Aims
This policy 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 the Head of School, 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 We will do this by:
- Carefully considering whether any items with distinctive characteristics are necessary
- Limiting any items with distinctive characteristics where possible. For example, by only asking that the jumper features the school logo
- 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 Boys:
- Bottle Green v-neck sweatshirt with school logo
- Plain white polo shirt (tucked in)
- Grey trousers or shorts
- Black sensible school shoes – shoes must be “polishable” no boots, trainers or canvas shoes
- Grey, white or black socks
- Bottle Green logo book bag (optional but incredibly helpful!)
Girls:
- Bottle Green v-neck sweatshirt/cardigan with school logo
- Plain white polo shirt (tucked in)
- Grey trousers, shorts, skirt or pinafore dress
- Black sensible school shoes – shoes must be “polishable” no boots, trainers or canvas shoes
- Grey, white or black socks / grey or black tights
- Green and white gingham dress in the warm weather
- Bottle Green logo book bag (optional but incredibly helpful!)
P.E.
Changes of clothing for games, PE and swimming are essential in the interest of safety, hygiene and comfort. This should include:
- a green logo t-shirt
- black shorts
- trainers or black daps
In winter children may add jogging bottoms and a sweatshirt.
Children should not wear any jewellery other than one silver or gold stud earring per ear and a watch. Long hair should be tied back at all times.
Hair should be of one natural colour and no shorter than a number 3: buzz cuts, tram lines or extreme styles and colours are not allowed.
Pupils are not permitted to wear nail varnish or transfer tattoos in school.
Where to purchase it
Our logo’d school uniform is available from South West School Wear, East Reach or online. All other items are widely available from high-street retailers or supermarkets.
We also have a selection of “pre-loved” logo’d uniform available to buy from our school. Jumpers and cardigans are available at £3 per item and PE t-shirts are £2. All proceeds go directly to our FOPS. If you would like to purchase any of these, please contact the school office directly.
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 the Head of School 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 the Head of School 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 head of school if the situation doesn’t improve.
Ongoing breaches of our uniform policy will be dealt with by the Head of School.
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.
Trustees
Trustees will review the template for this policy. The school’s link trustee will review the school specific version of the 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 Head of School will 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.
Monitoring arrangements
This policy will be reviewed every two years.
Links to other policies
This policy is linked to the following school/trust policies:
- School behaviour policy
- School equality information and objectives statement
- School anti-bullying/child-on-child abuse policy
- TRLP complaints policy
