We are seeking your help with upgrading the facilities available to students at Bishop Laney Sixth Form, the only sixth form centre in East Cambridgeshire.

Since 2016 we have been able to substantially turn around the academic fortunes of Ely College. We have done this while simultaneously finding savings of more than £1 million from our budget. Some of that reduction in income came as a result of reduced student numbers suffered during the turbulent period of 2015-16, some is as a result of the real terms cuts to school funding seen nationally. It has not been easy, but we have made substantial economies without compromising the experience and outcomes of our students.

Once again, we are faced with the difficult prospect of finding substantial savings in order to balance our budget for 2019/20. One area that we have been forced to make cuts in is the amount of money we can spend on upgrading our IT facilities. Of particular concern is the current suite of computers in Bishop Laney Sixth Form; they are seven years old and in desperate need of replacement. This will cost around £12,000 to achieve.

A donation from you would help us to be able to carry out this upgrade, substantially improving the experience of our students and their access to high-speed, properly functioning equipment.

The support our community has offered Ely College and Bishop Laney Sixth Form has consistently impressed us. We hope that those who can afford to will consider supporting this project with a financial donation.