Nailsea School appeals for grant for new coach
Nailsea School headteacher Dee Elliott and Low Carbon Gordano director Steve Cayzer after the school was awarded £5,000 to become more energy efficient. - Credit: Archant
Nailsea School needs £30,000 to pay for a new coach to transport pupils to the school.
The school has applied to Nailsea Town Council for a grant to pay for a new 54-seater vehicle to cope with the increase in students.
The authority has given the school a £5,000 grant over the past two years to try to increase numbers at the school.
In a letter to the authority, business manager Sarah Hurlow said: “I hope the town council will be able to support the school for a further year in its transportation costs from the Long Ashton area – trying to extend our catchment area and market the school to a wider audience.
“We have just had the numbers and addresses through for the 2018/19 cohort from this area, it is looking like we will be needing to put on a 54-seater coach as well as a 35-seater coach.
“This is obviously very positive news, but has its own financial challenges, especially as our funding for these additional students is lagged.
“The cost of a large and small coach will be in excess of £360,000 per annum – and will be an ongoing commitment – of which only 50 per cent is currently being funded through parent contributions, leaving a £30,000 shortfall for 2018/19.”
The school has seen a huge rise in pupils applying for a place over the past two years.
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Last year, the school increased its year seven intake to 180 to cope with a surge in demand for places and the number of applications exceeded expectations again this year.
Headteacher Dee Elliott said: “I am pleased to see the increase in popularity of admissions to Nailsea School, there is a real community feel here and I’m happy people want to be a part of it.”
Nailsea Town Council’s environment and leisure committee will discuss the grant request at its meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) in the tithe barn at 7.30pm.
