School uniforms

Launched: July 2006

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OFT to update school uniforms study

We will update our survey of the supply of uniforms in UK schools in early 2012. The survey will gather up-to-date information on how state schools source their uniforms. In particular, we will assess whether the findings from the 2006 survey are still valid. These findings and other information on the 2006 study are set out below

Specifically, the OFT wishes to assess the impact of sole supply agreements on prices for school uniforms. As noted below, we have worked with the Department for Education (DfE) previously to highlight the issue and to encourage school governors and other decision makers in state schools to avoid sole supply agreements as far as possible. We would like to encourage schools to remove remaining restrictions to the supply of their uniforms and to introduce competition into the supply process wherever possible. We feel that this message is particularly important at this time, where many parents are facing economic difficulties. We consider that permitting parents to source all items of uniform, even those carrying the school logo, from a wider range of outlets would result in a lower price for those items.

We would welcome the views of parents, schools and participants about the supply of school uniforms. If you wish to provide views, please address correspondence to:

School Uniforms Study
Office of Fair Trading
Floor 6C
Fleetbank House
2 - 6 Salisbury Square
London
EC47 8JX

or by email to: schooluniforms@oft.gsi.gov.uk

 

2006 study

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Purpose of the study

To examine whether exclusive contracts between schools and retailers have an adverse effect on the prices paid by parents, as well as the quality and value of school uniforms.

(Study followed in-house work.)

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Findings

The findings showed:

• Eighty-four per cent of schools that require students to have a uniform impose restrictions on choice of supplier for at least one item of uniform. Compulsory items purchased from designated retailers or schools are on average 23 per cent more expensive than in uniform retailers generally, and 150 per cent more expensive than in supermarkets. Eighty-two per cent of state schools in the UK specify a uniform that pupils must wear.
• The total potential detriment to parents in the UK from restrictions to the supply of school uniform items is of the order of £45m per annum: £13m per annum in primary schools and £32m per annum in secondary schools.
• Primary schools are more flexible although many impose at least one restriction. Items are typically bought from the school itself rather than a designated retailer.

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Recommendations

The OFT passed its findings to the DfES (now DfE) which is responsible for providing guidance to state schools in England on their uniform policies. The OFT called on school governors to eliminate exclusive agreements.

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Action following market study

In March 2007 the DfES (now DfE) consulted on draft guidance on school uniforms, dress codes and other rules on appearance. Final guidelines published October 2007. Key points include:

1. Schools should be sensitive to the cost implications of their choice of uniform. The chosen uniform should be available at high street shops and other retail outlets, rather than from an expensive sole supplier.
2. Schools or retailers that have exclusive contracts with suppliers may in principle be subject to enforcement action under Chapter I of the Competition Act 1998, on the grounds that these exclusive agreements may restrict competition between retailers to supply uniform. 
3. Schools continue to have power to set uniform policy and discipline pupils who do not comply. 
4. In cases of financial difficulty, schools should be sensitive to the needs of the pupil and give parents time and assistance.

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2006 market study details and report

• Download School uniforms review: summary report (5 July 2006) (pdf 80kb)
• Download OFT Report School uniforms review Supply of school uniforms review: full report (September 2006) (pdf 2.5Mb)
• See press release OFT calls for an end to exclusive school uniform retail arrangements (13 September 2006)

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Background information

See press release OFT begins study into school uniforms (5 July 2006).

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