Has your High School updated its branded uniform rules yet as per the new Government policy applicable from Sept26?

[Flamingoqueenofchaos]

Has anyone’s High School updated their uniform for September 26 as per the new government policy…..

….From September 2026, schools should not require parents and carers to buy more than 3 items of branded school uniform. Secondary and middle schools may ask for 4 items if a tie is one of them…..

My child starts high school this September and there’s is still 5 branded items listed: tie, skirt, blazer, pe top, pe shorts

I have called the school and no update so far (yes I know there’s still weeks before end of term but what with holidays/work etc I’m trying to actually get organised!!)

Yes my kids schools (secondary) have updated their policies however the problem is that although theyve reduced the number of branded items that are compulsory to blazer, skirt/trousers and pe tshirt, they still have other "optional" branded items and where these exist they wont allow any non--branded items to be worn instead.
E.g. it is not compulsory to buy or wear the branded hoodie for outdoor PE in the winter, however the kids can't wear a basic non-branded one instead ! So basically, if you cant afford it (and at around 40 quid many won't be able to) then your kid has to freeze! Great.
It's a ridiculous "loophole" that only widens the gaps the changes were supposed to be narrowing!

The school was in special measures and we all misbehaved constantly. It was like Lord of the Flies. It was a point of pride for most kids to be sent out of lesson, extra bonus points for isolation and mega for exclusion. We could sniff weak teachers out and we’d circle like vultures till they broke then dive in for the kill. Furniture would be regularly thrown around, kids were constantly fighting, the fire alarms were purposely set off so we could skive lessons etc etc.

The uniform was a small part of this but I think it definitely did play a part. We didn’t look particularly smart and I think the majority of workplaces do expect this as bare minimum. It’s just basic pride in your appearance. I don’t think it needs to be expensive but I do think a logo jumper or blazer should be bare minimum.

There are and have always been schools like this regardless of the uniform.

I went to a school without any uniform at all and it wasn't like Lord of the Flies or in special measures. The behaviour was generally pretty good and teachers didn't have to waste any time policing uniform.

Yes, the best state school near us has no uniform. Far outperforms the other anfhools and everyone is desperate to get their child in (only about half the kids in catchment get a place because it is so popular). Not having a uniform has definitely not impacted the children’s ability to learn.

Re the Blazer they aren’t allowed to take them off all day on school grounds only if a teacher gives permission due to extremely hot weather (and even then it’s very rare they do) Rest of uniform is shirt with collar and tie, all the secondary schools in the area are the same

Yes, ours changed this academic year- blazer, skirt and PE T-shirt are the only branded items (they discontinued the PE zip top when the branded skirt was introduced).

Ours has school jumper and polo shirt only

If they want to wear a skirt they have to wear a specific skirt too, I guess that will count?

There are branded PE items but they are totally optional

Yes. They've gone from poloshirt, sweatshirt ( branded) and skirt or trousers ( unbranded) to shirt, tie( unbranded) and jumper (branded)
Pe kit no change with shorts a t-shirt branded.

My dc are so glad it didn't happen when they were there.

Personally I think state school uniforms should have price caps instead of abolishing them. I like uniforms as it means less stains on other clothing, they’re easy for me to keep track of, no begging for specific clothes to wear for school and no bullying for what’s being worn. Price caps, or just limiting branding to blazers/jumpers for primary/ties would help.

Ours has always been compliant, but then has an eminently sensible head. Jumper, PE t shirt and PE jumper branded. Tie. The rest is a free swim.

DS1 is in year 5, our first choice secondary school has branded jumper or hoody, polo shirt and PE top as compulsory items, but then lots of extra optional sports items which I imagine DS (who is sporty) will want.

I think DM has kept one or two of our old jumpers :😀 and there's always lots of spare uniforms from friends with older kids getting offered (fingers crossed!)

I hope they don’t reduce it. I’ve voiced my opinion to the secondary school against it. I like my daughter to look smart.

