Schools backs Observer's Cash for Schools offer

Central Church of England Junior School will be collecting our masthead, which is the blue OBSERVER on the front page, in exchange for cash at the end of June.

The simple idea will mean every school can benefit, and all you have to do is cut out and save the mastheads, making sure the dateline is intact, and hand them over to us.

Headteacher at Central Junior School Andrew Goff knows all too well how much of a difference just a little bit of money can make, given the economic climate, and how tight school budgets are.

“I read about it in the paper,” he said.

“I think it is an excellent idea – most of our parents, or at least a large number, buy the Observer anyway so we have to just simply cut off the masthead and raise some money.

“Every penny counts. I would certainly urge every school to get involved.”

The school has been involved in a number of similar voucher schemes before, so Mr Goff knows the importance the pounds and pence can make.

“We could easily put the money to good use for any number of things, such as games and classroom resources,” he said.

“It is a relatively easy thing to do, because most of us buy the Observer anyway.”

He said they currently need some money to buy plants, and some new gardening equipment.

He said it would no doubt turn into a competition between pupils as to who can collect the most.

“The pupils are the ones who always encourage the parents to go out and buy whatever product it is,” he said.

“The paper is available in lots of locations and read by lots of people, so we will definitely get something out of it.”

Towards the end of the month, we will print a form in the Observer for you to complete.

Then all you have to do is fill in the form, and gather up all the mastheads the school, pupils, parents and friends may have collected and send it to us – and we send you a cheque for your school.

For infant, junior and primary schools catering for the younger pupils up to Year 7, we shall give your school 2p for every masthead you collect.

For the senior schools, up to Year 11, we shall pay 1p for every masthead.

Observer editor in chief Colin Channon said: “I am thrilled Central Junior School has taken on board our Cash for Schools offer.

“It is a great example of how we can work with the community to make a difference, no matter how small.

“I am sure every school in the Observer’s area has something they wish they could spend a little bit of money on, be it books, games or music equipment, which is exactly why we put together this offer.

“We are hoping as many schools get involved as possible, because at the end of the day, as Mr Goff said, every penny counts.”

The small print

- Infant, junior and primary schools catering for the younger pupils up to Year 7 will receive 2p for every masthead collected.

- Senior schools, up to Year 11, will receive 1p for every masthead that is collected.

- Every masthead needs to be cut from a copy of the paper from this month – please keep the dateline intact.

- Each masthead must be original – no photocopies are allowed.

- We will print an entry form at the end of the month, which will need to be completed and returned with your collection of mastheads at the end of the month.