Cost of living More pupils forced to wear dirty uniforms

More children are expected to arrive at school this term with unclean clothes, unwashed hair and unbrushed teeth, according to teachers who have observed a rise in hygiene poverty.

- Rachel Hall

Nearly three in four (72%) school staff think there has been an increase in hygiene poverty in their school in the last year, according to a poll of 500 staff. The same proportion (71%) expect hygiene poverty to rise further as pupils return to school this month.

Dirty uniforms and PE kits, unwashed hair and unclean teeth were the most common signs seen by the staff questioned.

Julie McCulloch, the director of policy at the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "Hygiene poverty is linked to very high levels of deprivation as families struggle with the cost of things like washing machines, energy bills and clothes. Many schools routinely help out by discreetly washing clothes and providing items of uniform.