Heavy costs of uniforms

The cost of school uniform is crippling some parents in Walsall who are being forced to buy from named outlets instead of being able to shop around for bargains.

A "long overdue" review of the school uniform buying policy will be called for this week by members of a senior Walsall Council committee.

At the moment certain items of uniform for a number of schools, including Hydesville To-wer, Aldridge School, Walsall Academy and Butts Primary, can only be bought from a specialist outlet in Walsall.

A number of other schools force parents to buy specific items, such as jumpers with the school badge embossed, direct from them, ruling out thrifty High Street shopping for many parents.

Mike Bird, chairman of the Children's & Young People Scrutiny and Performance Panel, said: "This archaic practice has gone on long enough and something has to be done.

"This particular company has had the monopoly on school uniforms for years and it can cost parents £30, £40 or £50 more."

"In some cases I believe kitting a child out at one shop compared to another can mean the difference between mum putting food on the table."

The panel, which will meet on Wednesday has received a letter from retired teacher Pete Smith, who has been sent a bundle of complaints by families.

He said parents keen to make the most of the boom in low cost school uniform from supermarkets were unable to do so.

"I am concerned many parents across the borough are struggling to pay for expensive school uniforms because their child's school insists on equipment and uniform that can only be obtained from limited, and therefore expensive, suppliers."

Education Walsall spokeswoman Claire Clews said: "School governing bodies are responsible for deciding whether their school should have a uniform policy."

By Lyndsey Hunt