CLITHEROE Royal Grammar School could see its budget for the coming year slashed by £107,000 and could be forced to seek cash donations from pupils' parents, Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans has revealed.

Another leading school - the Oratory in London - has already had to ask its parents, including Tony Blair and wife Cherie, to contribute monthly sums following the government's abolition of grant maintained status. They are paying £30 for the elder son and £15 for the younger.

Mr Evans tackled Education Minister Estelle Morris on the issue during Commons questions.

He said: "I have spoken to the headmaster of Clitheroe Royal Grammar School who told me that his budget is being threatened with losing £107,000 a year."

He asked her in view of this would he advise the headmaster to follow the example of the Oratory school and seek voluntary contributions from parents.

He asked Mrs Morris what advice she had given the Prime Minister about paying extra cash to the Oratory.

Mrs Morris denied that any figures had been settled for next year but admitted that she knew of the "quality" education offered by Clitheroe RGS.

Mr Evans, vice chairman of the Tory party, accused her of ducking the question.

He said: "Clitheroe RGS headteacher Stuart Holt told me that last year grant maintained schools were threatened with budget cuts, but these were delayed a year because of the clamour they put up. They were told that the cuts in the budget would come in next year. "My constituents in the Ribble Valley want to know what they and the school should do.

"Mrs Morris should reverse this policy immediately and return the money to the old grant maintained schools including Clitheroe RGS. It is one of the best schools in the country.

"If these cuts go ahead either the quality of education on offer - which she admitted she knew of - will suffer or poorer parents will be unable to send their children to the school. In either case it would be a tragedy."

Hazel Harding, chairman of Lancashire education committee, which has taken over control of the school, said: "I believe that all schools should receive fair and equitable funding so all our children can benefit from the best quality of education.

"Currently, the Clitheroe Royal Grammar School receives £107,000 more than similarly sized LEA schools.

"This extra funding is being reduced over several years in line with government regulations.

"I would love all schools to receive the generous funding that this school has enjoyed, but I believe it is important that all the county's pupils get a fair slice of the cake."

No comment was available from the school.

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