Headteacher sends parents ‘Christmas wish list’ asking them to buy pencils, chalk and rulers after staff wages leave school with £400k black hole
Some parents have criticised the request whilst others believe it is normal for parents to contribute towards school supplies
A desperate head teacher is so short of funds she has sent a Christmas wish list to parents asking for help to provide basic equipment.
Liz Filer described the list as "embarrassing" but she has been forced to make a plea asking parents to stump up the cash for pencils and rulers.
The desperate shopping list includes items such crayons, chalk, pritt stick and tracing paper, which Ms Filer says teachers have asked parents to provide.
Ms Filer also revealed teaching assistants and resources will have to be axed if the funding gap can't be filled and that staffing costs this year means she cannot replace those who leave.
Valentine Primary School in Southampton, Hants, is being asked to make "impossible" savings of £400,000 this year, and she has "no budget" for resources.
The school currently has around 740 pupils aged between four and 11 - each were sent home with a letter from their teacher requesting supplies.
Ms Filer said: "We have the budget for essentials, but at the campaign launch meeting parents asked how they could help, and this is what teachers said they need.
"I haven't got a budget for extra resources, just the essentials.
"We are having to limit how many pencils we can buy.
"We are getting more money - but it's not enough.
SOME ITEMS ON HEADTEACHER MS FILER'S WISH LIST
- Pritt sticks
- Crayons
- Scissors
- Pencils
- Dictionaries
- Play-Doh
- Card
- Sellotape (and ideally dispensers)
- Blu-tak
- Pencil cases
- Chalks
"Our staffing costs have gone up by quarter of a million this financial year - but the school budget has only gone up £58,000."
Parents have expressed their anger and disappointment that the school is not being funded enough to provide basic stationary or equipment, but have revealed they would 'happily buy their kids resources'.
Tiffany Gray said: "When I was younger we had our own pencil case filled with everything we need so why can't this happen now, I'd happily buy my kids resources it should be part of the school uniform."
James Ellis from the National Education Union said the school has a higher number than usual of children with additional needs - but it doesn't get enough funding to cover the costs.
He said: "There are specific issues at Valentine.
"They have produced a deficit but the amount that they are now being asked to cut isn't sustainable.
"They won't be able to provide the basic level of education.
"It's the most vulnerable children who will suffer. The school has 4.2 per cent of EHCP pupils compared to a national average of 1.8 per cent."
MOST READ IN UK NEWS
Education boss at Southampton City Council Darren Paffey said: "I will keep lobbying the education secretary, and will keep knocking on Damian Hinds' door until I get the message through.
"Council budgets for education have been slashed so I don't have money to just give out to schools, but I will be fighting for education to receive more money."
But MPs say "more money" is going into education - and that a recent £6.2million cash injection for building maintenance is proof.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.