Is it normal for schools to ask parents to buy reading books?

[MrsLTT]

My son’s primary school is asking parents to purchase reading books for comprehension, they will need a different book at the schools request every new term in which they will be highlighting text and making annotations. The school used to photocopy the books for each child but have decided to save money paper and ink and they will get parents to pay for the books.. does anyone do this at there schools? Am so shocked this can even be asked as comprehension is part of the curriculum!
what’s people’s thoughts?

Yes but pretty much 99% of British schools have a uniform and parents have to buy it or their children can't attend school (because it's the school "policy").
Unless you home educate you have to purchase specific clothes for school.
My point was why is that any different (having to pay for books) to having to provide other equipment like PE clothes and pencils.

My DC never annotated their books but given yours do and the ever depleting school budget then it’s understandable that parents are asked to pay.
The other question would be, is it necessary for children that age to be annotating books? Maybe there is good reason for it.