Children are made to move, their clothing should be too
Vision and overview
The campaign's vision is for every UK primary school to adopt a uniform that enables children to move, play and learn all day.
To achieve this, the newly formed Active Uniform Alliance will coordinate and promote activities that encourage primary schools to make a pledge to adopt ‘always active uniforms’ instead of traditional ones.
Schools that sign the pledge will be making a commitment to changing uniforms within two years.
In addition to inspiring individual schools to sign up, the campaign will lobby for a change to uniform policy.
1,000
Primary schools
2 years
To make the change
Our ambitious national campaign is to move 1,000 primary schools away from traditional office-style uniforms within two years, replacing them with active alternatives that support natural movement and physical development. This isn't merely a change of clothing – it's a strategic shift toward creating a new normal, where primary school children are expected to be actively playing and learning in and outdoors all day.
"Clothing is there to meet the needs of childhood. If we change childhood to meet the needs of clothing we know we have gone seriously off track." Michael Follett, Founder of Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) CIC
The equality problem
The Chief Medical Officers recommends 60 minutes of daily physical activity but worryingly, fewer than half of our children meet this target. More concerning still is the marked decline in girls' physical activity during primary years. Traditional uniforms, with their restrictive skirts, impractical footwear, and movement-limiting designs, create significant barriers to natural movement and play. Girls particularly report feeling self-conscious and restricted, their instinct to participate in active play diminished by uniforms that prioritise appearance over functionality.
An easy solution
The transformation we propose is both practical and profound. Always active uniforms enable seamless transitions between focused classroom learning and physical activity, supporting children's natural movement patterns throughout the day. They maintain the smart appearance schools value while removing unnecessary barriers to physical engagement. For girls especially, this change offers liberation from uniforms that have historically limited their participation in spontaneous play and active learning.
Schools with always active uniforms report significant increases in physical activity across all student groups, enhanced classroom engagement, and – notably – a marked improvement in children's confidence to participate in active play. The impact on girls' participation has been particularly significant, with many schools noting a dramatic increase in their engagement with physical activities once restrictive clothing barriers are removed.
Join us
If you run a school please sign the pledge to change your uniform
Everyone else please join the Alliance to show your support and be updated on progress
We understand that changing uniform policies requires careful consideration of tradition, practicality, and community expectations. Our campaign provides comprehensive support to schools ready to make this transition, including implementation guidance, supplier partnerships, and connections with pioneer schools already experiencing the benefits. The always active uniforms we propose maintain professional standards while prioritising children's physical freedom and comfort.
The momentum for change is building. Forward-thinking schools nationwide are reporting transformed playground cultures, with students more engaged in both physical activity and academic learning. Their experiences show that always active uniforms can enhance rather than diminish the professional atmosphere of our schools while significantly improving children's daily experience.
72%
Of UK residents support the move to active uniform
2025 Opinion poll
We invite headteachers, governors, and parents to join this transformative initiative. Together, we can create school environments where every child – regardless of gender – feels empowered to engage fully in both academic and physical aspects of their education. The solution is straightforward: uniforms that actively support, rather than inhibit, children's natural development.
The time for this change is now. We call on schools across the nation to join us in reimagining school uniforms as enablers of active, engaged learning. Your school can be part of this significant shift, helping to shape an educational environment where children's physical vitality is supported by every aspect of their school experience – including the clothes they wear each day.
Together, we can make
a difference
The Made to Move Campaign isn’t just about changing clothes – it’s about changing the culture of our schools to prioritise active, healthy lifestyles. By embracing always active uniforms, schools will help shape a brighter, more inclusive future for every child.