PARENTS of a Denbigh secondary school that was placed in special measures last year are planning to help teachers with its repair by securing a brand-new minibus after the school’s current bus is in danger of overdoing the mileage.

The Friends of Denbigh High, the Denbigh High School parent-teacher association (PTA) which launched for the first time in more than a decade last year to help staff to improve the school, has started a fundraiser for the new minibus after its existing and only bus, a 16-seater Mercedes Sprinter, has taken the strain of responsibility for all out-of-school activities over the last five years.

The new minibus is expected to cost in the region of £20,000-25,000.

Diane Gibbons, chair of the PTA and parent of a 12-year-old Denbigh High School pupil, said the team of 12 parents will “give up every second we have” to help the school which was placed in special measures last July after pupils' performance was found to be lower than in similar schools.

Mrs Gibbons said the minibus is the PTA's first venture and could give children more enterainment and educational opportunities.

She said: “We want to recreate the link between parents and the high school and make it the centre of the Denbigh community again; it used to be but it is not as much now. Parents can get involved in the PTA’s activities, come to any of our meetings or help at our events in whatever way they can. It doesn’t need to be every week or month, but every bit helps.

“The school is working hard with the resources it has but the cost of the minibus is extortionate, especially for a new PTA, and it is not easy in the current financial climate.

“We don’t want to take a loan from the county council so if we can encourage parents and the community to get involved then we can all make a contribution to the school.

“The school needs drastic funding and the building is very dated, so hopefully this fundraiser will free up their resources.”

Mrs Gibbons says the money can be raised by school events and direct donations, but also via online purchases through an e-commerce website called School Angel, which donates a percentage of each purchase made on its partner websites such as Amazon, Boots and travel agents Thomson to a school of the customer’s choice.

Denbigh High School is also contributing to the fundraiser, with school-time events such as own clothes day.

Mrs Gibbons, who recently used School Angel while paying for her next holiday in Paris, said: “The website is easy to use and comes at no extra cost, but funds will be donated to Denbigh High School. All you have to do is go to the website and choose from its list of websites that you want to shop at.

“The minibus will mean there is more room for pupils to take part in out-of-school trips and educational opportunities.

“We want to improve the experience of the school’s pupils, this is what the PTA is all about.

“The teachers are under huge pressure after being placed under the label of ‘special measures’ but it is a great school with so many talented pupils.

“We want to help get it back to where it needs to be. I’m very passionate about this project; there is always going to be a child at school that needs help and I believe the PTA can make a difference.”

Dr Paul Evans, headteacher of Denbigh High School, backed the fundraiser and said it could give pupils experiences that benefit them later in life. He said: "The Friends of Denbigh High have been created to develop our existing links with the local community. We have a great network of past students and staff in the local area who want to continue supporting the school.

"In addition, we have many former pupils living further afield who are keen to share their expertise and experiences in order to help our current students with their future careers. The Friends network is an excellent way to facilitate this."

To donate to the PTA’s fundraiser, contact Denbigh High School by calling 01745 812485 or email denbighfriends@gmail.com.

To find out more or see which websites are available to use through School Angel, visit the website's Denbigh High School page.