16 per cent of pupils have skipped school after being 'priced out the system'
Children from disadvantaged backgrounds are being forced to skip school because their parents cannot afford meals, uniforms and trips, according to a new study.
The survey, which was commissioned by Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), found that 16% of children of secondary school age have skipped a day of school because they did not have something they needed.
This figure increased to 26% for children eligible for free school meals.
The Government has been urged to expand the free school meals scheme across England (Image: Ben Birchall/PA Wire) The charity is calling for the Government to expand the free school meals scheme to more families across England.
The poll of some 1700 school children between the ages of 11 and 18 found that 47% of those who missed days of school did so because they did not have the right uniform.
It was also found that 26% had missed school because they did not have enough money to attend school trips.
A member of staff at a secondary school in Scotland told researchers: 'We sometimes receive calls to the school to say a certain pupil can't come in today because they maybe only have one uniform and that's in the washing and it's not dry, so they'll be off today.'
A secondary school pupil in England said: 'I miss (out on) enrichment week and trips, it's too much (money).'
The issue was highlighted by teachers and students (Image: PA)
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Kate Anstey, head of education at CPAG, said: 'Children in poverty aren't getting the real deal at school because they don't have money to participate – or even get to the school gates.
'From not being able to afford meals or uniform to poor mental health, lack of money at home means young people are missing school – effectively priced out of the system.
'Government must do more to support living standards for families so kids aren't locked out of learning – including scrapping the two-child limit and expanding eligibility for free school meals.'
A Government spokesperson said: 'We are determined to reduce child poverty through wide-ranging action as part of our Child Poverty Taskforce, breaking the unfair link between background and opportunity.
'This Government has inherited a system with baked-in inequalities, which we're tackling head-on through our Plan for Change by rolling out free breakfast clubs in every primary, providing mental health support in every school, and investing over £3 billion in Pupil Premium to support those children who need it most.
'Through our Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, we are also changing the law to limit the number of branded items schools can require, which alongside free breakfast clubs could put £500 a year back into working parents' pockets.'
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