Bradford school uniform costs to be debated by council

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland wants schools' adherence to uniform guidance to be covered by Ofsted

Calls for more to be done to make school uniforms less expensive for families are to be debated at a full council meeting in Bradford.

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland said buying a uniform should never be a barrier to learning or attendance.

She wants the Labour-run council to ask the government to ensure schools require no more than two branded items.

The government said schools should act in line with its guidance of removing unnecessary branded items.

The Liberal Democrat councillor also wants adherence to uniform guidance to be covered by Ofsted.

Ms Sunderland, who represents Idle and Thackley, said the most expensive items were clothing including blazers, trousers, skirts and sports kits, and most of these should be available from high street retailers.

Second hand school uniform schemes should be better promoted to families, the councillor said

She said: "We should be making sure that every child gets to school every day, and the cost of uniforms can be a real barrier.

"We've got lots of charities that are helping out with second hand uniforms but it is still a barrier to going to school.

"You have to have branded items - and some of the items, like sportswear, are only worn a few times all year.

"Some parents feel that this is an unnecessary cost, to have to have a logo on skirts, or trousers, or say football socks, is an added expense."

Her proposal, which will be debated at a meeting on Tuesday, adds there are community and charity projects within the Bradford District that provide school uniform support, and more families should be made aware of this.

The motion mentions the Uniform Savers Scheme, which helps parents save money for new school uniforms, and is supported by Bradford District Credit Union and the council.

'No stigmatisation'

Dawn Coleman, from Shipley Area School Uniform Support, said the group would be happy to work with the council on ways to make uniforms more affordable.

She said: "We welcome any support for families to access uniform support, especially support that is open to all with no stigmatisation, and we would be happy to liaise with the council on this."

Legislation came into effect in September 2022 requiring schools to make uniform affordable for all.

It requires state schools to remove unnecessary branded items from their uniform requirements.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: "Our guidance already makes clear that costs for parents must be kept down by removing unnecessary branded items and allowing more high-street options such as supermarket own-label uniforms.

"Schools should have already reviewed their uniform policies to ensure they are in line with our statutory guidance.

"We will continue to work with schools to make sure the guidance is followed and uniform costs are reasonable and good value for money for parents."