Please see the letter below: Send this e-mail to your school if you would like to complain about the price of the school uniform and the school uniform policy. Don't forget to sign your name at the bottom 

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Schools of Redbridge

Dear Schools of Redbridge,

We the parents/carers of children in your school feel that school uniforms are very expensive and the school’s uniform policy very restrictive. Life is hard enough with all the expenses that life throws our way. We do not need the extra financial burden of buying expensive school uniforms. Especially if you must buy for more than one child.

A school uniform teaches students to dress keenly and take pride in their appearance. Uniforms are meant to create a sense of equality among students. We can appreciate the value and necessity for school uniforms but ask that changes are made to make to make them more affordable.

According to figures from End Child Poverty (ECP), 46.9per cent of children in the parliamentary constituency are living in poverty, placing it in the top 25 constituencies in Britain with the highest levels of child poverty.

The figures also provide a breakdown of poverty rates for each ward in Redbridge.

Overall, 30,805 children in Redbridge are living in poverty - 37pc.

Rates are highest in Loxford (55pc), Clementswood (54pc) and Newbury (48pc).

Wards with the lowest levels include Monkhams (19pc) and Snaresbrook (20pc).

Households were deemed to be living in poverty if their income was less than 60pc of the median average, and poverty rates were calculated after housing costs.

According to the Children's Society families spend on average £340 a year on secondary school uniform and £255 on primary. It also said previously revealed that in a survey of 1,000 parents, nearly one in six families blamed school uniform costs for having to cut back on food and other basic essentials. What’s more it is only optional for local authorities or academy trusts to provide financial aid and can "choose" to provide grants.

We ask that you look into the prices of your suppliers and shop around for the cheapest available options whilst still maintaining a good quality uniform.

We ask that you consider flexibility in your uniform policy. For example:

·        Allow certain items such as a PE kit to be bought from the high street without the logo on it. (Cheaper alternatives available in highstreets & supermarkets)

·        Rather than limiting the outer coat colour broaden to Darker Coats (Black, Blue, Grey)

·        Make consideration on if it is really necessary to have the logo on every single item on the uniform list. For example, if the logo is on the polo t shit, it is covered up by the dress and cardigan or jumper. Also, do PE Kits really need a logo on it?  

Please hear our concerns and let us know what actions you will be taking to ensure our concerns are heard and our complaints resolved.

Yours Sincerely,

https://www.change.org/p/no-more-extortionately-priced-uniforms-in-redbridge