A partnership of 19 local schools says teachers are “personally covering the cost of essential materials as schools face serious funding challenges”

A group of Enfield schools is appealing for help buying stationery for pupils amid “serious challenges”.

Enfield Town Schools Partnership (ETSP) launched a stationery appeal to raise funds to supply 19 local schools with much-needed stationery.

Standard equipment in schools is “desperately limited”, according to ETSP, “creating barriers to learning for many children”.

ETSP says many parents are struggling to afford basic classroom supplies for their children amid the cost-of-living crisis.

At the same time, it says that “teachers are personally covering the cost of essential materials as schools face serious budget cuts and funding challenges”.

ETSP is a collaboration of 19 schools within Enfield which manages projects and events that help improve the lives of children and young people.

The stationery appeal asks directly for donations but is also bidding for a cash boost via the ‘Tesco Stronger Starts’ campaign.

Hilary Ballantine, chair of ETSP and former headteacher at George Spicer Primary School in Southbury, said: “ETSP hopes to supply all schools in our network with much needed stationery so that the children can focus on their education. 

“With budget cuts and already stretched funding, a significant number of Enfield schools ask parents to supply stationery, which many cannot afford. This funding will take the pressure off those families and support the children so they can enjoy their learning, instead of worrying about their pens and pencils. Creating a more positive and unbiased learning environment.

“We are delighted to be part of this campaign and would love for the community to get behind our cause.”

Eleven of ETSP’s schools lie within areas of the worst 20-30% levels of deprivation in the country.

Tesco Stronger Starts provides grant awards of up to £1,500 to local community projects. Three groups in every community have been shortlisted and ETSP is one of the groups in Enfield. Voting is open in all Tesco stores from April until the end of June 2025. Customers will cast their vote using a blue token given to them at the check-out each time they shop.

Donate directly to ETSP’s stationery appeal:
Visit pay.collctiv.com/etsp-stationery-for-schools-65394

For more information about ETSP:
Visit etsplondon.org

A previous version of this story incorrectly spelled stationery as ‘stationary’. The Dispatch will now be going back to school.

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