Poor hygiene forces many teachers to wash pupils’ school uniforms themselves, with many saying pupils would face isolation or bullying otherwise.

Data from a survey shows that 80% of teachers reported seeing an increase in hygiene poverty among their students.

Around 40% of teachers surveyed by the charity Hygiene Bank say they have washed a pupil’s uniform themselves to ensure they go to school in clean clothes and 88% say they have helped pupils with essential hygiene products.

St Cuthbert’s Academy in Blackpool is among dozens of schools that now have a laundry after financial support from cleaning brand Smol.

Lisa Cropper, the school’s family support practitioner, said parents told her it “was like a choice between that (washing) and electricity”.

Ms Cropper told Sky News: “I’ve had families who haven’t been able to afford that week of dusting or say, ‘I’m not paid until Friday and uniform day is coming up.’ Any chance we can just wash it?'”

Headteacher Sarah Smith said: “I never thought I would need a laundry in our school. Unfortunately, this is just the nature of things for our families.

“Families find it incredibly difficult to heat their homes, feed their children and do laundry. It’s just an integral part of what’s happening now.”

The survey, which surveyed 503 public school staff who interact with students at least five days a week, also found that the impact of poor hygiene affects students deeply, often leaving them facing social isolation, bullying and absenteeism.

Teachers are increasingly taking on responsibilities such as washing clothes and providing hygiene products to make pupils feel safe and accepted, St Cuthbert’s assistant principal Tony Mitchell said.

“It’s an increase every year — there’s something extra that teachers do,” he said.

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When asked if parents and carers showed any responsibility for student hygiene, he said parents can show minimal commitment beyond appreciation.

“They don’t really recognize it as such,” Mr Mitchell said. “He would just say, ‘Oh, that’s great, thanks.’

A government spokesman said: “We are taking action to deliver on our mission to break down barriers to opportunity and remove the stigma of child poverty across our country.

“This includes legislation to reduce the cost of school uniforms by limiting the number of branded items, and up to 750 schools will start offering breakfast clubs from next April.”