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School uniform costs 'stressful' School uniform costs 'stressful'
(about 6 hours later)
Many parents are under pressure to meet the costs of sending their children to school, two charities have warned. The cost of sending children to school is putting many parents under pressure, two charities are warning.
Barnardo's and Citizen's Advice found three-quarters of parents it surveyed said the cost of uniforms and other school supplies was a source of stress. 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.
However, Citizen's Advice said many schools were ignoring the advice aimed at helping parents on low incomes. But Citizen's Advice said many schools were ignoring the advice, aimed at helping parents on low incomes.
Clear advice 'Numerous challenges'
Last year the government issued the guidance which said schools should help limit the expense of uniforms and that governing bodies should ensure uniforms were widely available rather than from an expensive sole supplier. 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.
Citizen's Advice found that seven out of the eight schools in one English borough were not following the advice. 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 government said that its guidelines were clear and it encouraged parents who were unhappy about the cost of their child's uniform to raise their concerns with the school. 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.