St Clement’s Catholic Primary School

Fennell’s Mead, West Ewell, Epsom, KT17 1TX

Telephone/Fax: 020 8393 8789

Headteacher: Mrs H Taylor

Diocese of Arundel & Brighton

9^th October 2006

Dear Parent/Carer,

When we all chose St Clements for our children’s education we did so for many reasons but, in doing so, we chose a voluntary aided school for our children, which means that it is funded by both the Local Authority and the Catholic Church.

Recent years has seen many restrictions on Local Education authority spending and this has meant that the school buildings/furnishings have not been maintained and renewed as we might have liked.

You might recall that last year the Governors had to urgently ask parents to make a voluntary contribution when the boiler broke to fund the replacement as the funding available would only cover 90% of the cost meaning that the Governors had to find the remaining 10% to ensure that our children were kept warm.

It is with this in mind that the Governors feel that it would be better for our children if we increased support for the “Governors Fund” to allow for strategic planning of future maintenance and repairs rather than having to ask parents for money urgently when the need arises.

The fund would also allow for regular smaller contributions to spread the cost and for planned maintenance rather than urgent actions.

We are suggesting that all parents make a regular monthly contribution of £10 (or more) per child to the Governors Fund, which would be voluntary, but that would allow the school to plan repairs and forthcoming works.

It would also be possible for you to “gift aid” the contribution if you pay tax (by signing a gift aid form for which the Government will refund to the school the standard rate tax you have paid on your contribution) or your Employer might 'match' the donation if your Employer operate a “match donation” scheme.

I would ask that you print and complete both the standing order and gift aid mandates and return them to the school - any further questions or comments can be directed to the governors via the school office. Copies of the mandates are also available from the school office.

We do hope that you will participate in the scheme to allow the Governing Body in their role of keeping the school safe, efficient and habitable for your children.

For your information some of the frequently asked questions are attached.

Yours faithfully

Chair of the Governing Body