Publication - Consultation analysis

School uniform: consultation analysis

Published: 29 June 2023
From: Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Education
ISBN: 9781805259442

Analysis report on the responses we received to our consultation on school uniforms in Scotland.

Annex A – Coding framework

As noted in the Method of Analysis section, all five questions invited open responses. The responses were initially analysed and grouped together into topics. These topics were then reviewed to identify common themes. Information on each topic, the number of the comments related to it and the theme that it has been captured under, is presented in the coding framework below.

Question 1

What matters related to school uniform would you wish to be included within the guidance? Why?
Topic	Number of Comments	Theme
Affordability	988	Affordability
Comfort	440	Equalities
Flexibility	244	Compliance
Sensory needs	176	Equalities
Equality	175	Equalities
Gender neutral	171	Equalities
Availability from high street shops	163	Affordability
Practicality	162	Equalities
Seasonal/Weather suitability	161	Sustainability
Generic items	128	Affordability
No exclusion for non-compliance	108	Compliance
No logo	97	Affordability
Additional Support Needs	96	Equalities
Accessibility	90	Affordability
Important	79	Compliance
Expensive	78	Affordability
Abolish uniform	76	Out of scope
Skirt length	76	Equalities
Agree with scope	74	Scope
Encourage recycling	71	Sustainability
Sustainability	71	Sustainability
Colours	70	Affordability
Durability	70	Sustainability
No blazer	69	Affordability
Smart	63	Compliance
Uniform compulsory	62	Out of scope
Inclusion	61	Equalities
No designer labels	59	Affordability
Flexibility - footwear	55	Compliance
Relaxed policy	55	Compliance
PE clothes on PE days	54	Affordability
Individuality	53	Other
Clothing grant criteria	52	Affordability
Choice	51	Affordability
No mandated supplier	51	Affordability
Safety	49	Other
Encourage physical activity	48	Affordability
Uniform optional	48	Compliance
Footwear	47	Compliance
PE	47	Affordability
Quality	44	Sustainability
Sizing	44	Equalities
Second-hand uniforms	43	Sustainability
Generic colours	40	Affordability
Equity	39	Equalities
Plain PE kit	39	Affordability
Simplicity	39	Equalities
Gendered Items	38	Equalities
Identity	38	Other
Reduces bullying	38	Equalities
Ease of washing	36	Other
Unity	36	Equalities
Compliance	34	Compliance
Cost of washing/drying uniform	34	Affordability
No branded items	34	Affordability
Old fashioned	33	Other
Reduce items	33	Affordability
Views of Children and Young People	33	Scope
Outdoor learning	32	Compliance
Appropriate	31	Equalities
Modesty	29	Equalities
Disability considerations	28	Equalities
Logo	28	Affordability
Financial support	27	Affordability
Modernise uniform	27	Other
Reduce compliance	27	Compliance
Identification	26	Other
Rights of Children and Young People	26	Scope
Wellbeing	26	Equalities
Less prescriptive	25	Scope
Standardisation	25	Affordability
Diversity	24	Equalities
DIY School Badge	24	Affordability
Impact on Learning	24	Other
Leggings	23	Equalities
No separate PE kit	23	Affordability
Religion	23	Equalities
Availability and choice in rural areas	22	Affordability
Consistent approach	22	Scope
Enforcement powers	22	Compliance
Increase compliance	22	Compliance
No tie	21	Compliance
Not for Scottish Government to decide	21	Scope
Set expectations	21	Scope
Definition of uniform	20	Scope
Local flexibility	20	Scope
Polo shirt	20	Equalities
Reduce white items	19	Affordability
No designer footwear	17	Affordability
Online availability	17	Affordability
Reduce stigma	17	Equalities
Range of suppliers	16	Affordability
Labels/Brands	15	Affordability
Uniformity	15	Equalities
Age appropriate	14	Equalities
Dress code	14	Compliance
Specify standard in guidance	14	Scope
View of parents	14	Scope
Hoodie	13	Equalities
Multi-use	13	Affordability
Not important	13	Compliance
Price cap	13	Affordability
Communication	12	Equalities
Considers environmental issues	11	Sustainability
Covered by guidance	11	Scope
Purpose	11	Scope
No group changing	10	Equalities
Senior phase	10	Affordability
Separate PE kit	10	Affordability
Badges	9	Affordability
Evidence of uniform impact	9	Other
Hairstyles	9	Out of scope
Jumper	9	Compliance
Notice of uniform changes	8	Affordability
Replacement of items	8	Affordability
All	7	Other
Barrier to attendance	7	Scope
Belonging	7	Equalities
Existing policy	7	Scope
Own clothes for PE	7	Affordability
Culture	6	Equalities
Trousers	6	Equalities
Lost items	5	Affordability
No football shirts	5	Compliance
Visibility	5	Scope
Active travel	4	Scope
Relationships and behaviour	4	Compliance
Don't apply to independent schools	4	Scope
Dress down days	4	Affordability
Lockers	4	Other
Looked after children	4	Equalities
Single national uniform	4	Scope
Special occasions	4	Compliance
Definition of sex and gender	3	Out of scope
Divisive	3	Compliance
Jewellery	3	Compliance
No hoodies	3	Compliance
No logo for PE	3	Affordability
Not for independent schools	3	Scope
Poverty proofing	3	Affordability
Provide uniform rather than grant	3	Affordability
Shorts	3	Equalities
Skin conditions	3	Equalities
Supplier contracts	3	Affordability
Support to access clothing grant	3	Affordability
Unnecessary	3	Compliance
Voucher	3	Affordability
Bags	2	Affordability
Braiding	2	Affordability
Damaged items	2	Affordability
Less choice	2	Affordability
Minimum requirements	2	Affordability
No tie (primary)	2	Compliance
Non-profit	2	Affordability
Staff uniform	2	Out of Scope
Tartan	2	Affordability
Universal financial support	2	Affordability
Bulk buying	1	Affordability
Changing facilities	1	Equalities
Classroom temperature consideration	1	Equalities
Engage with providers	1	Affordability
Indoor shoes	1	Compliance
Jackets	1	Compliance
Long-sleeved tops	1	Compliance
Nationalised supplier	1	Affordability
No separate senior phase	1	Affordability
Non-statutory	1	Scope
Not apply to residential schools	1	Scope
Not compulsory for teachers	1	Out of scope
Pre-Covid	1	Compliance
Provide outdoor items	1	Affordability
Representing school at special occasions	1	Affordability
School cap	1	Compliance
Sensitivity	1	Equalities
Universal basic income cover cost	1	Affordability
Young carers	1	Equalities
Total	2,453

