Latest news and updates from School Uniform Shop.
You have three children – to get them into school you must pay for their school uniform. Those are the rules in Cambodia. But you can only afford for one of your children to have the school uniform and get their education.
Which one of your children do you choose to send to school, and which must stay at home with you and work the land?
It is not a choice we have to make in our affluent and lucky lives. In Cambodia, it is an unavoidable dilemma. However matching charitable funding with school uniform suppliers on the ground in Cambodia can begin to make sure parents do not need to make this choice.
The Ponheary Ly Foundation in Cambodia was established by former teacher Ponheary Ly, and has grown from its humble beginnings. Starting with just one student, the foundation now sponsors 2,800 students across four primary schools and five secondary schools in rural northwestern Cambodia.
Seeking to rebuild the country's civil society after the 1970s genocide, and Ponheary Ly's personal experience with poverty, her mission fuels her passion for helping children in rural Cambodia to attend school and receive an education.
Education, the Foundation believes, is a catalyst for developing future democratic leaders, eradicating poverty, promoting equality, and enhancing the overall health and well-being of communities. Providing uniforms is at the core of the organisation's mission.
The cost of a student's uniform, approximately £5 for junior school and £6 for senior school, often becomes a financial barrier for families often engaged in subsistence farming. By supplying uniforms and necessary school supplies, the foundation ensures that all village children can attend school, not just a select few.
SchoolUniformShop.co.uk has been selling great value ethical school uniform online in the UK since 2001. The family business’ values are to strive to be ethical, sustainable, and responsible in their work. Their commitment to providing only ethically sourced school uniform has been recognised over the years, and are proud to have won the Ethical Company Award from The Good Shopping Guide for the fifth year in a row in 2024.
SchoolUniformShop.co.uk directs a proportion of its profits to The Ponheary Ly Foundation. To amplify their impact, they have integrated a donation option in the checkout process, allowing customers to easily add optional donations (£2, £5, or £6) to help buy a school uniform for a Cambodian child while placing orders for their own kid’s supplies.
With the fantastic joint effort to raise funds between SchoolUniformShop.co.uk and their customers, this year a total of £2,205 was raised to buy school uniforms for Cambodian children, making a significant difference in the lives of these budding students.
Lori Carlson, President of The Ponheary Ly Foundation, said, “This year a total of 2,865 students received the uniform via our Foundation, gaining them precious entry to school and a childhood of education. Of that intake, we are so grateful that SchoolUniformShop.co.uk and their customers funded the uniforms of 377 students. By supplying these children with the things they needed for school, we can get all the village children in school, not just some.”
Luke Conod, CEO and Founder of SchoolUniformShop.co.uk, said, “Having visited The Ponheary Ly Foundation in Cambodia, and having met many of the young students, I have seen first-hand just how much of a difference we and our customers make to many Cambodian children – by the gift of school uniform, we are making sure we play our part in giving them the best start in life possible – access to education!”
It is official – YOU SHOP ETHICALLY. SchoolUniformShop.co.uk has been named in The Good Shopping Guide’s 2024 list of the WORLD’S top 200 ethical companies.
We are humbled to be recognised in this way – thank you for helping us achieve this recognition.
We are incredibly grateful to you for making purchases from SchoolUniformShop.co.uk that help to make positive changes, from ensuring ethical supply chains, saying ‘NO!’ to child labour, and supporting good educational causes in the developing world.
All the companies in The Good Shopping Guide’s list are committed to being businesses with a positive and ethical impact on the Environment, Animals and People. Those of us listed are all testament to the power businesses can have to affect positive change.
By shopping at SchoolUniformShop.co.uk, you are testament to the power of ethical purchasing.
Imagine waking up at 7am. You are 9 years old. Your bed is the floor underneath your desk. You've had only a few mouthfuls of food since your last shift. You're forced to work from 8am until 1am with no breaks, little water.
You are working on a school blazer for a British schoolchild. You aren't allowed outside, or to make any phone calls to your family.
Being forced into child labour in is a harsh reality for too many children around the world.
We, our customers, and you, reject this. Our children’s school uniform should never be made by a child who is forced to give up their own education.
SchoolUniformShop.co.uk is proud to reject this way of making our own children’s clothing.
By purchasing our uniform, you are helping to protect not only children, but adults and vulnerable people from around the world.
All of our ethical suppliers ensure their garments are produced in environments where all the points below and more are met:
We are proud to say that ALL our schoolwear ticks ALL of those boxes and more.
Thank you again for helping SchoolUniformShop.co.uk to achieve being named in The Good Shopping Guide’s 2024 list of the WORLD’S top 200 ethical companies. More information from The Good Shopping Guide can be found here.
We are thrilled to update you on the partnership SchoolUniformShop.co.uk and our customers support, with The Ponheary Ly Foundation. It is a fantastic joint effort to raise funds for a cause close to our hearts—providing school uniforms for children in Cambodia. Optional donations have totalled £1,867. Thank you!
