A newly released report by The Schoolwear Association is calling for the quality and sustainability of garments to be key considerations in any changes to school uniform policy.
The ‘Schoolwear Association: Shining a spotlight on school uniform’ report provides a series of policy recommendations to the government. These will help avoid a series of unintended consequences that drastic changes to existing policy could bring about. For instance, increasing costs, impacting on cohesion in schools, and having a detrimental impact on the environment.
The Schoolwear Association details several recommendations. These include, alongside cost, that the quality and sustainability of school uniform should be key considerations. It also argues that policy must ensure there is year-round availability of uniform in the wide range of sizes necessary; ensuring all pupils have access to items when required.
The quality and sustainability of garments must be key considerations in any changes to school uniform policy in the UK.
The report goes on to recognise the fact headteachers are best placed to understand the specific uniform requirements of their school. Any updates to guidance, therefore, should maintain their ability to have the freedom and autonomy to implement appropriate uniform policies for their local community.
Included within the report are the findings of the largest-ever analysis of uniform costs; accounting for around 12% of state secondary schools in England – representing 409 schools and approximately 395,000 pupils.
The figures show that currently, the average cost of compulsory items of secondary school uniform and sportswear is £101.19 per pupil when they start secondary school. Given that less than half of these items need to be replaced each year, the average annual spend beyond the first year is just £36.24.
School leaders must retain the freedom and autonomy to implement uniform policies that work best for their school and pupils.
Commenting on the report is Matthew Easter, co-chair of The Schoolwear Association. “It is vital that any changes to government policy must take into account the demonstrable benefits that a school-specific uniform delivers for pupils, schools, and parents.
“The policy recommendations within our report will ensure that uniform continues to act as a social leveller within schools; as well as reducing bullying, promoting academic achievement, and improving behaviour in the classroom.
“School-specific uniform garments are made to much higher standards. This makes them more durable and better value for parents in the long run as they will last longer than high street alternatives.
School uniform delivers value for money.
“Our latest survey using actual data gathered across the country also shows that uniform costs are much lower than often quoted by detractors of school uniform; with seven in ten parents and three-quarters of headteachers stating the cost of school-specific uniform and sportswear was less than £100 for a new pupil.
“These are sensible, realistic policy recommendations that will benefit schools, pupils, and parents. We don’t want any changes to school uniform policy to put people in a position where they are having to buy replacement items regularly; costing more money in the long run, and further adding to the impact that clothing has on the environment.
“Uniform by its nature does not change from year to year, unlike fashion. This makes choosing good quality garments in the first place the most logical choice in all respects.”
Also commenting on The Schoolwear Association’s report is Andrew Lewer, Conservative MP for Northampton South.
“The quality of the Schoolwear Association’s research and the positive case it makes for school uniform shines through in its report. It is clear that misapprehensions about the cost of uniform needed to be corrected. This has been achieved via this report.
“After a largely positive debate in the Commons Chamber on this subject some months ago, it is my earnest hope that the government’s Bill ensures that uniform suppliers are treated fairly.”
For further information on The Schoolwear Association, please click here. You can also follow the Association on Facebook and Twitter.