Question 2

What role does school uniform have in the ethos and culture of schools?
Topic	No. of Comments	Theme
Equal	622	Equalities
Identity	501	Culture/Ethos
Connectedness	399	Inclusion
Togetherness	343	Inclusion
Community	332	Inclusion
Identification	313	Safety
Pride	280	Relationships and behaviour
Reduce bullying	191	Equalities
Look the same	183	Equalities
Smart	183	Relationships and behaviour
Affordability	176	Affordability
Prepare for life after school	168	Relationships and behaviour
Reduce stigma	157	Equalities
Important	153	Culture/Ethos
Not important	153	Culture/Ethos
Reduce competition	149	Equalities
Comfort	147	Equalities
Inclusion	136	Inclusion
Ready to learn	134	Relationships and behaviour
Not essential	116	Culture/Ethos
Safety	108	Safety
Old fashioned	87	Culture/Ethos
Reduces stress	84	Affordability
Individuality	82	Culture/Ethos
Behaviour	79	Relationships and behaviour
Differentiate between school/leisure	77	Relationships and behaviour
None	69	Other
Relationships and behaviour	64	Relationships and behaviour
Colours	55	Culture/Ethos
Flexible	55	Compliance
Too Strict	48	Relationships and behaviour
Equity	47	Equalities
Respect	47	Inclusion
Rigid	42	Relationships and behaviour
Security	40	Safety
Abolish	39	Out of Scope
Practical	37	Equalities
Convenience	35	Compliance
No logos	35	Affordability
Expensive	31	Affordability
Agree on uniform	25	Culture/Ethos
Divisive	25	Inclusion
Increase pressure on families	24	Affordability
Logo	24	Affordability
Increases stigma	23	Equalities
Modern policy	18	Scope
Raises attainment	15	Relationships and behaviour
Simplicity	13	Compliance
Uncomfortable	13	Equalities
Teacher dress code	12	Out of scope
Motivational	11	Relationships and behaviour
Promote historical importance	11	Culture/Ethos
Barrier to attendance	10	Equalities
Routine	10	Scope
Adaptive	9	Equalities
Lack of identity	9	Culture/Ethos
Seasonal flexibility	9	Sustainability
Labels/Brands	7	Affordability
Recognisable	6	Safety
Responsibility	6	Relationships and behaviour
Sets expectations	6	Relationships and behaviour
Encourage physical activity	5	Other
Reputation	5	Relationships and behaviour
Traditional	5	Culture/Ethos
Authoritarian	4	Relationships and behaviour
Climate adaptable	4	Sustainability
Clothing grant criteria	4	Affordability
Consistency	3	Scope
Discourages physical activity	3	Other
Financial support	3	Affordability
Inflexible	3	Compliance
Year groups	3	Affordability
Barrier to participation	2	Equalities
Children and Young People 'buy-in'	2	Inclusion
Eco-friendly	2	Sustainability
Engagement	2	Inclusion
Increases bullying	2	Equalities
Ineligible low-income families	2	Affordability
Promotes recycling	2	Sustainability
Body image	1	Equalities
Dignity	1	Equalities
Informal	1	Compliance
Local flexibility	1	Scope
Mature	1	Relationships and behaviour
Not apply to independent schools	1	Scope
School decides	1	Scope
Total	2,597

