ECHO COMMENT: Parents trapped by a school uniform prices rip-off
BACK to school? That will be £200 please.
And that's just the average cost of a secondary school uniform. Add on sports gear, classroom equipment and transport costs and it's a surprise we haven't got a revolution on our hands.
There's always been an acceptance that kitting out youngsters for school costs more than we should reasonably expect.
That multiplies in September for the start of the new school year, although the "back to school" signs seem to have been in our shops and supermarkets since long before schools broke up for the summer.
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Many people are doing like Tewkesbury mum Emma Provins and saving where they can by not buying everything direct from the school. But, as Emma says, buying too cheap can be a false economy as the cheaper clothes wear out quickly.
It's all very well for the Local Government Association to tell schools they have a "moral responsibility" to keep prices down.
Many are just not listening and still insist that uniforms and sportswear come from a single recommended shop.
It's time for tougher action – direct from the local authority or elsewhere – to give proper flexibility back to the parents.
An agreed colour and badge should be enough, giving parents more chance to shop around when they can. In the present economic climate, there are more important things for them to spend their money on.
IT'S great news from Hester's Way that many types of crime are falling.
And while it is always possible to read too much into statistics, there is clear evidence that cases of criminal damage in particular are tumbling.
That has to be linked to the fact that youngsters who may previously have been responsible for it now have better things to do.
The Aston Project is giving youngsters the opportunity to do voluntary work that they not only enjoy but are rewarded for. Misbehave though, and they miss out on activities their mates will be taking part in.
Criminal damage may not seem like the most serious crime but it causes misery to all who are caught up in it.
The figures are the perfect legacy for the work PC Lynn Aston started.
Comments
by ShorterNews
Sunday, September 02 2012, 9:41PM
“Schools are terrible wasters of money i'm afraid. There's no need to pay postage for any letters home to parents. Doesn't every parent have their own homegrown school letter delivery service (ie. their child)?”
by Walker100
Sunday, September 02 2012, 12:40AM
“Severn Vale school recently sent a letter to all parents regarding a reminder about the £5 deposit required for lockers. It was laser printed on A4 paper and sent in a C5 envelope with 92 pence postage. Total cost approximately £1.03 each or around £1,200. Why postage was 92 pence is beyond me. It was not a "large letter"" by Post Office standards. Just C5 with a single A4 sheet enclosed.
Nice to see they are being careful with public funds in this time of austerity; especially as most parents sign up for e-mail newsletters etc. It's not the first time they have done so either. They send many letters by first class post. How many other schools in Gloucestershire are doing the same thing and at what cost?”
by Takeaway22
Saturday, September 01 2012, 9:47AM
“The article states "Many are just not listening and still insist that uniforms and sportswear come from a single recommended shop." - If this is the case, should the schools be named and asked WHY the uniform has to come from a SINGLE recommended shop? - (if the report is correct)”
by Bonkim2003
Saturday, September 01 2012, 9:31AM
“Totally unnecessary - with high cost of living in other areas, schools should set an example of minimising consumerism, and cost.”
by Lecorche
Saturday, September 01 2012, 8:16AM
“Last time I looked,a school uniform was not a legal obligation.
However,defying the school brings wrath down onto the child.
Colour and Badge,as Emma suggests should be adequate.
Some stores give a 12 month warranty on clothing. Shop around.”
by Alf58
Saturday, September 01 2012, 7:26AM
“Not sure what crime in Hesters Way has to do with the right to shop around for school uniform, but I definitely agree with the need to reduce the price of school uniforms and am glad that crime rates in Hesters Way are falling - I hope this is more to do with a reduction in problems and less with a failure by the police to log incidents and catch those responsible.”