Statutory guidance on the cost of school uniform

Last reviewed on 22 November 2021
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 40059

The DfE has published new statutory guidance on the cost of school uniform. Find out what this guidance means for your school and what you need to do to comply.

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Contents

  1. What you need to do, and when
  2. You’re encouraged to have a school uniform policy
  3. You must take cost into account when you develop your uniform policy
  4. Uniform policy requirements
  5. Make sure second-hand uniform is available
  6. Manage costs through effective procurement
  7. FAQs

This article summarises the Department for Education’s (DfE’s) statutory guidance on the cost of school uniforms. 

It’s aimed at governing boards in maintained schools, and the board of trustees in academies. If you’re on a local governing body (LGB) in a multi-academy trust, check your scheme of delegation to see if you have a role in your school’s uniform policy.

What you need to do, and when

You should comply with as much of the guidance as possible by September 2022.

This means that by the end of the summer term 2022, you need to:

  • Review your school’s uniform policy, and ask your school leaders to make changes where necessary (unless the exceptions set out below apply)
  • Make sure your school publishes its uniform policy on your school’s website
  • Make sure second-hand uniforms are available

Changing your uniform would require

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