Call to cut school uniform costs
A NEW campaign by Maid- stone Citizens’ Advice Bureau is urging schools to help fami- lies cut the high cost of kitting out their children during the re- cession.
Maidstone CABsays toomany schools still insist uniform should only be bought from ex- clusive suppliers, rather than cheaper supermarkets and high street chains. Their “adding-up” campaign
says schools should: Ensure uniforms can be bought from a range of outlets Offer sew-on badges which
can be put on plain clothing Encourage recycling or
swap schemes Choose colours which can
be carried over from one school to the next Appoint a governor to
check the affordability of parental expenditure Bonny Malhotra, chief execu-
tive of Maidstone CAB, said: “We are seeing more and more families struggling with the high costs of uniforms and kit.” Mr Malhotra said many of the
new academies had opted for costly uniforms and said: “Schools should help strug- gling families keep costs down.” He criticised those schools which insisted on uniform
being purchased directly from the school at a hugely–inflated cost, to subsidise school funds. He said: “We are calling on schools to help families by adopting sensible, lost-cost policies on uniform which com- ply with Government guidance on affordability.” Mr Malhotra said he would
also like to see more local au- thorities provide school uni- form grants for those in financial need. At present, only 40% of schools provide grants. CAB evidence suggests little
has changed since Department for Education research in 2007 showed that more than a quar- ter of families on annual in- comes under £15,000 were spending more than 20% of their income on school costs. One in six had to buy uniform
from a designated shop or from the school, despite government guidelines issued in 2004 that school clothing should be avail- able “off the peg”. Maidstone’s St Simon Stock School has already begun to im- plement measures to cut costs.
Runners flock to park
to boost hospice funds MORE than 470 people took part in the 5k and 10k Demelza Run in Mote Park, Maidstone, to raise vital funds for the children’s hospice. The runnerswere startedby Demelza teenager Alec
Martin and Olympic torchbearers, including James Neate, ofWateringbury. Alec (14) has had cancer three times, but despite
this has raised funds for the charitieswhohavehelped him, including Demelza. Alec’s mum Karen and brother Rick were among
several Demelza families who took part in the run. Companies which took part included DCB (Kent) Limited, Stagecoach, BPK Associates, Concur and CCVentures. Runners were asked to bring donations of clothes
and unwanted goods for Demelza, and over 40 bags were given in on the day. Demelza has 19 charity shops across the area and is reliant on community
RECRUITMENT
support to help keep them stocked. Demelza supporter Nando’s were on hand to feed
the hungry runners and make-up artist Suzanna For- rister-BeerMua did facepainting and glitter art. Sarah Marsh, Demelza’s events co-ordinator, said:
“Thank you somuch to everyone who supported this year’sDemelzaRun –this is our second highest num- berof runnersever! IntheOlympic year, itwas great to have three Olympic torch bearers join us, too.”
Deputy head Ruth Simpson
said: “In 2010 we phased out blue shirts in favour ofwhite be- cause they tend to be more widely available and cheaper. “This year, we have changed
the girls’ school skirt to a cheaper skirt which is more widely avail- able on the internet. “By the end of 2013, it is hoped
to have our uniform in three dif- ferent suppliers. “The school PTA also offers
good used clothing to parents who may struggle to pay for new uniform.”
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