Mother ‘forced to spend £200 a year’ on branded school uniform items demands change in policy to make buying clothes more affordable
- Gill Long said she could save more than £100 by buying unbranded items
A mother who said she is forced to spend £200 a year on branded school uniform items has demanded a change in policy to make buying clothes more affordable.
Gill Long, from Merseyside, was fed up with splashing out on branded blazers, trousers and PE kits – only to have to replace them a year later as her child grew.
The mother realised she was shelling out between £150 to £200 a year on the bare essentials at Heckmondwike Grammar School, saying she could save more than £100 by buying unbranded items.
The government states that ‘parents should not have to think about the cost of a school uniform when choosing which school to apply for’.
However, Gill, who works as a project facilitator, claimed that some schools do not follow this guidance and has started a petition to reform school uniform policies.
Gill Long (pictured) said she was forced to spend £200 a year on branded school uniform items and has demanded a change in policy to make buying clothes more affordable
The mother was fed up with splashing out on branded blazers, trousers and PE kits – only to have to replace them a year later as her child grew
Gill recently celebrated a personal victory in court after a year-long against Heckmondwike Grammar School, with the mum shelling out £40 more on school uniforms (pictured) than parents at other nearby schools
Gill has so far gathered 1,203 signatures from disgruntled parents, hoping to reach 10,000 and bring the issue to the attention of the government
This was echoed by Labour MP Mike Amesbury, who spearheaded the new legislation for the current guidance, requiring schools to keep branded items to a minimum.
The MP said he had ‘certainly seen evidence’ and passed it onto the Department of Education, that there are some schools still requiring several items of branded clothing whether that’s blazers, hats, scarves, ties, PE equipment’.
‘We shouldn’t be putting this burden on parents,’ Gill told NTK.
‘Why are we spending £19 on a jumper when you can buy two unbranded ones for £13?
‘Why are we spending £19 on a jumper when you can buy two unbranded ones for £13?’, said Gill
The government states that ‘parents should not have to think about the cost of a school uniform when choosing which school to apply for’
Uniform costs
Branded uniform breakdown for one child (Gill’s costs)
School blazer: £30-£50
Two school jumpers: £28-£38
School tie: £5
School PE kit: £92-£115
TOTAL: £155-£208
Unbranded uniform breakdown for one child (Gill’s cost)
Blazer: £14-£18
Two jumpers: £11-£13
Tie: £5
PE kit: £37-£43
TOTAL: £67-£79
‘Let’s make it value for money – that money will go a lot further.’
Wearing incorrect uniforms could reportedly result in children being sent home or put in detention.
Gill added: ‘Therefore, schools need to ensure that their uniform is affordable.
‘Schools should keep the use of branded items to a minimum.’
The mother has so far gathered 1,203 signatures from disgruntled parents, hoping to reach 10,000 soon and bring it to the attention of the government.
The Labour Party has also joined the fight, announcing that, if they win the next election, they will introduce legislation to limit branded uniforms to only three items of clothing.
‘I am asking to change the requirements to have a maximum number, not a minimum,’ said Gill.
‘I also want to make it possible to complain about the schools directly to the Department of Education and include school uniforms in Ofsted inspections.’
The mother recently celebrated a personal victory in court after a year-long against Heckmondwike Grammar School, with the mum shelling out £40 more on school uniforms than parents at other nearby schools.
Ruling in her favour, the court decided that the cost of the clothing should be reviewed and reduced in conjunction with government guidelines, but felt branded items were important to maintain standards and consistency.
MailOnline has contacted Heckmondwike Grammar School for comment.
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