As the new school year approaches, many parents in Wales are grappling with rising expenses linked to their children’s education. Mum of two Vicky Williams, 42, from Waterlooville, worries about the escalating expense of uniforms and sports kits. She underscores how desperate they are for appropriate apparel that her 14-year-old son needs to have special clothes for gym class. As the total average cost of secondary education now approaches £2,300, parents are having to make difficult choices.
The burden on parents is exacerbated by the cost of other essentials for their children’s education. The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) highlighted that food and technology are significant contributors to the overall cost of secondary education. Ellie Harwood of the CPAG noted that the Welsh government has attempted to lessen the burden of uniform costs through improved guidance. For families, the financial burden is still immense.
In a recent report, CPAG estimated that the minimum cost of education exceeds £1,000 for primary school students and nearly £2,300 for secondary school students. As Harwood said, this is a very difficult time for families with low and moderate incomes. The more kids they have, the harder the financial squeeze gets. She also pointed out that universal free school meals for primary level in Wales save families around £500 a year per child.
Vicky Williams was proactive with her budgeting. She just wanted to be certain that her kids had everything they needed to head back to school. As a lover of Christmas, I absolutely hate the period after Christmas. That’s the danger—if I don’t plan and budget now, I know I am going to be in trouble in August and September. Her daughter’s state primary school has a uniform where no logos are needed. Her son requires all kinds of specialized kits, from PE to rugby to football—each needing its own specialized gear.
In her testimony, concerned parent Lisa Watkins elaborated on the harsh uniform policies many schools are required to implement. It’s why some other schools have recently updated their uniform policies to be more generic and inclusive. Yet, she says there’s still a lot of work to be done. Watkins pointed out the fact that nearly 120 families come into the Caerphilly Uniform Exchange shop each month. This shop offers second-hand uniforms at an affordable price or has families exchange their used items for free.
“Prom is a big financial burden on families these days,” Watkins said firmly. He highlighted the increased financial strains from other school events such as World Book Day and Christmas celebrations. With each passing day, we learn about more approachable and fun celebrations and activities to participate in. What people forget about are the costs these events put on families.
The Welsh government has taken these criticisms as a challenge. They claimed, “We are doing all we can to support families in Wales. They told us that school uniform policies need to keep costs at the forefront. They noted that branded items should not be required. What’s more, they are evaluating the effects of the new guidance changes now.
Yet for all of these push-forward example efforts, parents are still concerned about their kids educational futures. Vicky Williams from South Shore, Kentucky voiced her concern that if we don’t plan ahead, her kids will head back to school without the proper tools. “I’ll be getting anxious that my children aren’t going to school with the proper equipment so I’ve got to plan well in advance in order to prepare and be able to afford to buy their uniforms and everything else they need,” she explained.
Ellie Harwood from CPAG expressed hope that recent research suggesting uniform costs have “flat-lined” reflects positive changes in school policy that could alleviate some financial stress for families.
