Education Secretary Charles Clarke's announcement that we can use 'capital budget' to sort out our cash crisis in schools is great news.

Instead of a £300,000 shortfall at East Barnet, we now only have a £208,000 shortfall.

On the downside, the roof will have to carry on leaking all over the pupils; the classroom, described by Ofsted as grim and unsuitable for the task', will have to stay grim and unsuitable; and all the other essential maintenance will have to be put off for another year. (I hope that dodgy wall doesn't fall down on anyone, but if it does we're okay, because we've had to fork out £46,000 on insurance, so that should cover it).

Education is not a game.

Get real in Whitehall and find some real money.

Nick Mottershead, parent governor

East Barnet School