The Ponheary Ly Foundation, established by former teacher and tour guide in Cambodia, has grown from its humble beginnings. Starting with just one student, the foundation now sponsors 2,800 students across four primary schools and five secondary schools in rural northwestern Cambodia. Ponheary Ly's personal experience with poverty has fuelled her passion for children in rural Cambodia to attend school and receive and get an education.
The Ponheary Ly Foundation focuses on promoting access to quality education in Siem Reap and Preah Vihear provinces. Their mission, guided by a UN human rights-based approach, seeks to rebuild the country's civil society post-genocide in the 1970s by emphasising the fundamental role of education.
Education, they believe, is a catalyst for developing future democratic leaders, eradicating poverty, promoting equality, and enhancing the overall health and well-being of communities. Providing uniforms is at the core of the organisation's mission.
The cost of a student's uniform, approximately £5 for junior school and £6 for senior school, often becomes a financial barrier for families often engaged in subsistence farming. By supplying uniforms and necessary school supplies, the foundation ensures that all village children can attend school, not just a select few.
Every October, open enrolment begins, leading to an organised effort by the Ponheary Ly Foundation to distribute uniforms, books, and supplies to students through alliances with village elders, teachers, and administrators.
To amplify our impact, we have integrated a donation option in our checkout process, allowing customers to easily add optional donations (£2, £5, or £6) while placing orders.
All donations will be directed to the Ponheary Ly Foundation through Elgar Rotary Club, based in Herefordshire. This ensures that every penny contributed goes directly toward getting Cambodian children ready for school.
Your support makes a significant difference in the lives of these children. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to making a positive impact - £1,867 will fund hundreds of uniforms.
For over a decade, SchoolUniformShop.co.uk and our customers have been committed to making a positive impact in the lives of children worldwide through charitable giving. Proving that together we can make a difference one ethical purchase at a time.
Thank you for being a part of our journey and for helping us make a difference where it truly matters.
Today, we are particularly proud to share our journey of supporting rural schools in Cambodia, a country that holds a special place in our hearts.
Our story in Cambodia began when our CEO & Founder, Luke Conod, had the privilege of visiting Koh Ker Primary School. It was during this visit that we discovered the incredible work being done by The Ponheary Ly Foundation, a charity organisation dedicated to improving education in Cambodia.
Inspired by their mission, SchoolUniformShop.co.uk embarked on a mission of our own to support three schools in rural Cambodia: Koh Ker School, Romchek School, and Khnar Village School.
If you would like to sponsor a school uniform directly, donations and further information can be found here: Giving Back | School Uniform Shop
“At SchoolUniformShop.co.uk, we insist that our suppliers keep to rigorous ethical standards, but so should we! That’s why we contribute to The Ponheary Ly Foundation movement, promoting education for young rural Cambodians who desperately need resources to support their learning.”
Luke Conod, Founder & CEO, also
seen below with Cambodian students
Our most recent endeavour in Khnar Village speaks volumes about our commitment to education in Cambodia.
Working with Hereford Rotary Club, we donated over £10,000 to help construct a new building that would house additional classrooms, workshops, and a Library.
This expansion would enable the school to accommodate more students and offer a wider range of educational opportunities.
At Koh Ker Primary School, we were determined to make a meaningful difference. We contributed to the development of three inspiring programs: The Wellness Program, English Language Instruction, and the Library.
These programs aimed to provide students with holistic support, nurturing their physical and intellectual well-being.
The Library, a place of endless possibilities, was a project close to our hearts. With our support, we were able to create a space where students could dive into the world of books which we helped to fund, hoping they will expand their knowledge, and fuel their imagination.
In Romchek School, we recognised the importance of providing essential resources for education. We donated school uniforms to ensure that every child had the opportunity to attend school with pride.
The libraries we are helping establish serve as the heart of these schools. Language teachers rely on the library's resources for their weekly lesson plans, and a well-managed library is essential for a seamless learning experience.
With a sturdy foundation already in place, the teachers can then work to enhance these libraries to cater to the diverse needs of the students and staff.
Every time you shop with us at SchoolUniformShop.co.uk, you contribute to our ongoing projects in Cambodia. Your purchases directly impact the lives of these children and their access to quality education. We are grateful to all our customers who have played a role in this noble cause – thank you!
As the back-to-school season approaches, families are gearing up for the annual back-to-school rush. SchoolUniformShop.co.uk is stepping up to support parents and guardians by offering substantial price reductions on a wide range of school uniform items.
The company's commitment to affordability, ethics, and sustainability is leads to the effort to ensure all children have access to high-quality, good value, ethically sourced school uniforms without straining household budgets.
Understanding the financial challenges faced by families, SchoolUniformShop.co.uk is excited to announce savings of up to 30% on many school uniform items. These cost reductions come at a crucial time, addressing the increased cost of living, and making back-to-school shopping more manageable for parents and guardians.
"At SchoolUniformShop.co.uk, we understand the importance of sending children back to school with confidence in their appearance and the quality of their school uniforms. We are dedicated to supporting parents and guardians, especially during these financially challenging times. Our commitment to reducing prices while upholding ethical and sustainable practices reflects our dedication to the well-being of our customers and the individuals producing our clothing."
