The headteacher of a primary school where none of the pupils are indigenous Scots has launched an online crowdfunding campaign for new playground and classroom equipment.

Glasgow's Annette Street primary, at which 181 of the school's 222 students come from Romania or Slovakia, and the rest are believed to be of South Asian origin, has launched the "Play to Grow" fundraising drive after working with students at Strathclyde Business School (SBS).

Headteacher Shirley Taylor said the school suffered because most parents at the Govanhill primary do not speak enough English, or have the financial wherewithal to engage in the kind of traditional PTA-type money-raising activities which provide additional resources in many schools.

Speaking on a Youtube video to launch the campaign, she said: "As a result of such fundraising activities most schools can provide opportunities and equipment to complement the curriculum. As you can imagine, the parents and the children in my school just don't have the linguistic or financial capacity to do this."

The primary has a two year partnership with SBS and is working with students taking part in a social responsibility module.

On the video, Mrs Taylor describes the history of persecution faced by Roma people and says the majority of pupils at her school arrive with little or no experience of education and unable to speak English - the language in which all classes are taught.

"On top of that, they may be hungry because there was no money to buy breakfast or tired because they have had interrupted sleep from having to share a bed with three other siblings, or maybe can't concentrate due to terrible toothache, because they and family have never had access to dental care," she says. "These are challenges and barriers faced on a daily basis by children at Annette Street."

Describing her pupils as courageous, warm and friendly children, she introduces some of them on the video to ask what equipment they would like to see provided indoors and outdoors at the school. They recommend computers, for doing times table and puzzle games, monkey bars and swings for the playground and Lego.

The campaign has set a £5000 target for the appeal. If the figure is reached, Mrs Taylor says, she can implement a rich programme of play and outdoor learning throughout the school.

Unlike some crowdfunding appeals, donors do not receive anything in return for pledges, simply a thanks for believing in the project.

What money raised will be spent on depends on how much is raised, but the appeal states that £10 could buy board games like Guess Who? which would help pupils practice language and social skills, £100 could fund an after school club where children and adults could learn English through playing together, £200 could fund a trip to the seaside or countryside so pupils can learn vocabulary and see more of their new home country, £500 could fund playground improvements and £1000 fit out a new outdoor classroom.

Mrs Taylor's appeal urges the public to "help make a real difference to the life chances and positive destinations of the children ofAnnette Street".

Just as Govanhill has become a destination for families from some parts of Slovakia, as a part of Glasgow where many migrants are already located, Annette Street Primary has been identified by some as a school which will be welcoming to them and their children.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: "The diversity and many cultures in our classrooms across the city make Glasgow the wonderful city that we have become known for.

"Our children and young people can all learn from each other. Almost 140 languages are spoken in our schools in Glasgow. Working and studying together brings tolerance."