School Uniform Costs

[daffy654]

My son is starting high school tomorrow so over the last couple of weeks I have been getting all his uniform and equipment that he needs.I have just worked out the cost and it came to �164.00 just for the uniform,P.E. kit and pens etc,this isn't including the new shoes,trainers and footie boots he needs! The problem I had is that his blazer and P.E. kit are only available in one shop in the whole of the UK as they have to have the school badge on,so there was no chance to shop around for bargains.

How much have others spent on new school equipment and do you have the same problem with suppliers that I have had?

[scotgal]

I believe that is a common problem with schools dealing with one supplier - parents should put pressure on schools not to do this as it can cause hardship to some families. The government has already told schools not to do this but are being ignored. Some private schools up here actually run second hand shops for uniforms - is this an option?

[daffy654]

There isn't anything like that for my son's new school scotgal,not that I would consider it anyway as I would hate for him to be bullied for wearing second hand stuff.The blazer he has to wear is only available directly from the school.
I'm not a snob and I regularly buy clothes for myself from charity shops,I just know how cruel kids can be to each other.My son has Aspergers Syndrome so already stands out from the crowd and is a target for nasty kids.I do definitely think there should be a choice of suppliers for parents to choose from,I may have to get in touch with my local MP about the issue.

[scotgal]

That's an excellent idea, lobby your MP he should know about the problem anyway and if enough parents do same it might make a difference. I know what you're saying about the shop idea - I think maybe that's why it only been adopted by private schools here-the toffs don't seem to worry about that sort of thing as long as the horses get their feed!!!!

[Le Chat]

daffy - My son was at a private junior school and the blazer alone was �65, his new state secondary school's blazer is �27, which is much better, but still it has worked out at �202 because he also needs a bus pass (there is no school bus) which cost �67 per term alone. Then he has a list of the year's activities, which add up to �159 . Feel like we're being milked!

[stonekicker]

its my sons last year at secondary school and he is 5'10'', growing like a weed and well built. he needed the full shebang (pe kit, footie boots, uniform, shoes, coat) and also boxers and pyjamas. came to �270!!!!!!!!!! its just as well i anticipated it, worked 50 hours a week for four weeks in order to pay for it. grrrr! i know he needs it, but he's gettibg so big and it just costs soooo much - i'm just glad its his last year. hooray!!! also - have to go all over the sop to find bargains and stuff that fits - managed it in john lewis, marks and sparks, sportsworld, milletts, tesco and the schoolkit shop. not a nice morning and afternoon with a 15 year old boy!!!! not to mention the big fat pain in my wallet...

[daffy654]

I got all my son's basic stuff (trousers,shirts,jumpers) from Marks and Sparks too stonekicker,there is no point getting cheap rubbish from our local Ethel Austin as it doesn't last long,I think I bought him 4 pairs of trousers from there for his last year at primary,he just kept getting holes in the knees of them.lol

[lorri24601]

I have been complaining about this for years,In my opinion only allowing one shop to sell the uniform, then selling it at a high price is no more than a form of backdoor pupil selection process, and should be banned,its very wrong and needs addressing :-(

[B00]

My friend buys school pants from Ethel Austen, and wonderwebs patches on the inside on the knee area, they last surpisingly well daffy.

[Ice.Maiden]

We're the same as Le Chat, only our childrens' blazers were �43 each - plus another �5 or so for the badge to be put on. With the cost of rugby shirts on top, and various items of PE/games wear, it's totted up to an exhorbitant amount. that's not counting "correct" shoes, football boots, trainers, blah de blah, PLUS extra money for their own badminton/tennis racquets, cricket whites, musical instruments....... it just goes on infinitely.

[Velvetee]

Our friend's two daughters attend a private school, which has just merged with another, so the whole uniform has been changed. They spent �300 for each child for the uniform and P.E kit. I guess the school must also make money on the uniform too.

[rachael88]

blimy that is really expensive i ont think it should cost that much at all, i left school 4 years ago n mine was alot cheaper than that , i recon u could defintly of got th uniform cheaper hun xxxxx