Cost of school uniforms

• Guest 653

  • Registered: 13 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 10,540
  26 October 2012     10:32197772
  #1      
  I know this has been raised before - I mentioned about Philips and Drew not being allowed to supply local schools with their school uniforms: blazers, trousers, jumpers etc. and that that was a large part of their income.
  
  They had invested a lot of money in a new Toyota machine to digitally make the school badges and logos and then (I believe it was KCC) schools and parents were told they must buy all their school clothes from one suppliuer, thereby killing of local businesses.
  I believe George Locke who were in the Market Square, made them too and they went down the tubes shortly afterwards - I'm not sure if it was directly attributable to this or not, but I would guess it diodn't help them stay afloat.
  
  I have just received this email: too late for our businesses, but it may help some.
  
  "OFT chimes in over uniforms:
  
  The OFT has written to almost 30,000 state primaries and secondary schools across the UK raising concern about the cost of uniforms. The watchdog said that parents were being forced to pay between £5 and £10 too much for each item of clothing. It said that in most cases, families are being required to turn to one specialist supplier instead of shopping around for the cheapest clothing from supermarkets. Going forward, the OFT said it wants all schools to review their uniform policies - abolishing any "one supplier" arrangements."
  
  
  
  Roger
• Guest 774

  • Registered: 1 Oct 2012
  • Posts: 498
  26 October 2012     10:50197774
  #2      
  The schools should just specify a colour scheme and then arrange for the purchase of iron-on badges. Parents can then get the basics from wherever they please.
  "If it ain't broke, fix it til it is."
• howard mcsweeney1

  • Location: Dover
  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 62,352
  26 October 2012     10:56197776
  #3      
  always been a licence to print money by getting the contract for school uniforms.
• Jan Higgins

  • Location: Dover
  • Registered: 5 Jul 2010
  • Posts: 13,931
  26 October 2012     11:05197782
  #4      
  OFT are right.
  
  I can remember my son going to school with patched trouser knees (he was not the only one) as I refused to keep buying new school trousers, in those days we had no choice but buy from a designated supplier. The trouble is I doubt parents could get away with patching now as there is so much peer pressure from the other school children.
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• Guest 761

  • Registered: 10 Jul 2012
  • Posts: 115
  26 October 2012     11:21197801
  #5      
  It gets even better today. After spending our hard earned money on the correct school uniform for our children, today we have to pay more money for the priviledge of them going to school... not wearing it!!! £1 donation for non-school-uniform day!
  In all seriousness though - Shatterlocks school is fantastic with our children and I am happy to help out with the school fund.