#CutTheCost
School uniforms should bring people together – not worsen inequalities. But too often, uniforms are unaffordable, putting pressure on families and leaving children to face the consequences. Research by The Children’s Society found that, even before the pandemic, one in eight families had cut back on food and other essentials to pay for uniforms.
Last year, Mike Amesbury MP drafted a bill to cut the cost of school uniforms, which received cross-party support. Due to the lockdown, the next stages of the bill have been postponed. If the delay goes on too long, the bill will be permanently dropped.
We can’t lose this chance to make school uniforms affordable for thousands of struggling families. As Leader of the House, Jacob Rees-Mogg has the power to set a new date. Call on him to set a new date as soon as possible.
In this short blog, Amber-Page shares her experiences of school uniform, first as a child and later as a teacher.
“When I think of my childhood home, I’m in the kitchen, having a cup of tea, and the washing machine is on. The worktop is piled high with laundry. I was the oldest of four siblings, so mum worked tirelessly to get three different sets of uniform washed and dried.
I was born when my mum was seventeen, still young enough to be in school herself. She put every bit of energy, and every spare penny, into making sure me and my siblings could aim as high as possible. To her, looking smart in our uniforms was a symbol of that.
I didn’t take our clean uniforms for granted, as I could see first-hand the consequences of having an unwashed uniform.
“For too many, uniform is just another aspect of their life that’s out of their control”
My friend was repeatedly bullied. Raised by a single father, working long hours to make ends meet, he didn’t have the time to make sure she had a clean shirt every day. The girls at school would laugh at her, and say that she smelled bad. The shame spread to me as well – I was bullied just for being her friend.
In our family, uniforms were crowd funded. Every year my grandparents would chip in for four pairs of new shoes. I remember being oddly thankful that I never really grew past year seven, so we didn’t have to replace my uniform annually.
Ten years later, I was a Year Nine form tutor. I was living out my mum’s passion for education, teaching at a challenging secondary school in Peterborough. Many parents worked long shifts for low pay, and many pupils were young carers. One student I taught regularly came to school in the morning with a bag packed with clothes, as they didn’t know where they would be staying from one night to the next.
Here, uniforms were a constant subject of tension between staff and pupils. A student wearing the wrong uniform might be called out repeatedly throughout the day. Each confrontation would have a visible effect on their mood and attitude to learning. They may also face detention or being placed in isolation rooms.
Where a child is deliberately breaking the rules, consequences may seem reasonable. But for too many, uniform is just another aspect of their life that’s out of their control. A lot of them came to school without having had breakfast, never mind their school tie. They needed to be met at the gates with a sympathetic smile and a cereal bar, not a barked order to sort their uniform out.
All children deserve to feel they belong at school, to learn and pursue their dreams without unnecessary barriers. When children suffer the consequences of uniform policies which do not prioritise their well-being, something needs to change. Making all uniforms affordable would be a huge step forward.”
Amber-Page is a former English teacher, now working in Widening Participation at the University of Cambridge. She is also a poet and writer.
Also check out the Children’s Society’s Strengthen The Safety Net campaign
Struggling families have paid the price for this pandemic - now they face having vital funding cut.
Last year the Children’s Society helped to secure £233 million in funding for local crisis support. This meant parents had somewhere to turn in difficulty – keeping the heating on, the bills paid, and food on the table. Though the pandemic continues, there are currently no plans to keep this vital funding in place. This risks leaving many families behind.
We cannot let this happen.
We’re asking our supporters to join the fight back for families:
You can find out more about the issue in this recent article from the Independent: