New school uniform guidance published
The Department for Education has published new guidance to help schools which may be developing or changing their pupil uniform policy.
The best practice guidance is aimed at helping local authorities, governing bodies, headteachers and school staff (in maintained schools and academies) make decisions on school uniforms.
Schools Minister David Laws said that, in particular, the new guidance placed greater emphasis on how schools should try to secure value for money for parents around school uniforms.
It suggests that schools should:
- avoid exclusive single-supplier contracts except when regular tendering competitions are run, in which more than 1 supplier can compete for the contract, and where best value can be secured
- not enter into ‘cash back’ arrangements
- not insist that pupils wear expensive items of uniform
- not make frequent changes to uniform specifications
- seek to select items that can be purchased cheaply, for example, in a supermarket or other good value shop
- keep compulsory branded items to a minimum
This new guidance updates that published in May 2012. It is due to be reviewed again in summer 2015.
DfE enquiries
Central newsdesk - for journalists 020 7783 8300
General enquiries - for members of the public 0370 000 2288