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The economics of school uniform is hotly debated. School uniform was in part adopted by some American schools so children would not try to outdo each other with highh-priced designer clothes. British parents seem nore likely to complain about high-priced uniform items.
Some parents say that uniforms are excesively costly. As they are often available from one supplier some of the market action limiting prices may not work well. Parents also complain about shoddy merchandise in addition to high prices. This also seems associated with the single source
issue. As with most of these issues, we notice a lot of opinions being offered and not so many hard facts.
One parent writes in 2007, "Recently there's been reports about The OFT investigating the cost of school uniforms. I am really dreading getting my youngest's uniform for when she starts High School in Sept. My eldest started there last year, just as the school introduced a new uniform to be bought from a particular outlet. It cost a fortune, and the quality is appalling. Over the years, at infants and juniors I was able to pass down the clothes, as they lasted ages. That's not even an option now. It's going to cost near enough £300 to kit out my youngest, and no doubt the same for the eldest, as I know for definate that her uniform isn't going to last her another year, even though there's still plenty of room. Do us as parents have a leg to stand on?
Forgot to mention, at this rate it's going to be a choice between school uniforms, and letting them go away on school trips! £275 on school trips so far for just 1 of them. Where do we draw the line?
Another parent advises, "Does the school operate a single source supplier or have logos on key items? If they do then the school have probably breached guidance contained in the new admission code, then make you LEA aware, it seems they have to take it up with the schools adjudicator. This way you may be able to open up uniform supply to competition and lower your costs."
Another parent mentions that at their school the admissiions booklet "states very clearly that uniform should be widely available from the high street rather than from an expensive sole supplier." She complains that even so, "... my sons schools as we have logos on all major items (including yr 10&11 girls blouses) that are only available from a single shop. I have not had a response yet so cannot tell you what to expect, but my interpretation is that the LEA have to refer to the Schools Adjudicator. Hopefully the Adjudicator will rule that the school has to fall into line with guidance."
A parent writes, "Point taken about shoddy uniform quality, but dosen't this come down to not having a choice? In a monopoly there is no reason why the supplier should worry about cost, quality or value for money as they know you cannot go anywhere else. For some the issue is cost, other like you it is quality but at the end of the day it comes down to parents being denied the choice. In breaking down the monopolies (even if the reason given by the DfES is cost) it gives more choice and better quality uniform options for you. I think all parents should be able to do the cost vs quality balancing that their income allows."
Another parent agrees, "Exactly! Skirts I've bought from shops like BHS have lasted about 3 or 4 years, ( teflon ) and still good enough to hand down. The skirts I have to get from the sole supplier look shoddy after 4 weeks!"
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