New rules require schools to keep uniform costs down

Families will save money on school uniforms from next year, following new legally-binding guidance published earlier this month requiring schools to make uniform affordable for all.

The Department for Education (DfE) guidance means schools in England must ensure that school uniform costs are reasonable, and parents get the best value for money.

Research from the DfE in 2015 showed that parents can save almost £50 on average if they can buy all school uniform items from any store, compared to uniform which all needs to be bought from a designated shop or school.

From next autumn, schools will be required to help keep costs down by taking steps to remove unnecessary branded items and allowing more high-street options, like supermarket own-brand uniform.

Spotland ward councillor Faisal Rana has previously called for an end to ‘rip-off uniform prices’ and demanded an end to forcing parents to shop at specialist retailers where prices can be as much as three times higher.

He said: “I am very pleased to see that finally, we are able to help parents to keep the cost of uniform down because of this bill. Every year parents struggle to meet the cost of uniform because of single source suppliers and branded items. 

“I was hoping that government should have allowed the parents to buy uniform from any high street supplier and school to provide logo or badge to go on the kit. This could really have helped parents a lot. In my opinion, implementation and monitoring of how schools implement this law will be a big issue.

“Nevertheless, it is still very good news and I am sure parents will welcome this.” 

The Children’s Society estimates that it costs approximately £255 a year per child for everything they need for primary school. It then grows to £340 per child when they reach secondary school, with the largest cost item being a blazer with the school emblem. 

To support families, schools will have to make sure second-hand uniforms are available, also helping work towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

Locally, the Uniform for All initiative was developed to help those struggling to meet school uniform costs by offering a service where you can call or email when you are in need. This summer, Uniform for All saw over 2,000 pieces of recycled and reused uniform across Rochdale. It is now run by volunteers on Facebook at Uniform4A, where you can send requests and get information daily about what's available.

In the UK, an estimated 350,000 tonnes of clothes end up in landfill every year and encouraging families to use second-hand uniform can reduce waste and bring down emissions from manufacturing new garments, while making it cost-effective for families.

Schools should make sure their uniform policy is published on their website and is clear and easy for parents to understand. Schools are expected to have taken steps to adhere to the new guidance before parents buy uniform for the academic year beginning in September 2022.

The new guidance also requires schools to use competitive and transparent contracts with suppliers. Should schools need to tender to secure a new contract, they have until December 2022.

Councillor Rachel Massey, cabinet for children’s services and education, added: “It is great to see the government after a decade in power have finally accepted Labour’s policy on the financial burden of school uniform.

“Although we are yet to see the exact detail of how this will be achieved, we mustn’t lose sight of our commitment to the climate emergency through recycling good quality school uniform in a bid to act more sustainably.

“Mike Amesbury MP has made sure that access to second-hand uniform was specifically encouraged in the statutory guidance. I am pleased to say here in Rochdale over the last two years, Uniform For All has helped recycle over 5,000 pieces of uniform, which otherwise would have been destined for landfill. It has saved many thousands of pounds for families and has helped some of the most disadvantaged in our community, which we will continue.”