How much Money could Parents Save from New School Uniform Rules?

A new law coming into force in September 2026 will mean parents in England should have to buy fewer branded school uniform items, with the government saying the changes could save families money.

From September, schools will be limited to three compulsory branded items, such as a blazer, jumper or sportswear, plus a tie for secondary school pupils.

Schools are already advised to keep branded items to a minimum, meaning many will not need to make major changes. However, around 23% of secondary schools will need to alter their uniform lists to comply with the new rules.

The government says the changes could save some families “up to £50 per child”, although schoolwear suppliers have warned of uncertainty over demand for branded uniforms this year.

Co-op Academy Belle Vue in Manchester is reducing its compulsory branded items from seven to three, plus a tie.

The school estimates that the average cost of the branded parts of its uniform was £101.94 last year for pupils wearing a pinafore. For those without one, the cost was £83.95.

Under the new policy, the average cost will fall to £53.97 this year. The school expects it to fall further next year when it switches to a new supplier.

The school is removing its branded blazer, pinafore, shorts and PE jogging bottoms. Its branded jumper currently has a coloured stripe that differs between year groups.

This will be replaced with a plain jumper, meaning parents will no longer need to buy a new jumper each year.

Parents will instead need to buy a branded jumper, a tie and two branded PE tops for summer and winter.

Uniform requirements remain different between schools, meaning families can still face significantly different costs.

Most primary schools already have relatively few branded items. At Broadhurst Primary in North Manchester, only the school jumper is branded, with the PE T-shirt set to become branded from 2027.

The school says this brings the total cost of its uniform to £13 per child.

Some schools have been reducing their branded requirements for several years. King’s Oak Academy in Bristol now has just one compulsory branded item, a PE T-shirt.

The school, which caters for pupils from Reception through to Year 11, previously required a branded jumper, tie and shirt, which together cost around £41.

Pupils are now asked to wear a plain polo shirt, with the colour changing between the lower, middle and upper school, alongside a sweatshirt or cardigan and grey trousers or a skirt.

All pupils also wear black trainers. The school says its uniform now costs around £10 to £25, depending on where parents buy it.

Some of England’s largest academy trusts said they will continue to offer optional branded items, which are permitted under the new rules.

The Association of School and College Leaders has said the actual difference in cost is likely to be marginal for most families.

Its general secretary, Pepe Di’Iasio, said schools are already trying to balance the cost to parents with maintaining a sense of identity.

He also said it is important to keep expensive fashion brands out of school uniform policies so that no pupil feels excluded.

The Schoolwear Association has warned that the changes could instead increase costs for some families.

The organisation says parents could spend more replacing lower-quality generic garments if they do not last as long as branded items.

Its chair, Matthew Easter, said the changes could also create “division” in schools because branded uniforms can help reduce inequality and improve behaviour.

Some suppliers are also finding it harder to plan for this year’s demand because it remains unclear how many parents will choose to buy optional branded items.

The education secretary has legal powers to direct schools to comply with the new requirements if they fail to follow the rules.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland do not have a cap on branded school uniform items, although guidance in each nation encourages schools to keep costs affordable for families.

A Department for Education spokesperson said some families would save “up to £50 per child” as a result of the changes.

The government is also supporting schools to take further steps to reduce the cost of individual uniform items as the new rules come into force.