School uniform and clothing guidance: equality impact assessment

The Scope of the EQIA

The introduction of national policy and guidance on school clothing and uniform in Scotland is intended to be of positive benefit to pupils and their families.

The EQIA considered relevant data related to the protected characteristics of age, disability, sex, pregnancy and maternity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race and religion and belief.

The data included statistical information from Poverty and Income Inequality in Scotland 2020-23 and Summary statistics for schools in Scotland 2023. It also included consideration of the analysis of the public consultation on school uniform and responses from and the Children’s Parliament report on their engagement with pupils on school uniform. Further evidence considered also included, the tackling child poverty delivery plan, Best Start, Bright Futures, the report from Child Poverty Action Group on the cost of the school day, the School Clothing Framework for Action and other evidence on uniform and clothing policies from across Scotland.