Schools in Wales urged to remove logos for uniforms in bid to make them more affordable
Schools across Wales will be encouraged to review their current school uniform policies – including removing logos – before the end of the current term.
It comes as a result of a public consultation carried out by the Welsh Government which sought opinions on affordability in order to support families through the cost-of-living crisis.
56 per cent of those who responded agreed that logos should not be required on school uniforms in comparison to 27 per cent who disagreed.
Nearly 90 per cent of respondents also felt that schools should avoid single supplier agreements.
There was almost universal consensus that schools should operate uniform exchange or recycling schemes.
New statutory guidance released by Education Minister Jeremy Miles calls for arrangements to be in place so that second-hand school uniforms are available for parents and carers.
Education Minister Jeremy Miles
The Minister, said: “School uniforms are an important part of identify for a school, but it is absolutely vital that uniforms are affordable.
“This is why I am asking schools to prioritise making school uniforms cheaper for families, who continue to feel the pressure of rising costs.”
“We know that branded school wear can be a lot more expensive for families – that is why schools shouldn’t make them mandatory.
“There certainly should not be a requirement for multiple items to be branded.
“I know that most schools are doing everything they can to keep costs down for families. But we have still seen too many cases where families have had to purchase expensive uniforms.
“The guidance we are publishing today will support schools in reducing these costs.
“In Wales we are doing everything we can to support families, with many lower income families eligible for the School Essentials Grant. This is the most generous scheme of its kind in the UK, providing families with up to £300 to purchase school uniform and equipment.
“I am calling on school governing bodies to review their current school uniform policies with affordability being the priority.
“Any changes to uniform policy should be fed back to families before the end of the current school term.”
The consultation received an extremely high response rate. Parents, carers, learners, governing bodies, headteachers, teachers and school staff, uniform suppliers and other key stakeholders were invited to share their views.
Responding to new statutory guidance on school uniforms, Rocio Cifuentes MBE said:
My team and I listened to almost 9,000 children and 900 parents and carers through my national consultation last year. The message was loud and clear: children are worried about their families affording everyday essentials, and parents are struggling to make ends meet. Paying for uniform was a significant worry for many, so I really welcome this much-needed focus on affordability as part of the new guidance.
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