The eighth annual Barnardos School Costs Survey is now open. 

Parents of school-age children are invited to fill out the survey and tell Barnardos their experiences of the price they pay for their child’s education – school books, clothing, footwear, photocopying fees, voluntary contribution and any other additional costs. The survey allows parents to provide the costs for one child in primary or one child secondary school. This information is used by Barnardos to assess the national average cost per child and to inform Barnardos on-going campaign to reduce the cost of education.

In 2012, almost 1,000 parents participated in the Barnardos School Costs Survey and expressed frustration and anger at the continued high costs of sending children to school.

“We cut back on food and let other bills go unpaid to ensure children have what they need for school… We’re living on the edge all the time. So much for free education.” Comment from a parent who completed the Barnardos annual School Costs Survey in 2012.

Barnardos Head of Advocacy, Catherine Joyce said: “We know that parents are struggling more than ever to meet the high costs of sending their children to school. Year on year, families have been hit the hardest by austerity budgets and children’s education is suffering. We need parents to stand up and tell it like it is so that decision makers can see the impact their policies are having on families.”

To participate in this year's survey, click here.