Thank you for contacting me about schools adopting gender-neutral uniform policies.
Schools should provide an inclusive environment that supports all of their children's needs and allows them to reach their full potential, regardless of background or gender.
I believe schools, with the support of teachers and parents, are best placed to decide the most appropriate policies to put in place for their pupils, including on school uniform. The Department for Education is clear, however, that schools must tackle all forms of discrimination and this includes where it is because of gender reassignment or sexual orientation.
The Department's guidance makes clear that it is for the governing body of a school (or the academy trust in the case of academies) to decide whether there should be a school uniform policy and if so what that should be. It also makes clear that, when deciding on uniform policy, a school will have to consider its obligations under equality law not to discriminate unlawfully, including on the basis of gender.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
