7:00am Thursday 11th March 2010
By Hannah Crown
A SCHOOL which was nearly forced to scrap a fundraising evening because of bureaucracy has raised nearly four times the amount it expected.
St Michael’s CE primary school, Brigadier Hill, had hoped to raise £300 through an indulgence evening, held on Friday, by serving alcohol and cut-price beauty treatments.
But school governors, who came close to halting the plan, are now celebrating after raising £1,100.
Staff were horrified to discover that under current legislation four licences – at a cost of £140 - would be required for the evening to go ahead. But after reading an article in the Enfield Independent, an anonymous Enfield resident stepped in to pay for them.
They are now offering to advise other schools caught in the same position.
Juliette Dogett, chair of the Parents Teachers Association, said: “It was a bit touch and go as to whether the event would go ahead as the licence was not issued until on Thursday March 4.
"There were further complications in that we had to obtain permission from the freeholder of the land before the licence could be issued. But the evening was a great success and we had over 120 people through the door.”
But she added: “My concerns now are that other schools will be caught out in this nonsense. Schools and organisations must complete the necessary licence forms before any event can go ahead.
"The forms are very complicated. Copies of therapists' licences and photos need to be obtained to add to the form.
“As a PTA we are happy to be consulted as it would be awful if other organisations were fined for not having the relevant documents.”
The school will use the extra funds to create a wildlife garden and pond in the playground.
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