Friends of Barn Croft

Friends of Barn Croft is our parent/carers’ organisation. All families with children at Barn Croft automatically become members of Friends of Barn Croft and we are always on the look out for more volunteers who are able to help with a specific project or have a particular skill that the school could make use of. If you would like to get involved, please ask at the school office.

Aims

Friends of Barn Croft support Barn Croft being a small, caring school that brings the community together and provides the opportunities and environment children need to learn and thrive. We raise funds to support:

An enriched curriculum: We want all our children to have the activities, resources and opportunities they deserve to learn and thrive - like music, theatre, dance, art, design, sports, swimming, outdoor learning, trips, talks and events.
The well-being of every child: We want Barn Croft to be able to continue to give personal care and support to children and families.
A safe environment: We want the school buildings, grounds and allotment to be the best they can be with quality play equipment and outdoor learning space. We have supported the school to get solar panels and we work together for cleaner air and climate action.

Our story

Friends of Barn Croft was set up in 2012 by a keen group of committed parents, supporting key school events such as the winter fair and sports days and in July 2017 we put on our first summer fair. We created the school's wildlife garden for outdoor learning with plants donated from the Chelsea Flower Show and did up the school allotment. Initial fundraising efforts funded things that would enhance the children's experiences like forest school training for staff.

Friends of Barn Croft grew and went on to become a registered charity in autumn 2022 (charity number 1200732). Christmas 2022 was a special time for us as we teamed up with the local POWER STATION project to crowdfund for solar panels for our school. The children's cover of the song You're the Voice didn't quite make it to Christmas No. 1, but we were proud of how close we got! The 128 solar panels we fundraised for are now making a difference to the school's energy bills and will for years to come.

Our annual calendar includes events that bring the community together like winter and summer fairs, the year 6 leavers' barbecue, Halloween and Easter discos, international parties, bake sales, ice cream sales, plant sales, Eid parties, socials and more. Look out for our upcoming events and come along. We think you'll agree our winter fair is the best in the borough!

We've also organised printing workshops and an art competition; created beautiful cards, tea towels and a 2025 calendar; and held an exhibition of children's artwork as part of the E17 Art Trail in summer 2024.

Recently, funds raised have been used to fund the music teaching at Barn Croft by the wonderful Miss Jennie. This includes class music lessons, singing assembly, choir, the Golden Recorders group for older children, and the fantastic shows the children put on in combined class groups, as well as an opera workshop.

FOBC 2024/25 Schedule of Events

Friday, 4th October 2024: International party
Monday, 14th October 2024: FOBC Annual General Meeting
Friday, 18th October 2024: Year 1 fundraiser - bake sale
Friday, 29th November 2024: Year 2 fundraiser - bake sale
Saturday, 7th December 2024: Winter fair
January 2025: Year 4 fundraiser tbc
Wednesday, 5th February 2025: FOBC meeting
February 2025: Year 5 fundraiser tbc
Wednesday, 19th March 2025: FOBC Exceptional General Meeting
March 2025: Year 6 fundraiser tbc
April 2025: Reception fundraiser tbc
Friday, 25th April 2025: Eid party
Saturday, 14th June 2025: Summer fair

You're the Voice video: https://youtu.be/kUNupD9YeUY