It means parents face forking out six times as much as they want to do to kit out youngsters at the Wednesbury school.

And they have been warned that if pupils do not comply they will be sent home from Stuart Bathurst Catholic High School College of Performing Arts. A school shirt direct from the school costs £9, compared to Tesco’s £1.50.

And with jumpers priced at £15 – around three times the amount they cost in supermarkets – many parents say they are spending a huge amount on uniforms.

Last year the school in Wednesbury’s Wood Green Road introduced a policy that new pupils had to buy their uniforms through the school.

But this term parents have all been told that they must get uniforms through the school.

One parent, who asked not to be named, said: “We are all furious.

“Before, we could get uniforms from places like Asda or even the market at a fraction of the price.”

She added that she could get three shirts for the price of one from supermarkets.

She said letters had been sent to parents telling them that from the start of the month they could only buy uniforms through the school.

The parent added: “It said there were no exceptions and it even covered things like overcoats. Only one type is now acceptable.

“It means that if we have a mild winter a pupil might only wear it a few times and then the next year it might not even fit them which means buying another one.”

She said it now meant that the cost of buying a uniform had trebled. “Some parents are so angry that they are talking about a boycott.”

Deputy head Nick Chater said variations in uniform could lead to bullying.

But Sandwell’s education cabinet member Ian Jones said he was disappointed by what the school was doing.

“I have to say that I do sympathise with the parents, ” he said.

By Dave Lawley

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