The statutory guidance was published in November 2021 and advises, in order to keep the cost of uniforms down, for branded items to be kept to a minimum and for high street items to be allowed. It also states that second-hand uniform must be available, providing cost-effective and sustainable options.¹ (my emphasis)

Abbs Cross, Hornchurch: “All items marked with a * must be purchased from the school supplier.” These include: blazer; tie; school jumper; rugby shirt and PE socks. The minimum cost is £83 and the maximum cost is £96.²

These additional items are compulsory.

• Black trousers or skirt and socks/tights plus a white shirt
• Polished black shoes – black laces, black stitching, black sole and heel³
• Appropriate jacket or coat
• PE polo top; PE joggers; PE shorts plus PE fleece jacket. All with school logo
• Swim shorts/suit plus swim cap

Logos increase costs and Abbs Cross breaches government guidance.

Sacred Heart of Mary, Upminster: “Dark navy blue pleated skirt or navy trousers. These items are available only from the School Shop. Other items can be bought elsewhere. Navy leggings with School Badge Blue fitted Polo Shirt with School Badge  Netball Skirt with School Badge Gym Shorts – All have to be bought from the school shop.” (my emphasis)

They follow government guidance quite well.

It’s cheaper attending Sacred Heart because fewer items are sold non-competitively. Helpfully, fewer items require logos.

Marshalls Park, Romford: “Uniform is not fashion-orientated and, should individual items of clothing be deemed inappropriate, we will contact parents/carers.”⁵ Only the school badge and tie are purchased from their Resources department. Their uniform policy is prescriptive but good efforts to reduce the cost burden are in place.

This academy fully complies with government guidance.

 

Conclusion

School uniform is a tax on learning. Children must attend school in uniform. The government’s attempt to mitigate costs aren’t universally obeyed. Worse, control-freakery⁶ adds to the costs for hard-working families. Parents/carers should make representations to the governors about this scandal.

Addendum: Government guidance on dress codes

Consult widely on a proposed school dress code policy (or any changes to a policy) with pupils, parents/carers, school staff and governors including making use of school assemblies and school councils to achieve respect for diversity and an ethos of inclusion. Include school staff in the development of the policy in order to achieve consistency across the school in applying the dress code.

Ensure the items of clothing in the dress code being proposed are affordable for all who wish to attend the school.¹

 

Notes

1 School uniform | NEU

2 Abbs Cross Academy – School Uniform Direct Loxford Group includes Abbs Cross and four secondary academies. Having a sole supplier is worth an estimated £500,000 in ‘tethered’ i.e. non-competitive sales.

3 For a discussion of Havering’s academies control freakery on shoes see Havering’s Academies: School Shoes and Shoe Laces – Politics in Havering

4 Uniform | SACRED HEART OF MARY This academy is last in the list of Havering’s academies and wasn’t chosen to make a  point.

5 Uniform-Policy-May.pdf (marshallspark.org.uk)

6 The use of logos on clothing is a classic example; hyper specific descriptions of shoes are another.