Schools in Wales are being urged to overhaul their uniforms to make them cheaper for families.
However, the Welsh Government has stopped calling for school logos to be phased out on clothing, saying they should “not be compulsory”.
Education Secretary Jeremy Miles said families should be notified of any changes before the end of this term.
Principals said schools are being asked to consider policies at an “extremely busy time of year”.
It comes after a consultation asking for views on how to ease the burden of buying uniforms for families struggling with the cost of living.
Questions included whether logos should not be required at all, not on PE equipment or just on an item e.g. B. a sweater.
National guidelines already state that school administrators should “make affordability a high priority”.
But the minister said there were still “too many cases where families have had to buy expensive uniforms”.
“School uniforms are an important part of a school’s identity, but it is absolutely critical that uniforms are affordable,” said Mr. Miles.
“We know branded school clothes can be a lot more expensive for families – so schools shouldn’t make them compulsory.
“It certainly shouldn’t be necessary for multiple items to be branded.”
Existing governing body guidelines state that a logo should be limited to one item, but many schools require badges to appear on multiple items of clothing.
Parent Stuart Martin said that logos on PE jerseys “take it a little too far”.
“That goes from their polo shirts to their jumpers and then even PE kits and the right logo on their black shorts and rugby shirts,” he said.
“We’re all struggling with the cost of living too, so it would be nice if there was some way we could make it easier to manage those costs,” he added.
Another parent, Rebecca Curtis, said outfitting her three boys under the age of 10 is costly but they are “proud of the badge”.
“I appreciate it comes at an additional cost, but the kids also seem to enjoy wearing the badges,” she said.
It has been argued that fewer logos could mean more choice for families on where to buy a uniform, but specialty retailers say they offer higher quality items that last.
Emma Rees, owner of Uniform2go in Bridgend, said supermarkets don’t stock sizes outside of an average range of clothing, but they do have items for a two-year-old to someone with a 50-inch chest.
“No school is the same,” she says.
“We have a comprehensive school that offers sweatshirts which are £12.50 for a sweatshirt up to the age of 13, while knitwear is obviously a different price.
“I would say on average parents who come and have a whole kit don’t spend more than £100, but that £100 would last their child a whole school year and beyond.
“Children wear a uniform about 195 days a year on average, which needs to be of high quality and durable so they can pass it on through school swap shops and pass it on to siblings.
“I have three children and have been able to pass them on to the youngest year after year,” she added.
Many schools and organizations are already operating unified exchange programs, but the education secretary said precautions should be taken everywhere.
A uniform swap shop was set up at Ysgol Bro Edern in Cardiff two years ago and is run by parents.
Bethan Frost, a health and wellbeing teacher at the school, said it helps some with the cost of living and has environmental benefits.
“We don’t want the students to feel left out in any way, so they know that if they need something…if they don’t want to exercise, if they don’t have a sweater, if it’s cold…we can provide that,” she said.
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said it supports expanding unified recycling schemes but additional funding should be made available.
ASCL Cymru Director Eithne Hughes said the priority of keeping uniform costs as low as possible was welcome but questioned the timeframe for changes.
“These guidelines didn’t leave schools for very long to consult with governors, suppliers and the community before reporting changes before the end of the school year,” she said.
“This is an extremely busy time of year and it would have been helpful if schools had received this guidance sooner.”
Lower income families can apply for a grant of up to £300 from the Welsh Government to help cover the cost of school uniforms.
Add Comment