Time to get out the cash and cheque books for the great school uniform spend-up. How do Teesside families survive it?

With a sharp intake of breath Julie Boothby tots up the cost of kitting her kids out for the first day of term.

Roughly #200 she reckons - and that's a conservative estimate.

It's the time of year when the cheque books and credit cards of Teesside parents start taking a hammering for the sake of those grey trousers and skirts, school sweatshirts, blouses and PE kits - not to mention shoes.

"I think they're the most expensive item of all," says Abigail Taylor, whose four-year-old Jake is about to start at Archibald Primary in central Middlesbrough this September.

"I buy Clark's shoes because you know you'll get a good fit," says Abigail, of central Middlesbrough.

Like many a parent, she's bought a couple of school crest sweat shirts at #10 a time - ditto the polo shirts at #8 a go.

Add in a warm winter coat, trainers for PE and it's easy to come up with Julie Boothby's #200 bill.

Julie, a Slimming World consultant from Billingham tries to budget by buying the basics from places like Asda, Big W and Tesco for daughter Molly, 11 and Jack, nine.

Molly's about to make the big move up to St Michael's Comp in Billingham and Jack goes to St John's School in the town.

Both schools have strict dress codes when it come to uniform and Julie likes it that way.

"More than anything it means you don't have to think about clothes in the morning," she says.

"Aside from that, though, it makes all the children equal, doesn't it?

"There aren't issues like who's got the best trainers and such," she says.

Julie looks out the bargains for the basics and is lured by words like 'non-iron' on trousers and shirts.

"I've bought trousers for Jack and they come with patches for repairs - once I tried to do the repairs but I thought he just looked like a little raggy boy - just my embroidery skills I suppose. That's why I go for the cheap trousers - you just replace them," she says.

She also buys up stocks of bottle-green sweatshirts, interspersing them with the school crest ones.

Same for Abigail, who says she will be buying spares for little Jake - to cope with the inevitable school dinner stains!

Doing your homework

* Make a list of everything you need before you set out school uniform shopping.

If your school provides a uniform list, take it with you and work through it, ticking items off as you buy them

* Take your child with you! Rawcliffes' own research shows that up to 50pc of schoolwear purchases made without children present are returned because parents bought the wrong size. If you can't take your child with you, jot down their measurements - chest and collar size, sleeve, waist and leg lengths

* If you're shopping without your child, remember to allow a little extra for 'growing room'

* Shop as early as possible to avoid fighting through the crowds of other parents and to avoid finding that vital piece of uniform is sold out.

* Name tag EVERYTHING to avoid loss or unintentional swops. Buy instant nametapes that make your life much easier - just iron them on!

* Choose machine washable, easy care fabrics to make life simpler; think of the wear and tear these clothes have to withstand and buy the best you can afford

* Buy multi-packs of basic schoolwear items wherever possible, such as shirts, briefs and socks, to get maximum value

* If your child's going to a new school, check what the uniform is and any rules about skirt lengths or shoes. Some schools have strict rules on these.

* Get your child/children to try on everything before they go back to school to check what still fits! Don't forget footwear items as well as clothing

* If your child's attending a new school, find out if they can pair up with another child to help with introductions, or find out if any children living nearby attend the school. If your child can walk or cycle with them it'll make the first few days much less daunting

(Advice from Rawcliffes Intersport - pictures show some of their range)

The Evening Gazette has teamed up with Rawcliffes Intersport to offer parents the chance to win free schoolwear - or sports items if preferred - at any of its branches.

We have a total of eight vouchers, each worth #50, to give away to eight lucky winners, and entry is absolutely free.

All you have to do is answer the following questions:

Where is the Rawcliffes Intersport store in Stockton?

A. Wellington Square Centre

B. Oxford Street

C. Piccadilly

What does Rawcliffes Intersport sell apart from schoolwear?

A. Food

B. Sports equipment and sportswear

C. Home furnishings

Just send your entry to; Rawcliffes Competition, Promotions Department. Evening Gazette, Borough Road, Middlesbrough TS1 3AZ by Monday, August 18.
