Many primary school teachers are paying for books and equipment out of their own pockets, a union claims.

A questionnaire on the website of the Association of Teachers of Lecturers (ATL) asked teachers what classroom resources they had paid for and how much they had spent over the past academic year.

Teachers often do not claim for expenses incurred

The union said respondents were spending between �55 and �320.

One primary supply teacher, who had spent �260 on books and other materials, said: "I have brought many books that can be photocopied to help with delivering the curriculum when I am called in at short notice to teach a class."

One school's information and communications technology co-ordinator had spent �320 on computer equipment and other teaching materials.

"I've paid for my home computer, printer, scanner, digital camera and essential software and all of these are used extensively for school work," the teacher said.

"I also pay for a monthly internet subscription (�10) which is essential for maintaining the school websites from home as I don't have the time or the sophistication of equipment at school."

'Not right'

The ATL urged teachers to make sure they claimed back any expenses.

The union said the practice of teachers paying for resources out of their own pocket should not be still going on.

Primary teachers are subsidising the government's commitment to education

Nansi Ellis, ATL

"Schools should be adequately funded so that this doesn't happen anymore," said primary advisor for the ATL Nansi Ellis.

"It is not right that teachers should buy their books and stationery, basic requirement of a primary classroom with their own money," said Ms Ellis.

"Primary teachers are subsidising the government's commitment to education.

"These days, teachers find that they need access to a computer in order to prepare lessons. Many have resorted to buying their own, and paying the internet charges, in order to carry out essential work.

"The government's plans for the classroom of the future, where children's learning is enhanced and teachers' workload reduced by the use of ICT, are being funded from teachers' own pockets."

A spokesperson for the Department for Education said: "There is nothing to stop teachers from buying materials from their own money, but it is unnecessary."

"The government is committed to putting significant extra funding into schools to ensure resources are fully funded."