Schools are being accused of "bullying and forcing" parents to pay "extraordinary princes" for uniforms.
It's believed as many as 300,000 children may need the clothes and shoes allowance this year.
However, Head of Barnardos Fergus Finlay, says thousands won't qualify, and families should demand better treatment from schools:
"I think parents have to kind of band together about this. They have to insist through their parents council that they won't be bullied or forced into buying only the expensive items."
