Restraint urged over new school uniforms

The Local Government Association urged the dozens of schools about to change their status to "show restraint" when updating their uniforms, warning this could present a boom for suppliers with parents forced to pay the price.

The association suggested schools change just one or two items or adopt replacement sew-on logos rather than asking parents to pay for entirely new outfits, sometimes just 12 months after buying the previous set.

The average cost of a school uniform is more than 200 for secondary students and 160 for primary pupils – without including sports or PE kits.

The association said schools should ensure uniform items are available from at least two suppliers and that school symbols and logos are available as sew-on patches. Parents should also be able to to buy and sell second-hand uniforms.

It also advised concerned parents to speak to school governing boards.

The association's chairman and Bradford Conservative Councillor Baroness Margaret Eaton said: "The changing education landscape means dozens of schools are changing their names or identities. It is understandable that many will want to mark this, but they need to remember that parents cannot simply sign a blank cheque for new school clothing.

"Parents of children starting primary or secondary school this September will be going through the expense of investing in entirely new uniforms. The last thing families want to hear is that the uniform will be completely different 12 months later.

"Schools changing their name or status for whatever reason owe it to parents to minimise any extra costs. That can be achieved by staying close to an existing colour scheme, changing one item only such as a tie, or allowing parents to sew new badges and logos on to clothes."