Order by 29th of March 2011 to receive for Mothering Sunday.

We're offering 50 Nametapes for the price of 36. 36 Nametapes normally retail at £4.00, you now get an extra 14 for free.

Name tapes are a great way of personalising School uniform and any washable garment. These heat resistant Nametapes will put up with the rigours of daily wear of the garment and are completely machine washable at temperatures between 40 - 50 degrees. Jumpers, Ties and P.E Kits are always getting lost and causing extra costs at the wrong times, Nametapes are a great way of preventing loss and saving unwanted costs.

Why not have a look at the other personalised items we offer.

The minimum order is for 30 garments. You can choose from 2 styles, the stylish College Hoodie or Varsity Hoodie, and select from a range of great looking colours - if you can't decide between you don't worry as syles and colours can be mixed within each order.  To personalise your Hoodies you can supply a logo or image of your choice for the front of the sweatshirts - alternatively we can offer a design service to help you create that unique garment.  For the reverse of your Hoodie simply choose from four designs and select the print colour.

Both the College and Varsity hooded sweatshirts are fully machine washable and the printing and embriodery is fully colourfast.  They are constructed in superior weight 80% cotton 20% polyester fabric and feature double fabric hoods with drawstrings and kangaroo pouch pockets. The Varsity Hoodie features contrast lining and drawstring, plus an opening for a headphone cord and hidden earphone loops.

To place your order contact us on sales@clivemark.co.uk or call 0121 459 4599

On January 4th 2011 VAT prices rose in the UK from 17.5% to 20%, we have decided to freeze retail prices on all of our products throughout January. The 20% VAT charge will be applied but will not affect the total cost on products. So now is the time to stock up!

We're still running a great promotion in our Clive Mark school uniform shops. Until the end of January 2011 customers visiting our 8 stores in the Midlands can buy any 2 items by REMARKABLE and get the cheaper item FREE! To find your nearest Clive Mark school uniform store, visit our Stores page.

We've got lots of other exciting promotions planned throughout the year, keep an eye on our News section to ensure you don't miss out - or you can follow Clive_Mark on Twitter or join our Facebook Page.

There will be some great new products to look out for in 2011, including a Leavers Hoodie.  These personalised Leavers Hoodies are a great way to commemorate the final year of school, college or university, starting from only £15 each (minimum order of 30 required).

To celebrate Valentines Day this year we're excited to announce a new personalised teddy bear is in production, we'll have details on the website soon!

Here's to a happy and successful 2011!

When a school becomes an academy the change to a new name and the need for a fresh start often leads to a desire to update or introduce a new school uniform. School uniforms are increasingly seen as an ideal method of changing a pupil's mindset, helping to instil discipline and a working attitude even in primary school pupils.

Over the past few years Clive Mark have been contacted by several new academies following their change from a comprehensive school. The company has worked successfully alongside several academies nationally to introduce different varieties of academy uniform and is therefore well positioned to help former primary schools introduce a new uniform.

Clive Mark have 44 years experience in retailing, with 8 shops catering for over 1000 schools. We are the largest supplier of school uniforms in the Midlands. Visit one of our stores and take advantage of this not to be missed offer. Check out your nearest store using our Store Guide.

Terms and Conditions:

• Offer only valid for ‘Remarkable’ Branded products.
• Not valid for products which are printed or embroidered.
• Cheaper product is free.
• Not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions.
• Offer only valid in Clive Mark stores.
• Not valid for purchases on-line or via mail order.
• Only valid on stock items.
• Orders are not permitted.
• Should you need to return an item for refund or exchange, you must also return the free item.

Our policy has always been to keep prices as low as possible and we will continue to do this for as long as possible in 2011. However the scheduled rise in VAT to 20% will impact prices and we may also need to review our pricing in relation to the rise in the cost of raw materials.

We whole-heartedly agree with the Schoolwear Association that value does not mean the cheapest item and that school uniform should be made to be durable, thus providing value through a long lasting garment.

If possible in a period where money is spent on other things, we would encourage parents to think ahead and stock up on any uniform you need before the planned VAT rise comes in to effect on 4th January 2011.

Schoolwear Association Notice:

"The increase in the price of cotton has come as no surprise to our members. We have been aware of this ongoing rise in the cost of raw materials for some time, and the fact that cotton has increased in price by 50% since last year will no doubt affect our industry, particularly as inflation rises and the full impact of the increase in VAT is felt next year.

The supermarkets will be barely phased by this increase in price using School Uniform as they do often to draw in customers to buy food and other products. The price battlefield for market share has been unsustainable and we expect to see increases in prices everywhere. These cost increases will of course impact on the majority of UK households.

