School uniform and clothing: Guidance for schools and education authorities

Key principles

All school uniform and clothing policies should be informed and underpinned by the following key principles.

School uniform and clothing policies should:

• be informed by the views of pupils
• be informed by the views of parents, carers, teachers and school staff
• minimise the cost of school uniform and clothing for families
• consider and commit to fair and environmentally sustainable approaches
• support an inclusive, welcoming and equitable school culture
• promote equality, including recognising specific matters relating to religion and belief, race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment and pregnancy and maternity
• eliminate unnecessary barriers to participation and engagement of pupils in school education
• apply to all school clothing, including PE and senior phase
• recognise the need for practicality, including in relation to weather and seasonal needs
• recognise and build upon current good practice within schools
• support and encourage pupils to observe school uniform and clothing polices, while recognising their individual needs, circumstances and identity
• continue the position of no legal requirement upon pupils to wear school uniform