Families across the UK will see a major change to school uniform rules from September, with all state schools required by law to cap the number of branded uniform items. The new requirement forms part of the government’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act that became law on April 29 and is designed to help reduce the cost of sending children to school. Under the new legislation, state-funded schools will be allowed to require a maximum of three branded uniform items for primary school pupils.
Secondary schools can require up to four branded items, provided one of those items is a tie, which is exempt from the three-item limit. Ministers said the wider package of reforms could save some families as much as £1,000 a year through a combination of cheaper uniforms, expanded free school meals and more free breakfast clubs.
By September, more than 2,000 free breakfast clubs are expected to be operating across England, while eligibility for free school meals will expand to an additional 500,000 children.
The Department for Education has said that the cost of school uniform should never prevent parents from choosing the school they want for their child.
By reducing the number of compulsory branded items, the government hopes to ease financial pressures on households during the ongoing cost of living challenges.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said about the new legislation: “This landmark legislation fixes the foundations in our schools, puts money back into parents’ pockets, and provides critical new protections for our most vulnerable children.
“From lifting the two-child limit to transforming the life chances of children with SEND, this government is already making strides to cut the link between background and success.
“These new laws are another major milestone in our mission to make sure every child – wherever they grow up and go to school – has the opportunity to succeed.”
Frank Young, Chief Executive of Parentkind also said: “Millions of parents are struggling with added school costs like expensive school uniform. Rising costs are hitting everyone hard, but parents have school costs they have no option but to pay. The Act will make a difference to these parents by tackling the cost of living and putting limits on expensive uniform items. This will help struggling parents, including many on middle incomes too.
“Free breakfast clubs and cheaper uniforms will help parents and tackle some of the extra costs that make life more difficult for parents. Getting more breakfast clubs going helps parents to hold down a job and get kids to school.”