Parents forced to pay 'exorbitant' prices for school uniforms despite guidelines

26 June 2023 , 23:01

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The Children’s Society polled 2,000 parents in May, finding the sky-high costs were often due to school requirements for branded items from specialist shops (Image: Getty Images/Glowimages RF)

Struggling families are still having to fork out “exorbitant amounts” for school uniforms.

Parents and carers spend an average of £422 a year on secondary school uniform and £287 for primary school.

This is despite guidelines aimed at keeping the cost down.

The Children’s Society polled 2,000 parents in May, finding the sky-high costs were often due to school requirements for branded items from specialist shops.

Pupils were expected to have three branded items on average, with 29% of secondary school pupils required to own up to five branded items and 13% expected to have as many as seven.

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Mark Russell, chief executive of The Children’s Society, said: “It’s alarming that parents are still forced to spend exorbitant amounts.

Under the Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Act 2021, schools in England must ensure that second-hand uniforms are available (Getty Images)

“With inflation and the cost of living eating into family budgets, we are disappointed that the affordability of uniforms remains a significant financial burden for many families.”

Under the Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Act 2021, schools in England must ensure that second-hand uniforms are available.

They are also advised to keep branded items to a minimum.

In Northern Ireland, schools are expected to ensure their uniform is available in multiple outlets, and uniform grants are available to some pupils. Scottish and Welsh families can apply for a school essentials grant.

Labour MP Mike Amesbury, who co-sponsored the Bill, said more must be done to ensure that the guidance is being followed in England.

He added: “It appears that the rules on branded items aren’t clear enough so can be interpreted differently by schools, or that the message isn’t getting through.”

A Department for Education spokesman said it expects schools in England to be compliant by September.

He added: “We will continue to work with responsible bodies and schools to ensure the guidance is followed and uniform policies are reasonable.”

Amy-Clare Martin