UNIFORM AT BEST STATE SCHOOLS WON’T DRAIN PARENTS’ POCKETS, SURVEY SHOWS

It may be difficult to get your child into a top state school but affording the school uniform isn’t, reveals a new survey by the Schoolwear Association, whose members together help to clothe three-quarters of Britain’s children.

All of the top 20 state schools in England insist on a uniform, and the majority also stipulate a blazer and tie.

The study carried out by the Schoolwear Association reveals the average cost of a complete outfit in these schools is less than £107 - just 54p a day per school year, and even better value when you consider that items such as blazers and ties will last for more than one school year.

David Burgess, Chairman of the Schoolwear Association, said: “We see more and more schools and academies upgrading to smarter and better quality uniform, and we want everyone to see it as a worthwhile investment in our children’s futures. This new research shows that good school uniform is great value, especially when compared to the cost of the branded clothes many children wear out of school. Most parents and teachers agree that good quality, school-specific uniform contributes to improved learning, better behaviour and increased child safety. We know the cost can be significant for hard-pressed families so as an industry, we’re working with schools and spearheading initiatives such as school uniform vouchers to help. We believe every child is worth it.”

Researchers looked at England’s top 20 state schools ranked by 2015 GCSE results, and added up the cost of compulsory, school specific daywear outfit items – which may include a blazer, jumper, cardigan, trousers, skirt, kilt, shirt, tie, socks or tights but not sportswear. Additional, non-school specific items may be required to complete outfits. 

Prices in the top 20 state schools range from £29 at Newport Girls High School, which only stipulates a school specific shirt and jumper or cardigan, to £188 at St Michael School, which stipulates a school specific blazer, shirt, skirt/kilt and a jumper or cardigan.

The Schoolwear Association points to previous research by Oxford Brooks University that showed a children’s designer sweatshirt costs more than £46, which is more than the cost of an entire primary school outfit.

Mr Burgess added: “Responsible specialist schoolwear suppliers provide quality products at competitive prices with a mix of school specific uniform items and generic garments to create a smart look at an acceptable price. They work closely with schools, and we have recently produced a guide to school uniform for head teachers and governors to help them to get best value from uniform, including how to carry out competitive tenders with suppliers.”

SA MEMBER STEVENSONS IN TRIATHLON CHARITY CHALLENGE

We're frequently amazed by the generosity of our members. Often, this takes the form of support for schools to help disadvantaged families afford top quality school uniform for their children. On other occasions, we've donated surplus stock to children in some of the world's poorest countries. Many members make donations to charities and support them with fundraising events. Here's just one example.

Six employees at Schoolwear Association member Stevensons are taking part in The London Triathlon to raise money for Brainwave.

The team, which includes Joint Managing Director John Stevenson, is hoping to raise £3,600 for the charity which helps children with disabilities to achieve greater independence. The children they work with have a range of conditions including autism, brain injuries, such as cerebral palsy, and genetic conditions such as Down’s Syndrome.

The Olympic distance triathlon comprises a 1500m swim, a 40km cycle ride and a 10km run.

Gavin Cocksedge, Business Development Manager at Stevensons and Schoolwear Association Member, comments: “Brainwave is such an important charity to more than 600 children and their families.  We hope that our fundraising efforts will help Brainwave continue to provide amazing care for children with disabilities and raise the profile of such a worthwhile charity. I wish all of ‘Team Stevensons’ well during what promises to be a tough Triathlon.”

To donate, please click here: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Stevensons-Uniform or you can donate via text, using code STVN65 + the amount you want to donate (e.g. £10) to 70070.

Stevensons is one of the largest independent school uniform and schoolwear providers in the UK, serving over 350 schools nationwide.

BUY EARLY AND STRESS LESS, URGES SCHOOLWEAR ASSOCIATION

As we enter the last academic term before the summer, The Schoolwear Association, whose members clothe three-quarters of Britain’s children, is urging parents to purchase uniforms for the next school year early to avoid the annual back-to-school panic.

By late August each year, schools and specialist schoolwear suppliers are inundated with last minute uniform requests, which can result in a more time consuming experience for parents, if they are unable to source specific sizes or styles so close to the start of the new school year.

