Mumsnet Talk

Have just received a letter from our head about DD not wearing one of their disgusting overpriced logo'd cardigans ( we've been holding out while she wears out her lovely M and S cardigan -he he good they are so long lived!) was trawling internet and found this article (sadly undated). Really hoping that some of you -Mumsnetters were quicker off the mark than me given the comments we have all made?

OFT to update school uniforms study

We will update our survey of the supply of uniforms in UK schools in early 2012. The survey will gather up-to-date information on how state schools source their uniforms. In particular, we will assess whether the findings from the 2006 survey are still valid. These findings and other information on the 2006 study are set out below

Specifically, the OFT wishes to assess the impact of sole supply agreements on prices for school uniforms. As noted below, we have worked with the Department for Education (DfE) previously to highlight the issue and to encourage school governors and other decision makers in state schools to avoid sole supply agreements as far as possible. We would like to encourage schools to remove remaining restrictions to the supply of their uniforms and to introduce competition into the supply process wherever possible. We feel that this message is particularly important at this time, where many parents are facing economic difficulties. We consider that permitting parents to source all items of uniform, even those carrying the school logo, from a wider range of outlets would result in a lower price for those items.

We would welcome the views of parents, schools and participants about the supply of school uniforms. If you wish to provide views, please address correspondence to:

School Uniforms Study
Office of Fair Trading
Floor 6C
Fleetbank House
2 - 6 Salisbury Square
London
EC47 8JX

or by email to: schooluniforms@oft.gsi.gov.uk

I hadn't heard anything about this, until I spotted this thread.

Has it definitely opened for comments? It's not terribly clear when the deadline is, nor if there are any particular issues on which they would particularly welcome views.

Does anyone know any more?

I'm not at all sure they really want to know, given that this hasn't been advertised - but I will definitely be contacting them. DD1 has spent the last 18 months in an extortionately expensive 60% polyester monstrosity polo shirt which makes her eczema worse in summer - only now that the school is closing at the end of the year due to going 2-tier is she allowed plain white from wherever.

DD1's new school is introducing a blazer/clip on tie/sleeveless jumper thingie uniform - they claim it will be no more expensive than the previous polo shirt/sweater combo (from sole supplier) - I don't believe a word of it.
Meanwhile DD2's school has gone academy and is making noises about 'additions to the school uniform' - I will be writing to the head pointing out that there must not be more expense in these straitened times.

Schools have been getting away with ripping off parents for years - it really has to stop.

Your last sentence really sums it up pointythings -I agree entirely and there's years of comments, surveys, guidance notes and policies etc but nothing changes. Today I felt very eloquent so sent off a commentary of all my experiences to the OFT and then thought why not copy in my MP? So I did, after it's no good moaning and doing nothing about it. Time for change. Why not give it a go? Nothing ventured nothing gained.

Pointythings, you should think yourself lucky having 60% polyester - ours are 40% polyester, 30% cotton 30 % acrylic. Lovely and shiny after a few washes as you can imagine and a real recipe for eczema!

I thought uniform couldn't be made compulsory at primary school?

Not sure why I thought that to be honest.

Funny how all those kids in Europe and America manage to get a decent education despite not wearing uniforms.....

Edith, I fired off a response to the OFT today, thinking why not, perhaps someone will read read it? Will try and find out more. Shame there was not more publicity about this as there has been so many comments on Mumsnet that provide such a variety of valuable experiences. Am really hoping that Mumsnetters will make the most. All I can suggest is go for it and make the most.

Gallicgreetings, as I understand it uniform is not actually compulsory at primary schools, seems our heads have other ideas though and they seem to be allowed to get away with whatever they want at whatever cost to us parents. Seems immoral to me that they can force us to buy overpriced crap from the school office and profit from it There is no other normal household purchase that I make where I have no choice where I buy from. This is a restrictive practice that should be stopped and I really don't understand why it isn't. We must be still be scared of challenging head masters?

