A COUNCILLOR has slammed the recent appeal by The Wren School for regular and voluntary donations from parents.

Lib Dem Councillor, Meri O'Connell, submitted her concerns to Reading West MP, Alok Sharma, after the Southcote school made the request this week.

Cllr O'Connell, who has three children at the school, has hit out against the appeal for funds, stating parents should not be expected to pay for the basics when they are also struggling financially.

She said: "I do not blame the school for asking for this money, but I, and many others, will struggle to pay £10 a month for each of our children as they move up to secondary school.

"We are the 'just about managing' family that the conservatives are supposed to be helping.

"My fear is that if parents pay these ‘voluntary contributions’ and plug the funding gaps, the government will say that their cuts are not impacting on children’s education and so they are legitimate.

"I'm happy to spend money at school fairs or take part in the monthly fundraising. I do all that because I want to support my children's education and to help pay for extras that fall outside what the government might provide. Not the basics."

Jo Broadhead, headteacher of the Southcote school, issued a letter to parents this week asking for a 'regular' contribution towards operation costs.

The appeal comes almost a month to the day after Caversham Primary requested a voluntary donation of £190, the equivalent of £1 per school day, also due to a lack of funding.

In her letter, which was sent out to parents on Tuesday (March 7), Mrs Broadhead said: "Many of you will be aware of the debate nationally surrounding school funding formulas; as a newly established school we face genuine constraints on our budget, which is based on student numbers.

"As a result, we are writing to you in the hope that as a parent or carer of a child at this school, you would be able to provide either a regular, or one-off, contribution towards the purchase of additional, specific resources and activities we would like to provide.

"We would appreciate any contribution that you are able to make, such as a regular donation of £10 a month or a one off annual payment of £20. I can assure you that any payment will be used in full to purchase additional items or support to enhance further the education that The Wren School provides."