School Uniform

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Aims

This page aims to:

• Set out our approach to requiring a uniform that is of reasonable cost and offers the best value for money for parents and carers
• Explain how we will avoid discrimination in line with our legal duties under the Equality Act 2010
• Clarify our expectations for school uniform

Our school’s legal duties under the Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination against an individual based on the protected characteristics, which include sex, race, religion or belief, and gender reassignment.

To avoid discrimination, our school will:

• Avoid listing uniform items based on sex, to give all pupils the opportunity to wear the uniform they feel most comfortable in or that most reflects their self-identified gender
• Make sure that our uniform costs the same for all pupils
• Allow all pupils to have long hair (though we reserve the right to ask for this to be tied back)
• Allow all pupils to style their hair in the way that is appropriate for school yet makes them feel most comfortable
• Allow pupils to request changes to swimwear for religious reasons
• Allow pupils to wear headscarves and other religious or cultural symbols
• Allow for adaptations to our policy on the grounds of equality by asking pupils or their parents to get in touch with Mr. Brearey, who can answer questions about the policy and respond to any requests

Limiting the cost of school uniform

Our school has a duty to make sure that the uniform we require is affordable, in line with statutory guidance from the Department for Education on the cost of school uniform.

We understand that items with distinctive characteristics (such as branded items, or items that have to have a school logo or a unique fabric/colour/design) cannot be purchased from a wide range of retailers and that requiring many such items limits parents’ ability to ‘shop around’ for a low price.

We will make sure our uniform:

• Is available at a reasonable cost
• Provides the best value for money for parents/carers
• Generic versions of our uniform can be purchased from local supermarkets and shops

We will do this by:

• Carefully considering whether any items with distinctive characteristics are necessary
• Limiting any items with distinctive characteristics where possible
• Limiting items with distinctive characteristics to low-cost or long-lasting items
• Considering cheaper alternatives to school-branded items
• Avoiding specific requirements for items pupils could wear on non-school days, such as coats, bags and shoes
• Keeping the number of optional branded items to a minimum, so that the school’s uniform can act as a social leveler
• Avoiding different uniform requirements for different year/class/house groups
• Avoiding different uniform requirements for extra-curricular activities
• Considering alternative methods for signaling differences in groups for interschool competitions, such as creating posters or labels
• Making sure that arrangements are in place for parents to acquire second-hand uniform items
• Avoiding frequent changes to uniform specifications and minimising the financial impact on parents of any changes
• Consulting with parents and pupils on any proposed significant changes to the uniform policy and carefully considering any complaints about the policy

Expectations for school uniform

Our school’s uniform

The uniform is as follows:

• Red sweatshirt or cardigan (with or without the school logo)
• White or red polo shirt
• Grey or black trousers
• Grey or black skirt or pinafore dress
• Red and white gingham summer dress or playsuit
• Black sensible shoes (not trainers)
• Grey, black or white socks
• Grey or black tights
• Red book bag (with or without the school logo)

Trainers, open toed sandals, high heels and large, thick boots are not considered suitable footwear for school. Black jeans and leggings are not permitted in day-to-day uniform. All items of clothing and footwear must be labelled with the pupil’s name.

Our PE Kit

Children are asked to come into school on the days of their PE lessons wearing their PE kit. They can wear it for the full school day.

The PE kit is as follows:

• Plain white T-shirt (no logo)
• Red zipped hoody, sweatshirt, normal school jumper or cardigan
• Blue, grey or Black plain coloured tracksuit bottoms, joggers or shorts
• Suitable trainers or black pumps
• Long hair to be tied back off the face

Plain jogging bottoms, hoodies/sweatshirts are preferred. However, a small branded logo is acceptable. All items of clothing and footwear must be labelled with the pupil’s name.

Forest School and Outdoor Learning Clothing

Children are regularly (EYFS and Key Stage 1 Classes) asked to come into school on the day of their Forest School session wearing their Forest School clothing or asked to bring this into school in a bag. Parents/Carers will be informed of this via the class Facebook page termly class newsletter or text/email contact.

Forest School clothing is as follows:

• Waterproof coat (or waterproof jacket in warmer weather)
• Tracksuit bottoms or leggings (not shorts)
• Long-sleeved top
• Wellington boots or old trainers
• Appropriate hat for the weather
• Scarf and gloves (in colder weather)

Additional items include:

• Waterproof trousers
• Spare socks
• Spare underwear

All items of clothing and footwear must be labelled with the pupil’s name.

