St Matthias School, Malvern Link, launches uniform shop

The shop is based at St Matthias CE Primary School in Malvern Link. 

It opens every Monday from 3.15pm, offering parents a way to pick up affordable uniform items while boosting school funds.

Headteacher Ginnie Beale said Link county councillor Karen Hanks had played an important role in getting the idea off the ground.

“At the beginning of the year we approached Cllr Hanks to see if she could help us set up a Pop-Up Shop for our second hand uniform,” said Mrs Beale.

READ MORE: Malvern Hills District Council to help set up school uniform banks

“We were most grateful that she agreed to support us in purchasing a watertight polycarbonate shed for this project, to house our second hand uniform.

“This has enabled us to sort the clothing into sizes and sections which is now easily accessible, clean and ready for use.

“With the cost of living crisis and the expense of new school uniform, this is a fantastic way of supporting our school community, recycling good quality second hand uniform and also raising vital school funds.

“We have opening times available to our parents and they can come along and purchase what they need.

“We can also access the uniform incredibly swiftly for any new children or families. We opened the Pop-Up shop last week for the first time and it was a great hit.

“So a huge thank you again to Cllr Hanks and to Mrs James, our finance secretary, who came up with the idea, and enabled this project to happen to benefit our school community.”

The Department for Education has guidance for schools to help keep down the cost of uniforms for parents.

“Schools should make sure that arrangements are in place so that second-hand school uniforms are available for all parents,” it says.

“Schools can participate by signposting parents to an already established second hand uniform scheme, or they can set up their own provision.”

Some councils also provide discretionary grants to help families with the cost of buying uniform items.