A CASH-strapped primary school which was forced to ask parents to dip into their pockets to help tackle its budget crisis has been let down by the government, the shadow secretary of state for education has stated.

Angela Reyner admitted she was stunned to hear Caversham Primary School had asked parents for more than £150 to help balance its books following crippling cuts to the education budget.

The Labour party politician blasted the lack of help the school has received from the government and insisted parents should not be forced to pay for essential educational equipment.

"I want to make sure every child across Reading gets the best education possible," she said.

Parents have done a fabulous job trying to make sure the resources are here but quite frankly parents shouldn't have to fundraise to buy essential equipment.

"The school has been let down by government cuts to the education budget.

"We have seen that parents have had to dip in their own pockets to provide school services which I believe the state should provide.

"We need to make sure every child has the ability to get on in life and learn and it can't be about the parents' ability to pay for extras."

Caversham Primary School's crippling budget crisis was revealed earlier this year when former Reading East MP Rob Wilson declared it had options to plug a hole in its finances.

But Parents and staff continue to fundraise for the Hemdean Road school and Ms Reyner warned teachers who spend too much of their time raising cash could hinder the standard of education.

She added: "I have been really frustrated to see the amazing work the teachers are doing here by spending more and more time fundraising rather than actually teaching because they're not getting the funding they require.

"The building here needs work doing and the school has asked time and time again for the local authority and the government to give them funding and unfortunately because the government is fixated on its free schools agenda and academies it is neglecting outstanding schools like Caversham Primary School."