Last Spring Parkdale Primary School in Nottingham became the newest member of the Ethical Schoolwear family. Their Head Teacher, Peter Hillier (above) was looking for an ethically produced option for their school uniform and came across Ethical Schoolwear. Before moving forward Peter surveyed families to gauge interest. I was keen to find out more about how ethics inform life at Parkdale. Peter kindly answered a few questions about his experience...
Tell us a bit about yourself and Parkdale
I’ve been head here for 13 years and finish/retire in July 2026. We’re a school that prides itself on its values and environmental and social responsibility is the cornerstone of our curriculum. Every topic our children do, from Reception upwards, ends with some sort of positive social action. Sustainability has been the core of our humanities and science for many years now. Personally, I'm also the Sustainability Lead for Transform Trust, a trust of some 25 schools mostly in Nottingham and Derby. The Trust is proud to be similarly ethical.
What first inspired you to explore an ethical and carbon-neutral school uniform option for your families?
In 2024-25, we conducted a carbon audit as part of development of our Sustainability Plan. We were supported to do this by Count Your Carbon and Climate Ambassadors. Aside from transport (which we’re working on too) uniform was our biggest carbon contributor. We wanted to try to address this and also some of the ethical issues around uniform production which sit contrary to our values and our commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goals.
You surveyed families before moving forward. What did you learn and how did that feedback influence your decision?
There was no point looking at this if people weren’t interested! We ran an online survey in our community to establish whether a sustainable/ethical option would be wanted. We had no negative responses (of over 150) and 80+ were highly positive. We felt that was a sufficient ‘seed’ to introduce this as an option alongside our traditional supplier. The only concerns expressed were around cost and quality. We put samples on display at community events such as sports days, parents evenings etc so that people could have a closer look. The feedback there was very positive. It transpired that the cost was not significantly different to our traditional supplier.
How did you build support among staff, governors, or the PTA for introducing another option?
They were included in the survey. Unanimously staff and Governors felt that offering the option fitted with our values.
When choosing a supplier, what key factors mattered most to you?
Authenticity. Clear evidence that the products are sustainable and ethical. Reliability and flexibility. Willingness to set up an online store to mirror our existing offer.
How have families and pupils responded since the additional choice was introduced?
Feedback is very favourable. Families like the quality and feel of the garments. Take up has been good for a first cycle, we think. We expect that this will grow by word of mouth and visibility of the new items.
What impact has this had on awareness or attitudes toward sustainability within your school community?
It has given us a ‘hook’ to further share our goals and values and have discussions about sustainability and ethics in the wider community.
What advice would you give to other schools or PTA members considering an ethical uniform option but unsure where to start?
From our experience… do your market research. If that goes OK, offer it as a parallel option in the first instance. We’ll quite probably phase out our traditional supplier, but we’ll do it gently! We’d rather everyone bought the sustainable and ethical options, but we’re not forcing it. Families can still buy the unbranded items from wherever they want (Ethical Schoolwear, our original supplier or even the supermarket) and we’ve kept compulsory branding to a minimum.
Looking ahead, how do you see sustainability continuing to shape your school’s future initiatives?
It will remain important and central to us and Transform Trust. We have to act in the best interests of children and their futures, here and globally. This is part of that commitment.
