School uniform help

Also called Uniform grant, Uniform costs

Schools must keep uniform affordable. Councils may — but need not — offer grants.

What it is

Statutory guidance requires schools to ensure uniform costs are reasonable and to secure best value, to limit branded items, and to make second-hand uniform available.

Separately, some local authorities offer uniform grants, but there is no national scheme and many councils have withdrawn theirs.

Where it applies

All state schools for the cost duty. Grants vary entirely by area.

How it works

Since 2022 schools have had to review uniform policies to keep costs down, including by allowing generic items rather than branded ones and running at least one supplier arrangement that offers value.

Uniform cannot lawfully be a barrier to attendance, and a child should not be sanctioned for uniform their family cannot afford.

What you can ask for

Ask the school directly. Most have a hardship fund or a second-hand rail and will not advertise either.

Ask for the uniform policy and check it against the statutory guidance on branded items. Schools have had to reduce these and some have not.

If your child is being sanctioned over uniform, raise affordability in writing — the guidance is explicit that cost should not disadvantage a pupil.

Where to get help

Your council's website for any local grant. The school's pastoral lead. Turn2us for wider grants.