In 2022 Buckie Community High School in Moray worked with the Cost of the School Day team, and consulted pupils and families about school uniform, and how policy might change to make it more affordable for all.
Following the relaxation of uniform during Covid-19, Buckie Community High School was thinking about the best approach to reintroducing uniform but also aware of the cost implications this would have on families after a such a difficult time.
Pupils at Buckie believed that uniform was important to reduce bullying but also felt that it could be simpler and more easily afforded.
One S3 pupil said that:
“I think really strict school uniform is outdated. As long as you are not wearing anything too extreme and you are wearing only black this would help with the competition to have the best.”
Pupils also discussed the challenges of the school blazer being mandatory for Prefects and suggested that this could be off-putting for some pupils who may be discouraged from applying for a Prefect position if there was an additional cost attached. The school has now taken steps to ensure that their uniform policy is simple and actively promotes plain black non-logoed items as acceptable uniform. The school now also clearly states on their uniform flyer that support is available with accessing a blazer for any pupil who may wish to become a Prefect.