New legally binding guidance published on 19 November will require schools to make uniform affordable for all. The Department for Education (DfE) cost of school uniform guidance means schools in England must ensure school uniform costs are reasonable, and parents get the best value for money.

From next autumn, schools will have to help keep costs down by taking steps to remove unnecessary branded items and allow more high-street options, like supermarket own-brand uniform.

Schools will also have to make sure second-hand uniforms are available, helping work towards achieving net zero carbon emissions. In the UK, an estimated 350,000 tonnes of clothes end up in landfill every year. Encouraging families to use second-hand uniform can reduce waste and bring down emissions from manufacturing new garments, whilst also making it cost-effective for families.

Commenting is Secretary of State for Education, Nadhim Zahawi.

“School uniform provides a sense of identity and community for children and young people and should be a real source of pride. But it must never be a burden for parents or a barrier to pupils accessing education. This new binding guidance will help to make uniforms far more affordable for families by driving costs down as we work hard to level up the country.

“Schools should make sure their uniform policy is published on their website and is clear and easy for parents to understand. The new guidance also requires schools to use competitive and transparent contracts with suppliers. Should schools need to tender to secure a new contract, they have until December 2022.

“Ensuring that uniform does not restrict where pupils go to school supports the government’s commitment to levelling up opportunity across the country. Schools are expected to have taken steps to adhere to the new guidance before parents buy uniform for the academic year beginning in September 2022.”

Also commenting is Matt Easter, co-chair of the Schoolwear Association. “We welcome this guidance as it takes a balanced and proportionate approach towards ensuring parents get good value for money from uniforms, without creating unreasonable burdens on schools or uniform suppliers. Importantly, it reinforces that the majority of schools are already doing the right thing and, in most cases, will already be fully, or almost, compliant.

“As the leading schoolwear industry body, we are committed to helping schools understand the implications of the guidance for their uniform policies and will continue to work with them to ensure the process of choosing a uniform supplier remains as robust, competitive and easy as possible.”