PARENTS say they are struggling to pay for uniforms after a series of schools changed their outfits.

One Worcester mum said she was frustrated because of the cost of the uniform at her son's city school.

City councillor Richard Udall says the problem is common across Worcester and floated the idea of setting up a uniform exchange bank to help cash-strapped parents.

Sarah Little, whose six-year-old son attends Dines Green Community Academy, said: “School uniforms are far too expensive at £10 for a polo shirt with the logo on.

"My son grew again, so I needed three new polo shirts and two jumpers. I had to save and not buy other stuff.

“That’s £50 gone. Then they moaned at me because I was sending him into PE with a plain white top, black shorts and pumps.

"The school says you need a red polo top, again with the logo on, for another £10."

The 28-year-old, of Greenacres Road, in Worcester, who is in full-time work and does not receive benefits or tax credits, objected to the high price of the uniform, which is the same as before.

Dines Green Community Academy changed to an academy in December and said pupils are allowed to wear old uniforms, including those handed down by siblings, until they wear out.

The school, which started phasing in the new uniform in February, said it helps parents cover the cost of outfits if their children receive free school meals.

Cllr Udall said: "In the past few days I have had a number parents complain to me about this issue, from parents who have told me that they have had to save up over a period of weeks in order to buy a new jumper for their child, just because the school insist upon it being branded with its name, making it much more expensive. Other parents complain about constant minor changes to uniform, saying it is totally unnecessary.

"Parents are telling me that they simply can’t afford the constantly high price of school uniform, many working families are struggling to cope and it infuriates them that a standard blue or grey jumper, trousers or skirts cannot be used in local schools.

"Uniform is important and I fully support it, but it needs to be affordable. I know many schools help with uniform exchanges and support is given to some families, but the growing habit of some schools to insist on logos and strange colours for blazers, shirts and jumpers is forcing real problems for parents.

"It needs to stop and uniform needs to remain unchanged and basic. School uniform must not be a luxury, it is often the only clothes children have to wear, plastering it with school names and identifiable logos just makes life more difficult for those who are already struggling."

The councillor said he would support an initiative to set up a uniform exchange bank to help parents.

He added: "The schools need to help and to introduce and allow generic and unbranded clothing to be worn, these are difficult times and schools should not be putting the cost of uniform above the basic affordability of the parents."

Rosie Furlong, aged 59, of Mersey Road, Worcester, said Hollymount School, which her grandchild attends, and Carnforth School, changed their uniforms a few years ago.

She praised Hollymount for providing free clothing to pupils after making the change.

The grandmother, who cares for her granddaughter, added that she was concerned about how she would afford to pay for her uniform when she moves to Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College in September, as she will have to buy more expensive, bespoke, garments.

Vivienne Cranton, head of Worcester Black Pear Trust, which runs Hollymount School and Carnforth School, said the latter changed its uniform in 2017, when it joined the trust, while the former got new outfits in 2014.

She said although some students now have to wear more expensive blazers, pupils are often complimented on their smartness.

The trust bought a free outfit for every child at Carnforth School, after the changes, and now sells uniforms at the price it buys them for, according to the headteacher.

It also operates a second hand clothing store.