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School uniform costs 'stressful' | School uniform costs 'stressful' |
(about 6 hours later) | |
The cost of sending children to school is putting many parents under pressure, two charities are warning. | |
A YouGov poll of 2,128 adults for Barnardo's and Citizens Advice found 73% of parents said the expense of uniforms was a source of stress. | |
Government guidelines issued to schools in England say school uniforms must be reasonably priced and widely available. | Government guidelines issued to schools in England say school uniforms must be reasonably priced and widely available. |
But Citizen's Advice said many schools were ignoring the advice, aimed at helping parents on low incomes. | |
'Numerous challenges' | |
It said seven out of the eight schools in one English borough were not following the advice, issued by the government last year in a bid to help parents on low incomes. | |
Delroy Pomell, director for education at Barnardo's, said: "Children and families living in poverty face numerous challenges including poor housing, poor health and poor nutrition. | |
The cost of uniform, PE kit, school trips and other specialist equipment can run into hundreds of pounds per child each year Adrian Galvin, Citizens Advice | |
"Starting the first day of school with the right uniform shouldn't become yet another source of stress." | |
Adrian Galvin, campaigns officer at Citizens Advice, said: "Citizens Advice Bureaux regularly report seeing clients who are struggling to meet the escalating costs of schooling their children. | |
"The cost of uniform, PE kit, school trips and other specialist equipment can run into hundreds of pounds per child each year. | |
"While some schools are following the school admissions code - government guidance regarding the fair pricing of uniform and other school costs - many schools are continuing to ignore it. | |
"We are urging the government to strengthen the code and the way it is regulated to compel schools to follow the guidelines." | |
Kevin Brennan, Minister for Young People and Families, said: "Our guidance is clear that the cost of uniforms must not exclude or deter families from poorer backgrounds." | |
The government says parents who are unhappy about the cost of their child's uniform should raise their concerns with the school. | |
YouGov surveyed 2,128 adults between 27 and 29 August, 2008. |
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