Crackdown on expensive uniforms

The government is to take action against schools with expensive, compulsory uniforms.
Schools minister Jim Knight said he would like all schools to have uniforms, but these "should never be a barrier for poorer families."
"We will take action where schools have a uniform policy that is needlessly and prohibitavely expensive, " he said. In addition, exclusive contracts with particular suppliers may be illegal under the Competition Act.
New guidance says that heads can send children home to change clothes if they breach uniform policy but they must tell parents first and consider issues such as the child's age and whether anyone will be at home to look after them. And they can't be sent home for longer than it takes to make the changes required.
Pupils, parents and the local community must be consulted before a school uniform policy is set or changed. But they don't have to meet the requirements of all pupils if this goes against "the best interests of the whole school community".