According to the Schoolwear Association, the three main reasons why parents leave it to the last minute to shop for school uniform are:

·         The arrival of the holidays means school drops off the radar

·         Leaving it to near the start of the school year to see if the child’s size changes

·         Families want to put off the expense

David Burgess, Chairman of the Schoolwear Association, said: “All these approaches are false economy and will end up costing parent’s time and money. It makes sense to buy early to avoid the rush and to ensure that there aren't any last-minute problems. If there are any special requirements, this will give suppliers time to resolve them, meaning you’re not faced with extra expense or stress.”

“Taking the time now to choose a specialist schoolwear supplier will offer real benefits if you are willing to pay a little extra for a premium product and service. We understand that price is important but a uniform that is made well does the job better and offers better value because it lasts longer,” added Burgess.

The Schoolwear Association represents British businesses involved in the manufacture and supply of school-specific uniform, from manufacturers to wholesalers and independent retailers. Established in 2006, the association is run on an entirely voluntary basis by some of the sector’s most experienced professionals.

Ethical considerations should always be a top priority

David Burgess, Chairman of the Schoolwear Association, comments:

“It goes without saying that for those operating within the Schoolwear supply chain, ethical considerations should always be a top priority, which is why our members sign up to a code of conduct, which commits them to complying with government regulations regarding employment law and health and safety issues, not only those relating to their own business, but also the manufacturing companies that they use.

Our members are strongly encouraged to only source from factories that comply with Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) or similar accredited schemes and that the materials used in the production of the garments are free from potentially harmful chemicals.

For parents, school uniform offers excellent value, but when ordering or purchasing school uniform, price is not the only issue and we need to think about, not just the children who will be wearing the garments, but also the method of manufacture and the working conditions of the people who have made them. It is important that the welfare of the workforce is considered in the choice of the supply chain and our members make every effort to ensure that their sources are ethical and environmentally responsible.

We cannot avoid the topic of price, as this is very important, but it does not pay to clothe our children in cheap Schoolwear that doesn’t always do the job. When you are talking about garments that your child is wearing for up to ten hours a day or more, good value is not necessarily the cheapest clothing on the rail in the budget outlet. It is even worse if it comes with a hidden price tag, because ethical considerations have been overlooked such as the mistreatment of poor families in developing countries.

Of course, for disadvantaged families in the UK, the cost of uniform can be a consideration. Many suppliers provide help, to the schools that they serve, for example, by donating uniforms to needy families or helping to provide other solutions for those who need them. At the Schoolwear Association, we believe that diligent parents want to be able to provide the very best school uniform for their child, which is why we try to offer a service to schools to help make sure that all children are clothed the same regardless of income, size or location.

There is pressure from some quarters to simply make uniforms cheaper, but we must make sure that this does not come at the expense of quality or durability. It is common sense that a uniform that is made well does the job better and offers real value for money because it lasts longer. There are better ways to make uniform affordable to everyone, to fit all sizes, all year round.”

Seven reasons why school-specific school uniform is important:

Stories in the national media sometimes focus on the cost of school uniform without acknowledging the benefits. 

School uniform is a serious matter and should not be brought down to the lowest common denominator. There is real value in school uniform, for both children and schools.

Here are seven reasons why the Schoolwear Association believes school-specific uniform should be respected:


1. School Uniform is an important part of a child’s life. A quality uniform can help to give confidence and promote pride and a sense of community.

2. Supermarkets do not sell school uniform, they sell clothes which can be worn at school, at very cheap prices for a short period to get footfall through their stores. There is a very big difference between clothes for school and a properly balanced school uniform.

3. The right balance between school specific and generic is essential, otherwise it is not effective as
a proper school uniform.

4. Respect, for the uniform, for the rest of the school rules and the teachers, is an essential part of the smooth functioning of a School. Sir Michael Wilshaw has made his views very clear on its importance on a number of occasions.

5. Every August and early September, there is a hysteria in the media, which is totally misguided. On the whole Schools and Parents make good choices.

6. The only time any parent has to spend significant money on uniform at Back to School, is for the start of Year 7, when their child moves to secondary school. The cost can be spread over many months by using a Schoolwear Specialist, who is usually a member of the Schoolwear Association.

7. Independent Research has shown that school uniform is great value for money, much cheaper than clothing worn out of school hours, and that the vast majority of parents are satisfied with their School’s current arrangements.

The Schoolwear Association welcomes the announcement that the Government is to put existing best practice guidance for school uniform supply in England on a statutory footing.

