School uniform: consultation analysis

Background to the consultation

The Scottish Government has committed to introducing statutory guidance in Scotland which aims to address equalities issues related to school uniform policy and reduce the cost of uniform, as this can be a significant barrier to participation in learning. The consultation sought 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;
• whether there are particular items of uniform that are central to the ethos and culture of school life;
• the opportunities available to schools and education authorities in reducing school uniform costs; and
• the draft principles which will underpin national school uniform policy.

Matters out of scope

It is intended that the national guidance will inform local authorities' and schools' uniform policies. It is not intended that that there will be a national school uniform policy which is applied in all schools nor that school uniform items will be mandated at national levels. It is also not intended that school uniform in Scotland will be abolished. Therefore, these matters were not within the scope of the consultation.

The school clothing grant is available to eligible families to help with the cost of purchasing uniform. A minimum grant of £120 per eligible primary school pupil and £150 per eligible secondary school pupil is available. Matters relating to the criteria for school clothing grant and how payments are made are the responsibility of local authorities and were not in scope of this consultation. Further information on school clothing grant is available at: Help with school clothing costs - mygov.scot