Schoolwear Association calls for views ahead of new strategy

The Schoolwear Association is set to publish a new two-year plan aimed at strengthening its focus in key areas including membership, communications and public affairs.

This was one of the key outcomes at the latest meeting of the association’s executive.

It is asking members and others with an interest in the organisation’s work to give their views about its future direction and identity.

Dan Turner, the association’s vice chair, said: “A thread running through the new strategy will be the association’s ongoing campaign, ‘Every child is worth it’. This demonstrates our members’ belief in the positive benefits of uniform and that it should be accessible to everyone.”

As part of its commitment to this goal, the association will be reinforcing its Code of Conduct for members, covering areas such as ethical sourcing.

It will also introduce a new category at the Schoolwear Awards, which will be repeated in October at the Schoolwear Show, after a successful first outing last year. The new award will recognise social responsibility in the area of supporting schools and families to ensure every child has a quality uniform.

The association is also to publish a guide for members on best practice in this area.

Meanwhile, to ensure it is accurately representing the views of members, the association will carry out its annual survey in the spring, canvassing opinions on everything from Brexit to gender neutrality in uniform.

Another strand in the same vein will see a new website, including a refresh of the organisation’s brand identity. Again, the association is seeking views about what users would like to see on the new website.