Cost of living crisis: Eastbourne councillors call for more flexibility with school uniforms

A motion was carried at a Full Council meeting on Wednesday, November 16.

Cllr Candy Vaughan submitted the motion: “Eastbourne Borough Council recognises that the cost of specialist items, such as school uniform, is putting enormous additional financial pressure and stress on families and can also lead to discriminatory and mental health issues.

“This council calls upon the Government to issue guidance to schools to require a more flexible approach in this cost of living crisis.”

At the meeting Cllr Vaughan said a child had all her school uniform, except for a £30 blazer with the school logo on it, and was put into ‘isolation’.

She added: “She didn’t get any learning that day. Not one iota of learning because she was put into a room, with god knows how many other kids whose parents couldn’t afford a blazer, and she was put into isolation. Isolation! How discriminatory is that?

“I don’t disagree with uniforms, but please make it affordable.

“All I’m asking is that schools will let families go and get cheaper blazers from supermarkets so that they can actually dress their children so that they can all be in a level field.”

LibDem Cllr Hugh Parker supported Cllr Vaughan’s motion. He said: “Schools need to ensure that the uniform is affordable. Schools should keep branded uniform to a minimum. It is well-known that many supermarkets and other retail outlets sell a variety of low-cost school-based clothing of good quality in various colours. This should be able to be used by parents I also believe that any badge or logo required should be sold as a separate, machine-washable, sew-on or iron-on patch.”

There was conversation about the importance of uniform to create a level playing field for students. Cllr Margaret Bannister added: “The flexible approach is not about doing away with uniforms, it is about making uniforms affordable.

“We are not asking people to not wear uniforms, we are just asking schools to be more flexible about what they expect the children to wear.”

Conservative Cllr Jane Lamb questioned the relevancy the topic had for the borough council. She said: “We are not the local education authority for the schools in Eastbourne, that is the county council. We all recognise that many families are under financial pressure.

“I feel that the last thing schools need is something else, more pressure coming from central government to use a more flexible approach.

“My experience has shown me, and it affected me while I was a teacher, that schools are really good at providing support for pupils who cannot afford the equipment, and are increasingly so.”

Independent Cllr Tony Freebody suggested going to schools to make their point rather than urging the Government to take action.

Following the meeting the Herald asked parents on social media for their opinions on the motion.

Heidi Webb said: “Definitely is needed as trying to wash and dry them without heating is a nightmare. Clothes in my house on an airer are taking a minimum of two days to dry.”

Shannon Olivia added: “If you want the kids to wear branded uniform then at least one unit should be supplied free of charge.” The resident brought up that workplaces have to supply their employees with a uniform while also questioning if there was the budget for this to be done.

Sandra Tippett said: “I think its disgusting that a child is put into isolation because of this. That doesn't happen in real life. Why is the child punished![?] Not all parents can afford the proper school uniform, yet they punish a child who wouldn't be able to buy it either.”

Anita Baker added: “The teaching staff are barbaric when it comes to uniforms. Children are getting punished for parents not being able to afford the uniforms. My son’s cost me £260. I am a single parent on a low income. We had to cut back on other essentials just to get his. He’s been punished for wearing the wrong shoes and shirt. If it happens again I will gladly home educate him rather than him get punished for something beyond his control. Uniform policies should apply to teachers too, yet they can wear what they like. Disgusting.”

A number of schools were contacted about the motion but none responded.