Perryfields free uniform offer returns

The scheme was first launched in 2022 as a measure to help local families during the cost of living crisis after Covid and has continued every year since, with hundreds of students benefitting from the offer.

Confirmation comes as the school have been giving out the first batch of hundreds of brand new Chromebooks to students to stay with them throughout their educational journey, alongside being close to appointing contractors to begin a full school rebuild in 2026.

Broadleaf Director of Education, Ian Barton, says everyone at the school are proud of the work being done to support those who choose Perrys: “We passionately care not just about the students who attend Perryfields, but the families and communities we serve in an area we are proud to represent. We know from the last few years that the cost of uniform moving from primary to ‘big’ school can be a financial worry for many which is why we are so pleased to be able to confirm our free uniform offer is staying.”

Last month Broadleaf Partnership Trust announced all students and teaching staff would be receiving their own personal Chromebook, to stay with them throughout their learning journey, with Ian Barton describing it as a continuation of the partnership between school and the wider community:

“Parents make a major life investment when they choose a school, we want them to know we value that investment in us, and will do all we can to support them through their time in education, whether that is providing free uniform, a personal device to work on in school and at home, or simply the care and dedication of our staff. This is about a partnership between us all, because as the school motto goes ‘Together we achieve excellence’.”

Students in the current Year 7 were the first to receive their personal Chromebooks, with a rollout to other year groups and new starters planned from September. There is also the complete school rebuild set to begin by the end of 2026, BPT Chief Executive Claire Pritchard says these are exciting times for Perrys: “Ever since funding was secured for the rebuild three years ago, we have been working tirelessly to ensure we deliver a school fit for the future and we can’t wait for that vision to become reality. It has been a long process and that’s why it’s been so important to support students with one to one access to technology and free uniform whilst they wait for the surroundings they deserve.”

Perryfields takes students not just from Oldbury but across Sandwell, Birmingham and Dudley Borough with limited spaces still available to start in September, Claire Pritchard has urged anyone wanting to pick Perrys to get in touch now:

“We firmly believe Perrys is about much more than bricks and mortar, whatever the surroundings there are amazing staff dedicated to providing and unlocking potential and opportunity in all students. It’s a school and Trust focused on supporting our community and I’d urge anyone wishing to be part of that journey to contact school and we can help with the process of getting a place.”