Parents of students at Highbridge’s King Alfred School have launched a campaign to seek cheaper, better quality uniforms.
Several parents have set up the campaign to encourage the school to look into getting a new supplier for its school uniforms.
Parent Julie Harris told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The current supplier provides a pair of shirts with logo at either £14.75 or £17.75 + vat for boys or £16.99 or £17.99 + vat for girls depending on size.”
“Although jumpers are not compulsory there is no alternative to those supplied from the company with the logo, meaning the school jumpers are worn or nothing which is not ideal in winter, costing up to £15.40 + vat. The PE kit tops are also compulsory through the website.”
Julie added: “Parents have complained that the quality of clothing is poor and not value for money. As Burnham-On-Sea and surrounding areas are not affluent, parents are finding it increasingly difficulty to find the money for these items, especially when they may not last very long.”
“People affected include those on low incomes, parents of two or more children at the school, single parents and those children with disabilities or children in care. Government guidance states that school uniform most be value for money and affordable to all. It most not be a reason that children can not attend school.”
“Parents do not like that this one company has a monopoly in return for the poor quality uniform. We understand that the school has a uniform that includes a logo on the shirts, jumpers and PE kit but when the quality is poor, the cost is high and there is only one supplier parents are likely to get upset.”
“Parents would be happy if there could buy ‘sew on’ logos cheaply so that they could be used with conjunction with shirts brought from another source such as a local supermarket that can be brought from £5.50 for a pair.”
King Alfred School head teacher Denise Hurr told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I am happy to meet with a representative group of parents in the new academic year to review the school uniform content, quality, provider and cost. I look forward to working with the community to find a positive way forward.”
