School uniform policy

Contents

1. Aims

2. Legal and statutory framework

3. Equality, inclusion and reasonable adjustments

4. Limiting the cost of school uniform

5. Expectations for school uniform

6. Purchasing uniform and second-hand provision

7. Expectations for our school community

8. Non-compliance, attendance and financial hardship

9. Complaints

10. Monitoring and review

11. Links to other policies

1. Aims

• Set out a clear, practical and inclusive approach to school uniform.
• Ensure uniform is affordable and provides best value for money for parents and carers.
• Keep compulsory branded items to a minimum and comply with the legal limit applying from 1 September 2026.
• Ensure that uniform requirements do not unlawfully discriminate and that reasonable adjustments are considered where appropriate.
• Promote a sense of belonging, equality, safety and pride in Tudor Primary School.
• Ensure that difficulties obtaining uniform do not become an unnecessary barrier to attendance or participation.

2. Legal and statutory framework

This policy has been reviewed with regard to the Department for Education’s statutory guidance ‘Cost of school uniforms’ (updated 6 July 2026), the Department for Education’s guidance on developing school uniform policy, the Education Act 1996 as amended by the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, and the Equality Act 2010.

From 1 September 2026, primary schools must limit compulsory branded items of school uniform and PE kit to no more than three. Tudor Primary School’s standard uniform can be purchased as generic, unbranded items. Any school-logo items identified below are optional and an equivalent unbranded item is permitted.

3. Equality, inclusion and reasonable adjustments

The school will apply this policy fairly and consistently and will not discriminate unlawfully because of a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. The school will consider individual circumstances and reasonable adjustments, including where these relate to disability, religion or belief, race, sex, or other protected characteristics.

• Uniform options are not restricted by sex; pupils may wear any permitted uniform item.
• Pupils may have long hair. For health, safety or practical reasons, pupils may be asked to tie long hair back.
• Hair styles and coverings will be treated sensitively, including where connected with race, religion, culture or a protected characteristic.
• Black or white hijabs/headscarves and other appropriate religious or cultural dress or symbols are permitted, subject to proportionate health and safety requirements.
• Reasonable adaptations to PE or swimming clothing will be considered for religious, cultural, disability, medical or other equality-related reasons.
• Parents/carers should contact the school office or a member of the senior leadership team to discuss an adjustment. Requests will be considered individually and sensitively.

4. Limiting the cost of school uniform

The governing body has regard to the statutory guidance on the cost of school uniforms. Cost and value for money will be given high priority. Affordability should not be a barrier to applying to, attending or participating fully in school.

• Generic items that can be bought from a range of retailers will be permitted wherever possible.
• Compulsory branded items will be limited to no more than three; Tudor’s logo sweatshirt and logo polo shirt are optional and generic equivalents are accepted.
• The school will consider the individual and total cost of required items, including the need for spare or replacement items.
• Uniform specifications will avoid unnecessary distinctive features that restrict where parents can shop.
• PE requirements will be kept simple and affordable.
• Supplier arrangements for branded items will prioritise cost, quality, durability and sustainability, with appropriate written supplier arrangements where required.
• The school will review supplier arrangements regularly and avoid restrictive single-supplier arrangements unless there is a justified reason.
• Parents experiencing financial difficulty are encouraged to contact the school confidentially. Staff will take a supportive and considerate approach.

5. Expectations for school uniform

5.1 Everyday uniform

5.2 PE kit

PE kit should be simple, safe and affordable. The expected kit is:

• Plain white T-shirt (no school logo required).
• Plain black shorts or black jogging bottoms, as appropriate.
• Suitable trainers, normally plain black where these are also used as everyday school footwear.

No pupil should be prevented from participating fully in PE because their family is unable to provide a particular item. Parents should contact the school where support is needed.

5.3 Swimming kit

Pupils taking part in swimming should bring suitable swimwear, a swimming cap and towel. The school will consider reasonable adaptations to swimwear for religious, cultural, disability, medical or equality-related reasons. Families should contact the school if an alternative is required.

