Time to banish the unwashed blazer

With schools due to return, Cllr Liz Hardman’s letter (February 25) makes an important and timely point.

Uniform plays an important role in creating an ethos and protecting children from the pressure of fashion trends, but we need to promote education over a misplaced idea that an expensive, exclusive uniform adds value.

Sadly, I know local schools have sent messages to parents to assert the importance of school uniform on return.

Government guidance to schools states that the cost and value of uniform should be a top priority and they should avoid using single suppliers.

Even before Covid the high cost of uniforms (average £337 for a secondary school pupil) caused families to make difficult choices and children to wear ill-fitting, uncomfortable clothes to school.

Children have missed so much education and will have outgrown their unworn clothes. Is it right to ask parents to pay for branded, expensive items that will be worn for a short period and shorter if there are further isolations?

A Bill to cut the cost of uniform is set to go through Parliament but has been delayed due to Covid.

You can write to Jacob Reesmogg MP who has authority to prioritise this Bill (search #cutthecost The Children’s Society).

For now we need a speedy, pragmatic approach to help schools and families. A quick look on Mumsnet reveals most children only have one blazer (they are expensive) and most are washed monthly, termly or never.

If common sense about uniform won’t prevail perhaps Covid-sense can. Doctors stopped wearing white coats years ago. Children will be tested, masks worn and every surface sterilised, is it time to banish the unwashed blazer for good? Dr Sharon Gillings Bath