School Uniform – September 2025
Introduction
During September we asked children and young people about their school uniform.
The survey was part of an ongoing series of topical questions we ask children and young people monthly to hear their views on a variety of issues, called Monthly Matters. It was shared directly with all schools signed up to our children’s rights schemes for primary and secondary schools, as well as community groups.
As part of the survey pack, children and young people were shown a video introducing the topic. Schools and groups had two options for completing the survey; children and young people could either do it independently, or a teacher or group leader could complete the survey on behalf of the group by answering a different set of questions to give an overview of the discussion.
676 children and young people answered the questionnaire individually, and 583 as part of a group. A wide range of ages took part, from children under 7 to those up to 18 years old. Responses were received from schools and groups within 20 local authorities.
Questions for all
Do you think school uniform is important?
Yes (355) – 53%
No (178) – 27%
I don’t know (138) – 21%
Why?
Answers mostly referred to:
- safety and being able to be easily identified on school trips
- representing the school and contributing to a sense of belonging
- uniform being uncomfortable
- uniform limiting self-expression
Which one of these do you agree with most?
My uniform is comfortable (272) – 41%
My uniform is uncomfortable (130) – 20%
My uniform is really comfortable (116) – 18%
My uniform is really uncomfortable (79) – 12%
I don’t know (62) – 9%
Which one of these do you think is true for you?
My parents/carers find it easy to pay for things like school uniform, bags, and other things I need for school – (269) – 40%
I don’t know (251) – 31%
My parents/carers find it difficult to pay for things like school uniform, bags, and other things I need for school – (151) – 23%
Are pupils in your school allowed to wear a t-shirt without the school badge/logo on it?
Yes (458) – 68%
No (132) – 20%
I don’t know (82) – 12%
Are pupils in your school allowed to wear a jumper/blazer without the school badge/logo on it?
Yes (352) – 54%
No (207) – 32%
Questions for secondary-aged young people only
Have you ever been told off by a teacher because of what you were wearing in school or how you looked?
Yes (116) – 57%
No (86) – 43%
Why were you told off? (You can pick as many boxes as you like)
Not having an item of uniform (like a blazer or tie) (70) – 60%
Jewellery (59) – 51%
Wearing wrong item of uniform (57) – 49%
Shoes (49) – 42%
Length of skirt (40) – 34%
Wrong coat (28) – 24%
Hair colour / hair style (26) – 22%
Socks (26) – 22%
Makeup / nails (24) – 21%
Something else (9) – 8%
When the weather is really hot, do you have the choice to wear cooler clothes?
Yes – when the headteacher says we’re allowed (149) – 74%
No (40) – 20%
Yes – whenever I want (8) – 4%
I don’t know / I’m new to this school (5) – 2%
Are there rules about shoes in your school?
Yes (196) – 98%
I don’t know (4) – 2%
What are the rules?
You can only wear black shoes (138) – 71%
You can only wear something from the list school gives you (22) – 11%
You can wear any trainers as long as they’re black (19) – 10%
You can only wear unbranded trainers (11) – 6%
Something else (4) – 2%
Does your school coat have to be black?
Yes (108) – 53%
No (62) – 31%
I don’t know (32) – 16%