Uniform can be compulsory in primary schools - I remember seeing some authoritative links about this on another uniform thread (I'll see if I can find it).

This the thread I mean. Primary schools can have uniforms, and can enforce compliance - see the links to DfE and also panelmember's and prh47bridge's comments.

Thanks

I see lots of threads here about uniforms and I am ambivalent about the idea. I'm not opposed to uniforms as such but I struggle with schools' draconian enforcement of uniform policy.

I have yet to see anyone link to research which shows pupils perform better when they wear uniform. Although uniform policy compliance might indicate good parental support which does tend to lead to better academical results, there are a few non-uniform schools around which would suggest it's a load of bunkum. Also, most European countries don't have uniform and their education is just fine.

Ah well, DD is only 1 so I have plenty of time to avoid this!

We seem to have gone back to the old chestnut of uniform v non-uniform which wasn't really my intention. My kids face 7 more years of schools with uniforms and what really pees me off is still being held to ransom and having to buy overpriced, crap quality logo'd garments from a sole supplier. No organisation out there seems to have any teeth despite the reams of guidance notes and policies they produce. Feels like banging your head on a brick wall.

Gallicgreetings- yes, children in Europe and the US get educations without uniforms, but you have not known pain until you have fought debated with your 6 year old DD ten minutes before the school bus arrives about the choice of outfit for the day. Shorts and sleeveless T-shirts are not suitable when there's snow on the ground. Have begged head to get a uniform- unsuccessful so far, she has only sons.

Thank you so much for this, am off to share it with the UK governor's forum.

When I went to school (ok, a long time ago) there were no logo'ed items whatsoever. And the only unique item was the tie (one off purchase, should last all th time in that school).

It is entirely possible to have a non-logo'ed uniform, the avoiding many of the hiked prices.

Harley I get that every day when my DDs don't wear non-uniform (weekends, holidays, non-uniform days) and I have to say that there does not need to be any argument - I am the parent, what I say goes and my children know it. Setting boundaries really isn't rocket science, even when they're six. (Mine are now 9 and 11 - I am no dragon parent, but I do pick my battles and this is one I never, ever lose.)

Am drafting an email to send to the OFT website, I have quite a lot to say on the subject of logos and state schools ripping off parents so it will take some time.

Watching with interest

The trouble too with logo uniform is that you end up with lots of different shades of blue or whatever, as people pass down/ sell etc uniform until it is so tired (me included - too tight to spend 6 pounds per polo shirt!). Someone suggested that if they really want to stamp their mark on our children, why not ask parents to sew/stick on a badge with the logo, like the badges from brownies etc. You could then remove and reuse if your child grew out of it.

LatteLady -note your comment with interest. What exactly is the UK Governor's Forum, have never heard of it before? What powers does it have and who does it communicate with?

Pointythings - so good to hear that you are going to write in to OFT, thanks and hope you will not be up all night.

3duracellbunnies -yay... am all for sew on logos. Have raised this but apparently its too difficult for our governors to put in place. Cant see why myself with so many generic sweatshirts, jumpers and cardigans out there. Must be something to do with the random quality of sewing spoiling the clone effect?

I was really annoyed about having to pay £27 for a sleeveless jumper. Of course i always buy two. £54 for two black sleeveless jumpers with stripe on! Rip off or what? Then there was £18 for a pe top with logo. £48 for blazer. £40 for 5 blue blouses. Tie was only a fiver though so not bad!!!

Sorry my mistake. These prices are for high school not primary. Sorry.

It seems I have is lucky compared to some of you.

The only logo item available through school is the sweatshirt at £8 but they don't have a problem if you opt for the supermarket royal blue one instead.

People do a mix and the children all look smart. It is much more sensible but I'm aware ds is only in infants and it could get much worse yet.

I'd heard very vaguely about this school uniform consultation, months and months ago, will investigate further. feedthegoat it WILL get much worse as ds moves on! ibizagirl's bill is not unusual for secondary school, and I've got twins so can't pass things down and get whammied twice every time.