Uniform cost hitting parents

Parents being hit in the pocket by the cost of kitting out children in the right school uniforms admitted to a Cannock organisation they had even resorted to putting off paying essential bills to meet school rules.

Several parents struggling to pay hefty prices for uniforms bearing school badges have turned to Cannock's Citizens Advice Bureau for advice with the new school year looming. Concerns have been voiced about school policies which insist on parents buying clothing from particular suppliers.

The CAB, in Allport Road, is now pressing for parents to be given complete freedom of choice over where to buy their child's uniform.

It is felt it could be resolved by allowing parents to buy cheaper clothes from other stores and buying the school badge separately.

Concerns prompted staff at Cannock CAB to conduct a survey of clients which showed 65 per cent paid more than £100 per child and 18 per cent over £200.

A total of 65 per cent of people quizzed were "concerned" by the cost and several revealed they had even delayed paying essential bills to afford uniforms.

CAB services manager Sam Catchpole said: "With the average cost to clients surveyed of equipping two children for school being around £300, the bureau supports calls to allow the purchase of items from other stores with separate sales of school badges.

"We intend to continue to collect evidence on the effect of school uniform policies and welcome comments from local parents."

Mrs Catchpole said policies and costs varied between schools.

The survey also showed help with school uniform costs was at each school's discretion and 35 per cent of people surveyed felt schools showed no awareness of the needs of low income families.

Councillor Robert Simpson, deputy leader and cabinet member for children and young people at Staffordshire County Council, said: "Some other schools have made the decision to supply sew-on badges which can then be added to a blazer or sweater that the parents can buy from any shop they choose."