Sunderland second-hand faculty uniform scheme ‘flat out’
BBC Information, North East and Cumbria
BBCA group store which runs a free second-hand faculty uniform scheme says it’s “flat out” serving households who can not afford to purchase branded clothes.
Second Likelihood CIC in Hendon, Sunderland, collects donations of pre-worn gadgets that are supplied to these in want for no cost.
It comes because the Division for Training (DfE) tries to alter the regulation to restrict the variety of obligatory branded gadgets required by faculties to a few, plus a branded tie for secondary college students, in a bid to chop prices for households.
Wendy English, director of Second Likelihood, mentioned on common 20 households used the service every day and, “on prime of payments and meals, individuals simply cannot afford clothes”.
The federal government believes mother and father in England will save round £50 per little one by way of its faculty uniform measures, which it hopes to introduce in September 2026.
Nonetheless, faculty uniform producers declare the plans may find yourself costing them extra.
The Youngsters’s Wellbeing and Colleges Invoice nonetheless has a number of parliamentary levels to undergo earlier than changing into regulation.
Second Likelihood, which opened in April 2023, restocks its uniform donations day by day and clients are capable of entry gadgets while not having a referral service.
“We will wrestle to restock the store,” Mrs English mentioned.
“We run out of donations however I believe it exhibits how many individuals want us.”
She believes the brand new guidelines are a “good begin” for what she says is a rising drawback.
“We’re flat out with households who cannot afford to purchase branded uniforms, so they arrive right here,” she mentioned.
Second Likelihood goals to maneuver to a bigger website this yr in an effort to higher take care of the demand.
“Some faculties, like St Anthony’s, have branded PE kits which comprise the pupils initials,” Mrs English defined.
“I am presently taking a look at methods we will take away them to allow them to be used once more.”
Marie Lanaghan, headteacher at St Anthony’s Ladies Catholic Academy, mentioned uniforms can create a way of “unity and delight” inside a college, however she recognised value challenges.
“We admire a steadiness must be struck,” she mentioned.
“We welcome the federal government’s new invoice, which supplies readability.”
The typical value of a full faculty uniform and PE package for a kid at secondary faculty is £442, and £343 for a main faculty pupil in line with DfE information.
