Perry Uniform

Announcing the new Eaton Square School Cricket Kit

2012-02-28T04:43:00.001-08:00

Eaton Square School is introducing a new cricket kit which is to be worn by boys in Year 4 to Year 8. Samples are in production and will be available to see at the school shortly. Illustrations of the final designs are:

In the summer term of 2012 it will be compulsory for all Year 4 boys to wear the cricket uniform, whilst it will be compulsory for the remaining year groups in 2013. A Perry Uniform Representative will be at Eaton Square School on Wednesday 29^th February to measure boys in Year 4 to determine the sizes required. A letter will be sent home that evening advising you on the sizes you will need to order. To ensure you get your cricket kit for the beginning of the summer term, orders must be placed by Wednesday 7^th March. Delivery of your order will be arriving during the Easter holidays. If your child is in Year 5 to Year 8 and you would like them to have the new cricket kit for this summer please can you either contact customer services on 0113 238 9520 or email info@perryuniform.co.uk. Our sizing representative will make sure they measure your son on the 29^th February.

Brand new measuring videos

2011-09-13T06:25:00.000-07:00

Our aim is to make buying School Uniform online as easy as possible for you. We are currently putting together a two brand new measuring videos that will help you get the i-size measurements just right. All you need to do is enter the measurements online and we will do the rest.

Don't get caught up in the chaos

2011-09-07T01:31:00.000-07:00

Shopping online gives you the opportunity to order your child's new school uniform from the comfort of your own home without all of the hassle of the hectic high street, especially at this time of year. Here's a taste of what you're avoiding...

Parents were forced to queue around the block as a last-minute rush for school uniforms left some squabbling over plimsolls and dashing for the blazers.

Outside Braggs uniform supplier, in Finchley, staff had to man barriers after trouble flared over claims some parents had queue barged.
And inside, school ties and satchels were strewn across the floor as parents who had left it late attempted to kit out their children for the start of the new term.
Some parents expressed anger after they were told to join the train of people snaking outside the shop and along the high street because they wanted to exchange items they had already bought.
At one point in the afternoon more than 20 parents were left outside the shop.
Braggs sells uniforms for 23 schools in north London and for the majority is the only supplier.
When asked how they were coping, staff said they were "very busy".

Click here for the London Evening Standard

Your deliveries

2011-09-06T00:53:00.000-07:00

Delivery options from the 1st to 10th September: Please note that we cannot guarantee a next day or first class delivery service during these dates. If this is your preferred delivery option, please place your order before 12:30am and we will endeavour to meet your requirements.

Our free standard delivery service continues to be available to all of our customers.

Photoshoot

2011-09-02T00:51:00.000-07:00

Thanks to our six great models and photographers Nigel and Greg, we were able to have a full day of capturing lifestyle shots out in the sunshine yesterday. With two different locations we were able to capture our models moving around and enjoying each others company.

Look out for our images in our new brochure!

August 29 Bank Holiday - We're open!

2011-08-24T09:17:00.000-07:00

Perry Uniform are operating 24/7 throughout the bank holiday weekend.

Our web site, telephone order line and warehouse despatch will be fully operational.

Our telephone based advice line will close at 5.00pm on Friday 26th and open again at 9.00am on Tuesday 30th August.

See how your Perry Uniform is made

2011-08-19T08:43:00.000-07:00

As well as getting all of our orders complete and delivered to your door, we have been working on ways to open a window up for you to have a peek inside our factory so you too can enjoy the hive of activity that we have created at Perry Uniform.

Click here to view in full size.
Video produced by jib productions. Click here for further information.

IPAD winners

2011-08-15T02:34:00.000-07:00

Well done to all of our IPAD winners!

Every order over £80 placed before July 31st was entered into our free prize draw
Here we have our 3 winners of the IPAD competition!

Soyer
London

"Thank you so much Perry Uniform for such a nice gift and for such a pleasant shopping experience!"

