AN EVESHAM headteacher has hit back at claims made by a prominent town councillor that Vale schools have created a ‘monopoly’ on the supply of uniforms.
Guy Nichols, headteacher of The De Montfort School, told the Observer his school does not ‘stipulate’ parents must buy their child’s uniform at The School Uniform Shop.
It follows comments made by Coun Mark Goodge last week when he claimed parents were being forced to pay higher prices because schools in Evesham do not give parents enough choice as to where they can buy uniforms.
Mr Nichols rubbished the claims and said his school’s uniform can be bought online and parents were able to buy blazers from multiple suppliers.
“A number of our school uniform items for students attending The De Montfort School are available online through David Luke or Banner as well as The School Uniform Shop in Evesham,” Mr Nichols said.
“We do not stipulate that parents have to purchase their uniform from The School Uniform Shop. If they wish to purchase blazers from other suppliers, they are free to do so and they simply need to purchase a badge to put on to the blazer.
“School ties can be purchased from TDMS as we keep a small supply in school.
“When we decided on the school uniform for The De Montfort School, we specifically selected items which could be purchased from other suppliers as well as specialist school uniform suppliers.
“For parents who have financial difficulties, we always try and support them. We also have a small second hand uniform school and we try our hardest to support families who require assistance.”
