How is it some state schools can offer so much more than others?

[Ffffffftttttttt]

Was just reading a thread where posters were comparing facilities at Westminster (private selective) with Tiffin (state selective) and some saying why pay. Made me go on Tiffin website to look at what they offer. I know it is a grammar and I live in an all comp borough but was shocked at the gulf in what is on offer. The drama and music on offer is incomparable, with proper productions and facilities at Tiffin, crumbling facilities and hardly anything beyond the basic curriculum at my local comp. And yet the comp by nature of its non selective intake will be receiving a high pupil premium. So presume comp income higher, or perhaps there are differences between what monies local authorities put into schools?

So where are schools like Tiffin getting their money from? Or are some schools just utilising it better than others? Please explain to me as I'm baffled.

"Voluntary is voluntary. If it is a state school it can't be enforced. I know parents who don't pay at ours. It isn't a big issue and the school office has no idea who does/ doesn't as they don't seem to deal with it."

Ah. You obviously haven't read the head of our local grammar school's personal letters to non payers...............

there's no way people wouldn't accept a place at Tiffin because of it.
it is voluntary, they can't make you pay. it is fairly easy to ignore these letters...

Not all schools are funded the same. I used to be a governor in a middle school in Somerset which received the least per child than any other middle in the county and Somerset were one of the least funded counties anyway. Some children in some schools attracted nearly double the funding per year!

Of course. I assumed people were totally aware of the disparities between areas. Mine is also one of the lowest funded in the country. As well as our police force...

Our voluntary contribution @ DS's state grammar school is about £50 /month but I like paying more from time to time.The PTA raised lots of money from 11+ Mock tests sessions organised at the school and pupils also raise money by getting involved in various activities such as Marathons, Enterprise Days etc.
I know a few 'wealthier' parents donating consistent amounts of money to our PTA @ school's Auctions, Summer Ball, BBQs, school concerts etc.