The Scottish Government is asking pupils, parents and carers to share their views on school uniforms in a new consultation to help shape future national guidance.
There is no legal requirement to wear a school uniform in Scotland and the new guidance is not intended to change this or to mandate the wearing of one, however, the Scottish Government said a key aim of the guidance will be to reduce costs for families, while ensuring pupils can go to school feeling comfortable and ready to learn.
Local authorities and individual schools decide on school uniform policy at local level in Scotland and the national guidance, which will be underpinned by a range of principles, will inform those policies.
Who is this consultation for?
This consultation is open to anyone with an interest in school uniform policy, but especially pupils, parents and carers, education authorities and education authority schools, and those who provide school uniform items.
This consultation is seeking views on:
- what should be included within the scope of the guidance
- the role that school uniform plays within the ethos, culture and day to day school life
- the considerations available to schools and education authorities in reducing school uniform costs
- the draft principles which are intended to be incorporated as part of national school uniform policy
Commenting on the new consultation, Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “School uniforms 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.”
The level of school clothing grant increased to at least £120 for primary school pupils and £150 for secondary school pupils from the start of the new school year in 2021.
Ms Somerville added: “I would encourage anyone with an interest to have their say on how this guidance should look. It is essential that the views of children and young people are heard as part of this consultation.”
The consultation will close on October 14, 2022 and can be completed online here.
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