How

Section 2: How can we create inclusive PE kit policy?

How do the current government requirements and guidance for schools on PE Kit work in the UK?

School Uniform is affected by various government requirements. School uniform is ‘non-statutory’, which means it is the school that determines uniform, but there are some government requirements such as the Equality Act 2010.

Task 1: Check your understanding - tick all the below statements to check your knowledge of how the key requirements and guidance works in the UK.

Department of Education’s ’School Uniform Guidance’ (2024)

The Guidance states schools should ‘choose a PE Kit which is practical, comfortable, appropriate to the activity involved, and affordable.’

Department of Education’s ‘PE and Sports in Schools Guidance’ (2024)

This Guidance states schools should ‘keep the PE kit policy simple and consult with families regularly about how the PE and sports kit requirements of the school are impacting them in terms of finances and participation rates of pupils.’

The Equality Act 2010, UK Government.

This states it is unlawful for a school to discriminate against a pupil or prospective pupil by treating them less favourably because of their sex, race, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity. School Uniform Guidance still states, ‘Differences in dress requirements for girls and boys are standard and...are unlikely to be regarded as discriminatory.’ This must be challenged, for evidence proves PE kit can be disproportionately detrimental for girls.

DfE Statutory Guidance into the Cost of School Uniform (2021)

This guidance states governing boards should apply the same consideration to cost as they would for the everyday items in their uniform, because no pupil should be unable toparticipate fully in PE or represent their class or school because the PE kit is too expensive.

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill (2024) is planned for introduction from September 2026* [14]

The new Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill (2024) has been introduced to limit the number of mandatory school branded items to three. More information to follow when this has been finalised.

01

/

06

The Inclusive Sportswear Charter

The Inclusive Sportswear Charter has been built as the foundational principles of all sports and PE kit policies. Each school will require different PE kit based on context, but all should be based on the principles of the Inclusive Sportswear Charter.

Task 2: Match the Inclusive Sportswear Charter principles to the descriptions.

We commit to empower individuals through meaningful choice in their sports kit, moving beyond traditional stereotypes to ensure genuine autonomy in clothing decisions.

We commit to celebrate and embrace the expression of identity within sport, ensuring our products serve as a medium for personal and cultural expression while fostering unity.

We commit to prioritising comfort and practicality in our sports kit design and development, recognising these as fundamental to athletic participation, enjoyment, and performance.

We commit to meaningful collaboration with our target groups, ensuring their voices actively shape our design processes and outcomes.

We commit to supporting individuals to wear sports kit that enables belonging in sport, whether that is sports kit to promote participation, support enjoyment or raise performance.

02

/

06

How do we manage cost and quality of PE kit?

• The expense of PE kit is an important consideration especially given the current cost of living crisis.
• In a recent YouGov Survey (2024) about PE kit, only 56% percent of parents felt that PE kit was affordable to them.
• There are many solutions to help reduce the cost of PE kits.

Task 3: Check your understanding - tick all the below statements to learn different ways to manage cost and quality in PE kit.

Practical PE kit that can be worn for all sports

A PE kit that is practical for a wide-range of sports. For example, a quality pair of leggings and shorts could support a girl in all activities, therefore the school should opt for a practical, quality, affordable PE kit.

Less Branded Items

Including logos or school badges on PE items can greatly increase the cost and restrict accessibility. How many items of your PE kit currently have branding, and can this be reduced?

PE Kit Grants

Some government departments and schools offer funding support in the form of grants for uniform and PE kit costs. Free PE kit is given to pupils by some schools also.

Kit Donations and Kit Swaps

Many schools ask pupils to donate previously worn and outgrown PE kit to ensure a supply of spares is available if kit is forgotten. Some schools also enable pupils to swap items. or purchase pre-worn kit at greatly reduced prices, which helps with cost and is eco-friendly.

Wearing of PE Kit on PE days

Many schools ask pupils to donate previously worn and outgrown PE kit to ensure a supply of spares is available if kit is forgotten. Some schools also enable pupils to swap items. or purchase pre-worn kit at greatly reduced prices, which helps with cost and is eco-friendly.

Sustainability of PE kit

The longevity and sustainability of PE kit is important to consider in cost, because kit could be reused in second-hand school shops.

03

/

06

How do we include pupil, parent and staff voices?

• The Department for Education (DfE) advocate the engagement and involvement of pupils and parents within any proposed PE kit amends or changes to uniform policy.

• Consultation and active listening will ensure that any current issues are raised and help support the identification of appropriate pupil-focused solutions.

Task 4: We invite you to Consider what opportunities you have in school to undertake consultation.

Where could you go to gain insight on your PE kit from?

01

School Council

02

Within PE lessons

03

Parents Evenings

04

Parent Support groups(i.e.PTAs)

05

Class or form time

06

Other staff members

07

Senior Leadership members

Which ways could you can gain feedback about the issue?

01

Surveys e-mailed to parents/pupils

02

Focus groups with are presentative sample of pupils

03

Suggestion boxes

04

Voting systems

05

Staff meeting

04

/

06

Why do we need to include parent voices?

Schools are encouraged to involve parents at all stages of any PE kit review.

[Relating to statistics from a recent YouGov Survey (2024) about PE kit.]

Task 5: Parent Perceptions. Select which of these statistics you think are correct to check your understanding.

What percentage of parents responded to say they felt informed about school PE kit?

67%77%87%

What percentage of parents responded to say they felt the PE kit was suitable for their child?

54%64%74%

What percentage of parents responded to say they would support the inclusion of age-appropriate recommended PE items, such as sports bras to aid participation?

25%45%65%

05

/

06

How do we balance belonging, comfort and choice?

[Relating to responses about sportswear in the PlayerLayer Inclusive Sportswear Survey 2025.]

Task 6: Select which of these statistics you think are correct to check your understanding.

How many people feel they would still feel like a team if they wore similar but different bottom-half items?

80%40%60%

How many people feel they would still feel like a team if they wore similar but different top-half items?

40%70%60%

06

/

06