The rising cost of putting children through state education is putting a huge burden on the poorest parents, according to a study compiled by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG).

One in five parents surveyed in Oxfordshire said their children had gone without an item of school clothing because they were not able to meet the cost.

Other costs highlighted in the study -- entitled The costs of education -- included school trips and activities such as music lessons, voluntary contributions, school meals, transport and after-school clubs.

Parents' spend £6 per week on average for their child's state school education, suggesting that Britain's education system is far from free.

The effect of these charges is to put children from poorer families at risk of social exclusion.

The study's principal author, Emily Tanner, a post-graduate student at Oxford University's department of social policy and social work, said: "Our study shows that the repeated requests for money from schools cause considerable anxiety."

Survey respondents complained of being put under pressure to make voluntary contributions to school fundraising efforts -- such as raising the £50,000 needed to attain specialist school status. Children could also feel left out if their parents could not pay for them to join after-school activities. The study's recommendations include:

Schools should keep costs reasonable and do more to highlight sources of financial help

LEAs should do more to promote awareness of the needs of low income families

Healthy and affordable school meals should be promoted

The Government should increase funding to ensure all children have access to the same opportunities

Martin Barnes, the national director of CPAG, said: "CPAG is calling on the Government to increase the rate of the new child tax credit in order that a continuing impact is made on child poverty.

"We have a new campaign that encourages the Chancellor to give all low income children an extra £5 a week."