Case Study: Iveshead School

The challenge

Iveshead School faced growing frustrations with their existing school uniform supplier.

The key issues included:
 Lack of support for Pupil Premium students, making affordability a challenge for many families
 Ongoing supply issues, particularly around peak back-to-school periods
 Poor communication, both between the supplier and the school, and directly with parents, leading to confusion, delays, and mounting pressure on school staff

The leadership team at Iveshead knew they needed more than just a supplier – they needed a partner who would understand their community and work alongside them.

The solution

In early 2023, Iveshead began conversations with Schoolwear Solutions. Regional Manager Ollie Buchanan met with Ella Hughes, the school’s Operations Manager, to understand the pain points in detail and walk through the practical changes needed.

“Ollie didn’t just sell us a new supplier. He listened, he problem-solved, and he guided us through a transition that could have been really difficult.”

— Ella Hughes, Operations Manager, Iveshead School

Together, the approach was measured and supportive:

 The existing uniform design was retained in Year 1 to avoid additional pressure during the April handover.
 A full communication plan was created to ensure clarity for parents and staff.
 A better system was introduced between the school and supplier to improve support for Pupil Premium students – making it easier for the school to manage orders and provide assistance where needed.

In Year 2, with strong foundations in place, Iveshead worked with Schoolwear Solutions to update the sports kit:
 The new kit gave a fresh, more modern look
 Costed at just £2 more than the previous version, but delivered significantly better durability and quality