23/4/10 Cost of school uniform campain

 

23/4/10 Cost of school uniform campain

 

PARENTS DO NOT HAVE TO STRUGGLE

WITH EDUCATION COSTS

Sutton Borough Citizen Advice Bureaux

Are raising awareness about good practice in education

With the ADDING UP campaign

 

For years Citizen Advice Bureaux throughout the country have reported 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 that’s too much especially during the present recession.

The governmental guidance and legal framework help to keep these costs down. The School Admissions Code provides that uniforms should be widely available in high street shops and other retail outlets and internet suppliers rather than from an expensive sole supplier. Competition between suppliers of uniforms and PE kits is protected under Chapter 1 of the Competition Act 1998. Regarding the contributions towards school trips part of the National Curriculum or of a syllabus, they are voluntary and low income families are expected to contribute a small amount or nothing without adverse consequences for their child. 

As part of the ‘Adding Up Campaign’ Sutton Borough Citizens Advise Bureaux conduced a survey of local schools and parents.

  • 60% of local schools responded to our survey and 129 parents completed the survey.

  • On the question of the availability of school uniforms in local high street shops, 64% of parents said uniforms were not widely available, 6% of schools said the uniform was not available and 16% of schools said all uniform items were available. The rest said only some items were available. 61% of schools said they had a second hand clothing outlet for parents.

  • On the question of helping parents with the cost of uniforms and school trips, 56% of schools said they had a hardship fund. Of the parents surveyed, 71% said they did not know of any help available at the school to cover the cost of school uniforms and/or school trips.

The main recommendations from Sutton Borough Citizens Advice Bureaux are:

  • That schools consider having the school badge available as an iron on or sew on and having ties, sweatshirts and blazers in colours that are available in the high street.
  • More schools to consider having a second hand clothing outlet.
  • Schools need to publicise the fact they have a hardship fund, or if they do not have such a fund, consider one up.

Notes for editors:

  • For more information, contact Steve Triner, Deputy Chief Executive, Sutton Borough Citizens Advice Bureaux.  Tel 020 8770 4853 (office) 07527 972 763 (mobile) (these numbers are not for publication)

 

  • We have sent copies of the reports to local schools and to Dr Ian Birnbaum, the London Borough of Sutton’s Strategic Director of Children, Young People and Learning Services.

 

 

  • Members of the public who live or work in the London Borough of Sutton and need advice can contact Sutton Borough CABx on 020 8405 3552 or visit www.suttoncabx.org.uk

 

  • The Citizens Advice service is a network of independent charities that helps people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers.  For more information see www.citizensadvice.org.uk

 

  • The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.

 

  • Most Citizens Advice service staff are trained volunteers, working at around 3,400 service outlets across England and Wales.

 

  • Advice and information www.adviceguide.org.uk 

 

  • Volunteer hotline 08451 264264  (local rate)

 

  • Citizens Advice also acts as the UK European Consumer Centre (ECC) providing advice and information helping consumers to resolve disputes within the European Union. Further information available on www.euroconsumer.org.uk

 

  • Citizens Advice Handbook, over 600 pages of practical, independent CAB advice. An invaluable resource for any bookshelf - available from all good bookshops or via www.adviceguide.org.uk