ImagesMagUK_September_2020

www.images-magazine.com SEPTEMBER 2020 images 63 The schoolwear market has faced a tough few months, but innovation and sheer grit has sent British uniform suppliers straight to the top of the class, discovers Images As with most sectors, this has led to months of uncertainty, a situation that was compounded by confused messaging from the government that had potentially big implications, especially for those supplying blazers and ties. Matthew Easter, co-chair of The Schoolwear Association (SA), explains: “The initial Department for Education (DfE) guidance for operating schools during Covid-19 issued back in May could have been interpreted as all clothes needing to be washed each day, but this was clarified by the DfE in their guidance on 2nd July that states: ‘Uniforms do not need to be cleaned any more often than usual, nor do they need to be cleaned using methods which are different from normal.’ This reflects on our understanding of the potential transfer risk on fabrics and means no special considerations need to be taken as a result of Covid-19.” Despite this update, a number of UK schools have changed their uniform policy for the beginning of S chools have rarely been far from the headlines since the government announced that they were to close from 20 March to all children apart from those who were vulnerable or whose parents were key workers, in response to the then rapidly rising cases of coronavirus. Fast learners BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MARKET INT LIGENCE The web sales at Border Embroideries are up 300% the new school year: for example, Highcliffe St Mark Primary School in Christchurch, Dorset has said no ties are to be worn by children initially, while The Sun newspaper reported in June that the headteacher of Beckfoot Oakbank School in Keighley, West Yorkshire had told parents that pupils won’t have to wear blazers, ties or shirts when they return as cleaning them each day isn’t realistic. Matthew stresses that, given the DfE’s advice, the SA does not believe there should be any need to change current uniform policies at schools. With so much information being disseminated on a daily basis throughout the pandemic, it’s hardly surprising that some schools may have misinterpreted the DfE’s guidance. Matthew’s advice to schools is straightforward, however: “We are strongly of a view that getting children back to school in their normal uniform in September is an important visual and psychological step to them preparing to learn again in school and Matthew Easter, co-chair of The Schoolwear Association