What is the School Act? Why does the government say this will help parents save school uniforms?
The government claims that parents of millions of children will be able to buy cheap school uniforms due to legal reforms currently being passed by parliament.
The Department of Education (DFE) analysis says that the full ownership of the school bill is the welfare of children and the school bill – which will reduce the uniform cost of families throughout England, saving parents £50 a year.
The bill is currently under review by the House of Lords, but the government insists that the bill will help reduce the cost of school uniforms by limiting the number of branded items schools require children to own.
As the House of Lords continues to review the bill, Yahoo News explores what the bill means for school uniform costs.
What is the purpose of this bill?
The Children’s Welfare and Schools Act proposes a series of reforms, including a free breakfast club, the creation of a new register for all family-educated children in England, and reforms to the college.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the bill approved by 382 votes to 104, which would ensure “the biggest reform of children’s social care for a generation.”
Members of Congress have previously raised concerns about the high cost of their parents buying branded clothing items.
The government insists that this will help reduce the cost of school uniforms by limiting the number of branded items schools need children to own.
The restriction will be three programs, excluding school relations.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Watching smart people in school should not spend money, and should not make any parental choice between buying household essentials and the principal or tie or tie.
“In addition to our free breakfast club, these new laws will save parents hundreds of pounds a year and ensure family finances are not related to the time the children are in school.”
The investigation shows that parents found that school uniforms could not bear it. (Stock image: Getty)
How expensive are school uniforms?
Research shows that parents think school uniforms are becoming increasingly unbearable.
Although schools need to limit the number of branded uniform items, DFE research shows that they do not do so, and parents have to pay an average of £442 for middle school uniforms, while primary school uniforms cost £343.
Last year’s study of children’s social charity showed that more than two-thirds of middle school parents believe that the cost of school uniforms is ineffective.
About half of the parents of middle school students say they have to buy at least three school logo-branded merchandise for their children.
A poll of 2,000 parents of school-age children across the UK found that 56% believed that the cost of uniformity was not working – the number was even higher among second-level students’ parents (67%).
The statutory government guidance, which came into effect in the fall of 2022, has told state schools in England to keep items that are uniformly branded “minimum” and limit their use to “low-cost or lasting items”.
But the survey conducted in June showed that 63% of parents said their schools had not changed their unified policies in the past two years.
What else will the bill do?
In addition to a unified scope, the bill proposes the launch of a free breakfast club, creating a new register and reform college for all family-educated children in England.
If legislation becomes law, a new register of children with all family education in England will be created, while a free breakfast club will be introduced to ensure “ready to start learning on school day”.
The bill will also require all public schools, including colleges, to teach national curriculum.
It will also allow the Council to open new schools that are not colleges and end the forced academicization of schools conducted by local authorities, which have been identified as concerns by Ofsted.
The bill is currently under review in the House of Lords. (Stock image: Getty)
What is the response of the bill?
Children’s Association CEO Mark Russell had previously said the group welcomed the government’s proposal to restrict branding projects and strengthen unified legislation.
“We believe that school uniforms can bring real benefits to children and if any parent is struggling with the affordability of uniforms, we urge them to connect with their school and school governors,” he said.
Pepe Di’iasio, secretary general of the Association for Schools and Universities Leadership (ASCL), also previously said: “Schools are keenly aware of the need to make the cost of school uniforms as low as possible.
“All schools must follow legal guidance, which states that the use of brand projects should be kept to a minimum.”
James Bowen, assistant secretary general of NAHT School Leadership Union, said: “Schools work very hard to make sure their uniforms are affordable and to take plans to support families who may be struggling to cover the costs.
“These programs include the opportunity to provide parents with quality, second-hand uniforms. Many schools have also been able to choose non-branded projects as part of their uniform requirements.
“Most schools are very satisfied with the restrictions on branded programs, but it is important for the government to adhere to fine details just to avoid any unexpected consequences.”
The Principals Association believes the plan will “spend more money”, saying restricting uniform branded products could create “school inequality” and raise costs as young people put pressure on their parents to buy alternative clothing from brands such as Nike or Adidas.
