PARENTS are being stung with school uniform costs of up to £442 per child, a damning report reveals.

Nearly one in ten families said they were deterred from choosing certain schools simply because they could not afford the pricey clothes.

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And 12 per cent admitted they faced financial hardship just to get their kids dressed for class.

The Department for Education’s report shows secondary school uniforms — including PE kits — cost an average of £442 last year.

It was £343 for primary school pupils.

Both were slightly down on the inflation-adjusted figures for 2015.

Blazers, coats and shoes remain the most expensive items.

The report also found 86 per cent of kids must wear one branded item at least, forcing parents to buy from expensive suppliers.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson yesterday reconfirmed plans to limit demands for branded items through the Children’s Wellbeing Bill.

She told The Sun: “For cash-strapped families to still be worrying about sky-high school uniform costs is nothing short of scandalous.

“No family should face barriers to children attending school.”