Warwick Academy is “desperately trying to keep our family together” after soaring numbers of parents lost their jobs and are struggling to pay fees.The school is launching a campaign to inject cash into its Emergency Student Rescue Fund, amid fears some children will be forced to leave before taking their exams.A small handful of parents have already been forced to withdraw their children, while many more are in talks with school officials over payment plans.The number of students on financial aid has climbed from 100 to 156 since 2010, an increase of more than 50 percent.Director of development Jane Vickers told The Royal Gazette the economic crisis has had a severe impact on families of students at Warwick, which caters for people with less income by having comparatively low fees.Proceeds from the school’s annual phone-a-thon will this year be directed to the student rescue fund instead of buying new equipment. It will take place on Tuesday, April 24.“A number of families are behind in their school fees because they lost their job. We recognise our parents have a very serious situation,” said Mrs Vickers yesterday.“Normally funds from the ‘annual giving’ go into the school, and last year we used them to buy an interactive smart board.“But because of the economy we decided any funds this year will go to the Emergency Student Rescue Fund. It’s directly to help families who have lost their job and are struggling to pay their school fees.“We don’t want to lose families. We are desperately trying to keep our family together.“We are working very with parents on payment plans. We are trying desperately hard to work with everybody; in times of crisis, families and the community have to work together.”Mrs Vickers said she had feared the annual giving campaign would struggle because of the recession, but revealed a small number of donors are actually giving significantly more than before.“It’s because people really do relate to the fact that there is a real struggle,” she said.“We really need to make this annual giving a success. People sometimes say they can’t help because they don’t have $1,000 spare. But if everyone gave $20 that would make a big difference.”During the phone-a-thon, alumni and friends of the school will be targeted, but Mrs Vickers said contributions from the general public will also be welcome.A letter from the school to parents, alumni and friends states: “The Bermuda and global economic downturn threatens our Warwick Academy family and we have many parents who are not able to pay school fees due to loss of jobs.“The reality is that some of our students may have to leave before they can progress through primary school, write GCSEs or graduate.“Please help us keep our family together by donating any amount of money to the school rescue fund. No amount is too small.”To make a donation, visit: www.warwickacad.bm/Pledge.aspx