Vic Robinson, PTA co-chair, Chiswick School PTA (1,607 pupils)
This year, our school is in the running for a Pearson National Teaching Award. The Making a Difference Award celebrates initiatives that transform the life chances of local children and enrich the whole community. Our monthly car boot sale, which has been operating since 1984, is a great example of how we work. Alumni parents are at the heart of it: Tina is our treasurer, Ray deals with operations, Isabelle oversees the sales and rotas, and Guy can park 100 vehicles on a postage stamp. He knows every regular seller from the past 25 years by name. Alongside many other former school parents, they keep it running, remind us of its legacy and teach us newbies the ropes! The car boot sale makes a huge difference to the school. In the year 2024-25, we raised a whopping £103,000 and most years we make about £70,000.
We’re a large secondary school and the sale attracts some 200 parent volunteers in all, with a core team of about 40 who help most months. In addition to our PTA trustees, we have a separate committee that organises the car boot sales – alumni parents make up half of this group. Teachers and former parents at the school also volunteer regularly and attend the sales. It’s a wonderful way to meet other parents and feel part of the school community. New and experienced volunteers often have a favourite shift, and ask to be with specific friends, allowing for an enjoyable catch-up during the occasional quiet moments.
I'm told there were initially about six cars and 30 visitors. The sales grew slowly, but recently there has been a real boom in car boots and thrifting, and now the whole thing is massive. In May, during a particularly dry spell, we recorded 4,000 visitors and 385 vehicles. I'm not a natural car booter, but once I got involved, I realised what it represented for local people. We get enthusiastic teenagers arriving at 6am, retirees looking for a bargain and people wanting furniture to upcycle.
Location, location, location
We are fortunate to have a fantastic site and location with two playgrounds and a huge field. We’re situated right by the A316, a main route in and out of London, so it’s very busy. There are lots of rules about how we can operate, and while complaints do arise, they are rare. We’ve built up a good reputation, and people know the funds we generate support the children. On site, our volunteers wear high-visibility vests, and local police visit most months to help maintain a calm atmosphere and ensure the rules are being enforced – for example, that no one is selling prohibited items.
The sales run on the first Sunday of the month, except in January, whatever the weather. When it’s too wet, we close some or all of the field and operate on the playground only, which limits us to around 200 vehicles. This typically happens once or twice a year.
My role is in communications. Our team consists of four members who work on a rotating schedule to send out emails containing all the information about our sales, as well as to manage the complex rota. We also use the standard PTA channels, including our newsletter and WhatsApp groups, to recruit new volunteers. Instagram has proven to be a real sweet spot for us, and we’re excited to launch our TikTok channel soon with some help from the students!
Busy day
The sales include several paid roles, one of which is someone who stays on site overnight. Portaloos are delivered at 5pm the evening before, and most traders start queuing between 3am and 4am. We allow sellers access to the site from 5.30am and buyers can enter from 6.30am. The sale closes at 12.30pm, giving us two and a half hours to clear the site. Students often join in, with some volunteering as part of their Duke of Edinburgh award. Those in Years 7to 11 who help with clean-up earn£15, while sixth formers who work longer shifts get £30. We provide references for students, which can assist them in getting paid jobs.
Organising the car boot sales takes a lot of effort, but it’s worth it because it makes a lot of money. This funding is increasingly important for the school as it faces funding shortfalls. We charge traders and visitors. For traders, pitch prices start at £15 for a car and increase to £60 for a large pitch with a van. Traders arriving on foot pay£10 to set up, plus an additional £5to hire a trestle table. For visitors, there is a small parking fee of £5,and entry costs £1.
Enriching experiences
We’re incredibly proud of what we do and of our team’s hard work. This sense of achievement for the school and the community is what keeps volunteers involved. The school uses the funds we raise for enriching experiences, such as trips to New York, language trips and an incredible visit to Jamie’s Farm. We have to spend according to our constitution and charitable objectives, and we have faced some challenging decisions, including discussions with the school over how much support we can provide for the essentials, such as maintaining school buildings.
Start small
A car boot sale can be a fantastic way to make money. If there’s a gap in the market in your area, start small and build from there.
You will need to liaise with your school's management and building team, as well as your local council, to ensure all activities are conducted legally and safely. This includes checking insurance documents, producing robust risk assessments and obtaining the necessary licences if the sale will not be held entirely on school property. We set aside funds for the upkeep of the field we use and this costs us £3,000 a year.
Communication strategies
I’ve had to learn a lot about marketing since we don’t have an advertising budget. For example, I've discovered how to use Instagram effectively for business and how to engage with the media, from local magazines to a spot we had on ITV. We have also developed a strong relationship with the council, so we know we are following all the necessary guidelines.
In the end, we’re doing what all PTAs are doing, which is building communities, raising money for our kids and making a positive impact. We're known for being the ‘nicest car boot in the area’ and there’s no limit to what you can find at our sales. On one stall you might spot a life-sized figure of the Incredible Hulk, and on the next you’ll find beautiful antique furniture. It’s the perfect blend of eclectic treasures, and that’s what makes it such a joy!
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