STATUS:ย February 2022
Children must get an education between the school term after their 5th birthday and the last Friday in June in the school year they turn 16. Each school decides its uniform and must not discriminate based on sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief. Childrenย can leave school on the last Friday in June if youโll be 16 by the end of the summer holidays.
Discipline
The head teacher can discipline your child for not wearing the school uniform. Your child can beย suspended or expelledย if they repeatedly ignore the uniform rules.
Help with the cost of buying uniforms
Talk to the head teacher if your child isnโt wearing the uniform, includingย PEย kit, because you canโt afford it.
You may be able toย get help with school uniform costs.
Discrimination
Schools can decide if girls can wear trousers, or if religious dress is allowed. If you think your child is being discriminated against, talk to the head teacher.
Changes to the school uniform
Talk to the head teacher, school governors or parent-teacher association (PTA) if youโd like the school uniform changed.
Contact Citizens Adviceย if youโre forced to buy uniforms from an expensive supplier.
Exclusions
Headteachers can exclude your child if they misbehave in or outside school.
Your childโs school will let you know about an exclusion as soon as possible. Theyโll follow up with a letter telling you how long your child is excluded for and why.
You should also be told how toย challenge the exclusion, if you want to.
Exclusions can start on the same day but the school shouldnโt make you collect your child straight away.
Risk of prosecution if child is found in public place
For the first 5 school days of an exclusion, itโs your responsibility to make sure your child isnโt in a public place during normal school hours unless there is a good reason.
You might be prosecutedย if your child is found in a public place when theyโre not supposed to be.