Question 3

Following on from Question 2, are there any particular items of school uniform which are central to that? If so, why?
Topic	No. of comments	Theme
Tie	637	Formal items
School Colours	600	Badge/Colours
School Badge	501	Badge/Colours
Jumpers	437	Informal items
Polo shirt	291	Informal items
Blazer	261	Formal items
Shirt	256	Formal items
Trousers	239	Formal items
Generic items	214	General
None	196	General
Skirt	186	Formal items
Sweatshirt	170	Informal items
No blazer	152	Formal items
No tie	148	Formal items
Logo	132	Badge/Colours
Hoodie	118	Informal items
Comfortable	96	Equalities
Cardigan	86	Informal items
No logo/badge	84	Badge/Colours
Footwear	80	General
Affordable	78	Affordability
Generic colours	73	Badge/Colours
T-shirt	69	Informal items
DIY school badge	66	Badge/Colours
All	59	General
Leggings	49	Informal items
Flexible policy	47	Equalities
Tie (secondary only)	47	Formal items
Jogging bottoms	46	Informal items
Jacket	44	Formal items
Smart	41	Formal items
No shirt	39	Formal items
PE kit	39	Non-uniform
Shorts	38	Equalities
Blazer (secondary only)	37	Formal items
Standard items	32	General
Gender neutral	31	Equalities
No uniform	31	Out of Scope
Skirt length	26	Equalities
No designer labels	25	Affordability
Practical	25	General
No expensive items	21	Affordability
Seasonal/Weather suitability	21	General
Uniform not important	21	General
Optional items	19	General
Black shoes	17	Formal items
Sensory needs	17	Equalities
No trainers	16	Informal items
Bag	14	Non-uniform
Additional Support Needs	12	Equalities
No leggings	12	Informal items
Plain PE kit	11	Non-uniform
Jeans	9	Informal items
No hoodie	9	Informal items
No jogging bottoms	9	Informal items
Plain colours	9	Badge/Colours
Plain shoes	9	Formal items
Body image	8	Equalities
Expensive	8	Affordability
Trainers	8	Informal items
Uncomfortable	8	Equalities
Designed by CYP	7	General
Kilt	7	Equalities
Look the same	7	Equalities
Dress code	6	General
Formal (secondary)	6	Formal items
Local decision	6	Scope
Durability/Quality	5	General
Gendered items	5	Equalities
Reduce additional items	5	Affordability
Enforce uniform policy	4	Compliance
No jeans	4	Informal items
Outdoor wear	3	General
Ban designer brands	2	Affordability
Important	2	Compliance
Local consultation	2	Scope
No skirts	2	Formal items
Sportswear	2	Non-uniform
Brighter Colours	1	Badge/Colours
Headscarf	1	Equalities
National uniform	1	Out of Scope
Not apply to independent schools	1	Scope
Promotes equality	1	Equalities
Total	2,399

