New guidance on school uniforms published to keep costs down for families

New national guidance has been published by the Scottish Government with the aim of reducing the cost of school uniforms for families.

The guidance, which was drawn up following consultation with schools, families, young learners, suppliers and councils, also sets out key considerations to ensure pupil comfort, freedom and happiness.

It includes advice on encouraging schools to adopt measures that curb costs for families and reduce waste, including limiting the number of items that pupils need to wear and promoting items that can be reused.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth launched the guidance during a visit to Camperdown Primary School in Dundee, where she learned about work done by pupils to develop a cost of the school day action plan.

She said: “Every child in Scotland should be able to attend school feeling comfortable, confident, and ready to learn.

“However, we know the cost can be a significant burden for families and we want to support schools to minimise these costs.

“This new national guidance contains measures for schools to develop and implement their own affordable and sustainable policies that recognise the individual needs of all pupils.

“It makes clear that schools are expected to do all they can to limit school clothing costs for families as part of our wider aim to reduce the cost of the school day.

“The guidance also encourages schools to develop flexible and inclusive policies which promote generic items of clothing and do not include compulsory branded items, supporting our efforts to be more sustainable.

“Ending child poverty is the central mission of this government and reducing the cost of the school day for families will play a crucial role in this work.”