Cost of living: Demand for free school uniforms rockets, says charity

Demand for free school uniforms has skyrocketed as the cost of living crisis deepens, a charity has revealed.

A Better Fit said second-hand clothes they receive leave their warehouse as soon as they arrive.

Kathryn Wakeham, who founded the organization in Cardiff four years ago, said the increase has been “more than tenfold”.

The Welsh Government said grants were available for those entitled to free uniforms.

The Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Rocio Cifuentes, said she would like the Welsh Government to come up with an action plan on child poverty.

Ms Wakeham, whose organization covers Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, said: “Most parents say they are able to source basics like school trousers and polo shirts.

“But the cost of blazers and PE kits is astronomical, and you need more than one.

“And often there’s a complete change of school uniform when kids move, so you have to buy them new no matter what size the kid is.

“It’s really difficult for parents to keep up with the sheer expense of getting a child ready for school.”

The Children’s Society, which campaigns for affordable school uniforms, estimates that the average secondary school uniform was £337 in 2020.

The parents surveyed believed a third of that would be a more reasonable price.

Rebecca Sharp needs a whole new uniform for her son.

He is leaving elementary school for high school in September.

“It’s just so expensive to go out and buy everything brand new,” the nurse said.

“When you buy all the branded sweaters, gym clothes, football boots, socks and the tie and everything you need, you’re talking hundreds.

“The only thing you can buy in the supermarket is a white shirt, black pants, black shoes.”

Specialty shops are required for everything else.

Ms Sharp said: “It really adds up because you’re not just buying one of everything.

“Other parents tell me that they face the same problems. I have donated many of my children’s uniforms and have now exchanged them for new ones.”

The Welsh Government said: “Pupils who are currently entitled to free school meals can apply for a grant for school uniform, school trips and school supplies.

“The grant this year is £225 per pupil, or £300 for those entering seventh grade, to recognize the increased costs associated with starting secondary school.

“Just for this year the grants are an extra £100.”

Ms Wakeham said this was not enough.

She said: “You could probably outfit a child in a primary school for £150 but in high school it’s so much more and the money doesn’t go far enough and it’s means tested.

“We’re seeing that working parents are having a really tough time now, not just parents who don’t have as secure an income.”

The charity’s trustee and volunteer, Christine Nomee, said her work has grown into a huge operation.

She said: “Some items are harder to come by, particularly the more expensive garments like school blazers with the badge on them.

“A lot of school blazers aren’t generic, they often have trim and a badge on the pocket, so you can’t just go out and buy a generic blazer and put on a school badge.”

Ms. Nomee called for more flexibility from schools.

“As long as people have the right color for the uniforms, you can put a badge on it,” she said.

The Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Rocio Cifuentes, said 190,000 children were living in poverty and the cost of living crisis was “tough”.

Uniforms, she feared, added another bill to already overwhelmed families.

She encouraged the Welsh Government to make grants as accessible as possible.

She said: “Families will be drowning in expense even with this help.

“That’s why I want the Welsh Government to release a clear, results-driven child poverty action plan, showing how it will target children and families to help them through the worst cost of living crisis in living memory.”

She insisted it was “vital” for school governors to follow legal guidelines to keep uniform costs down.