Parents are outraged they have to fork out for new school uniform items just six months after joining a new primary school.

Pupils at Pimlico Primary, which opened as sister school to Pimlico Academy last September, have been told they must buy a new summer uniform from department store John Lewis.

Mum Amanda Tracey said parents were not consulted on this change which could be costly for many hard-up families.

Ms Tracey, who has a son at Pimlico Primary and another at Pimlico Academy, said: “The school is going through so many changes since the first headteacher left. The new headteacher doesn’t want to talk to parents.

“All of a sudden there’s a change in the summer uniform and we have to buy it from John Lewis.

“We’re not mega rich. Children need two sets of uniform a week, so that will cost me at least £100 just for the summer uniform and then I’ll have to pay out again in the winter.”

Another frustrated mum Eleanor Hutt, who has two daughters at the school, said: “Miss Teddy doesn’t seem willing to talk to parents, it’s quite rude.

“They want us to buy new summer dresses which are £17 each. I’ve got two girls to buy for and I’ve already paid over £200 for their new school uniform in September.

“We’ve been told we have to buy it from John Lewis but it’s not even a private school, it’s an academy.”

New principal Kelly Teddy – who took over last October from Annaliese Briggs who quit after being criticised for not having any teaching qualifications – said parents and governors were consulted on the new uniform at the last advisory body meeting.

She added: “The school has not introduced a new uniform – it has responded to parent complaints about the quality of the current items and found new suppliers. It has introduced summer elements of the uniform – which it was clear in a uniform list to parents on joining would be required.

“Only two of the items are to be bought from John Lewis. Prices have been checked and because of John Lewis’ Never Knowingly Undersold commitment we know that parents are getting the best quality with best value, as well as the ability to purchase items online at their convenience.”

Miss Teddy added: “All families in receipt of free school meals receive a totally free set of uniform, winter and summer, from Pimlico Primary. This is over half of our families.”