KNUTSFORD Academy is asking families for monthly donations to help support extra-curricular activities in the ‘increasingly difficult financial climate’.

The school took the step of writing home on Wednesday, June 14, asking for donations to help improve facilities and equipment’.

Schools in east Cheshire are currently some of the worst-funded in the country, with current Government proposals set to see them slip down to the very bottom of the national funding table.

In spite of the funding challenge, the school has achieved recent success in football and musical theatre, as well as large numbers of both Year 7 and sixth form place applications.

Executive principal Mike Cladingbowl said: “The Academy prides itself on its teaching excellence, as we work to nurture the next generation and their impact in the community.

"Recent successes have been achieved despite an increasingly difficult financial climate – and the challenge continues.

“The way we fund projects outside the basic educational needs of our students will have to change.

"Improving facilities in performing arts, sports and social areas for our students is simply not going to be possible with the current funding position and I am writing to ask for your support.”

The proposed ‘Academy Fund’, set to start in September, will, Mr Cladingbowl says, enable the school to continue to excel outside of the classroom.

Donations of £5 per family are recommended, while the school is also looking for support from the wider community.

Funds would help boost projects such as stage improvements, new sport equipment, and outside seating areas.

Concerned parents took to social media to voice concerns about the funding crisis, with proposals for the ‘fair funding formula’ set to slice more than £600,000 off the Academy’s budget by 2022.

Newly-elected MP for Tatton, Esther McVey, was due to meet with Mr Cladingbowl yesterday afternoon, Wednesday.