Daily Mail Online, 15th December 2025
Two in five parents have been asked for extra money to help fund day-to-day school costs, with those at grammars the most put-upon.
A new survey of 6,000 parents found a significant proportion are receiving letters begging for cash, in many cases to make up for Government funding shortfalls.
It found 41 per cent of parents had been asked to make a contribution to daily running costs at their child’s school, and for 19 per cent it had happened on multiple occasions.
The weighted poll, carried out in June this year, comes amid warnings education funding is not matching rising costs.
One parent told researchers: ‘Schools don’t have enough money and if they want to do anything nice, they have to ask the parents to fund it.’
Another said: ‘They have to use money raised by the parents to support [pupils’] education. It shouldn’t have to be like that.’
The research, conducted by Public First on behalf of the Parent Voice Project, asked parents of school-aged children about their experiences thus far.
Of those polled, 76 were parents of children at state comprehensives, while 6 per cent were at grammars and 15 per cent were at private schools.
The poll suggested schools serving wealthy communities felt more comfortable asking parents for donations.
It found 47 per cent of affluent parents had been asked for contributions, compared with 35 per cent of those who were less well off.
In addition, parents in London were more likely to be expected to donate, with 56 per cent asked for money compared with just 35 per cent in Yorkshire.
Meanwhile, 56 per cent of parents with children in grammar schools were asked for money, compared with just 38 per cent at comprehensives.
Primary school parents were also more likely to be asked, with 45 per cent reporting this compared with just 37 per cent at secondary level.
By law, state schools cannot force parents to pay money, but they can ask for voluntary donations.
The report said: ‘Parents described feeling torn: they recognise schools’ financial pressures, but are uncomfortable being asked to fund activities or resources that feel essential.
‘For many, the issue is less about the amount of money and more about what the request symbolises – a system they perceive as stretched beyond breaking point.’
It said many parents felt ‘sympathy’ for heads having to beg for handouts, recognising they have ‘little choice’.
It added: ‘Across all income groups, the sense is that schools are being asked to do more with less – and that families are increasingly feeling that strain firsthand.’
It comes amid calls for reassurance that Labour’s upcoming teacher pay rises will be fully funded, as well as the roll-out of free school meals to households on Universal Credit.
Julia Harnden, deputy director of policy at heads’ union ASCL, said it is ‘vital’ that the free school meals roll-out is funded properly, adding: ‘When there is a shortfall in funding, these policies are very difficult for schools to manage.’
She added: ‘Many schools have been placed in an extremely difficult financial position as a result of inadequate government funding over many years…
‘It is not unusual for schools to make occasional requests for parental donations, to help pay for things like classroom resources, books, and equipment.
‘While these are kept to a minimum, and remain entirely voluntary, they are a sign of the very challenging financial environments in which schools are operating.
‘However, the reliance on parental donations does deepen inequities within the education system because schools serving disadvantaged communities are less able to fill budgetary holes through this route.’
Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, added: ‘Schools have faced 15 years of austerity, and schools’ spending power is £4 billion a year lower in real terms than it was in 2010.
‘If there are appeals for parental contributions in the here and now, then they are likely the direct and inevitable consequence of years of underfunding our schools.’
The Department for Education has been contacted for comment.