Kirsty Williams AM, Cabinet Secretary for Education
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
Today I will be launching the public consultation on draft statutory guidance to school governing bodies on school uniform and appearance policies.
Families face many different costs when it comes to school uniform, as well as activities both in and outside of school. Our PDG-Access funding is central to helping with these costs. It can make a real difference to the cost of not just school uniform, but equipment, sports kits and kit for activities outside of school.
To support PDG-Access, and schools to make effective decisions on their school uniform policies, I want to introduce statutory guidance for school governing bodies on school uniform and appearance policies.
The new guidance aims to encourage a more consistent approach, across all schools in Wales, to the affordability of school uniforms. It will replace the current non-statutory guidance and will come into effect from September 2019.
The consultation focuses on affordability, and also addresses a number of issues that should be considered when developing school uniform and appearance policies, such as gender-neutral uniform items and flexibility during extreme weather conditions.
I welcome and look forward to views on the consultation document, which is available at: https://beta.gov.wales/guidance-school-governing-bodies-school-uniform-and-appearance-policies The closing date for responses is 21 February 2019.