A HEADTEACHER says she has been forced to ask for donations to refurbish her school hall, as a result of funding cuts.

Lindsey Cooke, of Hanley Castle High School, said the facility is in 'dire need' of a revamp.

She added that the school needs to replace the hall's ceiling, lighting, windows, fire doors, blinds and flooring.

Mrs Cooke said: "Like all schools, funding cuts mean that we are focussing all of our resources on providing our students with the very best education possible, which is why we need to ask our generous friends in the community for help with this project.

"Our school hall plays a central role in the life of our school. It is an historical space, and one which is always full of music and drama, as well as fulfilling many practical purposes."

The headteacher said the hall is used for PE lessons, assemblies, concerts, plays, and also serves as the school's main dining facility.

It also contains war memorials for those who died in the first and second world wars and houses boards listing the names of former head boys and girls.

Mrs Cooke added: "Inevitably, in a successful school with growing numbers, the stress placed on this facility continues to grow.

"Without urgent remedial action it will not be possible to use the hall for formal occasions, including those centred on music and drama, which are so important to maintaining and developing Hanley Castle’s unique ethos."

The school asked parents to make contributions towards textbooks last year, although it later reversed this decision.

Daniel Walton, a former parliamentary candidate for West Worcestershire, said: "It's horrendous. Parents are already feeling the pinch, council tax is going up and then they are being asked to fund schools as well.

"They trust parents will come forward and support them but they shouldn't be relying on goodwill."

He added that Worcestershire gets 'short shrift' when it comes to funding.

The Chantry School, in Martley, Worcestershire, also requested donations in September to help fund things such as the library budget, music and drama performances and work experience costs.

A letter sent to parents stated: "Without this support we will see an erosion of the wide offer we can bring your child.

"We now receive £100,000 less in September 2017 than we did in 2013, despite having the same number of pupils on roll. Simultaneously, our costs have increased in all areas."

But a spokesman for the Department for Education said schools in the county will see a £11.8million cash boost as a result of impending changes.

The spokesman added: "Hanley Castle High School will attract an increase in funding of 5.7 per cent by 2019-20, subject to pupil changes."

There are a record number of teachers in schools and 1.9million more children in good or outstanding schools, when compared with 2010, according to the Department for Education.

The new funding formula will distribute cash according to the individual needs of schools and secondary schools will get a minimum of £4,800 per pupil for 2019/20.

Headteachers in the county have previously complained that Worcestershire receives some of the lowest levels of school funding in the country.

Schools in urban areas tend to receive more cash than those in rural communities.

To donate to Hanley Castle High School you can write a cheque made payable to the school, or contribute via ParentPay or online to Lloyds Bank, sort code 30-95-41, account number 23247468.