Debate contribution: School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill: Consideration Stage
Debate contribution by Mr Jon Burrows on .
- MLA
- Mr Jon Burrows
- Party at the time
- Ulster Unionist Party
- Date
- 15 September 2025
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Executive Committee Business
- Heading
- School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill: Consideration Stage
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5099670
Read the official Assembly record
Text
We are enthusiastic about the Bill. It is positive that we will see honest endeavours made to reduce the cost of school uniform. It is worth stating for the record that we genuinely believe that no pupil should ever feel stigmatised or excluded by reason of the affordability of school uniform. Something that puts affordability at the very centre of discussions on school uniform is to be welcomed. There is a balance, of course, and we want to ensure that schools have a degree of discretion, autonomy, flexibility and, indeed, that we do not do anything that devalues the role that the uniform can play in a school. It brings a sense of collegiality, identity and pride. It also promotes good behaviour, especially when pupils are outside the school grounds. Having your school uniform on makes you identifiable, and that can be very useful for promoting good behaviour. Getting the balance right is critical. There are a number of amendments, and we will not commit to them all, but we will make some comments. On amendment No 1, there is no real issue with publishing every three years. That is a wise amendment. Likewise, amendment No 4, because it is in the best interests of transparency to have guidance published. It provides clarity, certainty and transparency. The one that I want to focus on is amendment No 10, with the word "undue". I will support the Minister's amendment to put the word "undue" in because we want to make sure that, although we are aiming to bring down the cost of school uniforms and are aiming to make sure that we do not have exclusion on the basis of uniform, we do not want to be very prescriptive on schools. The intention has to be that no one should be excluded from sports, excluded from school or disciplined because they cannot afford an item of clothing. However, at the same time, it is vital that schools can say that there are some uniform requirements and some policies that have to be enforced. There was a case on the news this week about the wearing of an earring, which is a good example. I was asked a question on the hoof on 'The Nolan Show', and my instinct was to say that I am not going to arbitrate for the school. I do not know the ins and outs of whether that pupil was asked to remain out of school, but the school has to be able to apply some rules. However, it would be entirely wrong for any pupil to be disadvantaged or excluded because they cannot afford something. That is why I —.
Yes.
445 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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