READING East MP Rob Wilson has told the headteacher of a cash-strapped primary school there are "options to explore" to address their financial woes, the Chronicle can exclusively reveal.

It comes after the revelation last week that Caversham Primary School sent a letter to parents requesting voluntary £190 donation, the equivalent to £1 per school day, to plug the gap in a predicted deficit.

Mr Wilson declared he has met with headteacher Ruth Parry to discuss options on tackling its budget, for which the school blamed central government cuts to its budget.

Local government leaders demanded Mr Wilson, who lives in Caversham, stand up for local primary schools to protect their budgets.

The Conservative MP has since offered headteachers in his constituency to meet with the Schools Minister to voice their concerns.

However, he would not say whether he would pay the money if he was asked by a school which his own children attended.

“The core schools budget has been protected in real terms and current funding is the highest level on record," said Mr Wilson.

“Whilst some schools may be facing specific cost-pressures, from meetings I’ve had with headteachers and the Department for Education, I know that these are far from insurmountable.

“I told Caversham Primary this last month when we met and I am already providing help. There are certainly options for the school to explore - alongside my invitation to a meeting with the Schools Minister.

“My record for constituents includes two brand new secondaries; capital investment in existing schools; and a Pupils Premium to support our most vulnerable children.

“I will always listen to schools in Reading East and offer my support where necessary.”

When asked about the letter, Mrs Parry revealed parents were being supportive of the school's efforts to raise cash. She also said the sheer volume of cuts to the school's budget led the school into financial trouble.

She said the most significant cost for the school was staffing, and many employees have moved up the pay scale following years of dedicated service to the state school.

Councillor Jo Lovelock, the leader of Reading Borough Council, said she believed Mr Wilson owed local parents an explanation.

She told the Chronicle: "Rob Wilson would do well to listen to Caversham Primary School - very much his own local school and explain why the head is asking parents to donate money because of cuts to their budget made directly by central government."