Luke Conod, CEO at SchoolUniformShop.co.uk
The company's collaboration with suppliers plays a pivotal role in its commitment to ethical and sustainable school uniforms. By working with suppliers to offer the best possible prices, SchoolUniformShop.co.uk ensures fair wages and safe working conditions for manufacturers. This dedication extends to every uniform piece, ensuring the same values are upheld in the production process.
To reduce its carbon footprint and delivery costs, SchoolUniformShop.co.uk collaborates closely with suppliers. This strategic approach dispatches approximately 60% of customer orders directly from suppliers to customers, contributing to an environmentally friendly business model.
Distinct from conventional marketing, SchoolUniformShop.co.uk focuses on offering a comprehensive range of products at competitive prices through its up-to-date website. This approach ensures the company's prominence in online searches, enhancing visibility without excessive advertising costs.
Situated in the picturesque Herefordshire countryside, SchoolUniformShop.co.uk operates from modest offices and a warehouse, embodying the spirit of local enterprise. The diligent team is dedicated to providing families with expert customer service that meets the highest ethical and quality standards while maintaining competitiveness on price.
For the fifth consecutive year, SchoolUniformShop.co.uk has been honoured with the Ethical Company Award from The Good Shopping Guide. This award is a testament to the company's unwavering commitment to ethical practices and responsible sourcing. With a strong stance against child labour and rigorous factory inspections, SchoolUniformShop.co.uk guarantees ethical integrity.
These innovative approaches enable SchoolUniformShop.co.uk to offer significant price reductions of up to 30% compared to the previous year, alleviating financial stress for families while delivering exceptional value.
As SchoolUniformShop.co.uk paves the way for a more sustainable future, families are invited to explore the expanded range of quality school uniforms while enjoying substantial savings. Discover more at www.SchoolUniformShop.co.uk and join a cause that prioritizes affordability, ethics, and the well-being of all students.
School Uniform Shop is overjoyed to announce that it has been awarded the prestigious Ethical Company Award from the Good Shopping Guide for the fifth consecutive year.
This recognition validates our unwavering commitment to our customers’ demand that we offer school uniforms that prioritises social responsibility, sustainability, and ethical trade.
If you purchase school uniforms from SchoolUniformShop.co.uk you can be confident that you are making the best choice to positively impact the lives of children and communities worldwide. All without compromising on your child’s uniform quality or affordability.
We extend our gratitude to our customers, suppliers, and colleagues for their support of our steadfast commitment to providing ethically sourced school uniforms that reflect our values of fairness, sustainability, and social responsibility.
At School Uniform Shop, ethical sourcing lies at the heart of our business model. We firmly believe that the real cost of a product goes beyond its price tag. By ensuring that our suppliers adhere to rigorous ethical standards, we contribute to a global movement that rejects child labour, promotes safe working conditions, fair wages, and provides regular audits to maintain factory safety.
Ethical sourcing means no child labour, guaranteeing that the school uniforms we offer are made by adults in a safe and hygienic environment. Our commitment extends to ensuring reasonable working hours and implementing regular breaks to protect the well-being of those involved in the production process. By sourcing uniforms from factories that maintain ethical standards, we ensure that employment is freely chosen and that no person is forced to work against their will.
We take immense pride in being one of the leading suppliers of ethical school uniforms in the industry. This accomplishment reflects the collective efforts of our dedicated team and the continuous support of our customers and suppliers. Our customers’ commitment to ethical practices is a testament to their determination to make a positive impact on the world around us.
When you choose School Uniform Shop we know you expect the highest quality clothing for your child's needs. Our uniforms have consistently received excellent reviews from parents, standing the test of time and maintaining their durability and comfort. Our garments are designed to be easy to care for, with most items being machine washable, saving you time and effort. Each garment showcases meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that your child feels confident and comfortable throughout the school day.
While we may not be the cheapest supplier on the market, we firmly believe that we offer the best value for your money. We strive to make ethical choices accessible to all, without compromising on the quality and integrity of our products. Our uniforms are priced affordably without compromising on quality. For as little as £23, you can purchase a complete plain school uniform from us, knowing that your investment contributes to ethical manufacturing practices and upholds the rights and well-being of workers worldwide.
At School Uniform Shop, we understand the importance of fostering strong relationships with our customers, schools, and colleagues. We pride ourselves on being approachable, trustworthy, and friendly, providing you with professional expertise, knowledge, and advice. Our team embraces change and continuously develops their skills and knowledge to ensure that we offer the best possible experience to our valued customers. By nurturing these relationships, we aim to have a positive impact on our customers, colleagues, supply chain, and the surrounding community, all while building a sustainable business for the future.
As School Uniform Shop celebrates its fifth consecutive Ethical Company Award from The Good Shopping Guide, we want you to be confident that when you choose School Uniform Shop, you are not just purchasing a uniform; you are making a conscious choice to support an ethical business that believes in the power of change and the potential for a better, more equitable world.
Together, let us continue to make a difference, one ethical purchase at a time.