A CHARITY has warned it will have to close down the weekend school it runs in Keighley if it cannot attract corporate sponsorship.

Keighley Saturday School, hosted by Oakbank, is one of 21 schools run by London-based educational charity Civitas.

The Keighley school has been running for the past eight years, initially in St Anne's Catholic Primary School and for the last four years at Oakbank. It operates every Saturday during term-time.

Michele Ledda, the Yorkshire co-ordinator for Civitas Schools, said: "We are appealing to companies based in Keighley and West Yorkshire in an attempt to raise enough funds to save Keighley Saturday School. It is now under threat of closure.

"In order to keep it open from the next school year, we are aiming to raise £18,000 per year."

He explained that the Saturday school aims to give children a solid grounding in English and maths, providing instruction in areas such as grammar, spelling, punctuation, times tables and long division.

He added: "Class sizes are small – a maximum of 10 children per class – and our teachers are committed to enabling children from less privileged backgrounds to achieve their full potential."

Mr Ledda said that other Civitas schools already benefit from corporate sponsors, but that until now the Keighley-based school has been funded directly by the charity itself.

He said: "Over the years we've established a great relationship with local parents and children.

"One of our former pupils is now helping as a volunteer at our school, teaching the younger children.

"We have told the parents we will now have to close the school as we can no longer afford to fund it directly.

"But they are very determined to keep our Keighley Civitas school open, as they feel it makes an important contribution to the local community.

"Oakbank School, which hosts us, has also encouraged us to keep our Saturday School on their premises.

"We've been moved by the support and enthusiasm of the local community, and are now trying together with the parents to save the school."

He said the charity had previously not publicised the Keighley Saturday School's work, noting that it has mostly been spread via word of mouth or through the charity's website.

The school has taught up to 50 pupils at its sessions. Its term-time lessons at Oakbank run from 9am to midday on Saturdays. Places are available for new pupils, and the cost is £40 per child per term, or £20 for a second child from the same family.

Firms interested in offering sponsorship or parents wanting to enrol a child can call 07828 529137 or e-mail michele.ledda@civitas.org.uk for more details.