St Joseph's School Association

Welcome to the St. Joseph’s School Association (SJSA). This association is a wonderful extension of the school community and is an integral part of the overall success of the school. 

The purpose of the SJSA is to raise funds for St. Joseph’s and build the St Joseph’s community, providing a network of friends for our parents and being a wonderful part of the school life. 

We aspire to work hand in hand with the The Saint John Southworth Foundation and school management to provide the best for every child at St Joseph’s.

Parents/carers of children attending St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School automatically become members of the SJSA and graduate to SJSA Alumni once their children have left the school. 

Trustees are elected to run the SJSA. They consist of a Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. We are very lucky to have such an engaged group of parents and supporters.

What We Do

WE CARE, WE LOVE, WE SUPPORT

“St. Joseph, a quiet man of action—faithful in the small things, great in love.”—and that spirit is at the very heart of the St. Joseph’s community. Every contribution of time, skills, or financial support strengthens the daily life of our school and helps create enriching experiences for every child.

Whether it’s volunteering for school trips—like Forest School, the Floating Classroom, swimming lessons, or visits to the zoo and cultural landmarks—or supporting school events for the children, such as Science Week, World Book Day, auction artwork, pre-loved uniform sales, and Christmas cards and gifts, your involvement makes a difference.

We also celebrate the broader community with fun and fundraising events for parents and carers, including the Winter Gala and Auction, and bring everyone together—families, friends, and alumni—at the highlight of the year: the Summer Fair.

Together, we create a vibrant, supportive environment where every child can thrive.

How to Support Us

WE CARE, WE LOVE, WE SUPPORT

Supporting SJSA is fundamental because it directly enhances the educational experience and well-being of every child at St. Joseph’s. Through fundraising and community involvement, SJSA provides vital resources, enriches the curriculum with special activities and events, and helps bridge funding gaps that public budgets can’t always cover. Every contribution—whether time, skills, or donations—helps ensure a thriving, well-rounded environment where all 260 children can learn, grow, and succeed.

We encourage all families to plan ahead and consider how they can contribute. Our goal is to achieve  100% participation throughout the year—whether by giving your time, sharing your skills, or contributing financially.

Time

Check the calendar on the school website for a full schedule of upcoming events—whether with your child’s class or for general school activities—and see where you can get involved. If you’re employed, ask your company about volunteer days or charity leave—they may offer paid time to support causes like ours! You can also download our volunteer form to share with your company.

Skills

St. Joseph’s parents have amazing talents—let’s put them to good use! Whether you’re helping with one of our regular events or creating something new and exciting for the children, your expertise makes a real difference. Your network can help too: if you know businesses interested in supporting children’s education, or if you'd like help pitching an idea, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Reach out to us anytime at admin@sjsa.org.

Financial Contributions

Whether it’s a small “buy me a coffee” donation, a monthly gift, participating in the Sport-a-thon, contributing to Class Promises, or joining one of our auctions, every contribution counts.

Resources

1. Register for Gift Aid - If you’re a UK taxpayer, complete our electronic Gift Aid Declaration to authorise the SJSA to claim Gift Aid on your eligible donations. This boosts your donation by 25p for every £1 you donate—whether it’s a one-off, recurring gift, or an eligible event purchase.

2. Donate through your employer - If your employer offers a payroll giving scheme, you can donate tax-free—your donation is deducted before tax (20%/40%), making it highly efficient. If your employer matches donations—even better! Donate via any permitted method, then provide proof to your employer to double your impact (many match 100%). Can't find us in your employer’s scheme? Contact us at admin@sjsa.family so we can register our bank details with the scheme operator. Some schemes may contact us directly.

3. Set up a one-off or recurring donation

• PayPal Giving: No fees for us—make a one-off donation through your PayPal account.
• Regular PayPal: Make a one-off or recurring donation (fees apply); you can also elect Gift Aid during the process.
• GoCardless: set up a direct debit for £5 / £10 / £20 / £50 / £75 a month via our direct debit provider GoCardless - cancel anytime through your online bank. 
• Standing order or bank transfer: Use your online banking website or app.

Bank: Barclays 
Account Name: St Josephs School Association SJSA
Sort Code: 20-69-15 
Account Number: 93668363

4. Donate passively

Give at checkout with Paypal:

• Set SJSA as your favourite charity on PayPal by clicking on the heart icon. Click this link and search for ’SJSA’. Then click and go to the charity profile and click the heart icon.
• Opt to donate £1 at checkout when making purchases.

Selling on eBay? 

• Select ‘SJSA’ in the charity drop-down to donate a portion of your sales—we’re on the list.

5. Shop online

• EasyFundraising donates a percentage of your spend with major retailers (like Argos, John Lewis, Boots, Tesco, and more) to a charity of your choice—at no cost to you. Just install a simple browser plugin and shop via their link (note: it doesn’t work through retailers' apps).

No donation of time, skills, or financial support is too small. We are grateful for all your generosity—thank you for helping us make a difference for all 260 children of St. Joseph!

Sponsorship

STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITY, TOGETHER

We are deeply proud to have the support of generous sponsors - alumni families returning to host Summer Fair stalls, current parents contributing to school events, and external partners such as local sports clubs who believe in our mission.

Every act of sponsorship helps enrich the lives of our 260 children - whether through exciting activities, much-needed resources, or unforgettable experiences. These contributions are more than financial; they are a testament to the power of community and the shared belief in quality education for all.

Some sponsors prefer to remain anonymous, while others - especially local businesses - can benefit from visibility through banners, branded giveaways, or sponsoring entertainment at our events.  We’re always happy to explore creative ways to acknowledge and celebrate your support.

If you’re a parent, alumni, or business interested in becoming a sponsor, we’d love to hear from you. Your support makes a real difference.

For more information, contact us at info@sjsa.family

We care, we love, we support - together.