School logos should not be compulsory on uniforms, Education Minister Jeremy Miles announced as he publishes new statutory guidance on Tuesday, May 2. He said it was vital that schools make uniforms cheaper and affordable for families.
His announcement follows a public consultation on school uniform guidance. The guidance sought opinions on affordability to support families through the cost of living crisis.
“School uniforms are an important part of identify for a school, but it is absolutely vital that uniforms are affordable. This is why I am asking schools to prioritise making school uniforms cheaper for families, who continue to feel the pressure of rising costs,” the Minister said.
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During the consultation 56% of those who responded agreed that logos should not be required on school uniforms in comparison to 27% who disagreed. Nearly 90% of respondents also felt that schools should avoid single supplier agreements.
The Welsh Government said there was almost universal consensus that schools should operate uniform exchange or recycling schemes. The new guidance calls for arrangements to be in place so that second hand school uniforms are available for parents and carers.
The Minister recently visited St Michael’s Catholic Primary School in Pontypridd to see the school uniform recycling/exchange scheme in operation there.
Parents and carers donate school uniform that no longer fits their children. It offers affordable uniform for all during the economic crisis.
“We know that branded school wear can be a lot more expensive for families – that is why schools shouldn’t make them mandatory. There certainly should not be a requirement for multiple items to be branded,” said Mr Miles.
“I know that most schools are doing everything they can to keep costs down for families. But we have still seen too many cases where families have had to purchase expensive uniforms. The guidance we are publishing today will support schools in reducing these costs.
“In Wales we are doing everything we can to support families, with many lower income families eligible for the School Essentials Grant. This is the most generous scheme of its kind in the UK, providing families with up to £300 to purchase school uniform and equipment.
“I am calling on school governing bodies to review their current school uniform policies with affordability being the priority. Any changes to uniform policy should be fed back to families before the end of the current school term.”
The Welsh Government said the consultation received “an extremely high response rate”. Parents, carers, learners, governing bodies, headteachers, teachers and school staff, uniform suppliers and other key stakeholders were among those invited to share their views. To get our free Wales Matters daily briefing on the biggest issues affection the nation, click here.
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