CASH-strapped West Somerset schools are now depending on the goodwill of local fundraisers to provide the vital resources and equipment being demanded by education authorities.

A number of them told the Free Press this week that they have to search around for support to keep their schools going and appealed for help from the community.

“Many people are under the impression that money flows into our schools and everything is provided for,” said Ruth Gasperini, PTA chairman at Minehead’s St Michael’s Church of England First School this week.

“But this absolutely not the case. Most of the schools in this area are dependant on year-round fundraising events organised by PTAs and the wider community to finance essential spending. Without it there could be really serious problems.”

She said that recent changes to the national curriculum have brought huge demands on school resources, especially funding ICT equipment which can cost up to £25,000 for computers and modern technology.

“With little or no additional funding, parent-teacher associations are left with the task of raising considerable funds themselves to ensure that schools have the necessary resources to meet curriculum demands.”

A governor of one local school, who asked not to be named, said: “We spend nearly as much time worrying about raising money as talking about education. We’re having to rely on lotteries, money-raising charities and the goodwill of the community when surely the Government should be providing the essential services children need?

“Surely education shouldn’t have to rely on community spirit and charity? It’s too important for that.”

Schools across the area reported that community fundraising was now vital to their well-being.

“We very much value the support of the Friends of Dunster First School,” said head teacher Peter Hoyland.

“The fundraising they do for the school is crucial in providing us with essential resources that the school would not otherwise be able to afford.”

And St Michael’s acting headteacher Sonia Watters said: “All schools are facing challenging times in terms of their budgets.

“This is not a situation that we see improving in the future and we really value all the fundraising on our behalf.

“Currently money to buy new ICT equipment is a priority.”

Mrs Gasperini said that, while PTAs and other school support groups were doing all they could to raise funds, there was also much that the local community could do to support their struggling neighbourhood schools.

“People can raise money simply by shopping online at their favourite retailers via their website through charities like The Giving Machine whose sole aim is to raise money for charitable causes and schools.”

She said many schools were now enlisting the aid of local businesses which are sponsoring raffles and tombolas and providing food at a discount for fundraising events.

“We really couldn’t raise so much money without their support and we want to encourage people to shop locally whenever possible but where they are unable to do this, charities like The Giving Machine are an easy way to generate funds at no extra cost.”

In a bid to fill the funding gap, some local schools have signed up to Your School lottery which guarantees a winner in every school community every week, plus a weekly £25,000 prize draw. Profit goes into school funds.

“There is an acute need for more fundraising to fill the gap in school resources,” Mrs Gasperini said.

“And time is certainly not on our side.”

Forthcoming Christmas school fundraising events include: St Michael’s First School Christmas Fair on November 20; Dunster First School Advent Fair 6pm to 9pm November 27; St Dubricius School Porlock Christmas Fete 3.30pm on December 3; and Minehead Middle School Craft Fair 5.30pm to 7pm on November 27.