SCHOOL UNIFORM RIP OFF!!! Any info would be helpful.

[Eaney]

OK, our school sells the uniform jumpers in the school hall one day a week. They sell the sweatshit for 42% and the polo shirt for 200% more than a local uniorm shop.

Anyone know who gets the profit in this situation? What is the norm? It really annoys as the catchment area is not that wealthy and I only discovered the local shop by accident. The school just tells you that you can buy the uniform in the school hall.

[LIZS]

Ours is at least 10% more than John Lewis but some items are exclusive so we have no choice. There is a thriving 2nd hand business !

[Eaney]

What really annoys me is that there is a large number of underprivlidged families in our area and unless they are told differently they will buy these overpriced garments.

I assume the school somehow reaps the profits.

[freakyzebra]

It may well be a way for the school to make some dosh, why don't you ask? And then ask what they would spend the money on? New audio-visual equipment? Pens and books? Future buildings? New cycle storage facilities? Free Water bottles with school logo for all the children? Look at it from the school's POV, why shouldn't they use this as a fund-raising opportunity?

Decide you don't like how the school is spending the money before you criticise their fund-raising activies...

Anyway, does the school give advice to parents on where to buy cheap lunchboxes? Cheap bread to make lunch sarnies with? Cheap shoes? Why should they tell the parents where's the cheapest place to buy uniform?

[acnebride]

um, because they won't allow the kids into school without their uniform? (presumably)

[Lucyfercat]

Our school does sell uniform that is more expensive than a local shop but IT IS much better quality e.g. the logo is embroidered on rather than a transfer thing. The money goes to the PTA who spend it on the school, we(the PTA) have bought interactive whiteboards for all the classrooms this year and uniform money goes towards it - perhaps your school does the same?

[freakyzebra]

But what are they supposed to do, acnebride, phone around once a month & then do a little summary for the parents of which shops at certain travel distances away are selling the uniform at what price?

It's untenable for the school to do shopping comparisons; it's up to parents to do the research on where to buy things.

[Lucyfercat]

Eaney - do they HAVE to wear the official uniform or is it a sweatshirt/poloshirt that can be bought from anywhere?

[zippitippitoads]

I thought schools listed shops who sell the official elements of the uniform in there welcome packs/prospectuses that's always been the case for our children.

[freakyzebra]

That would be fair enough, Zippi. I admit I was only thinking of the general uniform code, not the shirts with the logos on them; those are usually only sold by the school itself, ime. Did you mean the school-logo shirts or any shirt that fits the uniform colours, Eaney?

[tigermoth]

If school rules state logo-ed uniform must be worn, then the school has a duty to inform parents of all the local suppliers. It is not fair if parents are not in the know about cheaper outlets.
If the rules state un logo-ed uniform can be warn, agree with zebra's POV.

[Eaney]

Sorry not replied, been very busy today. Yes it is the logo part of the uniform I am refering to. I spoke to the PTA head today about it and she knew nothing about what happens with the profits.

I understand the school can use this as an opportunity to make money but don't you think a 200% increase on local shops is a bit steep.

The thing that make me angry is that there is a large number of children who are refugees and probably are unaware of the local shops selling them cheaper. If you have never sent a child to school before you don't even know of the existence of local shops selling the identical logo sweatshirt etc. I relied on the school blurb which told me of the school uniform which must be worn was available in the school hall.

Thanks for all you replies.

[Lucycat]

Does the school have some sort of weekly newsletter? It might be worth seeing if they could include something in it about where else uniforms can be bought. Someone at the school MUST know where the profits go surely?

[Eaney]

There is no weekly newsletter but there is a qtrly one I think. I will bring it up at the next PTA I think.

It would be interesting to know how other schools deal with this.

[Lucycat]

When is your school AGM? they tend to be around this time of year, might be worth at least sending some questions re the uniform situation into the governors if you can't attend personally.

Rock the boat a little!

[Eaney]

I think AGM is coming up soon. Thanks for the idea.

[Ailsa]

If the head of the PTA doesn't know what happens with the profits it is probably nothing that they have arranged. It will either be paid into the school's own private fund (different from PTA fund), or, their budget - either way, the headteacher or school secretary would know.

Any money that is raised and paid into the school's private fund should be used for the benefit of the school.

Ask the headteacher if they are holding an AGM,(if that's where you want to ask about the cost of uniform) as from September 2005 schools don't have to hold one.

[stitch]

who is running it? if it is the pta, then the school definitly gets the extra.