FAMILIES are being asked if they can donate £30 to Middlewich High School to go towards resources, activities and opportunities for pupils.

Heidi Thurland, the school’s new headteacher, says balancing a lack of funding with the school’s broad curriculum is ‘one of the biggest challenges’ she faces.

The school has sent out letters to parents and carers asking if they can contribute towards a ‘special purposes fund’ to help maintain a wide variety of lessons for pupils.

And the school wants to forge closer ties with the community by working with local businesses who might have IT resources they no longer need, and by forming a PTA to help raise school funds.

Ms Thurland told the Guardian: “I am passionate about protecting the curriculum and protecting staffing to ensure that every student receives the best possible qualifications, opportunities and care.

“However, if funding continues in the current format there are very difficult decisions ahead to be made about the curriculum we offer and how we resource it.

Northwich Guardian:

“Nationally there are schools who are consulting on running a four-day week as they simply cannot afford to run the school, there are examples of multi-academy trusts across the country which are in serious financial trouble.

“Middlewich High School is not in this position, however we need to be pragmatic, creative and resourceful to ensure that the budget is managed effectively. Many schools have taken similar steps in setting up a school fund and requesting contributions from families.”

Examples of how the money could be spent include food ingredients for cooking lessons, plus covering the cost of subsidies for sport and technology lessons.

Chancellor Philip Hammond announced an extra £400 million for schools to spend on ‘little extras’ in last autumn’s budget.

But the move was criticised by headteachers and unions – and in February, Esther McVey, Tatton’s Conservative MP, hit out at just a two per cent funding increase for schools between 2016 and 2020 while costs had risen by eight per cent over the same period.

Northwich Guardian:

Conservative MPs including Esther McVey (right) meet education secretary Damian Hinds

According to the Association of School and College Leaders, there is a £5 billion funding gap between the cost of running schools and the funding provided.

Middlewich High School is currently taking part in a CEC consultation on funding for pupils who have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).

Cheshire MPs – including Congleton’s Fiona Bruce – have also made the case for a fairer funding formula for the county’s schools, which have historically received lower levels of cash than other parts of the country.

Cllr Carol Bulman, Labour Cheshire East Council member for Middlewich, believes the Government must now act and provide more funding for schools.

She said: “They have been left very short at Middlewich High School – probably because it has quite a lot of SEND pupils and it is there that the shortfall in funding hits hardest.

Northwich Guardian:

“It is a sensitive issue. CEC has tried with the local arrangement, shuffling money around to schools which need it most, but it is just a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul.

“But that is not enough anymore – the cuts are so extreme now that schools are having to go to parents, who have already contributed with their taxes. It is scandalous that this has happened.

“The only solution is more money from Government. Schools have done remarkably well with what they have, CEC has tried hard, but there has to be more money.”

Ms Thurland also suggested that families who feel strongly about school funding should contact their MP.

Following a visit to Oak View Academy in Winsford in April, education secretary Damian Hinds MP told the Guardian he would be ‘making a strong case’ for more school funding when the Government carries out its spending review later this year.

Northwich Guardian:

Damian Hinds meets youngsters at Oak View Academy

He said: “We need the right resourcing for our education system, for schools, colleges and the rest of the education landscape as well.

“All Government departments will be making their pitch in the spending review. I just think that our pitch is particularly important because education unlocks so much.

“It’s about the future of our society, it’s also about the future of our economy and helping productivity and all those other things we need to work on as well.”

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Middlewich High School is holding a meeting with parents and carers to discuss the special purposes fund from 5pm to 6.30pm on Tuesday, July 2.

For more information email Rebecca Dale, Ms Thurland’s PA, on rdale@middlewichhigh.cheshire.sch.uk