Rawlinson
Gloucestershire

"I have been very impressed the service that Perry's have given me. It has been the first time I have bought uniform for boarding school for my son so the advice and professionalism has been invaluable! The uniform is lovely and great quality, my son will be proud to wear it. Winning the iPad is the icing on the cake!"

Pragnell
Northamptonshire

"A fantastic prize from a uniform supplier that provides you with what you need when you need it - an all round excellent service."

We're making a video

2011-08-02T09:00:00.001-07:00

Keep your eyes open to see our latest in company video! We are about to give you a glimpse of our strong, efficient work force. There are so many hard working individuals involved in the creation of our high quality Perry Uniforms that we thought it was about time to let you in on a few little secrets...

Count down to the Independent School Awards now well under way

2011-07-01T08:46:00.000-07:00

This year’s awards ceremony will take place at the National Motorcycle Museum, in Warwickshire on November 16th 2011.

The awarding panel are deliberating over this years record number of entries and we anticipate the short list to be announced on September 7th.

As sponsors of the Best Strategic Initiative Award, Perry Uniform are delighted to be involved in recognising the hard work and excellence of all staff in the independent schools sector. With all the pressure on school budgets posed by the current economic climate, innovative ways to derive efficiencies and release cash to support educational activities must be a priority. Having financial capital and classroom space tied up in uniform stock is one quick win on any financial review.

Perry have a wealth of experience and a variety of case studies that demonstrate our innovative approach to achieving these dual objectives.

For more information call Bernard Bunting on 0113 236 2095.

National Motorcycle Museum Warwickshire

Raising £2200 for cancer research

2011-05-23T04:05:00.000-07:00

"Just to say a big thank you to all at Perry Uniform for the amazing Blazers and all the hard work put in to finish them on time. The quality was of the highest order and a very professional finish, plus the lads took extra pride with the "Made In England" Tag on the inside. They were a definite highlight of the weekend and I am in the process of organising the second batch. In Total we raised £2200 for cancer research UK so a very positive result for the weekend"

Ross

Leeds based manufacturer expands south with showroom in London

2011-01-26T04:02:00.000-08:00

To read on click here

Perry Uniform creating job opportunities

2011-01-25T03:58:00.000-08:00

Leeds Chamber of Commerce support the need to strengthen the manufacturing base through entrepreneurship.

Click here

The Story of Christ Hospital's Bluecoats

2011-01-01T01:37:00.000-08:00

uniform |ˈyoōnəˌfÃ´rm|

1 the distinctive clothing worn by members of the same organization or body or by children attending certain schools:
Oxford Dictionary ©

Being the manufacturer of Christ’s Hospital distinctive school uniform we pose the question - how did it all begin? What is the heritage of school uniform?

School Uniform in England has its origin in the 16th century during the reign of King Henry VIII when the ‘bluecoats’ were introduced. These are long trench coat style jackets, made from a heavy serge cloth and dyed blue, blue being the chosen colour at the time because it was the cheapest available dye and could therefore be reproduced in large quantities at a reasonable cost.

There are numerous Blue Coat Schools throughout the country that started out as charity schools: the earliest and most famous being Christ's Hospital, in the City of London (now removed to Horsham, Surrey), which was founded in 1563. Leigh Hunt who was educated at Christ's Hospital from 1791 to 1799 described the bluecoat uniform:

"Our dress was of the coarsest and quaintest kind, but was respected out of doors, and is so. It consisted of a blue drugget gown, or body, with ample coats to it; a yellow vest underneath in winter-time; small-clothes of Russia duck; worsted yellow stockings; a leathern girdle; and a little black worsted cap, usually carried in the hand.

Samuel Pepys (1633 - 1703) records on several occasions coming across the Blue Coat School, in London and this is the extract found in his diary:

“I went this Evening to see the order of the Boys & children at Christs hospital, there was neere 800 of them, Boys & Girles: so decently clad, cleanely lodged, so wholesomly fed, so admirably taught, some the Mathematics... They sung a Psalme before they sat downe to supper in the greate hall, to an Organ which played all the time, & sung with that cherefull harmony, as seem'd to me a vision of heavenly Angels: & I came from the place with infinite Satisfaction, having never in my life seene a more noble, pious, & admirable Charity. - Diary March 1687.

