Sir – I sincerely hope that the cabinet member for schools, Michael Waine, is sucessful in his quest to obtain the funds from our Government to improve Oxford's schools. Cheney School desperately needs money for refurbishments and should go to the top of the list.

Parts of the school are in a ragged state of dilapidation. I recall attending a parents’ evening and noticing the pitiful condition of my son’s classroom. There were holes in the door and bits of ceiling tiles hanging down.

It is also a common practice at the school, for the pupils not to use the lavatories for the entire day. This is because there are no locks on the doors and the seats are missing.

A fire escape is also blocked, according to one of the parents I spoke with, and there are few recreational facilities at break times which can sometimes encourage bullying.

Despite the impoverished conditions at Cheney School, the pupils have achieved excellent exam results. This school deserves funds to bring the buildings up to date.

Susan Thomas, Oxford