Parents at a north Oxford primary school are raising £60,000 to buy new play equipment - because the education authority cannot provide the cash.

As part of the reorganisation of schools in Oxford, completed last September, St Philip and St James School switched from being a first to a primary school.

Last year, it moved sites from Leckford Road in Jericho to Navigation Way in north Oxford, with pupil numbers increasing from 180 to 330.

Headteacher Irene Conway said the school, which is run by the county council and the Oxford diocese, was not classified as "new" because it was involved in the reorganisation process. Had it been, it could have been given more funding.

She added that while the school was allotted some extra funding to cope with pupils being taught on two sites at one stage, the money did not stretch to providing play equipment.

Now a parents' group called JumpStart has started a fundraising campaign to raise the money for the play equipment.

Pupils in the early-years unit have already raised £3,000 by taking part in a sponsored skip.

Since January, a total of £16,500 has been raised, which will pay for a climbing frame for early-years pupils.

Now fundraisers are appealing to local businesses to help.

Some parents have been given letters telling them what could be bought if every parent gave £100.

Mrs Conway added: "When I was a kid you could play out in the streets, but children are a lot more sheltered and protected these days.

"If we had been deemed a new school we would have had new furniture and new equipment, but a moving school does not qualify. Fundraising is the way forward at the moment."

Neil Fawcett, the county council's executive member for learning and culture, said: "We would love to be in a position to have the capital funds available to provide good play equipment on top of the basic provision we are able to make.

"However, if we funded one school to the ideal standard, that could mean depriving another school of essential buildings or equipment."