Most Bluecoat schools have abandoned the uniform and replaced it with more modern styles. There are a few schools however that still retain the uniform, but use it for special occasions only. Christ's Hospital is the only school in the UK that still uses bluecoat uniform as normal day wear.

The Elementary Education Act in the 19th century saw the introduction of free primary school education for all children in England. This resulted in an increased popularity of uniforms until eventually most schools in the country were following the trend. Even with dramatic changes in the schooling systems, school uniform continues to hold a practical, consistent influence.

In society today the Government believes that school uniforms play a vital role in education and in contributing to the ethos of schools. They are seen as instilling pride, supporting positive behaviour and discipline, encouraging identity of the pupils along with the support and school ethos, protect children from unnecessary social pressures to dress in a particular way and because they also nurture cohesion between different groups of people.

As you can see the team in the machine room at Perry’s are proud to continue the manufacturing tradition in making Christ’s Bluecoat - known in the school as the “housey”.

Business Quarter Magazine

2010-12-05T03:56:00.000-08:00

Business Quarter Magazine profiles North Yorkshire entrepreneur Bernard Bunting, Managing Director of Perry Uniform
Click here

How the global economy affects school uniform, raw materials, labour rates, manufacturing capacity

2010-12-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

The price of clothing and footwear has risen for first time since the early 1990s, according to official figures, raising the fear that the era of cheap imports from the Far East is over. The weak sterling exchange rate and higher shipping costs from China have contributed. The exchange rate is crucial for British retailers because the great majority of clothes are bought from the Far East, particularly China and Bangladesh, in dollars but sold in Britain in sterling. Rising wages in traditionally cheaper labour markets – such as China and India – are also having a slight impact on prices and are likely to become a more prominent factor in the months ahead.

The price of cotton has vaulted above the key $1 a pound level for the second time in history as worries about a shortage of the fibre prompted textile mills to scramble for supplies. The rise in cotton prices has easily outpaced increases in more industrial commodities such as oil or copper. Tight supply conditions have been exacerbated by losses in Pakistan, the world’s fourth-largest grower, after it suffered devastating flooding. The sharp rise in the price of cotton has increased pricing pressures on clothing manufacturers, adding to concerns over higher labour and energy prices.

The price increase in wool is said to be due to a combination of factors. A world decline in sheep numbers has resulted in a fall in the volume of fleeces – since 2000 there has been a 40 per cent fall in the UK production - meaning less wool is available to the textile industry. The economic downturn has led to de-stocking in the textile industry, so manufacturers and spinners have no reserve stock to call on.

This tough economic back drop seems to vindicate Perry Uniform’s continuing Leeds based factory making us less dependent on an overseas supply base and capable of greater manufacturing flexibility.

Ashford School win the inaugural Independent School of the year Award

2010-11-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

The inaugural Outstanding Strategic Initiative Award was won by Ashford School; the school going on to become overall winner of the Independent School of the Year – well done to Ashford School. Commenting Mike Buchanan, Headmaster “We were delighted to have been chosen as the school of the year and the pupils were very excited when I told them.” On behalf of the judging panel, the Chairman, Dr Graham Able said “this was a bold strategic initiative which has produced quick results and shows evidence of sustainability.”

The Awards recognise excellence in the strategic and financial management of independent schools in the UK. The Outstanding Strategic Initiative award recognises an initiative in strategic planning and so could include for example the school’s website, marketing, a legal initiative, innovative recruitment drive, excellence in governance etc.

How participating schools benefit
All winners received an engraved Award, a framed photo of them receiving the award and a winner's logo. All shortlisted independent schools received a logo for their promotional material showing that they have been nominated for an Award. A nomination alone enhances a school's reputation and is a powerful boost to marketing to new parents.

Perry Uniform are proud to be associated with the awards as a headline sponsor. Caroline Bunting, Managing Director of Perry Uniform, commenting on the awards – “These awards are a welcome innovation and recognize excellence within the school management structure – often overshadowed in favour of exam results.”

