ANGRY parents hit out at their children's school after it emerged a severe cash crisis has forced two year groups to be merged into one.

Mums and dads were furious at Charford First School's decision to combine the two years - because the school can't afford enough teachers.

Parents were told of the news on the back of the summer newsletter, just a week before the school broke up for the holidays.

The newsletter stated: "In the present financial climate in schools, the governing body have found it is impossible in the next academic year for the school to maintain such small classes in the two year groups."

Government guidelines permit no more than 30 children in a class - merging the groups would mean there would be about 27 children in each of the five classes. The children currently enjoy class sizes of 22 or 23.

Despite Government promises of education being the number one priority, schools are still suffering because of a lack of funds.

However, headteacher of the Charford Road school, Jenny Bottrill, said: "This situation is quite common and we're very keen to have a whole key stage approach.

"We always have the children's best educational interests at heart. We're very positive about the next term."

But dad Simon Newton of Grafton Crescent said: "It's absolutely disgusting. I thought education was supposed to be the most important priority for the Government."

He added: "And I can't believe they would tell us by writing it on the back of a newsletter, less than a week before the end of term."

Chairman of the Worcestershire Headteachers' Forum and headteacher at South Bromsgrove High School, Phil McTague, said: "I know Jenny Bottrill and her staff are tremendously dedicated and will do everything they can to minimise the effects but this is the harsh reality of the Worcestershire funding crisis.

"While our richer neighbours in Birmingham can cut out the luxuries, we're having to lose the teachers."

lThe Government now says it will release £800m to assist schools throughout the country. Education and Skills Secretary, Charles Clarke, says the cash will be made available before 2006.