Notice of Motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order No 6
Proposer – Councillor Greenhough
Seconder – Councillor Kitching
This Council notes:
(i) That schools in the authority are implementing ever stricter school uniform policies, forcing families to purchase uniform from just one supplier
(ii) That the cost of school uniform, including required footwear, bags and sportswear can be in excess of £250 per child
(iii) That such practice disproportionately affects families from more deprived backgrounds, including but not limited to refugees
(iv) That children have been missing school due to their family’s financial inability to purchase the required uniform to allow them to attend
Furthermore, this Council believes that:
(v) No child should be prohibited from attending school by the cost of uniform
(vi) It is possible for schools to take measures, such as those recently brought into statutory legislation in Wales, to make school uniform affordable, accessible and gender neutral
Therefore, this Council calls for:
(vii) The Leader of the Council to write to all Head Teachers in the authority, stating this Council’s wishes that:
(a) The cost of uniform should never prohibit a child from attending school
(b) That they exercise discretion in implementing and policing uniform policy to take account of family’s abilities to meet the policy’s requirements
(c) That uniform policies are reviewed, to facilitate purchase of uniform from a range of suppliers, including affordable options and the second hand market
(d) That consideration is given as to whether school logos are necessary, or if a generic, more affordable option should be permitted
(viii) The Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Education, stating this Council’s wishes that the Government makes efforts to introduce statutory guidance to mirror that recently implemented in Wales, which provides a pupil development grant of £125 if the pupil qualifies for free school meals, and £200 to help with the costs of beginning secondary school for eligible Year 7 pupils.
Minutes:
The following Motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order No 6 in relation to improving the affordability of school uniforms was:
Moved by Councillor Greenhough – Seconded by Councillor Kitching;
This Council notes:
(i) That schools in the authority are implementing ever stricter school uniform policies, forcing families to purchase uniform from just one supplier
(ii) That the cost of school uniform, including required footwear, bags and sportswear can be in excess of £250 per child
(iii) That such practice disproportionately affects families from more deprived backgrounds, including but not limited to refugees
(iv) That children have been missing school due to their family’s financial inability to purchase the required uniform to allow them to attend
Furthermore, this Council believes that:
(v) No child should be prohibited from attending school by the cost of uniform
(vi) It is possible for schools to take measures, such as those recently brought into statutory legislation in Wales, to make school uniform affordable, accessible and gender neutral
Therefore, this Council calls for:
(vii) The Leader of the Council to write to all Head Teachers in the authority, stating this Council’s wishes that:
(a) The cost of uniform should never prohibit a child from attending school
(b) That they exercise discretion in implementing and policing uniform policy to take account of family’s abilities to meet the policy’s requirements
(c) That uniform policies are reviewed, to facilitate purchase of uniform from a range of suppliers, including affordable options and the second hand market
(d) That consideration is given as to whether school logos are necessary, or if a generic, more affordable option should be permitted
(viii) The Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Education, stating this Council’s wishes that the Government makes efforts to introduce statutory guidance to mirror that recently implemented in Wales, which provides a pupil development grant of £125 if the pupil qualifies for free school meals, and £200 to help with the costs of beginning secondary school for eligible Year 7 pupils.
The following amendment was:
Moved by Councillor Bruff – Seconded by Councillor Saunders:
The Council notes:-
(i) The ever increasing financial pressure on families on low incomes and on our schools caused by deliberate decisions of the Liberal Democrat/Conservative Government
(ii) Recognises that school uniform is important to schools as is discipline within schools to encourage a strong learning environment to all our children
(iii) The work done by Labour MPs Emma Hardy and Stephanie Peacock on this matter
Furthermore, this Council believes
(iv) No child should be prohibited from attending school by the cost of uniform
(v) Officers should continue to encourage schools to support parents in meeting those costs
Therefore the Council notes
(vi) Many of these problems were caused by the Liberal Democrat/Conservative Coalition
(vii) The Council congratulate SIGOMA on the work that it continues to do on our behalf, challenging those government financial policies and seeking fair funding for schools and parents so that the cost of school uniforms are no longer an issue
Upon put to the vote, the amendment was carried.
The amendment was then put as the Substantive Motion and was carried.