School uniform costs slashed? Here’s what the new law means for NI families

Monday 23 February 2026

Families across Northern Ireland are set to see the cost of school uniforms fall after new legislation formally came into operation, placing legal duties on schools to prioritise affordability.

Education Minister Paul Givan has welcomed the commencement of the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Act (Northern Ireland) 2026, which has now received Royal Assent.

The move means statutory School Uniforms Guidelines are in force with immediate effect and must be followed by schools when setting policies for the 2026/27 academic year.

The Guidelines have been laid in the Assembly and issued to schools. From now on, school uniform policies must comply fully with the requirements set out in the statutory framework.

Welcoming the development, Mr Givan said:

“School uniforms play an important part in promoting a sense of identity, pride and unity for pupils and supporting the ethos of the school.

“However, the cost of school uniforms is consistently cited as a key concern for parents.

“I sought to address this issue as a priority when taking up office and I am delighted that parents will now be assured that schools must comply with the statutory School Uniforms Guidelines and will see the benefits of lower uniform costs in time for the next academic year.”

The Act compels all grant-aided and independent primary and post-primary schools to adhere to the Guidelines. These set out how schools should consult with parents and pupils on uniform policies, review those policies regularly, and publish information explaining the rationale behind their uniform choices — including the cost of items and where they can be purchased.

Mr Givan continued:

“This Act compels all grant-aided and independent primary and post-primary schools to adhere to the School Uniforms Guidelines, which also set out how schools should consult with parents and pupils on their school uniform policies, review these policies regularly and publish information on their rationale for uniform choices, including the cost of items and where they can be purchased.

“These robust Guidelines also state that branded items must be minimised, and generic PE kit must be prioritised. Additionally, they ensure uniform requirements will not prevent pupil participation or penalise pupils who are unable to afford items.”

The statutory requirements place affordability, comfort, practicality and sustainability at the centre of school decision-making. Schools must ensure that uniform policies do not create unnecessary financial pressure on families or act as a barrier to access.

Concluding, the Minister said:

“The aim of this Act is to ensure that school governing bodies put affordability, comfort, practicality and sustainability at the centre of their decision-making when they set their school uniform requirements.

“The cost of a school uniform should not be a significant burden for parents, nor should it deter them from applying for a particular school for their child. This Act has the power to make those principles a reality.”

What it means for parents

The 2025/26 School Uniforms Guidelines from the Department of Education (Northern Ireland) represent a shift from "best practice" to statutory requirements.

This means schools are now legally required to follow these rules to ensure uniforms are affordable and practical.

Here is what the new policy means for parents in reality and practical terms:

1. Lower Costs through "High Street" Options

• Generic over Branded: Schools must prioritise "generic" items (plain trousers, shirts, and jumpers) that you can buy at supermarkets or high street retailers.

• Minimum Branding: Schools are required to keep the number of branded items (those with a logo) to a strict minimum.

• Material Choice: To keep prices down, the guidance suggests schools should choose more affordable fabrics (like acrylic) over more expensive ones (like wool) for items like blazers.

2. Big Changes to PE Kits

• Primary Schools: Branded PE kits are effectively banned in primary schools. Your child should be able to wear generic sportswear (like plain joggers or t-shirts).

• Post-Primary Schools: High schools must significantly limit branded sportswear. They can no longer require you to buy expensive, "designer" school-branded kits for regular PE.

• Sports Teams: If your child plays for a school team, the school is encouraged to provide the kit rather than requiring parents to buy specialist branded gear.

3. More Choice and Flexibility

• Multiple Suppliers: Schools should move away from "exclusive" contracts with a single shop. You should generally have a choice of where to buy your child's uniform to help you shop around for the best price.

• No "Summer vs. Winter" Mandates: Schools are discouraged from requiring entirely separate summer and winter uniforms, which often forces parents to buy two sets of clothing for a single year.

• Outdoor Wear: Schools should not make branded outdoor coats or bags compulsory. A plain coat in the school's colour should be acceptable.

4. Support and Sustainability

• Second-hand Schemes: Every school is now expected to facilitate or promote "uniform banks" or second-hand exchange schemes.

• Financial Assistance: The policy extends the eligibility for the uniform grant to more families, including those with children in independent schools who were previously excluded.

5. Comfort and Inclusion

• SEN and Disability: Schools must make "reasonable adjustments" to uniform requirements for children with Special Educational Needs or disabilities (e.g., allowing elasticated waists or softer fabrics).

• Sensible Discipline: Children should not be sent home, isolated, or excluded from activities for "one-off" uniform slips or if a parent cannot afford a specific item.

6. Better Communication

• Mandatory Consultation: Schools must now consult with parents before making major changes to their uniform policy.

• Policy Reviews: Uniform policies must be reviewed at least every three years (with annual affordability checks) to ensure they haven't become too expensive over time.

• Transparency: Schools must publish their full uniform policy clearly on their website, including a breakdown of costs and where items can be purchased.

The statutory Uniforms Guidelines are available on the Department of Education website.