Collingwood College have created a new uniform policy to begin from Septemeber 2026, stating that it is a response to new DfE guidance.

This petition is to oppose the change of uniform based on the following -

1) Cost incurred to parents.

In reference to the new DfE guidance, the letter to parents/carers from the Principal, Miss Watling states

"This guidance aims to ensure uniform remains affordable, accessible from multiple 
retailers, and offers the best value for families while still supporting a sense of identity and 
belonging."

Requiring families to buy entirely new items of uniform when they already have a usable uniform is the opposite of affordable or the best value for money to families. The current uniform policy requires 4 branded items of uniform - a branded polo shirt, a branded jumper, a branded PE shirt and branded PE shorts. The new policy does not reduce the number of branded items required,  this still stands at 4 items. In addition, the new DfE guidance also encourages schools to set up second hand uniform shops to keep cost to parents low - Collingwood College already has a healthy stock in their second hand uniform shop, which members of the PTA have spent their personal time organising and running. This current stock will completely go to waste and the change of uniform will remove the option of second hand uniform entirely for at least a year from September, with very limited stock in the following years as the PTA begin to rebuild this. Given the current cost of living crisis and financial climate, being forced to replace multiple serviceable items of school uniform for brand new items is an incredibly insensitive and poorly considered requirement, which will without a doubt cause financial hardship to many Collingwood students and their families.

2) Comfort of students, in particular those with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).

Miss Watling states in her letter that she appreciates some students will have sensory issues that make standard school uniform uncomfortable for them. She follows this with information of some sensory friendly options and where to buy them. Of those options M&S charge more for their sensory friendly range, starting at at £16 for a 3 pack of sensory friendly shirts in size age 11-12 vs £15 for the same option in their standard range. Asda's sensory friendly range is an online exclusive which limits accessibility to these much needed items. Switching from a previously comfortable uniform option to one which forces SEND families to spend more vs standard, or restricts access to suitable items is not a reasonable expectation and puts SEND students and their families at a disadvantage.

3) Environmental impact.

The new uniform policy means that thousands of items of clothing will now become redundant. The environmental impact of this is not small - These are school branded items, so will not be used elsewhere and will most likely end up in landfill or being incinerated. From Year 7 to Year 11 inclusive, Collingwood has approximately 1,500 students. Based on the absolute bare minimum of each student at Collingwood having only 1 polo shirt and 1 school jumper, this amounts to approximately 3,000 items of clothing to be discarded. Increase that number to 2 polo shirts and 2 jumpers, then that number becomes 6,000 waste items. Add the hundreds of second hand items currently held by the PTA and when students possess more items of uniform than I have mentioned, you can see how this number could easily extend above 10,000 waste items of clothing. Anually, the UK currently sends more than 300,000 tonnes of used clothing to landfill or to be incinerated, this is more per person than any other European country - Collingwood's change in uniform policy will add a bare minimum of 3,000 waste items to that, with the potential for the real number to be MUCH higher.

The school are holding a Parent Forum about the uniform changes on 10th June - I will share this petition with Miss Watling before hand, most likely around Friday 5th June, to give her time to respond before/during the forum.