I didn't want to pay for my daughter's £165 uniform so I took on the school and WON | The Sun

A MUM who was outraged by the cost of her daughter's £165 uniform has told how she took on the school and won.

Gill Long said she faced an "uphill battle" in her year-long fight against Heckmondwike Grammar School and the extortionate cost to kit out her child.

The lawyer explained she was horrified when she realised the price of the school's branded uniform which is compulsory for students.

The full ensemble can cost between £110 and £165 – which is a hefty chunk of cash for parents to fork out during a cost of living crisis.

Gill pointed out the uniform costs £40 more than those required by nearby schools in West Yorkshire and claimed the price was ridiculously inflated.

Blazers cost a minimum of £52.99 but may set some parents back up to £65, while ties range from £4.99 to £5.99.

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Students at the grammar school are also expected to splash out on branded sports items – including shorts, shirts and socks.

It means parents are forced to fork out up to £165 for the full get-up.

Gill believed the strict policy flew in the face of statutory guidance that came in during September last year that meant schools had to make uniforms more affordable.

So she decided to lodge a complaint with the school regarding the uniform row – and eventually took her protests to the government.

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A complaints panel has since ruled in favour of the mum, meaning the school will now have to overhaul its harsh uniform rules.

Gill hopes her triumph will encourage other parents to feel confident to challenge the system – and expensive add-ons for their child.

She told Yorkshire Live: "I faced an uphill battle with my child's school, who refused to listen to reason, my local MP, (Batley and Spen's Kim Leadbeater), or the member of the House of Lords who attended the final complaints meeting.

"It's taken over a year for the Department for Education to reach this decision, a delay which resulted in parents having to buy unnecessarily expensive uniforms for the current school year, despite the school's own survey indicating 60% of respondents thought the uniform was expensive.

"I think it's important that families are made aware they can successfully challenge schools' uniform policies and that schools, headteachers and governors understand the implications of failing to comply."

Despite the uniform battle, the mum says she still supports the Heckmondwike Grammar School and praised her daughter's teachers.

Gill added: "It's a brilliant school and I wouldn't want my child to go anywhere else."

According to UK charity The Children's Society, Brits are still stumping up "alarming amounts" for their children's school uniforms.

It says parents spend a whopping £422 a year on average for secondary school uniforms and £287 for primary school kids.

Some people have claimed they have had to miss out on family holidays because of the sky-high prices – especially for branded gear.

The Complaints Panel who heard Gill's case partly upheld the complaint and instructed the school to make uniform more accessible for struggling parents.

It recommended a series of improvements such as reducing the cost of branded items and sourcing cheaper blazers for students.

The school were told to conduct an annual review of uniform costs to ensure quality, durability and value in conjunction with government guidelines.

It must also continue to promote "uniform exchange events" as well as making sure pupils are aware support is available if needed.

Peter Roberts, the school's headteacher, said: "There is a minor difference of understanding of the Department of Education's guidance.

"We will ensure that we respond in due course to fully satisfy the Department of Education."

Kim Leadbeater, Batley and Spen MP, and a former pupil at the school, added: "There should not be a barrier to parents sending their children to these kind of schools.

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"School uniforms should be available to everyone. I am very confident that the school is doing everything it can to make uniforms available.

"But as a former pupil of the school, I do understand how important its traditions are even though I don't miss its regulation brown knickers!"

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