The government's guidance on the cost of school uniforms is designed to ensure policies are fair, reasonable, and don't place an unnecessary financial burden on parents. Your published policy must be clear and easy to understand.

Here’s a checklist of what you need to detail on your website:

• Required vs. Optional Items: Clearly state which pieces of the uniform are compulsory and which are optional.

• Seasonal Uniforms: If you have different uniforms for summer and winter, this must be specified. If you don't have seasonal variations, it's best practice to state that explicitly for clarity.

• Branded vs. Generic Items: You must specify which items need to be branded with the school logo (e.g., blazers, jumpers) and which can be generic items purchased from any retailer (e.g., trousers, shirts). This is key to keeping costs down for families.

• Supplier Information: State whether uniform items can only be bought from a specific retailer or if they can be purchased more widely.

• Second-Hand Uniforms: Importantly, your policy must include information on where parents can acquire second-hand uniforms. This is a mandatory part of promoting affordability and sustainability.

By including all these points, you not only meet your statutory duties but also provide parents with the transparency they need.

Unsure if Your Website is Compliant?

Are you confident that your school's uniform policy—and every other required document—is up-to-date and correctly published on your website? It’s easy for policies to become outdated or for small but crucial details to be missed.

Acuity AI for Education offers a simple solution. Our powerful AI tool audits your entire school website against the latest DfE and statutory guidance. In just minutes, it checks for missing information, outdated policies, and other compliance risks, delivering a clear and actionable report.

Find out if your website is fully compliant today with a completely free, no-obligation trial at https://acuity.education/