School uniform made simpler and more affordable - ready for September 2026
From September 2026, we’re planning to make school uniform simpler and cheaper. We will keep just two branded items: a Fielding blue V-neck sweatshirt or cardigan, and a Fielding blue PE t‑shirt. Everything else can be bought anywhere: white polo shirts and grey pinafores, trousers or shorts for the school day, plus grey joggers or grey PE shorts for PE. Keep wearing current uniform until it wears out. The Governing Board is seeking your views now.
Why this change? The government is bringing in rules to limit branded items from September 2026 so families can shop around and save money. We’re going even further—only two branded items—so uniforms stay affordable and inclusive.
We’re switching from a round-neck sweatshirt to a new style V-neck sweatshirt. Our new style aligns with the uniform of Elthorne Park High School, the destination for most year 6 leavers, and is more inclusive of all pupils’ needs.
Good news: You don’t need to replace anything now. Keep wearing your current Fielding uniform until it’s lost or really needs replacing. When you buy new, please choose from the new list.
We’ll share examples of best‑value retailers for non-branded items (e.g Tesco F&F, Tu at Sainsbury’s, Asda George, Matalan, M&S, Decathlon and Amazon) giving parents a wide range of choice.
If your child has sensory needs, a cardigan is fine instead of a sweatshirt, and we’ll consider other reasonable adjustments too. Please speak to us—we’re here to help. Inclusive ranges like Tesco’s Dressing Made Easy and Asda’s Easy On Easy Wear are welcomed.
We would like to hear your views now:
- Fielding, Simpler and cheaper school uniform consultation, closes Friday 27th February
We will then finalise our approach and publish this in April, ready for September 2026.
Peter Dunmall
Frequently Asked Questions (parents)
Q1. How many branded items are compulsory?
Two: either the branded blue V-neck sweatshirt or cardigan, plus the branded blue technical PE t‑shirt. Everything else is generic. (DfE will allow up to three; we’re keeping it to two.)
Q2. Can my child keep wearing their current uniform?
Yes. Any current Fielding uniform may be worn until it is lost or genuinely needs replacement. When you next buy new items, please follow the new list. (We will no longer sell/accept fleeces in the second‑hand store after July 2026, but pupils can continue wearing one they own.)
Q3. Where can I buy the generic items? Are they affordable?
Generic white polos, grey trousers, grey pinafores, grey joggers and grey PE shorts are widely available from Tesco F&F, Sainsbury’s Tu, Asda George, Matalan, M&S, Decathlon and Amazon; prices for basics typically range from £3–£17, depending on pack size and age. We will post seasonal deals from time to time.
Q4. What if my child has sensory needs?
We already allow cardigans as an alternative to sweatshirts. We’ll consider fabrics/fastenings/fit adjustments individually. We also signpost inclusive ranges like Tesco’s Dressing Made Easy and Asda’s Easy On Easy Wear.
Q5. Will the second‑hand uniform shop continue?
Yes—within the new list. DfE guidance expects schools to support second‑hand uniform; we’ll keep this going for approved items and withdraw non‑approved items (round-neck sweatshirts and fleeces, blue branded polo shirts) from July 2026. Thanks to PTFA and parent volunteers for operating our second-hand uniform shop.
Q6. Why not require more branded items?
Because costs fall when families can buy generic basics anywhere, and the new law will cap branded items anyway. Our proposal beats the cap and supports inclusion.