Stockport Academy will kit every new student in their own blazer, tie, jumpers and PE kit, all free of charge, from this September.

A school is handing out free uniforms to help hard-pressed families beat the recession.

Stockport Academy will kit every new student in their own blazer, tie, jumpers and PE kit, all free of charge, from this September.

Bosses at the high school decided to fork out after hearing from parents about costs of keeping children smartly attired as household budgets were squeezed.

New uniforms will be handed out to all Year Seven students, irrespective of their family income, before they start at the Heathbank Road school, until at least 2016.

The scheme, which will cost the school £12,000, will benefit around 120 students in the first year.

Principal Frank McCarron said the academy was one of only a handful to help families with uniform costs.

He said: “For many parents whose children are making the transition from primary to secondary education, the cost of providing a new uniform can be a worry, particularly in the current economic climate.

“To help with this, we have taken the decision to fund the uniform for those entering the school.”

Mums and dads of new entrants will be issued with a voucher for the clothing, which also includes a school tracksuit, to be redeemed from local suppliers.

The academy, formerly Avondale High School, was labelled ‘failing’ in 2010 has but since turned its act around and grades have improved dramatically.

Governors at the school said they were persuaded to fund the uniforms to ensure all pupils were as smart as possible.

David Robinson, the school’s chair of governors, said: “At Stockport Academy, appearance is very important and supports our key principles of belief, aspiration, achievement and respect.

“We want all students to start as they mean to continue, which is why we will be funding the uniform for Year 7s.”

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