The cost of sending children to school is now so high that some parents face spending almost £1000 a year according to research undertaken by the Department for Education and Skills.

The key findings show that the total average spend for sending children to state schools is £736.22 rising to an average of £948.11 for secondary school students.

"These latest government figures show the increasing cost of sending children to school," said Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) chief executive Kate Green. "The real costs of education are a day to day pressure for many parents from low income households."

The largest individual area of cost was meals during school time. On average parents and carers spend £316.20 a year, the equivalent of £1.66 a day.

Kate Green said, "We know that up to 350,000 children each year are not claiming their free school meals for a number of reasons including fear of stigma and bullying. But many of these children's families can not afford an extra £316 a year and so they will go without."

The Child Poverty Action Group said the government should seriously consider more financial support for low income families. "Many low income families will not be able to afford to spend over £200 on school uniforms let alone £180 for residential trips or £78 for a new PE kit," said Kate Green.

However, a Department for Education and Skills spokesperson said, "Support is available for parents on low income, with free school meals, free transport for pupils and local schemes to assist with the cost of school trips."

A recent survey by the online bank Egg found parents spent an average of £2,916 a year on bringing up a daughter and £2,790 on a son.