CASH-strapped parents are facing a bill of up to £100 plus to buy new logo-emblazoned sports kit for children at Corfe Hills School.

The Broadstone school is introducing the smart navy blue clothing from September. It will be compulsory for children in Year Nine to have the new top, shorts and socks, all embroidered with the school logo, costing £41 for boys and £34 for girls.

But the complete kit also includes a hoodie and trousers costing another £50. That, along with sports shoes, brings the total cost of dressing one child for games lessons to over £100.

One concerned parent, who said they simply “cannot afford these prices” said: “It may be smart, but how can you say this is affordable?

“Why is Corfe Hills introducing totally overpriced PE kit?”

Head teacher Alan Hinchliffe said the change was the first in 20 years, and follows surveys which reported students found the old kit “out of date,” “embarrassing” and a “turn-off to sport”.

He said the new kit was supported by the school parents association and was “proving to be very popular with students”.

He added: “Through using an online supplier the school has managed to hold the kit cost and it discreetly runs a scheme that can help families with low income. Initial take up has shown that the opportunity to buy the additional and non-compulsory items of track suit bottoms and hoodies has also proved popular.

“As part of the drive to have fitter and healthier students Corfe Hills has increased the amount of time available for sport, increased the number of sports clubs and increased participation in sport.”

Corfe Hills is bringing in the new kit is for new Year Nine pupils.

Students in Years 10 and 11 will still be able to wear their old kits.

The clothing is only available through online supplier Kukri.

Other schools

While a lot of schools do not require sports kit with a logo on, many of those that do only stipulate a T-shirt or polo shirt, combined with plain tracksuit bottoms.

Logo PE kit with for Carter Community School includes T-shirts starting a £5, shorts from £4.99, rugby shirts at £18.99 tracksuit tops for £17.50 and bottoms at £15.99.

A Poole Grammar School rugby top is £16.99 At Bovington Middle School a sports polo shirt with logo is £7.99.

The Corfe Hills Kit costs £23.50 for the rugby top, £5 for socks, £12.50 for the shorts, £30 for the hoody, £20 for the tracksuit bottoms and £16.50 for the girls polo shirt.