Low income family - school uniform

[mami2be]

Hello everyone on here! I am new to the site and would love some insight on a topic that hasn't ever sat right with me.
From the title you know I am from a low-income family, I was wondering how everyone feels about the price of school uniforms going up. A lot is happening, but I can't keep up with constantly buying new uniforms for the kids. My children's school do not have any used uniform that I can buy which is making it tough for us, do your schools offer uniform? How does everyone feel about the cost of living crisis we're living through right now? Is it affecting you too?

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms/cost-of-school-uniforms#:~:text=While%20schools%20can%20decide%20the,published%20on%20the%20school%27s%20website.

Approach the school...It's a legal requirement for schools to provide a way for parents to acquire secondhand uniform

Your school doesn’t have a second hand shop?

and no parent second hand uniform FB group?

Every school, including and especially private, mychildren have gone to - I have been able to pick up extensive second hand

I was about to say the same as @chouxfleur
They will have this provision they just may not advertise it.

Which paper are you writing for @mami2be ?

My DS’ school has a supply of free second hand uniform including football boots and shoes. Anyone can make an appointment to go in and pick up what they need.

DC go to private school. To save money I only buy compulsory logo items 2nd hand & anything non-logo I shop around from various supermarkets.

You can't move for second hand uniform at our primary. They don't bother selling it, they give it away.

Also, one of the charity shops on our high street has a large rail with various school uniforms.

The secondary school has an active Facebook page.

This. OP is so obviously a journalist it's painful.

Are your children in receipt of pupil premium funding? Some of this can be used for school uniform. You would need to spag your school to know how they do this - some order it in, some give vouchers for suppliers

I doubt makes any kind of living from journalism based on this attempt!

Don’t give up the day job op

When I can’t afford uniform I just fashion polo tops, skirts and trousers from previous editions of the Daily Fail. All good unless it rains heavily. Hopey helpy.

Ah, there we are -

Not writing for a paper and I am not a journalist. I have a degree in journalism so my bad for writing it in a way that made it sound like I am, it's what I know. I am 26 years old mother, my two children attend a primary in east London and i'm expecting my third child. I work as a mealtime supervisor in a neighbouring school. My partner works in retail and our salaries together aren't enough to survive. So i'm asking if i'm the only one, am I the only one struggling? Is the cost of living crisis only affecting me and the mums I speak to at school? Am I the only one who doesn't get support from the school, am I the only one whose school does not offer second-hand uniform. I want to take a stand but need support to do so, I need proof that there are other parents who are in the same position. So id appreciate the comments and grateful for everyones support.

Many will say ,if both working and struggling and now kids at school , why did you have a 3rd

So your working hours will decline for another few years or have childcare to pay

Original question if not a journalist - very rare for a school to not have a second hand uniform stall /place

Ask pta - ask at office

Go and ask at the school.

Can you try supermarkets for most stuff and buy it in drips and drabs?

One of our local food banks collects new and used uniform. I donate the things that are still in good condition. I donate them to our local primary and a volunteer takes them to the food bank. Is there anything like this near you?

I don’t think it’s that rare for schools to not sell second hand. None other f our local schools do, either primary or secondary.

You post does read as if its for a article.

I have 4 kids, they have attended 5 schools both private ( paid for by the LA) and state from infant to secondary and always had access to second hand. One school even gave me completely free uniform with no proof I was up shit creek financially. Even private encourages second hand. Even private let's me send in kids in non branded clothes from Asda.
This has been for 15 years now.

The thing is with more kids your income has to either be high or your choices low. I had two kids move school from state to private SEN and my eldest loose his entire uniform ( all clothes and shoes and coat thrown over a fence after PE in one week). Every school understood and got all three kids replacement uniform.within the week. I have never found getting uniform hard. My sons shoes ripped last week so that's a pain with three weeks left of term but I bought a newish pair on Vinted for £3.50.

DS's school had a new uniform only around 4 years ago. It was hugely undersubscribed at the time, so there is very little second hand uniform in circulation. The school donates second hand uniform to those in need, but they never have stock.

And the official supplier seems to have predicted stock based on previous years, rather than the oversubscribed school it now is. We have had uniform on back order for months. It's a shocking situation.

I have always donated the school uniform 4 DC grew out of and school office always passed on to those in need for free. It is good recycling practice. I have even included trainers still in good condition etc. So for anyone struggling, find out if there is help.
There are tons of people dumping M&S style school trousers and skirts into landfill which needs to stop.

@mami2be looks as if you can get some cash from the daily mail which could help buy uniforms.

Same