School asks parents for donation

Headteacher Jim Fuller wrote to pupils' parents

Parents are being asked to give £30 each to help a school pay for equipment.

Head teacher Jim Fuller has told parents of pupils at the FitzWymarc School in Rayleigh, Essex, that they must help bridge a budget shortfall of £39,240.

The school has managed to hold on to all 85 teachers but there is nothing left in the £4m budget to spend on books, computers and footballs.

Mr Fuller said: "Children only get one chance at education, and one of my responsibilities is to make sure the education we provide is the best that it possibly can be.

"Money is a factor in that."

Mr Fuller said some parents sent cheques the day after receiving his note.

Pupils arrive for the autumn term on Thursday, and he said he hopes more cheques will arrive with them.