The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act coming into force next term aims to reduce costs for parents and carers
The Education Secretary said the new legislation will ‘put money back into parents’ pockets’(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Every school across the country is preparing to introduce a significant change to uniform requirements from next term under new legislation.
Come September, schools will be legally obliged to limit branded uniform items to a maximum of three pieces. This encompasses jumpers, blazers, trousers and skirts, though secondary school ties are exempt from the restriction.
The amendment forms part of the newly introduced Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act. This was launched by the Department for Education with the aim of alleviating education-related expenses, including school uniform costs, for households.
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When releasing statutory guidance on school uniform affordability earlier this year, the Department for Education stated that the price of school uniform ‘should never be a barrier to the schools for which parents apply’, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Within the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act, the Government has also pledged to broaden cost of living support, encompassing free school meals and complimentary breakfast clubs. The Department for Education anticipates that by September, more than 2,000 free breakfast clubs will be operational and an additional half a million pupils will qualify for free school meals.
Speaking about the legislative change earlier this year, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “This landmark legislation fixes the foundations in our schools, puts money back into parents’ pockets, and provides critical new protections for our most vulnerable children.
“From lifting the two-child limit to transforming the life chances of children with SEND, this government is already making strides to cut the link between background and success. These new laws are another major milestone in our mission to make sure every child – wherever they grow up and go to school – has the opportunity to succeed.”
Frank Young, Chief Executive of Parentkind, also weighed in on the new measures, stating: “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. Free breakfast clubs and cheaper uniforms will help parents and tackle some of the extra costs that make life more difficult for parents. Getting more breakfast clubs going helps parents to hold down a job and get kids to school.”
As of last Monday (June 29), schools have additionally been obliged to revise their mobile phone policies. Under newly introduced legislation, schools must now ensure that pupils are prohibited from accessing their mobile phones – along with comparable smart devices such as smartwatches – throughout the entirety of the school day.
Regarding the reforms, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson commented: “We have been clear that mobile phones have no place in our schools but now we’re going further through tougher guidance and stronger enforcement. Mobile phones have no place in schools. No ifs, no buts.
“Our Attendance and Behaviour Hubs will support schools that are struggling to effectively implement phone bans so all our children can learn in phone-free environments. This comes alongside our world-leading curriculum reforms which will ensure children build the media and digital literacy skills needed to thrive at work and throughout life.”
