In a recent article, BBC news reported on how the cost-of-living crisis has compounded the difficulty of parents and carers being able to afford school uniforms. The article collected testimony from the Welsh school uniform charity, ‘A Better Fit’, where they have found that demand for free school uniforms has risen ten times since the start of the cost-of-living crisis.
Restrcited access to school uniform has grave ramifications for students, leading to severe long-term effects. There have been multiple testimonies of social isolation and bullying, as well as an estimate of 500,000 children at some point being sent home for wearing an incorrect uniform, ultimately denying a student’s right to education.
Furthermore, for families who purchase school uniforms, many are facing significant financial difficulties. In a Children’s Society survey of parents of school-age children in state, community-run, academy and free schools, 13% of respondents said that buying school uniforms forced them to cut back on food and other essential goods, while also 10% reported that they went into debt.
The cost-of-living crisis, which has squeezed families’ disposable income for school uniforms, is accompanied by two other key factors that contribute to school uniform being inaccessible to many students across the UK: regressive school uniform policy and insufficient social protection measures from UK public bodies.
Guidance from the Education Act 2021, which advises schools to make their school uniform affordable, has been superficial in changing school uniform policy across the UK as many schools continue to have requirements that keep parents having to pay extortionate prices for uniforms. According to the Children’s Society, the average annual school uniform costs for a secondary school and primary school student are £337 and £315 respectively, both figures being over £200 greater than the prices that parents believe is a reasonable price for school uniform.
Among the factors for high uniform prices, schools requiring branded school uniforms are a significant contributor; branded school polo shirts cost six to ten times the amount of similar non-branded polo shirts.
In some areas of the UK, school uniform grants are offered for students on free school meals (FSM). While Uniformed welcomes actions to reduce the financial burden of school uniforms, the current financial support is insufficient. The Children Poverty Action Group voices concern that the school uniform grant programme neglects to help families in poverty yet find themselves to be just above the eligibility threshold. Furthermore, for students on FSM, the coverage of the grants has been described as a “postcode lottery” where sections of the UK population, particularly in areas of England outside of London, are hardly being assisted. This is either through minimal assistance (Bolton, Stockport and Bury offer £30, £40 and £50 grants respectively), or they do not receive any assistance at all. This includes Stoke-upon-Trent, where Uniformed is operating its pilot scheme.
Uniformed, along with many other charities, is desperately trying to address the difficulties faced by families to afford school uniforms. The current economic state is not improving, and many families are being pushed closer towards poverty. It’s time that school governors and local authorities must pay greater attention to the issues discussed above.
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