AQW 3197/22-27
Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford
Tabled Date: 20/09/2022
Answered On Date: 11/10/2022
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Education (i) how her Department monitors Boards of Governors’ adherence to departmental guidance on school uniform policy; and (ii) what actions her Department takes when guidance is not followed.
Answer:
The day-to-day management of schools, including the development and implementation of a school’s uniform policy, is a matter for each school Principal, subject to any directions that might be given by the Board of Governors. This allows schools the flexibility to set and apply their own uniform policy in a manner that can take account of the individual circumstances of their school and its pupils. My Department has issued non-statutory policy guidance (DE Circular 2011/04) to assist schools in relation to school uniform policy. As schools are not legally required to follow the guidance circular, my Department does not seek to monitor the extent of schools’ adherence to the advice within the guidance circular. However, my Department has re-issued the guidance circular to schools and I have made it clear to schools that every effort should be made to ensure school uniforms are as affordable as possible, in line with the Department’s guidance on this issue. You will also be aware of my announcement that I intend to put guidance on the costs of uniform on a statutory basis in order to make school uniforms more affordable for families. Should parents have concerns over the school uniform policy in their child’s school, they have the option to raise a complaint in line with the school’s complaints procedure. If this procedure has been exhausted and the parent remains unsatisfied, they have right to refer the matter to the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman.
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