State school parents asked to pay £75 a month in ‘fees’
PARENTS at one of England’s oldest state schools are being asked to pay up to £75 a month towards running costs.
Taxpayer-funded Tadcaster Grammar in North Yorkshire
Martyn Sibley, head of Tadcaster Grammar in North Yorkshire, has written to them asking for voluntary contributions.
He said the “unprecedented step” was necessary because of rising staff costs.
It is understood the school must find an extra £1,100 per teacher from April.
Tadcaster Grammar was founded in 1557 by Owen Oglethorpe, Bishop of Carlisle.
It is now a comprehensive catering for 1,600 pupils aged 11 to 18.
In his letter to parents, Mr Sibley warns children will miss out unless extra cash is found.
Tadcaster Grammar's headmaster Martyn Sibley
It is understood the school must find an extra £1,100 per teacher from April
As a consequence we are taking the unprecedented step of consulting with parents about their views on raising additional income through voluntary parental contributions
He said: “There are further and very significant rises in costs for this academic year which have put even greater pressure on school budgets. The impact of these financial constraints will inevitably affect schools’ capacity to maintain current service.
“As a consequence we are taking the unprecedented step of consulting with parents about their views on raising additional income through voluntary parental contributions.”
He suggests £5 to £50 a month, with an extra £2.50 to £10 for art and technology equipment and £10 to £15 for new laptops.
If all parents agreed to pay the £75 maximum the school would get £1.35million a year.
If all parents agreed to pay the £75 maximum the school would get £1.35million a year
Students rally in London against tuition fee increases
Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said the situation in Tadcaster highlighted the “difficult decisions” schools face.
Mr Hobby said: “They are increasingly having to come up with creative ways to address shortfalls. Money coming in is not keeping up with expenditure.”
The Department for Education said schools had to make clear there was no obligation to pay.