{"id":804318,"date":"2026-03-04T22:16:17","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T22:16:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/804318\/"},"modified":"2026-03-04T22:16:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T22:16:17","slug":"the-greater-manchester-schools-giving-pupils-a-free-uniform-to-start-year-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/804318\/","title":{"rendered":"The Greater Manchester schools giving pupils a free uniform to start Year 7"},"content":{"rendered":"

Families will have the branded items supplied ahead of the new school year\"From<\/p>\n

From September, every student starting Year 7 at Co-op Academies Trust, including Co-op Academy Belle Vue (pictured) will receive branded uniform items free of charge(Image: Co-op Academy Belle Vue)<\/p>\n

School uniform can be a costly affair and parents with children starting high school in September will already be wondering how much it’s all going to cost.<\/p>\n

But one trust which runs six secondaries across Greater Manchester, has decided to give pupils a free branded uniform this year.<\/p>\n

From September 2026, every student starting Year 7 at Co-op Academies Trust, will receive any branded items free of charge.<\/p>\n

This includes Co-op Academy Walkden<\/a>, Co-op Academy Swinton<\/a>, Co-op Academy North Manchester, Co-op Academy Manchester, Co-op Academy Failsworth<\/a> and Co-op Academy Belle Vue.<\/p>\n

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The Trust says the move ‘represents a major step’ in its ‘mission to remove barriers to education and ensure that every child can succeed and belong, regardless of financial circumstances’.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The new uniform list for Co-op Academy Swinton. All branded items will be given free of charge to new Year 7 pupils starting in September (Image: Co-op Academies Trust)<\/p>\n

According to the National Schoolwear Association, the average cost of a school uniform is \u00a392.35 so this will make a considerable difference to parents, says the Trust, easing the pressure of back-to-school costs at a time when many families are facing rising living expenses.<\/p>\n

In line with the Children\u2019s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, the Trust has capped branded items in its secondary academies at no more than three per school, plus a tie, and has gone further in primary schools, limiting this to just two items.<\/p>\n

Its free uniform offer covers all branded items and ties, with individual high schools able to pick up to three items to have branded out of blazers, V-neck jumpers, PE T-shirts and a PE multi-top. Some have limited it to two.<\/p>\n

The Trust says that by guaranteeing free uniforms for every Year 7 student, it’s ‘sending a clear message that no child should start secondary school at a disadvantage because of cost’.<\/p>\n

\"Co-op<\/p>\n

Co-op Academies Trust CEO Chris Tomlinson(Image: Co-op Academies Trust)<\/p>\n

Dr Chris Tomlinson, CEO of Co-op Academies Trust, said: “This initiative reflects the Co-op difference – cooperation, community, and a deep commitment to social justice.<\/p>\n

“No child should start secondary school feeling different or disadvantaged because of cost. Providing every Year 7 student with a free uniform is a simple but powerful way to help them feel equal, included, and ready to succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Under the new uniform commitment, which also applies to Co-op secondary academies in West Yorkshire, Stafford and Merseyside:<\/p>\n