David Burgess, Chair of the Schoolwear Association, which represents those involved in the supply of school uniform in the UK, said:

“This announcement will clarify the situation for schools and suppliers. It means that if schools want the benefits of an exclusive supplier arrangement - such as having all sizes available, all year round – they will have to run regular competitions to choose the providers. This is in line with our policy to encourage schools to go through regular tendering exercises to ensure best value. We will be helping our members and the schools they serve to make any changes necessary, including offering guides for specifying uniform and draft tender documents. We emphasize value. It is very important that schools consider quality, durability and suitability when specifying uniform because cheap price does not always represent best quality. By making sensible decisions with specialist suppliers, we believe schools can reach a happy balance. We want every school child to have an affordable uniform that is also smart, specific to their school and fit for purpose with all the benefits that brings in better learning, behaviour and child safety as well as affordability.”

Statement in response to Competition and Markets Authority issuing an open letter to schools, governors, retailers and suppliers regarding competition within the school uniform market

“As the organisation representing all those involved in the supply of schoolwear, we have been asked to be part of the process looking into competition within the schoolwear market, and we are keen to participate.

“Our first priority is that every child should be able to go to school in a smart, well-made, school-specific uniform.

“Parents and schools understand the benefits of good quality uniform, which have been well documented and include improved learning, behaviour and wellbeing.

“We encourage schools to seek value by providing advice on garment selection and competitive tendering. We have lobbied the government to remove VAT on school uniform and to enable a voucher scheme, similar to childcare vouchers. Many of our members work with schools to help disadvantaged families to have access to uniform, and we also advise schools on affordability initiatives such as savings clubs.

“We are anxious that the focus on school uniform should not be solely on price at the expense of poorer quality. Well-made, long-lasting uniform is not only better value in the long term but also the most environmentally sustainable option, and we should remember that children spend an average of ten hours a day in their uniform so comfort and durability are vital.

“Our members are often local, independent family businesses who feel a genuine responsibility to provide quality products at the most competitive prices to local schools and parents. Responsible schoolwear specialists encourage schools to use a sensible mix of school specific products with generic garments that are available from numerous sources, so schools create a smart corporate look at an acceptable price.

“There are some benefits to sole supplier arrangements, particularly because a single supplier is dedicated to the school and required to stock uniform all year round in all sizes. When there are two or more suppliers, that sense of duty diminishes, and the school has less power to demand best value and service levels. If a school decides on a sole supplier arrangement, we strongly recommend periodically putting contracts out to tender where quotations can be compared on quality, service levels, year-round stocking, ethical sourcing and price.”

David Burgess, Chair of The Schoolwear Association

The Schoolwear Association was formed in 2006 to promote the benefits of school specific uniform and to establish strong standards in the supply chain of garments to parents and schools.

The Association is proud to have in excess of 200 supplier and retail members who pay a subscription to support the work of the Association. The industry has adopted a code of practice and works with schools to further the provision of good school uniform and all the benefits that confers on both the school, and the students. Their members supply 75% of all schools in the UK.

School uniforms are great value for money!

For years, the Association has fought against criticism that school uniform is too expensive, but now we have proof that this isn’t the case!

According to the latest study, school uniform costs on average just 45p per school day. A relatively small price compared to the £113 price tag for the outfits children wear when they aren’t in school.

Here at Schoolwear Association we believe that it is important for every child to wear school uniform, to give them a sense of pride with their school and to improve behaviour. With children spending at least 10 hours a day wearing school uniform, we believe uniform should be good value for money and long lasting, something which we are constantly encouraging.

The new research reveals the average secondary school outfit is priced at £88.05, just 45 pence per school day. With PE kit, the total averages £127.32. A Primary school uniform comes to £33.48, rising to £42.32 with a PE kit. A separate poll of 2,000 parents shows they typically spend more on outfits the children wear outside of school than they do on uniform, with almost half dressing their children in high street and designer fashions. The average non-uniform outfit came in at £113.

Our Chairman, David Burgess, is keen to tackle the common misconception that school uniform is too expensive. “We completely understand that for the poorest in society, uniform is a major expense but most schools have arrangements to look after them, and many of our members contribute to those schemes by providing free uniform to those in need. Most parents can afford to buy their children’s uniform, and like teachers, they agree that quality, school specific uniform contributes to better education and behaviour. It is a worthwhile investment, and we believe every child is worth it.”

"David Cameron must recognise the importance of school uniform and help independent British businesses"

David Burgess, the newly elected Chair of The Schoolwear Association, gives his thoughts on the results of the 2015 general election.

