POVERTY is forcing children to go to school unwashed and wearing dirty clothing, a survey has revealed.

The Hygiene Bank charity is raising funds to establish laundrettes at schools in deprived areas with growing numbers of parents unable to afford to buy or maintain a washing machine or afford soap powder and other essentials such as toothpaste.

Its survey of 500 schools, backed by cleaning brand smol, found 72 per cent of schools reported more pupils suffering “hygiene poverty” where families have to choose between heating, eating or keeping clean.

Dirty clothes and PE kit, unwashed hair and unclean teeth were among the problems, and staff expect the problem to worsen in the new term.

Staff said children suffering the problems are ostracised by their classmates and suffer low self-esteem or simply stay away from school.

One respondent said: “Students are often left with no desk partner in class. Other students make nasty comments in front of the class to single them out.”

Sarah Smith, executive head teacher of St Cuthbert’s Catholic Academy primary school in Blackpool, said: “We have seen an increase in students coming to school with unwashed uniforms and we know that this has an effect on their mental health and overall wellbeing, which in turn will have a negative impact on their education.”

NASUWT general secretary Dr Patrick Roach said: “This is a deeply disturbing picture of the damaging impact of the cost-of-living crisis on children and young people the length and breadth of the country.

“At a time when many teachers are already struggling financially, many are digging deep into their own pockets to provide urgent help to their pupils, in the absence of additional support from the government.

“It should not be left to schools and teachers to pick up the pieces of the cost-of-living crisis or to provide from their own budgets financial help and assistance to families in desperate need.”

Julie McCulloch, director of policy at the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) union, 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.”

The Hygiene Bank’s Suds in Schools project wants to raise £25,000 to establish 25 laundrettes in British schools.

Daniel Kebede, General Secretary, NEU said:“The rise in hygiene poverty is an indicator that the cost-of-living crisis is affecting many more children. Teachers, heads and support staff are working harder than ever to support them, and this latest research matches our own surveys."

“The poverty that many families are being pushed into has an impact on pupils' mental wellbeing, and the stigma they experience can impact their experience of education.

The Government must urgently support families by helping them cope with the effects of the rising cost of living crisis. Providing free school meals for all pupils, starting with those in primary schools, would do exactly this and alleviate some of the pressures schools, families and children are facing.”

A government spokesperson said: “We know people are struggling which is why we’re bearing down on inflation and providing record financial support worth an average £3,300 per household.

“On top of this we are supporting families with food, clothing and other essential costs and have raised benefits - including Universal Credit - by 10.1% and increased the National Living Wage.”