School Uniforms (Trousers) Bill

Overview

The Ad Hoc Committee on the School Uniforms (Trousers) Bill is considering the School Uniforms (Trousers) Bill.  The Bill's Explanatory and Financial Memorandum has been prepared to assist the reader and should be read in conjunction with the Bill.

To assist the Committee with its work, it is seeking views on the Bill.

The survey is open to any individual or organisation to respond. 

The School Uniforms (Trousers) Bill was introduced by the Committee for Education to the Assembly on 22 June 2026  and passed its Second Stage on 30 June 2026. The purpose of the Bill is to permit all pupils to wear trousers as part of their school uniform.

The Bill amends the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Act (Northern Ireland) 2026 (‘School Uniforms Act’) to create a statutory right for all pupils to be able to wear trousers as part of their school uniform. It also sets some additional requirements for the guidelines on school uniforms which the Department of Education (DE) is obliged to issue under the School Uniforms Act.

Why your views matter

As part of the Assembly’s legislative process, the Bill has been referred to the Ad Hoc Committee on the School Uniforms (Trousers) Bill for scrutiny and evaluation.

Your views will help to inform the Committee’s consideration of the Bill and any recommendations it may suggest as it moves to the next stage of the legislative process.

The Northern Ireland Assembly uses Citizen Space for its calls for evidence. However, if you are unable to access Citizen Space or need to provide your response in an alternative format, please contact the committee office at: committee.trousersbill@niassembly.gov.uk.