5.4 Safety and practical considerations

Uniform, footwear, jewellery, hair and accessories must be suitable for a primary school environment and must not create an avoidable health or safety risk. Where a restriction is necessary for a particular activity, staff will explain the reason and will consider reasonable alternatives.

6. Purchasing uniform and second-hand provision

Generic royal blue, white, black and grey uniform items may be purchased from supermarkets, high-street retailers or other suitable suppliers. Optional logo items may be available from the school’s nominated uniform supplier(s). The school website will provide current purchasing information.

Tudor Primary School is committed to making school uniform as affordable and accessible as possible for all families. The school has a supply of good-quality second-hand uniform available for families. If parents or carers would like to access second-hand school uniform, please speak to the school office staff, who will be happy to provide information about the items currently available and how these can be obtained. Parents and carers are welcome to approach the office staff at any time. Requests will be dealt with sensitively and discreetly, and families do not need to provide a reason for requesting second-hand uniform. The school will continue to encourage the reuse of good-quality uniform to reduce costs for families, minimise waste and support sustainability. Clear information about accessing second-hand uniform will also be published on the school website.

Parents who have difficulty purchasing any item should contact the school office. The school will consider what support can reasonably be offered, including access to available second-hand uniform.

7. Expectations for our school community

7.1 Pupils

Pupils are expected to wear the school uniform while on the school premises, travelling to and from school, and when representing the school or attending school-organised events where uniform is required. Pupils should treat their own and others’ clothing respectfully.

7.2 Parents and carers

• Provide appropriate uniform and PE kit, as far as reasonably possible.
• Ensure items are clean, in reasonable condition and clearly labelled where practicable.
• Contact the school promptly if cost, availability, equality, disability, medical, religious or other circumstances create difficulty complying with the policy.

7.3 Staff

Staff will apply the policy consistently, proportionately and sensitively. They will seek to understand the reason for non-compliance before taking further action and will identify support where financial hardship or another legitimate difficulty is involved.

7.4 Governors

• Ensure the policy reflects the school’s context and is implemented fairly.
• Have regard to statutory guidance on uniform costs and comply with the legal limit on compulsory branded items.
• Consider the views of parents and pupils when the policy is developed or materially changed.
• Ensure supplier arrangements prioritise affordability, value for money, quality, durability and sustainability.
• Ensure second-hand uniform arrangements and information are accessible.

8. Non-compliance, attendance and financial hardship

The school will not treat uniform difficulties as a reason to create an unnecessary barrier to education. Where a pupil is not wearing the expected uniform, staff will consider the circumstances, including financial hardship, availability of clean uniform, SEND/disability, medical needs, religion or belief, and other equality considerations.

The school will work with the pupil and family to resolve difficulties and provide or signpost support where possible. Responses to persistent or deliberate non-compliance will be proportionate and consistent with the school’s Behaviour Policy. Uniform expectations will be applied in a way that supports attendance and participation.

9. Complaints

Questions or concerns about uniform should normally be raised with the school in the first instance so that they can be resolved locally. Formal complaints will be dealt with under Tudor Primary School’s Complaints Policy. Concerns about cost, equality or reasonable adjustments will be considered carefully and on their individual circumstances.

10. Monitoring and review

The Headteacher will monitor implementation of this policy. The governing body/appropriate committee will review it at least annually, and sooner where there is a significant change to legislation, statutory guidance, uniform requirements or supplier arrangements. The school will consider parent and pupil views when significant changes are proposed.

11. Links to other policies

• Behaviour Policy
• Equality Information and Objectives / Equality Policy
• Anti-Bullying Policy
• Complaints Policy
• SEND Policy and SEN Information Report
• Accessibility Plan
• Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions Policy
• Attendance Policy

Compliance note – September 2026 update

This revision strengthens the previous policy by explicitly addressing the September 2026 legal limit on compulsory branded items; clearer required/optional wording; generic alternatives; accessible second-hand uniform arrangements; cost, quality, durability and sustainability; attendance and hardship; reasonable adjustments; and clearer annual monitoring.