Parent teacher association (PTA): guidance

Learn about how to set up a PTA, register it as a charity and see examples of PTA constitutions from primary and secondary schools.

Last reviewed on 20 October 2021
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 437
Contents
  1. Setting up a PTA
  2. Registering a PTA as a charity 
  3. Examples of constitutions

Setting up a PTA

To start a PTA or PTFA (parent, teachers and friends association), you could:

  • Hold informal discussions about setting up a PTA and gauge interest among parents and carers
  • Launch the PTA and call the first annual general meeting (AGM)
  • Adopt a constitution (see examples below) 
  • Communicate details about the PTA to relevant parties

This guidance comes from Parentkind - formerly PTA UK. It's a charity that aims to develop co-operation between school, home and other stakeholders. Though it is a subscription service, some of its resources and guidance are free for non-members. Any resources from external providers we include does not constitute an endorsement by The Key.

Registering a PTA as a charity 

If your charity is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO), you need to register no matter what your income. For further details on CIOs and other charity structures, see this guidance on