Cambridgeshire parents 'feeling the pinch' of school uniform costs
The school's Trust has reassured parents that prices have been reduced
Last updated 29th Aug 2025
A parent group in Cambridgeshire has said some families may be "feeling the pinch" because of school uniform costs.
Analysis last autumn by the St Ivo Parents Forum - which represents the parents of students at St Ivo Academy in St Ives - found the price of uniform with the school's main supplier were higher than other brands.
"If the cost continues to go up, I worry for parents who are trying to feed their children; that's taking money out of essentials," The Rev Matt Finch, from the Forum, said.
The Forum compared the cost of certain items including blazers, shorts, socks and PE tops between St Ivo Academy's chosen supplier and an alternative brand.
Looking smart 'comes at a cost'
A spokesperson for St Ivo Academy - run by the Astrea Academy Trust - said since last September, a change in supplier has helped reduce overall uniform costs and the number of branded items students needed to have.
But Mr Finch still has concerns.
"My fears around picking one uniform supplier, requiring lots of items with logos on pushes up the price for parents who are already stretched," he said.
"All our parents in the Forum are wanting children to look smart when they go to school, but the big concern is that comes at a real cost.
"I'm keen my child looks smart, but I find it worrying for someone who has means, even I am feeling the pinch of how much uniform costs."
Trust aims to 'improve value' for families
A St Ivo Academy spokesperson said school uniform price increases are down to inflation rather than suppliers and is reducing the number of branded items parents and carers are needed to buy "to avoid unnecessary cost and improve value to families.
"The uniform change is being phased in over five years and has been designed specifically to reduce the overall cost and the uniform is of better quality."
The spokesperson added that some items from the new uniform supplier remain higher than the previous one, but that these items are "higher quality and should mean a longer wear time, and they will be available to purchase second hand.
"The school asks that 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," the spokesperson said.
"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."
St Ivo Academy has said it is happy to speak with parents who have a child with additional needs if they have concerns over uniform.