This year marks the second time specialist education recruitment agency, Spencer Clarke Group have teamed up with Home-Start Blackpool, Fylde, and Wyre to provide school uniforms to help low-income families in need. Spencer Clarke Group is an award-winning recruitment agency that operates nationwide. They help schools find experienced teaching and support staff on a daily, temporary, temp-perm and permanent basis.
Launched in 1973, Home-Start Blackpool, Fylde, and Wyre is a UK leading charity which provides support to families with young children. They offer tailored, in-home assistance to help parents build the skills, confidence and strength they need to nurture their children.
Spencer Clarke Group has donated 190 pieces of school uniforms including 76 shirts, 12 skirts, 12 pairs of trousers, 45 pairs of socks, 4 school bags, 11 pinnafores and 30 jumpers. They have also donated 46 stationary packs to ensure children have the equipment they need to succeed in the classroom.
By working with Home-Start Blackpool, Fylde, and Wyre, Spencer Clarke Group knows that the uniforms and stationery will reach those in the local community who need them most.
Data from the Department for Education shows that a complete uniform and PE kit costs families an average of £442 for secondary pupils and £343 for those in primary school. Despite statutory guidelines that were brought in two years ago to say schools in England should keep branded clothing to a minimum, parents still find it challenging to pay for school uniforms.
Education Managing Consultant, Paul Best said “As an ex-Teacher myself, I saw firsthand the struggles families faced with school uniforms so working as part of a business that always do what they can to help schools, students and parents is so rewarding.”
Research by SecEd found that two in five families still struggle to afford school uniforms, which is why donations from businesses like Spencer Clarke Group can make a huge impact.
Managing Director, Mike Shorrock said “Early childhood experiences have a huge impact on a child’s development and future outcomes. If children don’t have basic essentials – such a clean well-fitted uniform – it could negatively impact them later down the line.”
Mike continued, “Every child deserves to start the school year feeling confident and ready to learn and if we can take away some of the pressure on parents, it’s important for us to do this.”
Please contact Home-Start Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre on 01253 728615 for dates on when and where they can be collected.
