Teachers in Glasgow are being asked not to set homework using computers so that poorer children do not feel stigmatised.

In a bid to ease financial pressures on families Glasgow City Council has issued guidance to head teachers, which also aims to ensure all pupils are treated the same.

They have been urged to choose cheaply bought uniforms, keep the cost of trips to a minimum and make sure benefits advice is available for parents.

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Liz Cameron, executive member for children, young people and life long learning said: "This has been a really important piece of research and the outcomes and guidance will help shape future decisions to help reduce the impact of poverty on our families.

"Our aim is to remove as many barriers to learning as possible - a number of which have been identified during this important project.

"Many of our families struggle to make ends meet so we are committed to make a difference and help by looking at some of the hidden school costs and try to remove at least some pressures from parents and importantly, their children."

Last year, more than 300 pupils from primary and secondary schools across the city were quizzed so the council could learn about the impact of poverty, as part of the Cost of the School Day project.

A similar scheme was developed in England by the North East Child Poverty Commission.

One third of children in Glasgow are living in poverty - and in some areas this rises to 50 per cent.

Research found that pupils from poorer backgrounds were being stigmatised while parents struggled to keep up with costs.

Families felt pressure from young people to be able to go on trips abroad, with one mum saying she spent £1,000 in a year on holidays for her children.

And well-meaning teachers can accidentally make poorer students stand out by offering school stationery to those who can't afford their own.

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This then leads to bullying or children being left out.

The guidance aims to challenge and change behaviours with teachers expected to develop scghool-specific strategies that will "poverty proof" schools.

It states: "School uniforms should be affordable for families on low incomes. Schools should design their uniform policies with very minimum costs at the forefront of their minds.

"Recycling or reduced price uniform schemes must be administered sensitively to avoid stigma or embarrassment."

Schools are also urged to promote information to parents about benefits they may be entitled to and encourage uptake of free school meals and eating in school.

It adds: "Children and young people should not be asked to pay for basic resources like stationery.

"Staff should lend resources free in the classroom with sensible strategies employed to ensure their safe return.

"Staff should not assume that children have access to ICT to complete homework.

"ICT based homework should not be set unless children and young people without these resources at home are equally easily able to complete it.

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"Tasks which potentially involve the purchase of materials should be carefully timed and kept to a minimum."

And on school trips, it says: "All pupils should be able to attend school trips related to the curriculum regardless of their ability to pay.

"Systems to subsidise trip costs should be sensitive and non-stigmatising. Children should not be required to come and ask for help with payment."

At Caldercuilt Primary School, which is taking part in the scheme, parents are not asked for payment for trips, with the parent council working to raise funds instead.

They recycle school uniforms and, at Christmas, have brought the annual pantomime into the school to save money on travelling to the theatre.

Head Teacher Lesley Edgerton said: "With everything we do we think, 'What's the impact of the cost on families?'

"You still very much want to give children access to nice things but our parent council works very hard to fundraise to cover activities and trips.

"There are families where both parents are working and the cost of the school day can be very hard for them too - this is about ensuring every child has a fair and equal chance."