95% of parents think school uniforms cost too much (2024)

Kitting out the averageprimary school pupil costs £255, while secondary school uniforms total about £340.

With the month of September fast approaching, parents up and down the UK are kicking back-to-school prep into high gear. For many, that involves opening their wallets. Each year, about£1.2 billion is spent by families on school clothing and equipment. That’s good news for businesses which sell blazers and fluffy pencil cases. But it can be problematic for households who are struggling to make ends meet.

In particular, there’s been a lot of criticism about how expensive school uniforms are. And because most kids are very good at (a) growing, and (b) mucking up clothing, most uniforms have to be replaced several times over. 95 percent of parents think these costs are “unreasonable”. About 16 percent said they’ve had tocut back on food and other essentialsto pay for uniforms, and 13 percent said its pushed them into debt.

Some think the obvious solution is toget rid of school uniforms. But there’s concerns that willmake the problem worse, by increasing the pressure on kids to wear the latest (expensive) trends. Instead, some would like schools to be less strict with their uniform policies. For instance, they could stop sending kids home for wearing incorrect uniform, which is embarrassing and disrupts learning.

Alternatively, schools could stop insisting pupils wear specifically-branded kit that is only available from higher-cost retailers, to give parents the option of getting cheaper, generic uniforms from low-cost shops and supermarkets. Or the government could step in and fund some or part of the cost for some or all families (a fewcouncilsalready offer this to low-income families).

Read our explainer on:the cost of living.

95% of parents think school uniforms cost too much (2024)

FAQs

Do 95 of parents think school uniforms cost too much? ›

95 percent of parents think these costs are “unreasonable”. About 16 percent said they've had to cut back on food and other essentials to pay for uniforms, and 13 percent said its pushed them into debt. Some think the obvious solution is to get rid of school uniforms.

How does the cost of school uniforms affect parents? ›

Keeping a child in school uniforms may be more expensive for parents and guardians than buying regular clothes would be. Often, uniforms are only available from a limited number of suppliers and the lack of competition (and captive market) keeps prices high.

What percent of parents are against school uniforms? ›

Of the 1,634 responses gathered from parents, students and teachers, 52% of the respondents shared that they strongly dislike the current school uniform policy, with another 20% saying they don't like it.

Do school uniforms save parents money? ›

Most importantly, school uniforms will save money. Parents will no longer have to spend a fortune on school clothes because they will only need to buy a few uniforms. Of course, parents will still have to buy their kids clothes for weekends, but the quantity of clothes that they buy will be lowered.

Are school uniforms too expensive? ›

In a recent poll, 76% of the parents surveyed agreed that the cost of buying school uniforms and supplies put a strain on their household budget. Just over half agreed that abolishing school uniforms would help save them money, according to the survey of 1,000 parents by Censuswide for the footwear brand Wynsors.

How many kids think school uniforms are uncomfortable? ›

A University of Nevada, Reno, survey of 1,848 middle school students, published in 2022, revealed that 90 percent did not like wearing a uniform to school.

Are school uniforms a good or bad idea? ›

School uniforms do not improve attendance, academic preparedness, or exam results. A study that analyzed a national sample of 10th graders found “no effects of uniforms on absenteeism, behavioral problems (fights, suspensions, etc.), or substance use on campus” and “no effects” on…

Do school uniforms affect students? ›

Kids who attended schools with a uniform policy were just as likely as other children to suffer from emotional problems. They experienced similar rates of depression. Similar rates of aggression, defiance, and property destruction.

What do parents say about school uniforms? ›

Many Americans say that uniforms have positive effects on combating bullying and discrimination, encouraging discipline, promoting school pride and reducing decision fatigue. Parents of school-aged children are especially likely to say uniforms have a positive effect in these ways.

Are school uniforms a financial burden for poor families? ›

For many families, the cost of school uniforms can be a significant burden, especially for those living in poverty. It's not just a financial burden, but also a barrier to education.

Do school uniforms reduce violence in schools? ›

In Long Beach, California, after instituting a district wide required uniform policy, there has been a great decrease in crimes among the community, ranging from assault and battery to fighting and even sex offenses.

Do school uniforms decrease confidence? ›

Studies show that uniforms reduce anxiety about appearance and promote self-confidence through a feeling of belonging.

How much money do parents spend on school clothes a year? ›

PUBLISHED: August 9, 2023 at 2:37 p.m. | UPDATED: August 10, 2023 at 5:47 a.m. Bay Area parents are expecting to spend more money on their children's back-to-school shopping than any other region, according to a new report from the Deloitte Consumer Industry Center — a whopping $805 per child.

Do uniforms reduce bullying? ›

One of the best ways to promote equality and reduce bullying is through the use of school uniforms. Many children are often bullied because they dress differently or can't afford to wear name-brand clothes.

What are school uniforms made of? ›

Therefore, fabrics like polyester-cotton blends are popular due to their resilience and ease of maintenance. Comfort: Breathability is essential, especially in a school environment where students are active.

How many families cannot afford school uniforms? ›

A poll commissioned by Fabulous as part of our Baby, Bank On Us campaign found that one-in-five parents can not afford to buy their children a new uniform, with 71 per cent blaming high living costs.

What are the statistics on school uniforms? ›

In the 2019–20 school year, 18.8 percent of public schools required that students wear uniforms. There were no measurable differences between 2009–10 and 2019–20 in the percentage of public schools that reported requiring school uniforms.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dean Jakubowski Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 6205

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dean Jakubowski Ret

Birthday: 1996-05-10

Address: Apt. 425 4346 Santiago Islands, Shariside, AK 38830-1874

Phone: +96313309894162

Job: Legacy Sales Designer

Hobby: Baseball, Wood carving, Candle making, Jigsaw puzzles, Lacemaking, Parkour, Drawing

Introduction: My name is Dean Jakubowski Ret, I am a enthusiastic, friendly, homely, handsome, zealous, brainy, elegant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.