The "hidden costs" of schooling could seriously jeopardise the wellbeingof children from low-income families, a coalition of charities and theNational Union of Teachers (NUT) warned last week.
In a report drawing together recent research, the coalition called for aseries of measures to prevent poorer pupils being disadvantaged atschool because their families cannot afford to pay for extras, includingschool trips, materials, music lessons or charity contributions.
Report author, Sarah Deacon, assistant social policy officer forCitizen's Advice, says the problem is widespread: "Any parents on lowincomes or means-tested benefits are going to have problems paying foruniforms, school trips and materials."
She added that there was evidence that children were sufferingacademically or being made to feel miserable because they lacked theessentials for school, highlighting research by Dr Tess Ridge of theUniversity of Bath, who interviewed children from low-income familiesand found many felt bullied and isolated.
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