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GETTING PUPILS DRESSED FOR SUCCESS: NEW GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES CLARIFY SCHOOL UNIFORM POLICY
20 March 2007
Schools have been told to limit the cost of uniforms as part of new guidelines issued by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) today.
The guidelines, which have been published for consultation, strongly encourage schools to have uniforms, as a way of instilling discipline and pride, protecting pupils and supporting effective teaching and learning. However, the guidance is clear that schools need to take steps to ensure uniforms are affordable, easily available and are not a barrier for poorer families. Jim Knight, Minister for Schools, said: ¡§Uniforms can help to develop the right mindset among pupils, instilling pride and supporting positive behaviour and discipline. But wealth should never be a deterrent to opportunity. I want every child to be able to go to the school of their choice, so it is important that the cost of uniforms does not exclude or deter families from poorer backgrounds. ¡§Schools should consult parents and the wider community when setting uniform policy. And while they should make every effort to accommodate social, religious or medical requirements of individual pupils, the needs of safety, security and effective learning in the school must always take precedence.¡¨Key recommendations in the guidelines include: „X Uniforms must be affordable for all:o Schools should be sensitive to the cost implications of their choice of uniform. The chosen uniform should be available at high street shops and other retail outlets, rather than solely from an expensive sole supplier. o A recent letter to all schools from the Office of Fair Trading says that expensive, exclusive agreements may be subject to enforcement action.„X Schools continue to have the power to set uniform policy and discipline pupils who do not comply:o Pupils may be sent home to change their clothes if they do not wear the right uniform.o But schools should carefully investigate the reasons behind why a pupil is not attending school in the correct uniform. In cases of financial difficulty, schools should be sensitive to the needs of the pupil and give parents time and assistance to purchase the right clothing.„X Advice on equality and discrimination issues related to uniform policy:o Schools must act reasonably in accommodating religious requirements, providing they do not pose a threat to security, safety and learning, or compromise the well-being of the whole school community.o Where individual requirements have an impact in any of these areas, schools are within their rights to take appropriate action, but they must make any decisions in consultation with parents and the local community.
Editor's Notes
This press notice relates to 'England'
The full guidelines which have been published for consultation are available from: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations/
Contact Details
Public Enquiries 0870 000 2288, info@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
Press Notice 2007/0047
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