School uniform and clothing: a summary of guidance for schools and education authorities

Introduction

Decisions about school uniform and clothing policy are the responsibility of individual schools. The school uniform and clothing in Scotland guidance is intended to support headteachers, school leaders and education authorities to work collaboratively with their school community to design and implement affordable and sustainable uniform and clothing policies which recognise and repond to the individual needs, circumstances and identities of all pupils.

All schools should have a uniform or clothing policy which meets the needs of their pupils and wider school community and is centred on pupil comfort, happiness and freedom to learn and play. The cost of school clothing should be minimised. Schools should consider their policies within the context of national minimum amounts available for school clothing grant, designing policies on the basis that families can buy all items needed for the school year, plus a reasonable number of spares or replacements, within this budget.

Uniform and clothing policy should build on current good practice and be developed and delivered in accordance with the guidance and in consultation with pupils, parents, carers, teachers, school staff, and other relevant individuals or groups^[1].

Considerations should be undertaken within the context of relevant policy and legislation. This includes policy and legislation related to education, children’s rights, equalities, takling child poverty and supporting the environment. Further information is included at Annex A of the guidance.

Resources designed to communicate the key messages from this guidance with parents and carers and with pupils have also been developed. These can be accessed at the following links: Guidance on school uniform and clothing: information for parents and carers and Guidance on school uniform and clothing: information for pupils.