Since its foundation in 2004, Schoolblazer has been at the forefront of developments in schoolwear. We recognised from the start that independent school parents valued convenience and service and were not receiving this from traditional shops. We therefore pioneered online retailing with free name-taping of all garments to save parents time and money. We are still the only retailer to have solved the sizing problem with a unique Intelligent Sizing system that delivers the right fit over 95% of the time, as well as avoiding the tedium of shop appointments and trying on sessions.
More recently we have delivered significant innovations in garment style and technology – moving “beyond the badge” to create bespoke fabrics and styles that build the school’s brand via a complete look. Recent examples of our work at Barnard Castle, across the GDST and at Brighton College (to name a few) show these approaches apply to all schools, irrespective of geography, parental affluence or demographic.
We have been at the forefront of the move to more gender inclusive styles, pioneering a choice of trouser and culotte options for girls and ensuring that the “one school” concept works consistently across body forms and ages. We have also brought innovation in fabrics, from machine-washable wool-mix blazers through to our innovative “performance cotton” which ensures cotton fibres are always next to the skin for comfort, whilst retaining a core strand of polyester in the fibre to maintain durability and easy care.
Sustainability and ethical trading are at the heart of our operation. We are the only UK schoolwear retailer to have gained membership of the Ethical Trading Initiative and ensure that everybody who works with our business has a better life as a result. We are carbon neutral, offsetting all our emissions, including those used in the creation of our fabrics, via Carbon Footprint. Where we can, we spend our offset to invest in low energy schemes in our producer countries – ensuring that future garments are made using more sustainable energy. We have almost eliminated single use plastics from our supply chain and over 75% of the polyester we use has been recycled. All of our cotton is now sourced as “Better Cotton”, meaning we work with farmers to ensure that their land management and processes are as sustainable as possible.
Our Limitless sportswear range is focussed on driving participation across the schools with fabrics and styles designed for young bodies to ensure that everyone, irrespective of ability, feels confident being active. Across the range our use of recycled polyester is over 90%, meaning that our customers now have the opportunity to select a fully sustainable sportswear option.
All of this goes to some way to explain why Schoolblazer is now the leading supplier to the independent sector. We supply over 25% of all independent school pupils, including over 35% of those in HMC, GSA or SoH. We continue to add around 20 new schools each year, as they move away from traditional retailers and other online only offerings. We are also seeing an increasing number of schools transition away from the traditional onsite shop model. In summary it is clear that the independent school market wants convenience for their parents, design and product innovation for their schools, comfort and fit for their pupils and sustainability for the planet. Schoolblazer delivers all of these in one service.
Schoolblazer is part of BSA Group’s Gold Certified Supplier Scheme.
Categories: Sector News