Question 4

What can schools do within their policies to support the aim of reducing costs of school uniform? [Please give specific examples of approaches which could be considered, or have been tried].
Topic	No. of Comments	Theme
Uniform swap/sale	772	Affordability
Second-hand clothing	607	Sustainability
Recycling	541	Sustainability
Availability from high street shops	480	Affordability
Generic items	425	Flexibility
Cost	326	Affordability
Flexibility	296	Flexibility
Generic colours	231	Flexibility
Range of suppliers	231	Affordability
No logoed items	227	Affordability
Financial support	196	Support
No blazer	187	Uniform Items
School colours	185	Flexibility
DIY school badge	177	Affordability
Affordability of logoed items	139	Affordability
Flexibility - footwear	117	Flexibility
No badges	117	Affordability
Clothing grant criteria	115	Support
Abolish school uniform	110	Out of scope
Limit badged items	92	Affordability
Simplicity	83	Flexibility
Provide uniform	79	Support
Logo not compulsory	77	Affordability
Bulk purchasing by school/council	74	Affordability
Comfort	67	Equalities
Reduce items	67	Affordability
Already affordable	66	Affordability
Polo shirt	66	Uniform Items
Bulk ordering from suppliers	63	Affordability
Ineligible low-income families	58	Support
Leggings	52	Uniform Items
No tie	52	Uniform Items
Relax uniform rules	51	Flexibility
No designer clothes	50	Affordability
Fundraising	49	Support
Vouchers to purchase uniform	44	Support
Jogging Bottoms	43	Uniform Items
Jumpers	41	Uniform Items
Environmental issues	37	Sustainability
Provide tie	37	Support
Easily available	35	Affordability
Reduce logoed items	35	Affordability
Reduce need for different footwear	35	Affordability
Donations	34	Support
Durability	34	Sustainability
Uniform optional	34	Scope
Buy from school	32	Affordability
Affordable blazers	31	Affordability
Plain PE kit	31	Affordability
Ease of washing	30	Affordability
Hoodies	30	Uniform Items
Relationship with local suppliers	30	Affordability
Support to access clothing grant	30	Support
Tie	30	Uniform Items
Provide items with logo	28	Support
Discounts	27	Affordability
Increased clothing grant	27	Support
No separate PE clothes	27	Affordability
Provide badge	24	Support
Communication	23	Support
Gender neutral	23	Equalities
Less prescriptive footwear	19	Flexibility
Practicality	19	Flexibility
Blazer optional	17	Affordability
Standardisation across year groups	17	Affordability
Partnership with stores	16	Affordability
Rent uniform	16	Support
Blazer	15	Uniform Items
PE	15	Affordability
Enforce compliance	14	Scope
Standardisation across local areas	14	Affordability
No enforced compliance	13	Scope
Publicly run suppliers	13	Affordability
Universal clothing grant	13	Support
Adaptable for activity	12	Equalities
Availability and choice in rural areas	12	Affordability
Reduce white or light colour items	12	Affordability
Sizing	12	Equalities
Ethical production	11	Sustainability
No enforcement	11	Scope
Price cap	11	Affordability
School badge	11	Affordability
Seasonal/Weather suitability	10	Sustainability
Pay in instalments	10	Affordability
PE clothes on PE days	10	Affordability
Jeans	9	Uniform Items
Encourage physical activity	8	Other
One supplier	8	Affordability
Quality	8	Sustainability
Dress down days	7	Affordability
Non-profit	7	Affordability
View of parents	7	Scope
Outdoor clothing	6	Flexibility
PE uniform	6	Affordability
Reduce stigma	6	Equalities
Funding for local authorities	5	Support
No logoed bags	5	Affordability
Promote supermarket options	5	Affordability
Use social media	5	Equalities
Children and Young People's views	4	Scope
Non-uniform items	4	Affordability
Senior phase	4	Affordability
Shorts	4	Uniform Items
Sports clothing	4	Flexibility
Abolish clothing grant	3	Support
Contract tender	3	Affordability
Full uniform packages	3	Support
Hair styles or colour	3	Out of scope
Non-taxable	3	Affordability
Nothing	3	Affordability
PE kit on PE days	3	Affordability
Plain shoes	3	Affordability
VAT	3	Affordability
Won't prevent bullying	3	Equalities
Appropriate enforcement	2	Equalities
Blazer material	2	Sustainability
Blazer (secondary)	2	Affordability
Fitted footwear	2	Affordability
Footwear grant	2	Support
Gender price difference	2	Equalities
Incentives to recycle	2	Sustainability
Loan uniform	2	Affordability
No trainers	2	Uniform Items
Plain jacket	2	Affordability
Poverty proofing	2	Affordability
Protective clothing	2	Other
Provide PE kit	2	Support
Biannual clothing grant payment	1	Support
Changing facilities	1	Equalities
Frequency of clothing grant	1	Support
Government policy	1	Scope
Increase living wage	1	Out of scope
Lockers	1	Other
No jeans	1	Uniform Items
No white items	1	Affordability
Parents meet cost	1	Affordability
Policy on bags	1	Affordability
Reduce clothing grant	1	Support
Repair in class	1	Affordability
Reversible garments	1	Affordability
Single clothing grant amount	1	Support
Spare stock	1	Support
Timing of grant payment	1	Support
Try before you buy	1	Affordability
Uniform subsidy	1	Support
Total	2,613

