The Welsh Assembly Government has published guidance for governing bodies and headteachers on issues relating to implementing or changing a school uniform and appearance policy.

The guidance focuses on:

• ensuring that due regard is given to securing equality of treatment between boys and girls and for pupils from different ethnic and religious backgrounds and disabled pupils in relation to school uniform and appearance policies;
• cost;
• practical considerations involved in introducing or changing school uniform and appearance policies;
• consultation with parents and pupils.

The document also sets out also sets out the current position regarding financial assistance for parents towards the cost of purchasing school uniform.

It says that the Assembly Government does not consider exclusion to be "an appropriate response" to breaches of school uniform policies.

The guidance is available to download from the Welsh Assembly Government website.