Nearly half of parents are unaware of new school uniform rules coming into force from September 2026, which will limit the number of branded items schools can require. A survey of 1,000 parents with school-age children found that 48% had no idea about the changes, according to advice site Money Wellness.
New Rules to Cap Branded Uniform Items
From September, most schools will only be allowed to ask parents to buy a maximum of three branded uniform items per child. The move is designed to make school uniforms more affordable and help under-pressure parents with the cost of living.
The government’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act has made these changes law, which it said was delivering on manifesto promises to cut costs for families, protect vulnerable children, and drive higher standards. The rules apply to academy schools and trusts, maintained schools, and non-maintained special schools.
Additional Measures for Families
Alongside the uniform cap, half a million more children will be eligible for free school meals, and over 2,000 free breakfast clubs will be open by September. These measures aim to help parents save money while ensuring children are fed and ready to learn.
The Department for Education report stated: “School uniform should help to build a sense of identity and community among pupils and with their school. To do this, it must be affordable. Affordability should never be a barrier to the schools for which parents apply or the activities in which children can participate.”
Guidance for Schools
From September 2026, schools must limit the number of compulsory branded items of uniform and PE kit to three or fewer. Secondary and middle schools must limit them to four or fewer if one is a tie. A school’s uniform policy should be published on its website, available for all parents, and easily understood, clearly setting out which items are compulsory and optional.
Schools should avoid single-supplier contracts except in certain circumstances. On non-compliance, the DfE document says: “While it is for a headteacher to decide how to handle pupils breaching the policy on uniform and appearance, in line with the school’s published behaviour policy, we would not expect pupils who are unable to comply with the uniform policy for financial reasons to miss out on classroom teaching or other aspects of school life (such as breaktime or extracurricular activities) as a result.”
Reactions to the Changes
Frank Young, Chief Executive of Parentkind, said: “Millions of parents are struggling with added school costs like expensive school uniform. Rising costs are hitting everyone hard, but parents have school costs they have no option but to pay. The Act will make a difference to these parents by tackling the cost of living and putting limits on expensive uniform items. This will help struggling parents, including many on middle incomes too.”
Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said: “The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act is a significant step towards a more joined-up, child-centred approach to children’s social care, education and safety. I have long called for many of the measures included in the legislation like a single unique identifier for children and stronger protections to keep siblings together in care. Vitally, it will strengthen safeguarding protections for children, particularly those who, as tragically happened to Sara Sharif, face being removed from school despite serious safeguarding concerns. This Act will bring about welcome change, but the true test will be how quickly and effectively these reforms are delivered for children who have been let down for too long. The government must be ambitious in their implementation of the Act so these measures have a tangible impact on children’s lives as soon as possible.”
Despite the reforms, parents remain divided over whether they’ll make much difference. Around three in five (61%) think limiting branded items will save them money, but 30% don’t expect to see any saving at all.