Awards to staff

2010-10-13T03:54:00.000-07:00

Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves presents awards to staff completing their apprenticeships at Perry Uniform
Click here to read the article.

More schools are recognising the benefits of school uniform

2010-10-13T03:51:00.000-07:00

To read the article click here

Great enthusiasm shown by all the staff at Perry

2010-10-12T03:47:00.000-07:00

Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves impressed by the enthusiasm shown by all the staff at Perry

Click here for article.

Leeds Business Desk report on Perry Uniform

2010-10-11T03:42:00.000-07:00

Click here for article.

Making it in Leeds

2010-10-11T03:39:00.000-07:00

Making it in Leeds, Perry show that there is still life in manufacturing
To read the article click here

Leaving shopping too late

2010-09-03T03:33:00.000-07:00

Don’t leave shopping for uniform too late - this is what happened in one north London retail store last September. However, online you can shop 24 x 7 and have delivered to your door, avoid the queues and plan ahead.
To read the article click here.

Perry Uniform Relocation Complete

2009-02-28T03:29:00.000-08:00

Today Perry Uniform completed its relocation to a newly refurbished mill at the historic site of Hilltop, Bramley, Leeds. We now have, under one roof, our factory, call centre, warehouse and order despatch facility. We are proud of our new facility overlooking the Leeds to Liverpool canal at the heart of the English textile trade with a heritage spanning back to the early eighteenth century.

Perry Uniform Brand launched

2007-11-01T07:13:00.000-07:00

Today sees the merger of two established brands in the school uniform sector: Perry Clothes a uniform manufacturer established in 1946 and The Childrens Warehouse, a home shopping and delivery specialist in the school uniform sector, are brought together under the new brand Perry Uniform to be a significant force in the supply of school uniforms in the Independent School sector.

"Blazers are becoming increasingly popular with school children"

2007-10-26T07:39:00.000-07:00

Reported in the Times that changes in trends are bringing us back to the familiarity of the school blazer but now with our systems of designs are able to come up with an exciting range of styles to fit our modern expectations for clothing combining fashion with school standards and durability.

Click here

“A blazer can create a very strong brand image for the school.” Bernard Bunting

i-size launched in time for back to school

2007-07-01T07:11:00.000-07:00

I-size is the proprietary Uniform Schoolwear internet based intelligent sizing system enabling parents to maintain child measurement profiles for uniform sizing in a secure web based environment. Ordering school uniform cannot be easier using our quick ordering system in conjunction with our simple to use uniform listing. Lyn Rose, Schools Liaison Officer at Uniform Schoolwear, commenting on the launch said "This again demonstrates our long term vision for school uniform and comes on the back of four years detailed apparaisal of returns and innovative software development."

Uniform Schoolwear Ltd acquire assets of Perry Clothes

2007-04-04T07:10:00.000-07:00

Perry Clothes, a UK based manufacturer of school uniforms established for more than 60 years and with a factory in Leeds, has been acquired by Uniform Schoolwear Ltd. Bernard Bunting, Managing Director of Uniform Schoolwear comments: "Perry Clothes has a strong reputation in the independent school uniform sector. We are pleased to have secured the jobs of 15 skilled staff which means we can now offer a fully integrated school uniform service - from cutting room to classroom."

Uniform Schoolwear among first to sign up to code of best practice

2007-03-06T07:04:00.000-08:00

Perry Uniform was among the first independent retailers to sign up to the new National (School) Governors Association code of best practice in the supply of school uniforms.

Following publication by the Department for Education and Skills of new guidelines to governors regarding school uniform the NGA has published a Code of Best Practice which it urges school uniform retailers to sign up to. This code covers stock availability, choice, competitive tender and service level agreements. Commenting Caroline Bunting, MD, said "We are fully behind the NGA code. From the outset of our School Uniform service we set our own code of conduct and it is satisfying to see the industry recognise the importance of transparency and service.