Jersey schools to limit compulsory uniform items

The change will come into force this month but full compliance will not be enforced until September 2026

Public schools in Jersey will have to limit the number of compulsory uniform items included in their uniform policy, under a change in policy.

The Minister for Children and Education Inna Gardiner has approved the island-wide policy.

There will now be a maximum of five bespoke items of uniform per child, the government said.

Deputy Gardiner said the move was to "help parents and carers with reducing costs where possible".

It will come into force from December 2023 with full compliance by September 2026, the Government of Jersey said.

Children's PE kit will not be included in the number, as well as items provided to students free of charge.

The change comes following a report published in April 2023 in which the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority (JCRA) recommended trying to balance the benefits of having school uniforms, against reducing costs for parents.

The results found in some schools, branded or compulsory items made up to 40% of the uniform.

'Community pride'

Mrs Gardiner said: "My main priority has always been to help parents and carers with reducing costs where possible.

"Public concern over the cost of uniforms is also echoed by children, and every small saving we can make matters while we are in a cost-of-living crisis.

"We know that there is a sense of school community pride and other benefits associated with the wearing of school uniform.

"However, some further concerns that were raised by children included the feel and comfort of some of the items; this is an opportunity to engage with potential new suppliers to improve that going forwards."

Private and fee-paying schools are not impacted by the policy.

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