The wearing of a school uniform is a policy which is decided locally: by the council’s Education Department and by individual schools.

Anyone with school aged children knows that there is a cost to this, particularly when there is more than 1 child in the family.

To help support families with the costs the Scottish Government has a  school clothing grant which is administered by the local council. It increased to £120 for primary school pupils and £150 for secondary school pupils at the start of the new school year in 2021 for those eligible.

Now a national consultation has been launched to find out views on school uniform. The results of this will help shape new national guidance. There is no legal requirement to wear school uniform in Scotland. With all families feeling the rising costs of food, heating and other basics, the consultation seeks to look at ways to reduce the costs for parents if children are required to wear a uniform at school.

 This consultation seeks views on:

• what should be included within the scope of the guidance
• the role that school uniform plays within the ethos, culture and day to day school life
• the considerations available to schools and education authorities in reducing school uniform costs
• the draft principles which are intended to be incorporated as part of national school uniform policy

The closing date for the consultation is 14th of October 2022.

If you would like to share your views on school uniforms click on this link: School uniforms in Scotland

Eligibility for School Meals and Clothing Allowances

You can apply for free school meals and clothing allowances if you are receiving:

• Universal Credit and your monthly earned income is under £625.
• Income Support.
• Income-Based Job Seeker’s Allowance.
• Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance (contributions-based is not accepted).
• Child Tax Credit but not Working Tax Credit, and your annual household income is less than £16,105.
• Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit, and your annual household income is less than £7,500.
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

If you are aged between 16 and 18 years old and receive any of these benefits in your own right, you can claim free school meals and a clothing allowance for yourself.

You may also be eligible for assistance if you are caring for a formally ‘Looked After Child’ (LAC).