A North East school is providing children with coats to wear this winter to help struggling families as the reality of Britain's spiralling cost of living crisis intensifies. 

Prince Bishops Community Primary School, near Bishop Auckland, has given every pupil a winter coat free of charge as a sign of support as everyday costs continue to rise.  

The school has thanked parents for their “overwhelming” response to the kind gesture after it said it was forced into action after seeing struggling families at the school gates. The Northern Echo:

It comes as almost two in five children in the North East (38 per cent) are now living in poverty, with food prices and energy bills rise, causing real strain for familes in the region.

Head teacher Lynn George said: “Every year we see families struggling, especially during the winter months, but this year more than ever we recognise that everyone’s really feeling the pinch.

"Many of our families don’t meet the threshold for extra support, so we wanted to do something that’s really practical to help and something that would make a difference. 

“We provide breakfast for children and help individual families that we see are struggling, and this is another way of helping and taking the pressure away from families.  

“We just thought it was something that we were able to do in a small way but it meant a lot to them.” 

The Northern Echo:

The school was given a ‘substantial donation’ from a local donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, but Ms George said that shouldn’t take the shine off the school’s decision to hand out the clothing.  

She added: “The feedback has been absolutely overwhelming. I expected some families to say thank you but the sheer volume of messages, it went almost viral on Facebook, it’s been really humbling.” 

The donation is just one of a series of cost-cutting measures the school has in place. The head teacher’s office is currently filled with boxes full of pre-owned uniform ready to be recycled and reused by younger pupils. Fees for the pantomime this festive season have also been waived, while all families are set to receive a Christmas-themed hamper.  

The Northern Echo: Jumping with joy: Pupils are delighted with their free coats Jumping with joy: Pupils are delighted with their free coats (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Almost two in five children in the North East (38 per cent) are living in poverty, according to the North East Child Poverty Commission, with an increased number of families now receiving extra support with their household bills, energy allowances and food supplies.

The data worryingly reveals how child poverty has risen so steeply in the region to become the highest across the UK. 

But Ms George insists not all schools can replicate its generosity.  

“Many schools are feeling the pinch just as much as parents are,” she said. “Energy prices have really impacted schools too, and there are all kinds of budget pressures facing schools at the moment that are quite substantial. 

“I wouldn’t want parents from other schools thinking ‘why isn’t my school doing that’. All schools want to help but not all are in that position and we completely recognise that.” 

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