Parents find cost of uniform is source of stress

A YouGov poll conducted for national charities Barnardo's and Citizens Advice shows that 73 per cent of parents with children of school age find the cost of school uniform, bags, shoes and other items a source of stress.

Reacting to the poll Delroy Pomell, Lead Director for Education, Barnardo's said: "Children and families living in poverty face numerous challenges including poor housing, poor health and poor nutrition. Starting the first day of school with the right uniform, school books, bag and shoes shouldn't become yet another source of stress."

Adrian Galvin, Campaigns Officer at Citizens Advice said: "Stress and Anxiety about school costs can cause significant distress to families. All children should get a chance to participate fully in activities in their chosen school, but CABs regularly report seeing clients who are struggling to meet the escalating costs of schooling their children. The cost of uniform, PE kit, school trips and other specialist equipment can run into hundreds of pounds per child each year. For many families on comparatively low incomes, that's too much to ask. Simple measures such as making sure uniform items are widely available and not from expensive sole suppliers can help parents make significant savings.

"While our school costs campaign ‘Adding Up' has found that some schools are following The School Admissions Code - Government guidance regarding the fair pricing of uniform, excursions and other school costs, many schools are continuing to ignore it. We are urging the Government to strengthen the code and the way it is regulated to compel schools to follow the guidelines. There is also a real need to develop a clearer structure to allow parents to raise complaints and report bad practice."

Preliminary findings from Barnardo's ‘Year in the Life' research project, which has been following 16 families living in poverty, shows that the cost of sending children back to school in September is leading some into further debt and distress.

Lisa, a single parent said: "I found out before the children broke up for Easter that their school would be having a totally different uniform from September. I normally buy them one new sweatshirt @ £11 each and keep one from the previous year as a spare. This year I am going to find it really tough.

"My fourth child will be starting school this year which means I will have eight school jumpers, eight pairs of trousers, four school shirts, four polo shirts, two school ties, four pairs of school shoes to buy. I am going to have to ask social security for a budgeting loan or take out a private loan."

David, also a single parent believes that schools should select cheaper uniform options. He said:

"It's the schools. The P.E. kit they're getting, why do they need to get one specific make of P.E. kit for forty-five pounds when you can probably pick one up elsewhere without a label for thirteen?"

A parent in Essex told Citizens Advice: "The weeks leading up to the end of the summer holidays brings depression concern and dread. It is such a worry and a stressful time when you can't afford expensive replacement uniforms and PE kits that they have outgrown or worn out such as new blazers, shoes, stationary needs and specialist lesson materials such as cookery art or crafts including trips and other miscellaneous expenses."

A parent from Wigan said: "My youngest child is starting secondary school in September. It is compulsory to have everything with the embroidered school logo on. This can only be purchased at a specific shop. The cost is really high compared to the same garments I could buy from a supermarket without the logo. My youngest daughter's uniform will cost me just over one week's wage."