Making school uniform more affordable, available, gender-neutral
and, in extreme weather conditions, flexible are the four key
aims of a consultation being launched today by Education
Secretary, .
The consultation is seeking views on draft statutory guidance
that would see a more consistent approach when school governing
bodies set school uniform and appearance policy.
Under the new guidance, governing bodies would be expected to
consider ways of keeping down the costs of school uniform. These
could include stipulating basic items and colours but not styles;
this would mean that items could be bought from multiple retail
chains at reasonable prices and not just from one supplier.
Schools would also be encouraged to consider whether school logos
are strictly necessary and, if so, whether they should be
restricted to just one item of uniform or provided free of
charge and
sewed, ironed or stuck onto items of clothing.
Governing bodies will also be asked to consider whether there is
a need for different uniforms for summer and winter.
Equality forms a key part of the guidance, with governing bodies
required to think about issues such as discrimination on grounds
of race or religious belief, disability and sex and gender
identity – with the latter taking into account gender-neutral
school uniform items and how governing bodies can meet the needs
of pupils undergoing gender reassignment.
The Education Secretary launched the draft guidance for
consultation today at Ysgol Glan Morfa in Splott, Cardiff. The
school has a scheme to help reduce the cost of school uniforms
for parents, with both new and second-hand uniform items that are
either given free to parents or for a nominal charge.
said:
“Families face many different costs when it comes to school
uniform and I want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to
make uniform more affordable and more available.
“In the summer, I launched our PDG-Access scheme which is already
helping parents with the cost of not just school uniform, but
equipment, sports kits and kit for activities outside of school.
“By putting in place statutory guidance, my expectation is that
governing bodies will have a much more consistent approach to
issues such as cost and also show a much greater degree of
flexibility when it comes to very hot or very cold weather.
“But this also goes much further than just practical
considerations; this is about equality and pupils’ wellbeing. I
don’t want our learners, for whatever reason, to feel
uncomfortable about wearing their uniform. That’s why it’s so
important that as many young people as possible take part in this
consultation and tell us their views”
