Following the comms from our Headteacher Mandi and Chair of Governors Alexa, this page is for donations to enhance learning provision at Muswell Hill Primary, ensuring that we continue to offer a broad and rich curriculum, from Reception to Year 6. For those of you who can donate anything up to (and above!) £250 per child, it would be greatly appreciated by the school.

Below is further information from Mandi and the governing body:

We have managed the school’s finances well and kept our heads above water despite the financial losses and impact during and after covid, through very careful financial management. However, there are now so many variables beyond our control; underfunded staff pay rises, under investment in schools over time, the impact from inflation and cost-of-living increases to school materials, resources and food and the doubling of our energy bills, has all put pressure on, and eroded the school’s finances.

Thanks to the Major’s School Meal Programme, all children in KS2 are entitled to a year of free school meals.  Last year, this cost to your household would have been £503.50. Some parents have enquired if there is a way to donate some of this money back into school. You can donate this here or through parentpay.

In line with our vision and values, the Governing Body really value the enriched curriculum opportunities and quality education we provide to our children.  We would not wish to dilute or irradicate this in any way. However, if funding remains the same at the end of this financial year, as with most schools, we are going to have to review our provision.

Whilst we cannot fundraise for salaries, we are able to take contributions towards the enrichment aspects of school life, and whilst we have always ensured this is a universal provision for all of our children, without further fundraising, we will inevitably have to reconsider our options.  We have calculated that the cost of all our enrichment activities average out at a cost of £250.00 a year per child.

The enrichment programs we need help in funding are as follows:

Examples of areas of enrichment & costings: 

Forest school for Year 1 & Year 2 – every child in the school has been able to experience 6 weeks of forest school, since we introduced it 3 years ago. 

£10,000 per year group.

Whole class instrument lessons from Y4 -Y6. 45hrs of music tuition a year per child in Year 4, plus additional 20hrs a year for children continuing in Years 5 & 6 - over 90 children have now learned how to play the classical guitar thanks to this programme. 

£12,000 per year group including instrument hire, £190 per child for the year.

Specialist Art and Design experiences, projects and events – every child from Reception to Year 6 gets to experience the expertise and quality of specialist art and design teaching in the school. These costings include a high level of resources and time which goes over and beyond the teacher’s non-contact cover.

£12,000 per year group – including materials, £200 per child for the year.

Apollo Orchestra – Year 5 children get to work up close and personal with musicians from an orchestra, learning the areas over the year, and are then able to see them perform as classical musicians in the most amazing settings.

£1300 for the year’s project - £215 per child

Live Your Dreams – Year 6 children get to work with Tracey Campbell, who supports the teachers and children through a dynamic and engaging transition 6-week programme designed to help them dispel many of the myths surrounding the transition to secondary school.

£25 per child.

Physical Education coaches – every child from Reception to Year 6 experiences high quality and expert sports and games teaching in the school every week; Y1-6 have additional sports coaching at lunchtime and may also have the opportunity of taking part in many events and competitions which obviously require additional coaches, continued resources and equipment to offer such varied sports, which goes beyond the statutory PE curriculum.

£4200 per year group, £70 per child for the year.