Families Still Paying Exorbitant Amounts for School Uniforms Despite New Guidelines, Says Charity
- A study by The Children’s Society reveals that parents of secondary school children spend an average of £422 per year on uniforms
- The study also shows that £287 is spent on uniforms for primary school children
Despite the introduction of new guidelines last year to reduce costs, families are still burdened with high expenses on school uniforms, according to a study by The Children’s Society.
The research shows that on average, parents of secondary school children spend £422 per year on uniforms, while for primary school children, the average expense is £287.
The high costs are partially due to some schools requiring branded items. The Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Act, which came into force last autumn in England, aims to address this issue. The Act requires schools to make second-hand uniforms available and minimize the use of branded items.
Mark Russell, CEO of The Children’s Society, expressed concern over the financial burden placed on families. He said, “It’s alarming that parents are still forced to spend exorbitant amounts on school uniforms.”
Parents of secondary school children are paying on average £422 per year on uniform and £287 for primary school children, research by The Children’s Society shows (Stock Photo)
‘With inflation and the cost of living eating into family budgets, we are disappointed that the affordability of school uniforms remains a significant financial burden for many families,” added Russell. “While some schools have taken steps to reduce costs, this positive trend is not widespread enough.”
A spokesperson from the Department for Education stated that schools in England are expected to comply with the uniform guidance by September. They also emphasized their commitment to working with responsible bodies and schools to ensure the guidelines are followed.