A school is paying out up to £24,000 in a bid to smarten up its students.

Tideway School has taken the unusual measure as it introduces a new uniform.

From the beginning of next term, in September, pupils will be expected to be kitted out in the new gear.

But the school has acted to stop any criticism over the cost to parents by volunteering to help out.

It will pay for a blazer and tie for every child on the school roll.

With blazers costing up to £29.95 and ties priced at £4.95, it means clothing each pupil could cost more than £24,000.

A letter to parents from head teacher Robert Corbett said: “I strongly that improving our uniform will help the students with a stronger sense of belonging and a readiness for a working environment, along with being smart ambassadors for the school in the wider community.

“The governing body acknowledges the cost of a school uniform.

“The school will buy the first blazer and tie for every student on school roll for the first day of the 2013/14 school year.”

Parents will still have to pay for new trousers and grey sweater, costing between £13 and £15.60 each.

They will also have to stump up for a new PE kit for their child, which could cost just under £50 per child for one complete set, which includes a T-shirt, shorts, PE socks, black sweater and black tracksuit bottoms.

But the school said anyone facing financial difficulties could contact them to see if any further assistance could be given.

New uniforms can be a contentious decision, with many schools choosing a sole supplier for uniforms, eliminating the possibility of parents being able to shop around or buy cheaper high-street brands.

In Brighton and Hove, charity Coats for Kids launched a campaign to make schools allow pupils to wear mainstream shopbought clothes.

Emma Daniel, who started the group, said: “Parents, especially those on low incomes, are finding it difficult, especially when their children get to secondary school.