Parents are not only increasingly concerned about the cost of state education but have also reported experiencing difficulties in ensuring that their children get the best academic experience possible.

This is the major finding of a new survey from the NASUWT, the largest teachers' union in the UK, which notes an increase in prices across the board.

For example, the authors of the report highlight that since the coalition government stopped providing advice to schools on charging policies and guidance, costs have risen.

In just one year, the price of uniforms has gone up by an average of five per cent where the requirement is to acquire uniforms either directly from a school or a listed supplier.

Additionally, the number of parents now required to purchase PE equipment has risen by a fifth.

When it comes to value for money, parents are less than impressed with what their children get with school meals, the NASUWT highlighted. For the most part they tend to feel it is of a poor quality.

Further expenses are attributed to the rise in school visits that are not free. While some are coughing up to ensure that their kids do not miss out, others are unable to sustain paying for school visits.

Consequently, the report revealed that there has been a hike in the number of children unable to participate on certain visits because their parents find it financially excessive.

Chris Keates, general secretary of NASUWT, said that the findings of the survey did not come as surprise to him.

"The union has been surveying parents for the last two years and there is no doubt that they are facing increasing costs in supporting their children’s education," he explained.

"NASUWT has been warning that for many children access to critical educational opportunities, which are key entitlements, are increasingly becoming based on parents’ ability to pay."

He added that there is a "real danger" that parents may find that paying for school equipment, uniforms, activities and trips will become untenable and beyond their financial means.