PARENTS of pupils at a popular high school are being urged to pay hundreds of pounds to help get the institution out of “dire financial straits”.

A lack of funding is leaving the King David High School with “an existential threat to their survival”, the chairman of trustees, Joshua Rowe, said in a letter to parents.

Last year it was reported that trustees of the 800-pupil state Jewish school had encouraged parents to contribute £1,000 each through a voluntary donation scheme

And this year that figure is believed to have risen in a bid to cover the deficit and shortfall

In his letter, Mr Rowe said: “Many schools have suffered, but none as badly as us.”

Over the last seven years the school says it has faced Government cuts and increased costs, leaving it out of pocket to the tune of £1.6 million per year.

If contributions and donations are not increased the school says it may have to start “a series of reductions and shutdowns”.

The letter added: “To date, our Campus has survived through very significant cuts to things ‘around’ teaching but not teaching itself, the generosity of parents who make their parental contribution and through the generosity of a few individuals who have donated serious monies to keep the school afloat.

“This cannot continue forever, nor is it fair that parents who contribute are ‘carrying’ the pupils of parents who don’t.”

King David, which is attended by many pupils from Prestwich and Whitefield, is located in Crumpsall and was rated “Inadequate” by Ofsted following its last inspection in March, slipping from an “Outstanding” rating in 2015.

The school’s call for cash follows a similar appeal issued by Lowercroft Primary School last month, which asked parents for £10 per term to raise money after it lost £27,216 from its budget under a new funding formula.