Friends of St Stephen's

FOSS (Friends of St Stephen’s) is our school PTA. It is run entirely by volunteers, a fantastic group of parents who generously give their time and energy to support our school community. From leading the PTA committee to organising and running events throughout the year, everything we do is powered by this shared commitment.

In addition to our core committee, FOSS delivers up to 18 fundraising events per academic year. These include fun runs, bake sales, quiz nights, bike rides, fairs, silent discos, talent shows, and Christmas wreath making. FOSS also runs our second-hand uniform shop, which opens once or twice a half term. These events are organised and run entirely by parent volunteers, for which we are extremely grateful.

Together, we raise vital funds to enhance education and opportunities for the children of St Stephen’s CE Primary School. In recent years, we have raised an average of £100,000 annually. These funds support a wide range of enriching experiences, from sports and music to technology, languages, and wellbeing, as well as essential resources and improvements to classrooms, gardens and playgrounds. This helps to spark joy, build confidence, and enable every child to explore, thrive, and reach their full potential.

Our FOSS committee is elected each academic year, ensuring that parents and carers from across the school community have the opportunity to contribute to its leadership and activities. All members of the school community are encouraged to attend the AGM, where FOSS shares updates on the year, including funds raised and how they have benefited the school. Information about the AGM is communicated widely across our school community to help ensure everyone is informed and able to participate.

We are proud to have representation from parents across all year groups, ensuring that we reflect the whole school community in everything we do.

Registered Charity Number: 1027559

Email: FOSS@FOSSTW1.uk

Double Your Donation - At No Extra Cost to You!

Did you know your employer might match the money you raise or donate to FOSS? Many companies (like Google, HSBC, and Deloitte) offer Matched Funding or Volunteer Grants that can double or even triple your impact.

What You Can Do

1. Check Your Employer's Portal

Search your company intranet for 'matched giving', 'volunteer grants', or 'CSR'. Many employers use platforms like Benevity to manage these requests. If your company uses Benevity, simply log in, search for 'Friends of St Stephens CE Primary School', and you can often submit your claim in just a few clicks.

2. Submit a Quick Request

Whether through an internal system or a simple HR form, most companies just need a brief confirmation of your donation or the hours you volunteered.

3. Let Us Help

Email us at FOSS@FOSSTW1.uk once you've started the process. We can provide any supporting documents you might need, such as official donation receipts, charity registration details, or confirmation of your volunteer hours at our events.

Download the Full Corporate Funding Guide (PDF) at the bottom of this page. Use this document to share details with your HR department or CSR team.

Shop Online? Support St Stephen's!

What is easyfundraising?

It is a simple way for you to raise money for FOSS every time you shop online - and it doesn't cost you a penny!

Over 8,000 retailers (including Amazon, eBay, M&S, John Lewis, and Argos) will donate a percentage of your spend to us as a thank you for shopping with them. The price of your shopping remains exactly the same; the retailers pay the donation, not you.

How to Get Started

Sign Up: Use our Unique FOSS Invite Link to create your free account.

Download our guide below.