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.”

Every child is worth it

Every child deserves a quality school-specific uniform, says David Burgess, Chairman of the Schoolwear Association.  

“A student should be able to go to school in a good quality uniform, which matches that of everyone else and provides real value for money because it lasts longer.

Each child also has the right to all the things a good quality uniform can help to confer, such as improved behaviour, better learning and greater all-round safety. Good quality uniforms can help students with their overall school experience.

So how do schools provide quality uniforms to their students? This is achieved by working closely with specialist suppliers. They understand how important Schoolwear is, and have the experience and knowledge to recommend the right options which help to create a sense of pride in the school and the community.

Specialist suppliers can offer suitable solutions for everyone, by using a mix of clothes specific to the school and others, which are more widely available. They recognise the importance of being able to provide all sizes and all colour options all year round, not just at ‘back to school’ time.

We cannot avoid the topic of price, as this is very important to the majority of parents, but when looking for the best value from a garment, it is false economy to think that clothing our children in cheap Schoolwear is the answer, especially if it isn’t durable and it doesn’t do the job properly. It is even worse if it comes with a hidden price tag at the expense of the environment or the workers who had to produce it.

It is a preconception that purchasing uniform from specialist suppliers is costly, as our research highlighted - school uniform costs on average just 45p per school day. The real drain on many family budgets is the clothing children wear when they are not in school. One individual garment to be worn out of school could cost an average of £46.58, that’s £13.10 more than the cost of a full primary school uniform, excluding PE kit.

Of course, for poorer families in the UK, the cost of uniform can be a stretch. Many specialist suppliers have close relationships with their schools and are able to offer a number of ways to help in these situations. We have campaigned in the past to reduce the VAT on school uniform and to offer school uniform vouchers similar to child care vouchers to workers. Both campaigns have fallen on “deaf ears” but we continue to offer advice to schools about other ways to help families who struggle with the costs of raising a child.

Specialist uniform suppliers are in the business of producing uniform which meets high quality standards and provides the children with something durable and lasting to wear. A uniform that is made well lasts longer, does the job better and offers real value for money. It will always provide better long term value over a cheaper and less robust garment.”

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.

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