VIEWS & OPINION


VIEWS & OPINIO N


Specialist suppliers are key to ensuring children have the quality school uniform they deserve


ty school uniformthey deserve Comment by DAVID BURGESS, Chairman of the Schoolwear Association Comment by DAV


There is no getting away from the fact that the price of school uniform is a grudge purchase for many parents. However, if quality and durability are sacrificed in order to lower prices, it will impact on our children and their schools who otherwise could expect to benefit from the improved learning, better behaviour and child safety that a good quality uniform can help to confer.


schoolwear represents excellent value, in many cases much better value than the clothes that children would otherwise wear to school. As with most things, there are real benefits if you are willing to pay a little extra for a quality product and service. Schoolwear specialists throughout th e UK schoolwear industry are crucial in ensuring that option remains available to schools when they are specifying their uniform. The growing use of competitive tenders means schools can ensure best practice and value by appointing specialist schoolwear suppliers who will guarantee consistent uniform


That would be a shame because several recent studies have shown that quality schoolwear represents excellent value, in many cases much better value than the clothes that children would otherwise wear to school. As with most things, there are real benefits if you are willing to pay a little extra for a quality product and service. Schoolwear specialists throughout the UK schoolwear industry are crucial in ensuring that option remains available to schools when they are specifying their uniform. The growing use of competitive tenders means schools can ensure best practice and value by appointing specialist schoolwear suppliers who will guarantee consistent uniform


That would be a shame because several recent studies have shown that quality


There is no getting away from the fact that the price of school uniform is a grudge purchase for many parents. However, if quality and durability are sacrificed in order to lower prices, it will impact on our children and their schools who otherwise could expect to benefit from the improved learning, better behaviour and child safety that a good quality uniform can help to confer.


AVID BURGESS, Chairman of the Schoolwear Association


colours and quality all year round, for all sizes. Specialist suppliers can make it easy and


convenient for parents to buy quality uniform in good time for the new school year.


School uniform from specialist suppliers has been shown to be less likely to shrink tear or stretch compared with cheaper generic


,


colours and quality all year round, for all sizes. Specialist suppliers can make it easy and convenient for parents to buy quality uniform in good time for the new school year. School uniform from specialist suppliers has been shown to be less likely to shrink, tear or stretch compared with cheaper generic schoolwear, frequently the garments are made from heavier fabrics and are therefore more durable and can stand up to the rigours of the playground whilst offering easy care for frequent laundering.


schoolwear, frequently the garments are made from heavier fabrics and are therefore more durable and can stand up to the rigours of the playground whilst offering easy care for frequent laundering.


highlighted, school uniform costs on average just 45p per school day. The real dra in on many family budgets is the clothing children wear when they are not in school. Many of us have been held “hostage” to our children’s desire for branded clothing, and our research shows that one individual garment to be worn out of school could cost an average of £46 .58, that’s


While no one suggests that school uniform isn’t a significant expense for many parents, the cost is sometimes hyped up to make a story or a political argument. As our research highlighted, school uniform costs on average just 45p per school day. The real drain on many family budgets is the clothing children wear when they are not in school. Many of us have been held “hostage” to our children’s desire for branded clothing, and our research shows that one individual garment to be worn out of school could cost an average of £46.58, that’s


While no one suggests that school uniform isn’t a significant expense for many parents, the cost is sometimes hyped up to make a story or a political argument. As our research


£13.10 more than the cost of a complete primary school uniform, excluding PE kit. A significant issue within schools is


£13.10 more than the cost of a complete primary school uniform, excluding PE kit. A significant issue within schools is behaviour, when this is good learning improves, and research shows a proper uniform is part of the solution with 83 per cent of teachers preferring their class to wear it. A uniform that is specific to a school creates a sense of belonging and helps make the child feel ready to work, in turn supporting a better learning experience.


behaviour, when this is good learning improves, and research shows a proper uniform is part of the solution with 83 per cent of teachers preferring their class to wear it. A uniform that is specific to a school creates a sense of belonging and helps make the child feel ready to work, in turn supporting a better learning experience.


Specialists throughout the schoolwear industry are in the business of producing and supplying uniform that meets high quality standards and provides children with something durable and lasting to wear. A uniform that is made well lasts longer, does the job better and offers genuine value for money. It will always provide better long term value over a cheaper and less robust garment.


Specialists throughout the schoolwear


industry are in the business of producing and supplying uniform that meets high quality standards and provides children with something durable and lasting to wear. A uniform that is made well lasts longer, does the job better and offers genuine value for money. It will alway s provide better long term value over a cheaper and less robust garment.


Losing sight of that will be cheating our children and damaging to an industry that has served schools and families faithfully for generations.


Losing sight of that will be cheating our children and damaging to an industry that has served schools and families faithfully fo r generations .


Specialist suppliers are key to ensuring children have the quality


Creating a playground environment tomaximise learning opportunities Comment by SAMFLAT


ATMAN, outdoor learning specialist and Educational Consultant for Pentagon Play


When you look out at the school playground, do you simply see an open space for children to run around and let off steam? Or do you recognise its potential for inclusive and stimulating learning? la


With the right playground, there is no subject matter that can’t be brought to life. Once you view the outdoors as an abundant learning resource, you can begin to use it to your advantage.


Rather than viewing the p yground as an entirely separate entity to the classroom, teachers should begin finding ways to take the curriculum outdoors on amore regular basis. The power of outdoor play is well documented and can bring difficult subjectmatters to life in a way formal learning can’t. But including it in lessons such as literacy,maths and science can be tricky without careful planning and preparation. Playgrounds need to be designed with active learning inmind and achieving this should be a creative and open process.


When it comes it comes to playground design, you should be planning your projects with all your pupils inmind. Children learn at very different paces, whichmeans your playground blueprint needs to cater for a whole range of activities and capabilities.Most playground equipment is designed to be adaptable, but you still need a clear idea of what your pupils need. For example, those with special educational needs will benefit from equipment designed with sensory stimulation inmind.Musical play equipment such as xylophones and chimes allow themto experiment and explore in a way that is difficult to replicate in a classroomenvironment. For those with physical disabilities, trimtrails can help themovercome th strengthening coremotor skills in a safe and controlledm


anner. OFSTED have eir handicap, by


their own playground suggestions, which are worth bearing inmind. Jun e 2016 2016


•Maths - numbers and measurements can be introduced through water p yla and simple playground counting games.


• Literacy - performance stages, outdoor reading zones and playground activity panels help children to explore and investigate language in a more visual and imaginative way.


• Science - the natural world provides plenty of opportunities to encourage scientific understanding, from sand tables and mud kitchens to sensory gardens.


The outdoors is proven to improve children’s engagement with difficult subjects in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Playgrounds that promote exploratory learning can be paramount to child development and reaching learning objectives. The key focus in any playground project should be on the enhancement of learning opportunities .


Involving your pupils in the design process will give you a stronger idea of where changes can be made. If children have become disengaged with reading in a library that has seen better days, then opening up a reading area in the school grounds could inspire them to pick up a book again. In each individual case, you need to take into account the specific learning requirements of your pupils and ensure any changes you make will actively boost their development.


www. wwweducation-toda y.co.uk.co.uk 71


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