Congratulations and welcome to Chelmsford County High School. We are delighted to have received planning permission for the Modern Foreign Languages Centre, a two storey extension to the main building, which will provide flexible teaching space for Languages and improve disabled access to first floor classrooms. Completion of this project will replace the ageing Bancroft facility and in turn create space for a much needed Sports Hall.

Our challenge now is to raise around £2.8 million to finance this project. The Capital Development Committee is a group of parents, staff and governors who are committed to raise funds to provide improved facilities at CCHS. In the last decade we have, through the generosity of parents, raised an amazing £1.5 million which has gone towards the artificial pitch, the Technology Suite and the wonderful new Music Centre, amongst other projects; current students are extremely grateful to the parents and other donors who have supported School so generously in the past. We have a long tradition of generations of parents supporting school's Capital Development Appeal so that current and future students can enjoy improved facilities.

Without continued parental support no new capital projects are likely to break ground in the foreseeable future. We therefore appeal to parents to support the Capital Development Committee in helping to raise funds so that we can build the Languages Centre during your daughter's time at school.

How can you help? You may be able to assist with any of the following:

• Volunteer a few hours of your time
• Consider making a regular contribution via a covenant or occasional one-off contribution
• Enquire whether your employer operates the tax-efficient Give as You Earn scheme
• Investigate whether your employer operates a fund to support such projects
• Identify any organisations or individuals with a connection to the school, education, languages, and the local community who may be interested in contributing. It is hoped that former students may wish to support their old school
• Consider making a legacy when next updating your will.

Whether or not you are in a position to contribute, we hope you will join us in person to further the fundraising work by giving a few hours of your time, and perhaps the benefit of your expertise, as we investigate additional sources of funding from companies and charitable trusts.