Question 5

Are the draft principles appropriate? If you would change any of them, please set out what your alternative wording would be. Would you add any principles? Please say what they would be. Are there any which are unnecessary?
Topic	No. of comments	Theme
Agree with principles	643	Scope
Enforce uniform policy	121	Compliance
Affordability	115	Affordability
Conflict between no legal requirement and non-compliance	105	Compliance
No exclusion for non-compliance	84	Compliance
Uniform not essential	83	Compliance
Views of children and young people	79	Equalities
Appropriate response to non-compliance	76	Compliance
No enforcement	75	Compliance
Comfort	69	Equalities
No uniform	53	Out of scope
Uniform bank	51	Affordability
Choice	48	Flexibility
Flexibility	47	Flexibility
Gender neutral	47	Equalities
Include views of parents and carers	45	Affordability
Uniform compulsory	42	Out of scope
Not apply to independent schools	40	Scope
Relax enforcement of compliance	40	Compliance
Seasonal/Weather suitability	40	Sustainability
Sustainability	36	Sustainability
Sensory needs	34	Equalities
Equality	31	Equalities
Practicality	31	Flexibility
Financial support	30	Affordability
Additional Support Needs	28	Equalities
Gendered items	22	Equalities
Not for Scottish Government to decide	20	Scope
PE	20	Affordability
Skirt length	20	Equalities
Fairness	19	Equalities
PE uniform not compulsory	19	Affordability
Environmental issues	18	Sustainability
Communication	17	Equalities
Religious items	16	Equalities
Don't include CYP views	15	Equalities
Inclusive	14	Equalities
No requirement	14	Scope
Recycling	14	Sustainability
Equity	13	Equalities
View of parents	13	Affordability
Easily washable	12	Affordability
Include views of staff	11	Scope
Individuality	11	Scope
No designer brands	11	Affordability
No logoed items	11	Affordability
Smart	9	Compliance
Dress Code	8	Compliance
Local decision	8	Scope
Review policy periodically	8	Scope
Apply to independent schools	7	Scope
Disability considerations	7	Equalities
Encourage physical activity	7	Other
Good practice examples	7	Scope
Hair styles	7	Out of scope
Health and safety	7	Scope
Race and ethnicity	7	Equalities
Apply to grant-aided schools	6	Scope
Consistent policy	6	Scope
Relationships and behaviour	6	Scope
No ties	6	Affordability
Sizing	6	Equalities
Already affordable	5	Affordability
Consistency between local authorities	5	Affordability
Dignity	5	Equalities
Not a priority	5	Scope
School Colours	5	Affordability
Appropriate	4	Scope
Definition of sex and gender	4	Out of Scope
No football colours	4	Scope
No separate PE kit	4	Affordability
Safety	4	Safety
Strengthen	4	Compliance
Buy from school	3	Affordability
Define "appropriate response"	3	Compliance
Disagree with principles	3	Scope
Easily available	3	Affordability
Existing policy	3	Scope
Mental health	3	Equalities
Modern Policy	3	Scope
No group changing	3	Scope
No specified colours	3	Affordability
Not apply to grant-aided schools	3	Scope
Provide uniform	3	Affordability
Remove reference to gender	3	Equalities
Same for all ages	3	Equalities
Measures for non-compliance	3	Compliance
Simplicity	3	Equalities
Value	3	Affordability
Views of community	3	Scope
Views of staff	3	Scope
No hoodies	2	Compliance
No single suppliers	2	Affordability
No sportswear outside PE	2	Scope
Promote environmental issues	2	Sustainability
Reduce items	2	Affordability
Reward compliance	2	Out of scope
Subsidise uniform	2	Affordability
Support independence	2	Scope
Supports learning	2	Equalities
Active travel	1	Scope
Additional items	1	Affordability
Complaints policy	1	Scope
Costly	1	Affordability
Different uniform for different age groups	1	Affordability
Ensure clothing grant used for uniform	1	Affordability
Learning more important	1	Scope
Less formal	1	Scope
Lockers	1	Other
Looked after children	1	Equalities
No religious items	1	Equalities
No hi-viz mandate	1	Scope
Promote health and wellbeing	1	Equalities
Restrictive	1	Scope
Retain existing policy	1	Scope
Trips	1	Scope
Unable to differentiate	1	Scope
Uniform impact	1	Scope
Universal provision	1	Affordability
Total	1,600

Contact

Email: deborah.lynch@gov.scot

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