School uniform costs pose challenges for parents amid cost of living crisis
The headteacher at Neale-Wade Academy says rising back-to-school expenses are sparking concerns among parents in the community
A Cambridgeshire headteacher says the increasing cost of living has led to significant challenges for parents, particularly when it comes to purchasing school uniforms.
Graham Horn of Neale-Wade Academy in March is highlighting the scale of the problem, noting a "400% increase in family tax credits claimed post-Covid," a statistic which underscores the growing financial pressure on families.
Mr Horn discussed the measures taken by their school to alleviate these burdens.
"Uniform is always an emotive subject. We review it every year, and we're duty-bound to do so. The new government has indicated they will re-examine how schools brand uniforms"
The school prides itself on offering affordable options, allowing parents to purchase most uniform items from any supermarket, with only a couple of branded items required.
"We only ask parents to buy one or two items that are branded, which is the tie or the badge for the blazer," they added.
In addition to providing affordable options, the school has set aside hardship funds to ensure no student is disadvantaged due to the cost of uniforms.
"We don't want uniform to be the thing that gets in the way of celebrating students' achievements."
The school has also recycled old uniforms and purchased new ones to further support families in need.
When asked about the impact of uniform costs on parents' school choices, Mr Horn acknowledged that it could be a factor but emphasised the importance of uniform in setting standards.
"The uniform is part of setting an expectation and a standard for a school. It's a public display of the standards that school has," he said.
Mr Horn also expressed concerns about rising fuel costs and the overall cost of living, noting that these issues add to the financial strain on families.
They stated: "I think it's a really serious issue, and we need the economy to grow."
Despite limited funding, the school remains committed to supporting students.
"We can't help everybody because our funding is limited," the representative said.
Nonetheless, he highlighted the importance of ensuring that the next generation has every opportunity, adding: "The best things we can do for the next generation is having improved outcomes."