We provide specialist uniforms for as many as 75% of the UK’s schools with our sole product being school uniform. We do not advocate the recent trend towards “disposable clothing” believing instead that parents want quality and exceptionally good value. It is especially important that uniform lasts and does the job properly. Good value is not necessarily the cheapest item as many parents will testify. As a sector we have suffered greatly and we call upon parents to help support their local Schoolwear supplier who aims to stock all items all year rather than for just six weeks of the year at Back to School. We need to join forces with all levels of the supply chain to deliver best quality and value for school uniforms. This way we will be able to minimise the impact of inflation on our customers."

Are school uniforms getting bigger?

School children may not like being lectured to, but when it comes to their waistlines many could do with paying a bit more attention. Evidence that school children are getting larger is now visible on the clothes racks of high street school uniform stockists. The sizes of the clothes being worn by today’s generation of increasingly overweight children are bigger than ever.

School aged children are now being routinely decked out in adult sizes.

And the problem would appear to have got worse over recent years, despite a massive focus on healthy school dinners and fitness initiatives such as walk to school ‘buses’.

One such specialist school outfitter is Clive Mark Schoolwear Ltd, which was founded in Bearwood in Birmingham nearly half a century ago and is now based at Uniform House within Kings Norton Business Centre in Birmingham.

Managing director Clive Rose said: “Sizes of school uniforms have probably gone up over the past 10 years, but over the course of the last 4-5 years the biggest sizes have become extreme.

“We are now stocking trousers with a 44 inch waist. That would have been a special made item at one point and we would have had to make it as a special order or send them to a men’s outfitters.

“Blazers are now being stocked up to a 54 inch chest, but we have also made them by special order up to 60 inches.

“We also hold skirts in stock up to a 40 ins waist and up to a size 50 ins by special order.

“But it isn’t just from the age of 11 at secondary school that we are seeing this increase.

"We are having to do these bigger sizes from the age of seven.”

So why are children continuing to grow ever larger when there has been so much focus on childhood obesity?

“I would say that there are not enough sporting activities and maybe it’s because kids are spending more time on computers.” Mr Rose suggests.

“Schools are trying to bring it back but it all went awry when schools stopped doing competitive sport anymore.

“Once that went, it appeared to be that kids started to get bigger.

“There was always a sports day once a year but you don’t seem to hear about that much anymore.

“And a lot of schools have also sold off their playing fields in recent years.

“There was one in the Walsall area that sold off theirs and it’s now a pizza place.

“Hopefully, the decline will have peaked with the introduction of healthier school dinners, and the work that Jamie Oliver has been doing, but it hasn’t shown itself yet.”

Just as worrying is the fact that primary aged children are also getting bigger.

“We now go up to the medium adult range among junior school age children, which we are mainly seeing for sweatshirts.

“Normally, a seven-year-old would take a 28-30 ins chest, but now we are seeing sizes of 38-40.

“And, whereas we would have started from a 22 ins chest for a four-year-old at the very start of their school life, some of those are now having 26 ins chests.

“If they were doing more exercise at school, that would help get rid of any podginess they may have.

“The fact is that children are getting bigger from an earlier age and it’s also in increasing numbers.

"On average, we now see one or two children in each year at school that need a much bigger size.”

Ironically, at a time of financial constraints, the increasing size of school children is also hitting parents in the pocket.

School uniforms are subject to VAT, which rises from the current 17.5% to 20% in January 2011, but this is done on the size of the school uniform, not the age of the child.

“It used to be age-based in the 1950s but has been done on size ever since.” Mr Rose points out.

“Any child with a 37 ins chest or above for a jacket or blazer has to pay VAT, regardless of their age.

“The same also goes for 29 ins waist trousers, a 36 ins chest for a blouse and a 14.5 collar for a shirt.

“It should act as an extra incentive for parents.”

The Schoolwear Association, of which Clive Mark is a member, is lobbying for VAT to be reduced or scrapped on school uniforms.

Visit the NHS Local website to read the original article.

What is the ISSA and What are the objectives?

What was on the Agenda for 2009?

 

If you are planning to do any school uniform shopping in the next few months Clive Mark Schoolwear are offering you a special offer when you spend £50 or more.

For every £50 you spend on-line you can add 36 Iron Name tapes worth £4.00 to your basket for free.

To take advantage of this offer simply click here first and add the nametapes to your basket and continue shopping. Once you have spent over £50 you will receive the iron on name tapes absolutely free.

REMEMBER THIS OFFER IS FOR 36 FREE NAMETAPES WITH EVERY £50 YOU SPEND I.E. SPEND £100 AND RECIEVE TWO LOTS OF 36 NAMETAPES FOR FREE.

PLEASE NOTE POSTAGE DOES NOT ACCOUNT TOWARDS YOUR £50 PURCHASE.

IMPORTANT! The personalisation on the name-tapes will be printed exactly as entered by the customer, so please ensure that the case, spacing, etc. of your details are as required

The name tapes are made of a new material which can be sewn onto the garment as well as ironed on.

This offer is available on-line only.