The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice, and by influencing policymakers.
Every Citizens Advice Bureau is a registered charity reliant on trained volunteers and funds to provide these vital services for local communities.
3 February 2009
New Government research published today highlights the urgent need to clamp down on schools flouting guidelines on school costs, says national charity Citizens Advice.
The research published by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) echoes evidence seen by bureaux and reveals the growing difficulties faced by many low income parents when trying to meet the escalating costs of sending their children to school.
Key findings showed 65% of families on the lowest incomes said they were struggling to meet the costs, one third of children eligible for free school meals weren't currently claiming them and 'more than a quarter (27%) of families on incomes less than £15,000 were spending more than 20% of their income on school costs.'
Despite new guidance on the fair pricing of uniform, excursions and other school costs coming into effect last year (in the Schools Admissions Code), evidence from Citizens Advice Bureaux shows that while some schools try hard to keep costs down too many schools are continuing to ignore it and insist on expensive uniform only available from specialist stockists.
Citizens Advice Social Policy Officer, Katie Lane said:
"CABs regularly report seeing clients who are struggling to meet the escalating costs of schooling their children. For many years Citizens Advice has been highlighting the problems school costs present for low income families. The findings from this research is disappointing, showing no progress since the 2003 research despite Government guidance to schools.
"Now more than ever it is vital that Schools are compelled to ensure that the costs of uniforms, trips and other kit aren't a barrier preventing disadvantaged children from participating fully in their school. The cost of uniform, PE kit, school trips and other specialist equipment can run into hundreds of pounds per child each year. For many families on comparatively low incomes, that's too much to ask.
"Citizens Advice Bureaux will continue to work to promote good practice locally and we look to DCSF to promote and enforce their statutory guidance."
One in six (17%) of parents/carers said that all items of uniform and P.E. kit had to be bought from a designated shop or the school itself. This is despite the fact that Government guidance to Governors has, since 2004, emphasised that 'clothing should be available 'off the peg', so parents can shop around for the most cost-effective option'.
A parent told a CAB:
"My youngest child is starting secondary school in September. It is compulsory to have everything with the embroidered school logo on. This can only be purchased at a specific shop. The cost is really high compared to the same garments I could buy from a supermarket without the logo. My youngest daughter's uniform will cost me just over one week's wage."
In addition, the charity says parents are left confused about how to complain and seek redress. Citizens Advice is calling for clear guidance to be issued for parents on how to challenge unfair pricing policies and for better regulation of the Schools Admissions Code.
Citizens Advice is also calling on local authorities to review their policies on school uniform grants and assistance with other school costs. Supporting local Mum Julie Walker, with the help of solicitors from the Public Law Project, Rossendale CAB recently and successfully challenged Lancashire Council's withdrawal of the discretionary school uniform grant.
Katie Lane added:
"The 1996 Education Act requires Councils to consider helping families who need help meeting the costs of school uniforms to ensure that their children are not disadvantaged. Yet Citizens Advice research from 2007* revealed that 57% of local authorities do not offer school uniform grants.
"We trust that other local authorities which have stopped providing will now follow Lancashire in reviewing their policies and making financial help available for families in need."
www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/programmeofresearch/index.cfm?type=5&x=73&y=9*Adding up report
www.adviceguide.org.uk 
