A total of 22% of parents responded to the survey with 48% from senior school parents. Parents were surveyed on a number of topics and this document provides a summarised overview of the results.

85% of parents agree that the purpose of the TPA is to provide social opportunities for parents and 67% agree that it is to provide social opportunities for pupils.

A significant majority agree that the TPA should be fund-raising for large expensive projects that advance the education of the pupils with less than 15% disagreeing with this aim.

26% agree that the TPA should be helping to develop relationships with other school with the majority (80%) remaining neutral.

A significant number of parents commented that they would like the TPA to represent the views of parents thereby providing a conduit between the parents and the school.

A number of parents expressed their preference for the TPA to raise funds for school clubs, extracurricular activities or bursaries.

2. TPA Events

Less than 5% of parents do not receive communications about TPA events. Less than 5% of parents never attend events and 63% always or usually attend events.

The organisation of events is done by 23% of the parents.

A large majority (85%) feel that the number of events held for parents is about right. 47% feel that there should be more events for families. There was an even split on whether the TPA should hold separate Junior and Senior school events.

92% of parents see value in events for separate year groups and a significant number of parents commented that they thought this to be the responsibility of the Class Rep rather than the TPA. However, where Class Reps are generally not in place, i.e. in the Upper School and Sixth Form, the TPA could provide value by hosting year group events or even cross-year group events.

Less than 3% of parents disagreed with the concept of hosting parent information evenings, with a number of comments suggesting that these are good opportunities to have discussion, demonstrations and to network with other parents.

A small majority thought the TPA should host events for pupils from Tormead and other schools.

The majority of parents would attend the Cracker Fair (88%), Quiz Night (69%), Summer Family Event (79%), A Ball (62%) and Cheese & Wine evenings for year groups (83%).

More than 80% are interested in 2^nd hand uniform sales with some suggesting that they should be more frequent.

The majority of parents were not interested in providing refreshments at school fixtures with some commenting that this was the responsibility of the school.

3. Communication

9% of parents stated that the TPA does not communicate effectively with them.

87% of parents indicated a preference for communication is by email via their Class Rep. The majority agreed that when a Class Rep is not in place, the TPA should communicate with parents directly.

It was generally agreed that the school website and “coffee mornings” are an effective way to communicate. Only half of parents agreed with letters via pupil “book bags”.

4. TPA Subscription Charge

Only a quarter of parents indicated a preference for the TPA levying a subscription charge. There were a number of comments indicating that there is fairly widespread confusion about the purpose of the charge and the use of the funds being raised.