MANY Blackburn and Darwen schools are hoarding cash with only one secondary school in the red, according to a teachers' union. Figures from the Lancashire Federation of NASUWT for this year's budgets and projected figures for 1997-98 show that while many primary and secondary schools have healthy cash balances, schools like Darwen's Vale High and Avondale Primary face problems. St Thomas C of E has biggest reserves of £96,000, Audley County £81,000 and Lammack County £80,000. Roe Lee and Griffin Park have both have £70,000 with St Albans RC and St Silas Juniors just behind with £69,000.The only primary schools showing a negative figure are Sacred Heart with a minus of £7,000, and Avondale with £5,000.

At Blackburn's secondary schools, Pleckgate High and Witton Park have reserves of more than £190,000 while Our Lady and St John RC has £176,409.

David Brayley-Willmets, Blackburn NASUWT secretary, said: "The governors of these schools should be accountable to the parents and staff for why such huge surpluses are being held and not spent on teaching resources. Such large amounts must have publicly known reserve stickers placed by them, so it is not just seen as hoarding money.

"The only secondary school in debt was Darwen Vale, which has a negative figure of £40,000, but this is better than last year."

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