Cost of living crisis 'just isn't going away' for Birmingham parents
An Oldbury secondary school is providing pupils with free school uniform
A secondary school in Oldbury says the cost of living crisis 'just isn't going away' for it's parent.
Perryfields Academy are offering free school uniform for new pupils, to help ease worry over the summer holidays.
"A level playing field"
The scheme started in 2022, off the back of the Covid pandemic.
It has run every year since, as Director of Education - Ian Barton - explained the pressures of the cost of living are still plaguing parents:
"It just has not gone away, parents are struggling just as much as they were out of the pandemic. We just want it to be a level playing field," he said.
"Ready to learn"
They are offering a free PE kit to new pupils as well.
This year, Ian Barton told us they are offering free Chrome Books for all student as well: "Everybody is then ready to learn and not worried about their equipment.
"They just need to focus on getting into school to be ready to learn," he said.
"We value that investment in us"
Ian explained: “Parents make a major life investment when they choose a school, we want them to know we value that investment in us, and will do all we can to support them through their time in education.
Whether that is providing free uniform, a personal device to work on in school and at home, or simply the care and dedication of our staff.
"This is about a partnership between us all, because as the school motto goes ‘Together we achieve excellence’.”