Last Friday's election results came as quite a shock to many, who were expecting a hung parliament in one of the most uncertain elections in Britain for 40 years. I see the result being positive for businesses, as we now won’t be looking at uncertainty.

We do not know what the Conservatives will plan to do specifically in terms of school uniform but what we do know is that as an association we are now very well placed to continue influencing the decision makers. It is part of our mission to make sure that Ministers, MPs and civil servants – as well as the public, teachers and governors - fully appreciate the benefits of school-specific uniform. We also know that education is important to the Conservatives, and that they are in favour of school pupils having a smart appearance.

We want this government to realise how important a good-quality school-specific uniform is to a child’s education and well-being and most importantly to put forward measures to help parents with education costs. Our members, who together clothe three quarters of Britain’s schoolchildren, are committed to providing high quality uniform, and we want the government to help families to afford the very best schoolwear that their children deserve.

Our members are all also British businesses providing jobs in the retail, wholesale and manufacturing sector so it is very encouraging to hear that the country’s economy grew by 2.6% last year and we want to keep it that way.

These members continue to face structural and economic pressures, not least unreasonable competition from a few overly powerful supermarket chains, so the new government needs to be supportive of small businesses.

For years we have lobbied for the exchequer to remove VAT on clothes for teenage students and more recently to introduce tax free school uniform vouchers. Although these have not yet been successful, we will not stop until something is done to help parents with the necessity that is school uniform.

Keep your child's school uniform in great condition

Myfamilyclub.co.uk in support of our campaign

Our tax-free school uniform campaign has recently been given a big boost thanks to the backing of Gemma Johnson, CEO of the popular money saving website MyFamilyClub.co.uk

Gemma Johnson, CEO of myfamilyclub.co.uk

We are strong believers in the importance of quality school uniform and want the government to make it easier for parents to budget for high quality and ethically sourced uniform, reducing the need for cheap, low quality garments.

MyFamilyClub was the UK’s first website that aimed to help families save, make and manage their money.  As such they have a common ground with us here at the Schoolwear Association.

Gemma, a mother of three, has been urging likeminded mothers to sign our e-petition and help bring the issue to the attention of the Prime Minister.  When discussing her experience in the matter, Gemma said: 

“At MyFamilyClub we hear from families on a regular basis who have gone through numerous sets of school uniform from the major supermarkets within the same term, and they are naturally disappointed and very frustrated that these haven’t lasted.”

This support from MyFamilyClub is in addition to previous endorsements from sites such as dadzclub.com, where their founder, Craig Hodgson, has stated: 

“School uniform is something to be proud of but it can also be a costly affair for parents. This scheme will certainly help parents budget and plan for those torn trousers and lost jumpers.”

Our e-petition has already made it into the tiny 5% of online government petitions that reach 1000 signatures, but we need more to really see some change and get the required attention.  Please help us make an impact and sign: http://tinyurl.com/schoolwear

If you agree with our campaign, you can tweet a photograph using the hashtag #mychildisworthit - just like Gemma has!

#mychildisworthit says Gemma

 

How to get the best value from your child's school uniform

Some parents can find buying school uniforms quite a worry, especially if you have more than one child, so to prevent having to buy a new uniform every term follow these simple tips on how make the most out of your child’s uniform: 
 

• Make sure you look for good quality uniform as it needs to stand up to the wear and tear of being worn and washed almost every day! Look for things like extra value in heavier fabrics, long life features and robust stitching to ensure the quality of the item.
• Naturally, most parents avoid buying their child’s uniform until it’s time to go back to school but, this isn’t always the best option. If the majority of parents are rushing to buy uniforms at the end of August then most of the sizes and items will be gone, so consider buying your uniform as soon as school finishes that way you are guaranteed a better choice.
• Another way you can make the most out of your child’s uniform is by buying it slightly bigger, meaning you can get at least another years worth out of your jumpers and shirts! Once your child has outgrown their uniform you can offer the items to other parents to use.
• One thing to remember is that the way you wash and iron the uniform can give it a longer a life, so make sure to use low temperatures and read the items labels! (You can read about how to keep your uniform smart and clean on our previous blog post).
• Lastly, don’t forget to label your child’s name on their uniform, often enough they will leave it in the PE changing rooms! 

Mum of seven urges parents to sign petition to make school uniform tax-free

Jenny Leonard, mum of seven from Manchester has signed our petition to make school uniform tax-free and encourages other mums to help get behind the campaign.

