Parent is selling second-hand school uniform to help families

More than 1,200 students have or will receive some level of school uniform grant this summer, compared with 1,134 last year, said the Committee for Employment & Social Security, which administers the grant.

It said that anyone still intending to apply for a grant should do so as soon as possible before the start of term next week.

The online application form is available at gov.gg/uniformgrantform.

Parent Alison Hamer is also helping the cause by selling second-hand school uniform for just a fraction of the price of a new one, with most items available to purchase for just a pound.

Miss Hamer, who started her venture three years ago, said that she had been left disappointed after ‘hardly selling anything’ at the West Show, but had received a great deal of demand after a Facebook post.

‘I asked people for suggestions on the post because I thought that loads of parents and kids would be interested seeing the stand at the show, and since then it has just gone crazy.

‘A few weeks ago the store room was very full, but I have reduced the prices of the items to £1 and I have been contacted by so many parents, and now we hardly have anything left.

‘The idea originally was mainly to make the whole process of buying school uniform more sustainable, so I collected a lot of clothes from La Houguette Primary School and sold them cheap to help raise money for the PTA,’ she said.

‘I am one of the only outlets selling second-hand, good quality school uniform alongside a few charity shops, and it is a win-win really because it saves money, raises funds for the PTA and it is planet-friendly and helps people struggling with the rising costs of living.

‘My main hope for the future is for a major car boot sale where PTAs from schools all over the island can sell second-hand uniform at an affordable price.

‘Parents could also sell products independently, so to have one or maybe two massive car boot sales would be brilliant.’