Swimming kit

Swimming kit is as follows:

• Swimming costume
• Towel
• Bag large enough to fit their school clothes and shoes in
• If you would like your child to wear goggles, you need to give permission and accept responsibility for providing goggles for your child.
• Swim hats are optional

All items of clothing must be labelled with the pupil’s name.

Jewellery

The only permitted jewellery that may be worn is:

• Stud earrings
• A sensible wristwatch (not a smartwatch)

Jewellery is the responsibility of the pupil and not the school. Lost or damaged items will not be refunded.

All jewellery must be removed during practical lessons, for example, PE lessons/ swimming lessons. If children cannot remove their own earrings, then this should be done at home on the day of PE or tape will be used to cover the earring.

Hair Styles and Make Up

Hairstyles should be smart and moderate in style. Brightly coloured hair is not permitted.

Pupils with what could be deemed extreme hairstyles may be execmpt from the rule above on racial or religious grounds. The Headteacher will take each individual pupil’s scenario into consideration.

Long hair should be tied up. This is to avoid health and safety risks and ensure that children’s vision is not impeded.

Hair accessories such as hair clips and hairbands are acceptable.

At the Head Teacher’s discretion, there may be exceptions to the above in extreme circumstances e.g. a pupil may be permitted to cover their hair if they have hair loss / illness etc.

False nails are not permitted.

Children are not allowed to wear make-up.

Pupil’s wearing make-up are required to remove it or, if appropriate will be sent home to remove it.

At the Headteacher’s discretion, there may be exceptions to the above in extreme circumstances e.g. a pupil may be permitted to cover heavy scarring/skin damage.

School Bag

Pupil’s must use an appropriately sized waterproof bag to carry their books and equipment. It should hold children’s books and reading diaries (where applicable) without causing any damage. This can be a book bag available from the school office.

School bags featuring inappropriate images, slogans or phrases are not permitted.

The school will not be liable for lost or damaged school bags.

School bags must be labelled with the pupil’s name.

Water Bottle

All children should bring a water bottle into school every day: this can be refilled by the children whenever necessary during the day.

Water bottles must be labelled with the pupil’s name.

Adverse Weather - Hot Weather

Pupil’s attending school during hot weather conditions are required to wear sun-safe clothing.

• Tops that cover the shoulder area
• Sun-safe hats
• Sunglasses with UV protection are allowed
• Sunscreen (children must be able to apply this themselves and it must be labelled)

If outside during break and lunchtimes, pupils not wearing sunscreen are advised to stay in an area protected from the sun.

Adverse Weather - Cold Weather

During cold weather, pupils are advised to wear scarves, gloves, coats and hat when they are outside. Additional layers underneath school uniform is also accepted.

Please ensure all items are labelled with the pupil’s name.

Where to purchase it

School uniform can be purchased from high-street retailers or supermarkets. School uniform with the logo on can be purchased from the School Office.

Expectations for our school community

Pupils

Pupils are expected to wear the correct uniform at all times (other than specified non-school uniform days) while:

• On the school premises
• Travelling to and from school
• At out-of-school events or on trips that are organised by the school, or where they are representing the school (if required)

Pupils are also expected to contact Mr Brearey if they want to request an amendment to the uniform policy in relation to their protected characteristics.

Parents and carers

Parents and carers are expected to make sure their child has the correct uniform and PE kit, and that every item is:

• Clean
• Clearly labelled with the child’s name
• In good condition

Parents are also expected to contact their child’s class teacher or Mr Brearey if they want to request an amendment to the uniform policy in relation to:

• Their child’s protected characteristics
• The cost of the uniform

Parents are expected to lodge any complaints or objections relating to the school uniform in a timely and reasonable manner.

Disputes about the cost of the school uniform will be:

• Resolved locally
• Dealt with in accordance with our school’s complaints policy

The school will work closely with parents to arrive at a mutually acceptable outcome.

Staff

Staff will closely monitor pupils to make sure they are in correct uniform. They will give any pupils and families breaching the uniform policy the opportunity to comply, but will follow up with the headteacher if the situation doesn’t improve.

Ongoing breaches of our uniform policy will be dealt with by the class teacher, Mrs Herriott or Mr Brearey as appropriate.

In cases where it is suspected that financial hardship has resulted in a pupil not complying with this uniform policy, staff will take a mindful and considerate approach to resolving the situation.

Governors

The governing body will review this policy and make sure that it:

• Is appropriate for our school’s context
• Is implemented fairly across the school
• Takes into account the views of parents and pupils
• Offers a uniform that is appropriate, practical and safe for all pupils

The Governors will also make sure that the school’s uniform supplier arrangements give the highest priority to cost and value for money, for example by avoiding single supplier contracts and by re-tendering contracts at least every 5 years.