School leaders and parents have spoken of their "betrayal" after a treasurer took more than £7,000 from a parent teacher association fund.
Gemma Soar was investigated by police after concerns were raised over the management of the Toftwood Infant and Junior School PTA money.
Enquiries took place over the course of two years, with Mrs Soar unable to provide details on financial records and accounts.
She was arrested following an investigation and charged with theft and fraud by deception.
But the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it was "not considered to be in the public interest" to proceed to court as it would take up to three years to hear the case.
She instead agreed to a conditional caution and was required to repay the money that was taken, although not all of it could be traced back.
Just over £7,000 was repaid.
In an e-mail sent to parents, the school confirmed that Mrs Soar had "accepted sole responsibility" for her actions and submitted a formal letter of apology.
The school added that a new PTA was being established as well as "robust financial controls", including a minimum of two authorised signatories on the bank account and full accounts presented at every meeting.
It continued: "We would also like to make it absolutely clear that no other members of either the former or current PTA were responsible for this fraud.
"Responsibility rests solely with Gemma Soar, who has accepted responsibility for her actions and confirmed that she acted alone.
"Our focus now is firmly on the future and on ensuring that any money raised on behalf of our children is managed with the highest levels of integrity, transparency and governance".
One person linked to the school, who asked to remain anonymous, said that "questions were asked" about the situation for 18 months.
"She used a lot of excuses for not dropping the accounts off at school", they said.
"It felt like there was always a new reason that she couldn’t hand over the accounts. The night before her arrest was when she finally told us about it".
A parent said they believed the fraud dated back several years ago and described the situation as "an injustice".
They added: "They can only prove its £7,000, but we all suspect that it’s significantly north of that figure."
"The school questioned themselves and didn’t want to pursue too much."
This newspaper has made a number of efforts to contact Mrs Soar for comment.
'The impact on the wider school community has been considerable'
In a statement, Joanna Pedlow, executive headteacher of Toftwood Infant and Junior School Federation, said they were now focussed on "moving forward."
She said: "As headteacher, I remain deeply disappointed and saddened that money raised by our children, families and wider community for the benefit of pupils was misappropriated by an individual who held a position of trust.
"Over an extended period, we received repeated assurances that audited accounts and financial records would be provided.
"Despite numerous requests to Mrs Soar in her role as treasurer, these did not materialise, and concerns grew as information provided could not be substantiated.
"Once it became clear that satisfactory evidence regarding the PTA's finances could not be produced, despite repeated assurances that it would be, we felt we had a duty to report our concerns to the police so that the matter could be investigated properly on behalf of the school community.
"Throughout this process, our primary concern has always been the children and families who worked hard to raise funds intended to enhance opportunities for all of our pupils.
"The impact on staff, parents, volunteers and the wider school community has been considerable and has understandably caused significant upset and distress. It is difficult to comprehend that money raised for children through the generosity and hard work of our school community was diverted for personal use.
"While we note that an apology has been made as part of the restorative justice process and that confidential personal mitigating circumstances were shared during that process, the consequences of these actions have been profound for those affected.
"While this brings the matter to a legal conclusion, it does not diminish the impact that this situation has had on those involved.
"Although the PTA operates independently and its funds are not controlled or managed by the school, we felt a clear moral duty to support the investigation, pursue the matter robustly and seek the maximum possible recovery of funds on behalf of the children.
"Lessons have been learned, stronger safeguards are now in place, and our focus is on moving forward and ensuring that future fundraising efforts continue to benefit the pupils for whom they were always intended".
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