Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, whether (a) scarves, (b) hats and (c) other optional items of clothing count towards the limit for branded items of uniform.

School uniform plays a valuable role in creating a sense of common identity among pupils and reducing visible inequalities. However, too many schools require high numbers of costly branded uniform items and it is right that this legislation limits the number of branded items schools can require, giving parents more choice in where to purchase uniform and allowing them to make spending decisions which suit their circumstances. Schools will only be able to require pupils to have up to three compulsory branded uniform items for use during the year. Secondary and middle schools will have the option of requiring an additional branded item if that item is a tie.

These limits will apply to all pupils within the school, regardless of year group or when they join. In introducing this measure, the department will give schools time to put sensible transition plans in place. We expect schools to take account of where parents might have already purchased uniform. This might include, for example, allowing pupils to continue to wear previous uniform items for a reasonable period when a new uniform policy is introduced, and optional branded items are still permitted.

Where sew on badges are required to be added to generic uniform items, the resulting item will count towards the limit on compulsory branded items. The department encourages schools to use sew on badges, with a school name or logo, as a cost-effective way to brand uniform items. We also want to give parents absolute clarity on what the limit means for them, which is why we have included any compulsory item with a school name or logo on or attached to it within the limit.

Branded items which are optional, which are those not listed by the school as a compulsory uniform item, including hats and scarves, would not be included in the limit. Schools should, however, have regard to existing statutory guidance, which is clear that all branded items, compulsory and optional, should be kept to a minimum and that schools should carefully consider whether any branded item is the most cost-effective way of achieving the desired result for their uniform. Existing non-statutory guidance is also clear that uniform should be suitable for pupils walking or cycling to school, that it should be practical and appropriate for the activity involved, and that schools should take a sensible approach to allow for exceptions to be made to uniform requirements during extreme weather.