Make sure that you get value for your money

Share costs with other subject areas, for example, computer sensors are part of the ICT curriculum, their best application is in science.

Write a letter to parents indicating that you are reviewing science resources and would they be prepared to donate certain items.

• Click hear to download a letter template.

Make sure that you are the first to hand in your resources list. Some teachers find that if they hand it in before the end of a financial year, if there is any spare money the head teacher will often purchase from the list. Certainly make sure that you are first in line, after all it could be 'first come - first served!'.

Borrow resources from your local secondary school, especially if it has special science status. Items that you might think about borrowing are:

• Computer sensors
• Microscopes
• Body parts, skeletons
• Light boxes

These items are often the more expensive purchases for a primary school and used less frequently than other resources.

Get to know local businesses, they are often happy to provide resources from food to seeds, compost to containers or card.

Contact the equipment suppliers and see what kind of discount they will give you, in the North East of England there is a saying 'Shy bairns get nowt!' in other words if you don't ask you won't get.