Tory mismanagement of England’s state schools has forced parents to chip-in cash for books and stationary, teachers’ union ATL revealed yesterday.

A survey of over 500 union members found a quarter are having to ask parents to help buy books as Education Secretary Michael Gove lavishes taxpayer money on his academies and free schools pet projects.

And a shocking 13 per cent admitted their school has had to ask parents for money towards the cost of stationary like pens and paper.