47% of parents concerned about uniform costs

One in five parents in England are struggling to afford the cost of sending their child to school, according to a new survey by Parentkind, conducted by YouGov.

One of the biggest worries were uniforms, with 47 per cent of parents concerned about this, while 43 per cent said they were concerned about the cost of school trips. Seventeen per cent meanwhile said they were concerned about the cost of transport to and from school.

The report also shows the sacrifices parents have made for financial reasons, with 35 per cent of parents rationing the heating (47 per cent with children on free school meals). Seventeen per cent have skipped meals, rising to 40 per cent for those families with children on free school meals).

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson has called on schools to limit the number of branded items of uniform that they require.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said: "School leaders recognise the value of uniform as an economic leveller but concerns over rising supplier costs and families’ worsening financial circumstances, plus an increased focus on inclusion and attendance – so wanting to minimise barriers like sensory issues with school uniform – means that schools are increasingly relaxing or changing their rules.
 
“This includes a variety of actions, from simply limiting branded items or making them optional, to running schemes to provide support for families who might be struggling with the cost of uniform, including very cheap or donation only second-hand uniform sales – which can not only keep costs down, but is also more sustainable environmentally.