this summer, we asked the community for various items – including a shed, office chairs and filming equipment – and were amazed at the generosity received, with total donations worth up to £100,000.
So much work has already gone into this, so many benefits have already materialised, but there is so much more to do. And we would love to hear from you if you can help us with our aim of making a better Wanstead High.
For more information on the PTA, email dennis.weeks@ptawansteadhigh.co.uk
A reunion will take place at the school on 22 September. Visit wnstd.com/whs100
