School uniform policy
The school's uniform policy, saying which items are required or optional, which need the school logo, where they can be bought and where second-hand uniform is available. Schools should publish it on their website.
Check this on my websiteWho it applies to
- Published on
- The school's own website
- School type
- Academies and maintained schools
- School stage
- All stages, from early years to sixth form
- Does not apply to
- No school types are excluded
When is it due?
- Renewal
- No fixed date
The official sources set no renewal date. Keep it accurate whenever it changes.
What's needed
Publish the school uniform policy, including costs and how second-hand uniform can be obtained, on the parents or policies page.
What it must contain
9 parts- Says where second-hand uniform is availableShould
- Names who to contact for help with uniform costsGood practice
- Says, for each item, whether it is required or optionalShould
- Says, for each item, whether it must carry the school logo or can be plainShould
- Says where each item can be bought, and whether from one shop or more widelyShould
- Says when an item used only in certain circumstances or at particular times of year is neededShould
- Sets the standards plain items must meetShould
- States the school's position on political badgesShould
- Says how parents can complain about uniform costsMust
What the official sources say
Set out in 2 official sources:
Cost of school uniforms (statutory guidance)
A school’s uniform policy should be: – published on its website – available for all parents, including parents of prospective pupils – easily understood, including clearly setting out which items are compulsory and which are optional
Should§ Main points
Disputes about the cost of uniform should be resolved locally, in line with the school’s complaints policy. In law, governing boards must have a complaints procedure in place to deal with such issues.
Must§ Complaints and pupil non-compliance – Complaints
Show 8 more from this source
A school’s uniform policy should be: – published on the school’s website – available for all parents, including parents of prospective pupils – easily understood
Should§ Providing information to parents
publish their revised uniform policy on the school’s website and ensure it is easily understood
Should§ Actions for schools – Actions for the 2026 to 2027 school year (bullet)
Schools should ensure that opportunities to acquire second-hand uniforms are freely accessible to all parents. Information on second-hand uniforms should be clear and available to parents of both current and prospective pupils and be published on the school’s website.
Should§ Main points
While it is up to schools to decide how they are going to make second-hand uniforms accessible to parents, they should ensure that the information about this is clear for parents of both current and prospective pupils, and is published on the school’s website. This information should clearly state where second-hand uniforms are freely available to purchase. It would not be acceptable, for example, for parents to have to access second-hand uniform via paid for events, such as school fairs.
Should§ Making second-hand uniform accessible
ensure that all parents, especially those of new starters, are made aware of where second-hand uniforms can be purchased, and that they make this facility available to all parents before the start of the new academic year
Should§ Actions for schools – Actions for the 2026 to 2027 school year (bullet)
The published uniform policy should clearly state whether each item is optional or required, including whether a branded item is required or whether a generic item is acceptable. If the item is only used in certain circumstances, or at particular times of the year, this should be made clear.
Should§ Providing information to parents
Schools can require that generic items meet standards of modesty and are fit for purpose. Any such requirements should form part of the published uniform policy.
Should§ Optional, loaned and gifted branded items
Schools should include sufficient information so that a parent is clear whether an item can only be purchased from a specific retailer or if it can be purchased more widely, including from second-hand retailers.
Should§ Providing information to parents
Developing school uniform policy
Disputes about school uniforms should be resolved locally and pursued in accordance with the school’s complaints policy. In law, governing boards must have a complaints procedure in place to deal with issues such as a complaint about school uniform.
Must§ Complaints and challenges to school uniform policy
Schools should consider whether to make their position on political impartiality clear in their uniform policy. This includes any rules around badges or other items supporting causes or organisations being fixed to uniform items.
Should§ Other factors to consider
Show 1 more from this source
consider how they will support pupils who do not have the correct uniform, including which members of staff will be a point of contact for families and pupils who need support with uniform
Good practice§ Actions to help develop your school uniform policy (bullet list under 'we strongly recommend that they:')
Questions schools ask
Does every school have to publish the school uniform policy?
The official sources we check set no requirement for academies. The official sources we check set no requirement for maintained schools.
When does the school uniform policy need to be published?
Renewal: No fixed date. The official sources set no renewal date. Keep it accurate whenever it changes.
What must the school uniform policy include?
Says where second-hand uniform is available; Names who to contact for help with uniform costs; Says, for each item, whether it is required or optional; Says, for each item, whether it must carry the school logo or can be plain; Says where each item can be bought, and whether from one shop or more widely; Says when an item used only in certain circumstances or at particular times of year is needed; and 3 more parts listed above.
Where does the requirement for the school uniform policy come from?
It is set out in Cost of school uniforms (statutory guidance) and Developing school uniform policy.
Changes to the official sources
Dated change notes published by the Department for Education on the sources above.
6 July 2026 · Developing school uniform policy
The new limit on branded items of uniform and PE kit will come into force on 1 September 2026. We have updated ‘Developing school uniform policy’ to reflect this.
6 July 2026 · Cost of school uniforms (statutory guidance)
Updated to reflect the new legal limit on compulsory branded school uniform items in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026.
7 November 2025 · Developing school uniform policy
Updated 'Developing school uniform policy' to include new and revised information.
23 October 2025 · Cost of school uniforms (statutory guidance)
Updated the guidance, which now includes draft statutory guidance relating to the proposed limit on the number of branded items of school uniform and PE kit that schools can require.
29 April 2024 · Developing school uniform policy
Added guidance on procuring uniform supplies, and accompanying template documents.
2 June 2023 · Developing school uniform policy
Added a link to the Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance on 'Preventing hair discrimination in schools'.
3 earlier changes are listed on the source pages.
We last checked these sources on 21 September 2026.
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Official sources last checked 21 September 2026 · register version 1.0.4