06/09/12….Help for parents with children starting school

IS your child starting a new school? Help is on-hand from Thame Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

Citizens Advice?s Adding Up campaign was set up to encourage schools to help families by following these simple recession-busting tips:

1. If you feel your child?s school isn?t doing enough to keep costs down, raise the issue with the school management team. Draw their attention to the Schools Admissions Code, and keep copies of all correspondence.

2. If you?re not happy with the response, approach the school?s governing body. They should have a complaints procedure in place which will deal with issues such as complaints about uniform policies.

3. You can also raise the issue with the Schools Admissions Forum in your area. Your local authority should be able to give you details.

4. If your school has an exclusive contract with a uniform supplier which prevents you from buying ?off the peg? items at a cheaper rate, ask them to review this.

5. If they refuse to change this policy then they may be subject to enforcement action by the Office of Fair Trading: www.oft.gov.uk

6. If you are concerned that excessive school costs are affecting your decision to send your child to a particular school then you can object to the Schools Adjudicator: www.schoolsadjudicator.gov.uk

7. Suggestions you can make to your child?s school for how to keep costs fair and low could include:
? Making sure uniform is available from a range of outlets
? Providing sew-on or iron-on badges that can be put on plain clothing
? Encourage second hand uniform sales or swap schemes
? Providing budgets for the year in September so parents can plan ahead
? Being transparent about which contributions are voluntary

8. If you are really struggling with buying school uniform or PE kit for your child(ren), apply to your local authority for a School Uniform Grant.

9. If you have difficulties with any of the above steps your local Citizens Advice Bureau can help. Many bureaux are already trying to influence the work of local Schools Admissions Forums as part of our Adding Up campaign.

10. For more information visit: http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/addingupcampaign
CAB adviceline 08 444 111 444 or 0300 3300 650(mobile)
For general advice visit www.adviceguide.org.uk
Your local CAB is in Market Square, Thame

SOURCE; Contributed by Thame CAB