New pupils get uniform for free at two schools

MOVE WILL HELP WITH THE COST OF LIVING FOR STRUGGLING PARENTS

- NAOMI DESOUZA News Reporter

NEW starters at two West Midlands schools will be given free uniforms in efforts to help struggling parents.

The schools, Smith's Wood Academy in north Solihull and Oasis Academy Benson, in Hockley, Birmingham, announced that from September, they will be giving out uniforms and PE kits.

Figures from the Department of Education revealed parents were shelling out £442 on average for secondary school kit and £343 for primary school - a huge ask when 46% of Birmingham's children are shown to be living in poverty.

Rachel Medley, principal of Oasis Academy Benson, said the initiative would take a huge strain off parents.