The Parish Council has made a £500 grant in support of the campaign to pay for a part-time teaching assistant at the village school.
In common with many state-funded schools throughout the country Long Wittenham primary school is struggling financially to make ends meet as education budgets are squeezed. The school needs to recruit a teaching assistant to help cope with rising pupil numbers and increasing demands to raise standards.
The part-time teaching assistant will cost the school £20,000 a year and both the school and the parents’ group are looking at ways of financing the post. The Parish Council has decided to support the fund-raising campaign because of the important role the school plays in the life of the community.
Head teacher Alison Bellingham said: “We are very grateful to the Parish Council for its support. These are difficult financial times for many schools and we welcome any help because there are increasing demands being placed on school budgets.”
She said that school assessment tests at the end of year two and year six were very good and the school was reaching its targets but there was an urgent need to recruit a part-time teaching assistant if the school was to continue its progress. It’s hoped to have the assistant in place later this year – probably in October – although it will mean the school shouldering a deficit.
