Cambridgeshire school's second hand uniform shop 'success' helping families in need
Children across the county are returning to school this week
The principal of a Cambridgeshire school has said it is open to supporting more families struggling with the cost of uniform.
A poll by The Children's Society has found more than two in five parents in the East of England struggle to afford mandatory school uniform and PE kits.
While 37% said that uniform prices had not become more affordable over the past year, despite efforts to make more second-hand items available.
Sawtry Village Academy runs a uniform shop for families in need.
"We're reflective and if we feel we need to change anything for a variety of reasons, whether that would be financial, we would look to do that in consultation with parents and our governing body," Simon Parsons, principal at Sawtry Village Academy, said.
"What's been a success over the last three years is a second hand uniform shop that is minimal cost that many parents across all year groups access, so we've found that (to be) a particular help."
'Detentions' for wearing wrong uniform
Nationally, the same survey of 3,000 parents found that thousands of children across the UK have faced punishments linked to unaffordable uniforms, including detentions, isolation and exclusions.
Last October, students at Cottenham Village College - run by the Astrea Academy Trust - were sent home after reportedly wearing the wrong uniform.
A spokesperson for one of Astrea's other secondary schools - St Ivo Academy - has said "if a student cannot wear the correct uniform for any reason, their parent/carer must provide a note, explaining the problem and the date by which their child will be back in correct uniform.
"During that time, the school has a limited supply of uniform items which we ask the student to borrow to ensure that the correct uniform is worn at school."
Mark Russell, chief executive of The Children’s Society, said many families in the East are finding it difficult to afford uniform.
"Every child in our region should be able to attend school without fear of being singled out because their parents can’t afford expensive branded items," he said.
“With school uniform costs still crippling family budgets, we welcome the proposed limit of three branded items in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill and urge the Government to implement it.”
Donations on hand
Mr Parsons said another way of helping children with uniform is when former students come in to help.
"We have year upon year, many students and families are donating uniform when they either outgrow it or leave school, so we think we've got that balance right," he added.
"Our school uniform is very simple, a sweatshirt and a polo shirt (for example), so in terms of high expense items like a blazer, we changed that a number of years ago."