Jenny, who is a blogger over at The Brick Castle,  believes the petition is a step forward in making good quality uniforms affordable to everyone. She says that if we have to buy cheap uniforms, parents will become stuck in a cycle of buying cheap replacements all year round, wasting more money. 

Jenny with her youngest and eldest sons

  

Jenny said: “I've been a parent of school aged children for the last 15 years, and I have 14 years left before my youngest leaves school. Over this time I've learnt the hard way that buying cheaper uniform rarely saves money in the long run. Good quality uniform can last for two to three years, but the outlay can be incredibly expensive, especially when you have several children to buy for.”

School uniform is important, and has a proven impact on your child’s well-being at school. Therefore, we have launched an e-petition because we want to make school uniform less of a worry to hardworking families like Jenny’s

The petition is in support of The Government making uniforms tax-free by introducing a salary sacrifice scheme where parents can exchange a small part of their monthly salary for school uniform vouchers.  This means that parents will be able to budget effectively when it’s ‘back to school’ time. 

We already have over 1,000 signatures, but we need more to send this all the way to the Prime Minister!

Please support the campaign by signing the petition here: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/65790

How to keep your children's uniform smart and clean

Washing your child’s uniform a few times a week, or for the unlucky -everyday, isn’t any parent’s favourite responsibility, particularly if they’ve been rolling around in the grass all lunch time. But, unfortunately it is something that has to be done, so here are a few tips on how to keep your child’s uniform looking and feeling like new!

First things first, as with any of item of clothing, check the labels! This is because, easily enough, washing at the wrong temperature and setting or using the wrong detergent can damage the uniform.

So, whether you are trying to clean the yoghurt off of their jumper or the paint off their trousers, there are a few ways to ensure your child’s uniform will be clean every day: 

·         Empty all the pockets; make sure there are no tissues or wrappers that could damage the uniform.

·         Close buttons and zips so you do not lose any, this is also to prevent snagging.

·         Turn clothes inside out to reduce wear and tear.

·         Separate light and dark colours to avoid colour runs such as turning your white shirts blue.

·         Do not over-fill the machine to ensure clothes are cleaned properly

·         Use the correct amount of detergent (there is usually a recommendation on the bottle).

·         Do not exceed the temperatures marked on your care label otherwise you will end up with a very tiny uniform.

·         If the school jumper is acrylic knitwear, do not use fabric softeners, because this will damage the condition of the clothing.

Finally, when drying and ironing the uniform, make sure you follow the labels again properly, as sometimes tumble drying can shrink the uniform, whilst some items cannot be ironed, so make sure you turn the uniform inside out and use a suitable heat setting.

Overall, the key to a pristine uniform is not to forget to check the labels! If you are unsure you can find out what commonly used symbols mean at www.care-labelling.co.uk.

Don’t forget to sign our petition to make school uniforms more affordable! We are campaigning for a salary sacrifice voucher scheme to be put in position for school uniforms. This is very similar to the childcare voucher scheme presently in place, meaning it is tax exempt and therefore, making uniforms more affordable. Please help us to make this possible, by signing our petition here- http://tinyurl.com/schoolwear

Attention parents! We need your help to make school uniform tax-free

Looking after your children and making sure they’re happy and comfortable is something at the top of every parent’s list. Therefore we have launched a government e-petition with this in mind and need parents like you to get involved to help us reach our goal.

The petition aims to make good quality school uniform more affordable and easier to budget for.  Here at the Schoolwear Association we believe that it’s really important for children to have school specific or ‘badged’ uniform, as this can lead to an improvement in behaviour and gives children a sense of belonging to their school. Your children can spend up to 10 hours a day wearing their school uniform, so it should be well fitted, comfortable and good quality.

The ultimate goal of this e-petition is to get the government to introduce a vouchers scheme, similar to the already successful childcare vouchers scheme. This would mean that parents would receive a small part of their salary in vouchers, which would be tax exempt. They could then spend these vouchers at all participating retailers. 

If you are interested in finding out more about the e-petition and would like to sign it to show your support for a better future for your children, please click on the following link:  http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/65790

Thank you for your support!

Opinions on school uniform - which uniform do you prefer?

We visited a busy city centre to find out what parents and children think about school uniform. We also asked them to choose which uniform they preferred to buy/wear between a school-specific badged uniform or a plain uniform with no school badge. Which do you prefer...?

We, The Schoolwear Association, represent all those involved in the supply of school specific uniform including retailers, direct to school suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, suppliers, decorators, agents and schools.

The second part to this video will be coming soon...