CHILDREN are going to school cold, hungry and embarrassed because their parents and guardians cannot afford to buy appropriate winter clothes or food, a shocking survey of teachers reveals today.

Among the reports from the 1,026 teachers surveyed by the National Education Union (NEU) were that pupils were “mute, going cold, making excuses, feeling ashamed” about their lack of basic clothing and belongings needed for winter weather.

They are also having to go to school with holes in their shoes, footwear being held together with adhesives, having no outside coat and wearing trousers that are too short.