Parents across Nottingham have shared their thoughts and advice on school uniform shopping ahead of the new year.
Many parents have expressed their concern at the costs of buying new school uniform and others have shared useful hacks on how to find a cheaper bargain.
Mum Jenny Lal said: "Actually felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders once I realised I didn’t have secondary school uniforms to buy this year!
"Used to cost at least £300-400 for the older two. I highly recommend spending a bit more on the better quality clothes otherwise you end up replacing items again and again throughout the year and you’ll end up spending more."
A mum who goes by the name Sunshine Daisy on social media thought that parents buying school uniform was an unfair cost.
She wrote on Facebook: "Whether parents can afford the uniform or not, it’s not up to the school or the outfitters to dictate what parents should spend their budgets on.
"The price between a standard uniform from Asda or one from a school outfitters could range between £50 and £500.
"For some families that’s the difference between having a holiday or not. That’s a decision the parents should make and why should a family be penalised from having family time.
"I work in a uniformed profession, my employer supplies my uniform. Schools should supply a uniform too if they want to have school logos on. If they say their budget won’t stretch to that, don’t expect parents' budgets to stretch either."
Catherine Green added: "We just brought my youngest son's at £92 but that doesn't include shoes or PE trainers. Stationery wasn't a bad cost.
"My two eldest need new blazers and trousers. That will be next week. It's just a cost we suck it up every year.
"We have to send ours to secondary school by bus. The oldest gets a pass because he's partially sighted but now the other two are paying every day £3.10 return each, this frustrates me in the sense the local secondary school should be fit for purpose but it is far from it.
"We encourage the kids to see it as an investment in them and they've responded to that especially my daughter who throws herself into school life and thrives. My boys also do well on manners, excellent behaviour."
Joyce Guy shared advice on how to get cheaper clothing.
She said: "Sainsbury's and other well known supermarkets have very good value uniforms that suit most schools. Look for the secondhand shop at most schools too."
Sarah Slack agreed: "I get most of it from Sainsbury's when they have the 25 percent off, it brings the cost down a lot. For shoes I go to Clark's outlet to save money.
"I'm dreading it when my oldest goes to secondary school in two years and the uniform can only be bought from certain shops, costing a fortune.
"The price is far too high especially when most of it only lasts one year and then the high cost has to be paid out again. There needs to be more choice of places to buy from to keep the cost down."
Lindsey Hustwait said: "I found it shocking this year now that I have two at senior school. The cost of their school trousers means that we spend over £120 on three pairs each of school trousers alone, for just two children.
"Plus blazer, PE kits, shoes etc. I also have a third child at primary (who hasn’t cost nearly as much).
"For the first year, the total amount really took me by surprise. I do not like that we are forced to buy specific items for considerable cost, from just one supplier. It takes away our choice of quality and stops us being able to shop around for the best price."
Let us know what you think about the price of uniform in the comments.
