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Schools called on to relax uniform rules Schools called on to relax uniform rules
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Almost 30,000 schools are being urged to relax their school uniform rules and not force parents to buy clothing from specific shops.Almost 30,000 schools are being urged to relax their school uniform rules and not force parents to buy clothing from specific shops.
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has written to 29,500 state primary and secondary schools in the UK asking them to review their uniform policies, claiming families are spending "tens of millions of pounds" more than they need to on clothing.The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has written to 29,500 state primary and secondary schools in the UK asking them to review their uniform policies, claiming families are spending "tens of millions of pounds" more than they need to on clothing.
The request follows an OFT survey which found that 74% of state schools require households to purchase uniforms from approved retailers or suppliers, forcing parents to fork out £5-£10 more than they would for each equivalent item elsewhere.The request follows an OFT survey which found that 74% of state schools require households to purchase uniforms from approved retailers or suppliers, forcing parents to fork out £5-£10 more than they would for each equivalent item elsewhere.
In one example, the OFT found the average price for a sweatshirt for secondary school boys with a single retailer arrangement was £12, compared to £5 for a similar item at a supermarket. For a secondary school girls skirt the equivalent figures were £15.40 and £5.In one example, the OFT found the average price for a sweatshirt for secondary school boys with a single retailer arrangement was £12, compared to £5 for a similar item at a supermarket. For a secondary school girls skirt the equivalent figures were £15.40 and £5.
For every £1 difference in price per item, the total detriment to parents of primary and secondary school age children is £10.4m a year, rising to £52m at a typical price difference of £5 an item.For every £1 difference in price per item, the total detriment to parents of primary and secondary school age children is £10.4m a year, rising to £52m at a typical price difference of £5 an item.
There is no legislation that deals specifically with school uniform or other aspects of school pupils' appearance, such as hair colour and style or the wearing of jewellery and make-up – this is for the governing body of each school to decide.There is no legislation that deals specifically with school uniform or other aspects of school pupils' appearance, such as hair colour and style or the wearing of jewellery and make-up – this is for the governing body of each school to decide.
However, Department for Education guidelines suggest a school's governing body "should be able to demonstrate to parents how best value has been achieved and keep the cost of supplying the uniform under review".However, Department for Education guidelines suggest a school's governing body "should be able to demonstrate to parents how best value has been achieved and keep the cost of supplying the uniform under review".
The OFT argues schools can still have smart uniform policies without appointing a single supplier. Susan Oxley, assistant director in the OFT's goods and consumer group, said: "When schools require that uniforms are bought from a preferred supplier or shop it can act as a 'tax' on families, which mostly goes to the chosen retailers.The OFT argues schools can still have smart uniform policies without appointing a single supplier. Susan Oxley, assistant director in the OFT's goods and consumer group, said: "When schools require that uniforms are bought from a preferred supplier or shop it can act as a 'tax' on families, which mostly goes to the chosen retailers.
"However, when families are able to shop around for school uniform items it can drive competition and bring down prices for all. We know schools don't want families to be left out of pocket, and we have written to schools across the UK asking them to review their policies and supplier arrangements.""However, when families are able to shop around for school uniform items it can drive competition and bring down prices for all. We know schools don't want families to be left out of pocket, and we have written to schools across the UK asking them to review their policies and supplier arrangements."
Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, welcomed the move, claiming the current situation prevented some children from attending their preferred school. "Where schools use only one supplier, the cost is very often prohibitive to families on low or even average incomes," she said. "This is a barrier to being able to apply for schools where the uniform is expensive and is in effect another form of selection."Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, welcomed the move, claiming the current situation prevented some children from attending their preferred school. "Where schools use only one supplier, the cost is very often prohibitive to families on low or even average incomes," she said. "This is a barrier to being able to apply for schools where the uniform is expensive and is in effect another form of selection."
She added: "If we are to try and address issues of poverty and the barrier it provides to education, then the cost of school uniforms alongside the cost of shoes, trips and school meals must be kept down."She added: "If we are to try and address issues of poverty and the barrier it provides to education, then the cost of school uniforms alongside the cost of shoes, trips and school meals must be kept down."
Citizens Advice is currently running the Adding-Up campaign to help families struggling to meet the costs of schooling. It recommends schools make sure uniform is available from a range of outlets and that they offer sew-on or iron-on badges that can be put on plain clothing. Struggling parents can also ask their local authority if it provides a school clothing grant.Citizens Advice is currently running the Adding-Up campaign to help families struggling to meet the costs of schooling. It recommends schools make sure uniform is available from a range of outlets and that they offer sew-on or iron-on badges that can be put on plain clothing. Struggling parents can also ask their local authority if it provides a school clothing grant.
Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, welcomed the OFT's move: "The excessive costs of some school uniforms are putting serious pressure on parents' purse strings. Citizens Advice wants schools across the country to help families by adopting sensible, low-cost policies on uniform which comply with government guidance on affordability.
"As many families have to turn to local charities for help (or risk their children facing discipline for not having the correct uniform), we'd like to see more local authorities provide school uniform grants for those in financial need."