Cadishead Primary Academy in Salford has come under fire from parents after announcing its second uniform change in less than a year, introducing more expensive branded items and ties for the 2026-2027 academic year. The new policy, set to take effect in September 2026, replaces a uniform system that was only updated in September 2025.
New uniform requirements
From September 2026, pupils at the Allotment Road school must wear specific logo-bearing items, including a navy jumper and a PE T-shirt, as well as branded tracksuit bottoms or joggers from the school's designated supplier. White trainers are now mandatory for PE, along with navy socks. A light blue shirt or blouse will be required, and school ties will be introduced, though the school will provide the ties. Nursery children may still wear a light blue polo shirt, while all pupils can opt for navy trousers, knee-length shorts, a skirt, or a skort for the bottom half.
The current policy, in place since September 2025, allows non-branded royal blue sweatshirts or cardigans, white polo shirts, and grey trousers, skirts, or shorts. For PE, pupils wear a plain white T-shirt (round neck or polo) with black shorts, leggings, skort, or tracksuit bottoms, and trainers of any colour. Nursery and Reception children currently have no set PE kit, but the new rules will apply to all year groups.
Footwear and other changes
School shoe rules are also tightening: previously, flat-soled plain black shoes were acceptable; now, only 'polishable' black school shoes are allowed. Parents must also provide a 'plain, dark coloured raincoat' and a 'dark school bag'.
Megan Barlow, a mother of two at the school, said most families support the trust's efforts to improve behaviour and standards but 'completely disagree with the way they have not consulted us or thought about financial implications for families with their very prescriptive and formal uniform'. Along with other parents, she launched a petition against the new policy, calling for full consultation. The petition also highlights concerns for SEND children, urging United Learning—the trust that took over the school in July 2025—to consider 'well-being, comfort and practicality for pupils, not what they look like'.
Parental backlash
On social media, parents expressed frustration. One parent questioned: 'Why does it all have to have the logo on? The way kids grow, people are more than likely going to need to purchase a few throughout the year, but now we can’t just buy the 2 pack of jumpers or PE tops from Tesco for a couple of pound.' Another called the changes 'pure control', adding: 'Since when can a school tell you what colour bag and coat they have to wear as well? Also, only logo attire allowed, it's ridiculous and navy pants!!'
Under the 2022 Education Act amendments, schools in England were instructed to reduce uniform costs by removing unnecessary branded items and making second-hand uniform available. Despite this, a 2023 report from The Children's Society found families still spending an average of £422 on secondary uniforms and £287 on primary uniforms.
Councillor and school response
Cadishead and Lower Irlam councillor Hannah Robinson-Smith sent a letter to the school expressing concerns, stating: 'I've heard from a significant number of families ... who are deeply concerned about these uniform changes. This is a ward with high levels of deprivation, and the cost of new formal and branded uniform will hit some of our families especially hard during this cost of living crisis.' She also worried about the impact on younger children and those with SEND, given the school's higher-than-average SEND population, and asked the school to 'pause the rollout and consult fully with families'.
On Tuesday, the school sent a letter to parents acknowledging feedback and stating it is 'looking at next steps and how we might better support our families as we work hard to drive rapid improvement across Cadishead Primary'. It then issued a survey asking parents whether they would support three branded items or two, and whether a tie should be required for the whole school or just Key Stage 2. Megan Barlow noted: 'There's no option for having 'no tie' ... And there's no option for having no unbranded items, which is the most expensive part.'
A school spokesperson said: 'We are aware that a small number of parents are unhappy with the proposed changes to the uniform. We are continuing to listen to their feedback and have asked for further views on the proposals. The overwhelming majority of primary schools in this country have uniforms and anything we introduce will be firmly in line with Department for Education guidelines.'
