Statutory guidance on school uniform is to be introduced in Scotland.
The Scottish government says the guidance “aims to address equalities issues around uniform policy and reduce the cost of school uniform, as this can be a significant barrier to participation in learning”.
A consultation got under way this week and submissions must be in by 14 October.
Here’s what you need to know about the school uniform consultation:
- The consultation is open to anyone but a special effort is being made to seek the views of pupils.
- The national guidance that emerges will “directly apply” to local authority schools, independent and grant-aided schools, but school uniform requirements will not be mandated at a national level - instead it will “inform” local authority and school policies.
- “It is not intended that school uniform in Scotland will be abolished,” the consultation document says, so that view “is not within the scope of the consultation”.
- The current position that there is no legal requirement for pupils to wear school uniform should be continued.
- The guidance should “promote equality, including recognising specific matters relating to religion and belief, disability, sex and gender”.
- It should consider all types of uniform use, including advice for PE classes and by senior secondary school students.
- Views are actively being sought on “the use of exclusion as a compliance measure” when establishing school uniform policies.
- The guidance should “recognise the need for practicality”, including the changing weather through the year.
- It must also take into account ”sustainable approaches to school uniform”.
Education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “School uniform can promote a sense of identity, belonging and connectedness to school. However, the cost can be a significant burden for families, although there is no legal requirement to wear uniform.
“We have increased the school clothing grant to help families who need it most. Now we intend to go further by bringing forward national guidance aimed at reducing uniform costs. This could mean increasing the use of generic items of uniform.”
Scottish Greens education spokesperson Ross Greer, whose party is in government with the SNP, said the guidance could also improve equality in schools by “removing unnecessary rules around what each gender should wear [and] ensuring appropriate options for religious clothing”.
He added: “School uniforms often place huge costs on families due to overly specific policies and too few suppliers, particularly at high-school level.
“This new national guidance is an opportunity to let young people, parents and carers choose good-value clothing which meets their school’s rules without needing to buy from expensive specialist retailers.”
To complete the consultation, click here.
