How Schools Can Make Uniform More Affordable and Accessible

School uniform is a hot topic at the minute thanks to the ever-present cost of living crisis that families all over the country are facing. It is a traditional back to school expense, and the more children in a household, the bigger the cost is going to be. Therefore, there is a pressing need for schools to make this obligatory financial demand more accessible and affordable, but how can it be done? 

Wholesale Paths 

There is an opportunity for schools to embrace the wholesale option and have a selection of uniform at a school-based shop for parents to order and pick up. This is a cost-effective solution to having parents embroider clothing themselves or buying it direct from a uniform third party shop instead. The school would retain control of the contract and understand the supply vs demand vs profit margin, and the parents would have an easier point of access too. Establishing a working relationship with a wholesaler like Screen Textiles would create a more affordable and accessible uniform system overall.  

Providing Book Bags 

It may seem like a smaller expense in the grand scheme of things, but backpacks are an essential part of the school kit that can’t be ignored. If schools continued to provide book bags for primary aged children, this would be a great way to offset another ongoing cost for parents and would make the uniform plus trimmings even more accessible and inclusive for all children regardless of their financial background.  

Being Less Strict About PE Kits 

Children need a separate uniform for PE, this much is undeniable. However, schools could be more flexible and accommodating about whether or not this needs to be specifically branded and bought from them. There is a whole world of cost-friendly sports attire for children out there from, for instance, supermarkets, that would suit this agenda perfectly. Children could be confident and comfortable, and parents would not have to break the bank replacing kit every few months.  

Gender Neutral Options 

The days of girls being obliged to wear skirts and dresses are slowly but surely heading into the past. This type of policy should never be enforced upon children because it is both damaging to their sense of self and creates an environment that is supposed to be about educational enrichment focused on discomfort and resentment in some cases. Therefore, inclusivity counts in this sense too. Girls and boys should have the option to wear whichever style of uniform makes them feel happy, focused, and ready for the day. It should not matter whether this is trousers, shorts, skirts, or dresses, as long as the child is present and ready for learning.   

SEN Factors 

There is also a call for SEN to be a point of adaptation. A lot of children face sensory issues with fabrics, and this can be a major deterrence for how well they are able to engage with their school day. Where accommodations need to be made, they absolutely should be heard.  

School uniform is changing for the better. While it will remain a relevant thing and should exist for many reasons, it must also accommodate children, not the other way around.