Friends of Collett

Friends of Collett is a United Kingdom-based nonprofit organisation registered as a charity under number 1157000. It functions as the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and Parent Voice Council (PVC) for The Collett School, a specialized educational institution for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) located in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.

Mission and Activities

Friends of Collett aims to raise awareness of Special Educational Needs and to support young people at The Collett School in developing a deep understanding of themselves. The organisation focuses on creating inclusive community engagement by ensuring all parents, carers, and friends feel welcome as part of the school community. Their activities include organising annual family-friendly events that prioritize inclusion and community participation rather than solely fundraising, such as providing refreshments at school plays, parents’ evenings, and sports days[2][3].

As the Parent Voice Council, Friends of Collett provides a platform for parents to contribute their views on school decision-making, fostering a positive partnership between home and school for the benefit of the children[3].

Support for Special Educational Needs

The organisation has been involved in projects that enhance learning opportunities for children with SEN. Notably, Friends of Collett partnered with the Axis Foundation to transform an overgrown forest area into an outdoor forest learning space designed specifically for children with SEN. This space includes outdoor blackboards, a fire pit for cooking, sensory equipment, a mud kitchen, bug hotel, trim trail, living fence, and den-making area. These facilities help children engage with nature safely while developing gardening, communication, cognitive, self-esteem, and confidence skills. The forest learning area is also intended for use by local community groups and other special and mainstream schools, promoting wider community inclusion[5].

Financial Overview

For the financial year ending 31 March 2024, Friends of Collett reported a total income of £21,584, which is used to support the school’s special educational needs programs and community activities[1].

Friends of Collett exemplifies a community-driven charity that combines parental involvement with educational support to enhance the experiences and development of children with special needs at The Collett School.

[1] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5047601/charity-overview [2] https://localgiving.org/friendsofcollett [3] https://www.collett.herts.sch.uk/page/?title=Parents&pid=97 [4] https://grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/org/GB-CHC-1157000 [5] https://axisfoundation.org/the-friends-of-collett-school/