School uniform and benefits

plum2002

I moved to the West Midlands from Africa in August last year, I knew in June the move would happen and got in touch with the local authority via email straightway, they had places for the eldest two within a week to start in September. I find it surprising that there were no places for so long.

Local school outfitters are pretty cheap round here, a blazer, tie, 5 shirts, 1 skirt, 1 pair of trousers came to less than £90. The PE kit is only available via the school and came to about £20. This town is one of the wealthiest ones in the midlands.

I would suggest trying charity shops locally and the local ebay deals mapper on here, also looking for facebook groups for your area. Good luck.

DeeDee74

plum2002 wrote: »

I moved to the West Midlands from Africa in August last year, I knew in June the move would happen and got in touch with the local authority via email straightway, they had places for the eldest two within a week to start in September. I find it surprising that there were no places for so long.

Local school outfitters are pretty cheap round here, a blazer, tie, 5 shirts, 1 skirt, 1 pair of trousers came to less than £90. The PE kit is only available via the school and came to about £20. This town is one of the wealthiest ones in the midlands.

I would suggest trying charity shops locally and the local ebay deals mapper on here, also looking for facebook groups for your area. Good luck.

Wow how cheap is your school uniform!!! My kids school only sells from one shop you must have school jumper and polo top with logo there both $20 each...pe the same $20 q top and 18 joggers ...
I thinks its cheaper and easyer when there younger as asda tesco ect do cheap tops trousers not cheap when thay are in adult sizes...

plum2002

DeeDee74 wrote: »

Wow how cheap is your school uniform!!! My kids school only sells from one shop you must have school jumper and polo top with logo there both $20 each...pe the same $20 q top and 18 joggers ...
I thinks its cheaper and easyer when there younger as asda tesco ect do cheap tops trousers not cheap when thay are in adult sizes...

This is for secondary school, my daughter is 14 and a size 8/10 (adult). The only things we really 'have' to get from the outfitter is the blazer and tie, but the rest was cheaper there than in the supermarkets.

zoominatorone

Have you tried looking the the adult section in the supermarkets, especially at the work ware section?

Have you looked in the charity shops? Ebay?

You've known since October she would eventually be going to a school, so around 12 weeks @£70 benefit money for her is £840 you could have saved some money from,even if you'd only put £10 away a week.

BigAunty

Budgeting loan?

bestpud

As you moved in October, you must have already bought school shoes and trainers for the autumn term? If not, what did she wear to her previous school?

Also, you've known since October that you'd need to purchase a school uniform so could have put by a few pound a week.

Even when there is uniform grants, they don't often cover the entire cost!

I don't understand why you've bought two cardigans and two pairs of trousers if money is tight. Wouldn't it be better to have one of everything for now and build on it later on?

These aren't the cheapest I've seen, but they are in larger sizes:

http://www.sturdykids.co.uk/girls-generous-fit-school-uniform/school-blouses.html

ETA: I wouldn't worry about logo'd P.E. kit straight away - that can come later!

Bollotom

annie1975 wrote: »

I agree,when my youngest was in junior they had a green polo top and jumper with a logo on. had to go to school uniform shop.
And in High School £34 -£38 for a blazer with a badge on. What's wrong with a plain blazer and sew your own badge on,that could knock a few quid off the price.

I tried that and was subsequently charged £90 for the badge. Blazer (With badge) from official uniform shop was £91. And despite numerous complaints it still remains the same. Lots of Education Authorities don't help with uniform costs, so one way of having a two tier education system still, eh?
Freecycle or poster on school notice board are options. :cool:

bestpud

Bollotom wrote: »

I tried that and was subsequently charged £90 for the badge. Blazer (With badge) from official uniform shop was £91. And despite numerous complaints it still remains the same. Lots of Education Authorities don't help with uniform costs, so one way of having a two tier education system still, eh?
Freecycle or poster on school notice board are options. :cool:

I'd have had a field day with a school that tried to charge me £90 for a badge!

Didn't you?

t0rt0ise

My daughter changed schools mid term and she just went in her old school uniform for a couple of weeks until I could get the required uniform. It was a completely different colour (green instead of blue) but was acceptable for a while.

tyllwyd

It does get much more difficult if your child is larger than average and can't fit into the cheap supermarket clothes, which always seem to be cut on the skinny size. And when they are taking adult sizes, the cost just shoots up (20% VAT if nothing else).

To the OP - my daughter has wide feet and some of the wide fit shoes in M&S are plain enough styles for school shoes (although not cheap of course).

Have you tried contacting the school PTA (or equivalent)? They might not be able to help directly, but you might be lucky and find someone kind who can help you find secondhand stuff. Or ask on Freecycle etc in your area?