That's late notice, ours issued a letter last July-ish so that incoming year 7s for 2025/26 didn't need to get everything previously agreed for as rules would be changing a year later

Ours is blazer, tie, pe shirt and annoyingly branded rucksack. Whilst the bag is fairly decent it cost like £35 it has a small hole a year later on outer waterbottle pocket and crucially isn't waterproof, I energy I will buy a couple throughout time on secondary. For my older son I bought a super dry bag before he started year 7 which was fully waterproof so booked were protected and he had now left school and it's still good his go to day out bag as wipr clean so no stains.

Ours is down to two now - tie and PE top. if they choose to, kids can wear a a school blazer, a school jumper, branded PE hoody and PE shorts.
They stopped blazers being mandated a few months ago in order to make the uniform more affordable. In summer last year the head was still insisting on blazers in the height of summer so it shows how arbitrary it all is, really.

I agree. The pressure for endless pricey and fashionable outfits would be huge without school uniform

I am wondering if my sons' school will get around it by saying that the young people can wear a plain white t shirt for PE and only the PE jumper has to be branded. In theory the PE jumper is optional. However, in practise, they will need a PE jumper if they are playing rugby/football etc outside on the field in January.

They also say the PE trousers do not have to be branded. However they do have to be made from a particular kind of material. I have struggled to find trousers made of this material anywhere other than the school uniform shop. A pair of black jogging bottoms is not allowed. The girls have to wear a branded skirt but the boys can have black trousers from anywhere.

I am quite surprised so many schools still have ties and blazers!

Surely it's better to be comfortable while you learn

That’s clearly out of line with the guidance @Endoadnowarrior Would challenge it (and bring the example to the attention of the DfE by email, since they should state it explicitly in the guidance.)

My DD school was already compliant - blazer is the only item of regular wear (and we got a badge and sewed it on an M&S reject from eBay blazer), plus tie and one PE top. Everything else is optional and they only have one further branded rugby shirt that's even available. No branded trousers, PE shorts, skirts even sold.

I’ve just checked our school and it’s not changed since dd started in 2019. PE tops must be logo’d. The jumper is optional anyway. Blazer can have the badge sewn on instead of buying the specific blazer. PE bottoms no longer have to be logo’d and they dropped the Under Armour school logo kit the year after it was introduced and said plain bottoms were ok although I think the skort is still with the school logo. Two suppliers are advised for the uniform.

I dont find DDs uniform too expensive (but understand privilege, so whats cheap fir me is expensive for soneobe else)

Blazer... £27.
Skirt (kilt)... £26
Tie £5
PE top £10

(Then £10 on pe skort, about £20 on shirts over the year, and similar on tights. £40 on shoes)

Compared amount I spend on leggings, hoodies and trainers out of school...and shes not even into brands!

Our school made the change very early. I applaud it- but it’s a grammar which does do a lot to widen access to those from more economically challenged backgrounds, so it’s in line with that approach.

Just checked ours, state grammar school. Blazer, tie for boys, optional jumper, skirt can only be bought from uniform shop. Logo PE tshirt, shorts, rugby top, hoody. Plus optional logo leggings, tracksuit trousers.

I make that 6 compulsory logo items plus the expensive specific skirt.

Technically it's not 'boys' and 'girls'. It just says button up shirt plus tie or revere collar blouse no tie. Navy or black trousers. But realistically 90% the girls wear the skirt and revere blouse, a few navy trousers and all boys the black trousers, button shirt and tie.

DS is leaving after exams so not my fight to take up but they're not sticking to the guidelines, are they?

The deliberate reliance by schools and their suppliers on teens not wanting to be different and risk peer comments, for monetary reasons, is awful.

Think ours is the same. You don't have to buy the jumper to wear under the blazer in winter but you're also not allowed to wear any other jumper.

Also not allowed to take blazer off without permission. (Archaic) In MFL the first phrase they teach 11 year olds is 'can I take my blazer off' so useful for everyday life!!!!