Have your say on school uniform

Have your say on school uniform
A local Assembly Member Mike Hedges is encouraging residents in Swansea to have their say on how school uniforms can be more affordable.
Making school uniform more affordable, available, gender-neutral and, in extreme weather conditions, flexible are the four key aims of a consultation being launched today
The Welsh Government is consulting on new guidance for schools. Under the new guidance, governing bodies would be expected to consider ways of keeping down the costs of school uniform. These couHave your say on school uniform
A local Assembly Member Mike Hedges is encouraging residents in Swansea to have their say on how school uniforms can be more affordable.
Making school uniform more affordable, available, gender-neutral and, in extreme weather conditions, flexible are the four key aims of a consultation being launched today
The Welsh Government is consulting on new guidance for schools. Under the new guidance, governing bodies would be expected to consider ways of keeping down the costs of school uniform. These could include stipulating basic items and colours but not styles; this would mean that items could be bought from multiple retail chains at reasonable prices and not just from one supplier.
Schools would also be encouraged to consider whether school logos are strictly necessary and, if so, whether they should be restricted to just one item of uniform or provided free of charge and sewed, ironed or stuck onto items of clothing.
Mike Hedges said “local families face vastly different costs when it comes to school uniform. More needs to be done to ensure that school uniform is more affordable. By putting in place legal guidance the Welsh Government are showing they understand this. Too many schools make it expensive for pupils to get the uniform either by having a sole supply or by being very restrictive in what is allowed for example the colour of an outer coat”
“But this also about more than just practical considerations; this is about equality and pupils’ wellbeing. I don’t want learners , for whatever reason, to feel uncomfortable about wearing their uniform. That’s why it’s so important that as many young people as possible take part and let the Welsh Government know what they think”
ld include stipulating basic items and colours but not styles; this would mean that items could be bought from multiple retail chains at reasonable prices and not just from one supplier.
Schools would also be encouraged to consider whether school logos are strictly necessary and, if so, whether they should be restricted to just one item of uniform or provided free of charge and sewed, ironed or stuck onto items of clothing.
Mike Hedges said “local families face vastly different costs when it comes to school uniform. More needs to be done to ensure that school uniform is more affordable. By putting in place legal guidance the Welsh Government are showing they understand this. Too many schools make it expensive for pupils to get the uniform either by having a sole supply or by being very restrictive in what is allowed for example the colour of an outer coat”
“But this also about more than just practical considerations; this is about equality and pupils’ wellbeing. I don’t want learners , for whatever reason, to feel uncomfortable about wearing their uniform. That’s why it’s so important that as many young people as possible take part and let the Welsh Government know what they think”