The Education Act Explained

After a long passage through parliament the Education (Guidance About Costs of School Uniforms) Act has received royal assent.

The law requires the Department for Education to issue statutory guidance for schools on the cost of school uniforms. This is expected to be published in the autumn.

Here at Insight we’ve cut through the jargon to explain why the act matters to schoolwear retailers.

What does this mean for schools and retailers?

The new legislation means schools will have legal duty to follow the published guidelines on the cost and supply of school uniform. Over time this is likely to change the way many schools choose their retailer partners.

Whatever form the final guidance takes, the key goal of the law is that uniform should be affordable, durable and not exclude those families on lower incomes. The new regulations will apply to school sportswear too.

Under the new education act, all schools will have a responsibility to consider more carefully the cost of uniform and the types of items they require parents to buy.

Large schools and academy trusts will be required to run a formal tendering process, typically no less frequently than every five years.

Smaller schools will need to demonstrate that they have considered options and given due regard to the aims of the bill, especially the overall cost of uniform.

School governors and head teachers will need to pay close attention to these rules in future.

And more generally, it is likely that there will be a greater focus on value, choice and sustainability.