Aims and Objectives
Our policy is based on the notion that a school uniform:
- promotes a sense of pride in the school:
- engenders a feeling of community and belonging:
- supports positive behaviour and discipline:
- identifies the children with the school, and encourages identity with the school:
- makes children feel equal to their peers in terms of appearance:
- prevents children coming to school in fashion or ‘designer’ label clothes that could be distracting in class or create a sense of competition:
- is regarded as suitable and good value for money, by most parents.
The Role of Parents
We ask all parents who send their children to our school to support the school uniform policy.
The school welcomes children from all backgrounds and faith communities. If there are strong reasons, e.g. on religious grounds, why parents want their child to wear clothes that differ from school uniform, the school will give consideration to such requests. Similarly, should an item of school uniform prove problematic for a pupil with disabilities then parents are invited to draw this to the attention of the headteacher.
The Role of Governors
The governing body supports the headteacher in implementing the school uniform policy, and liaises with the headteacher to ensure that the policy is implemented fairly and with sensitivity.
It is the governors’ responsibility to ensure the school uniform meets all national regulations concerning equal opportunities, and that our school uniform policy is consistent with our policy on equal opportunities. Governors ensure that the school uniform policy helps children to dress sensibly, in clothing that is hardwearing, safe and practical.
Jewellery and General Appearance
On health and safety grounds we do not allow children to wear nail varnish or jewellery in our school; this includes earrings, even when covered with plasters or with plastic retainers in their ears. The exception to this rule is the wearing of a watch, but no responsibility can be accepted by the school for watches lost on the premises. Make-up or temporary tattoos are not allowed.
Fashion Haircuts
Hairstyle colour and accessories should be suitable for primary school children. Hair should be of a ‘natural’ colour. Short hair should be no shorter than a ‘No 2’. Please note that no extreme or fashion hairstyles (shaved or tram lines) or braids or beads are permitted (exceptions to this rule are in cases where race is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010). School does not permit children to have haircuts that could serve as a distraction to other children, or to wear hair gel. Long hair should be tied back for safety reasons. Ribbons, bobbles, hair bands and slides should be small and simple in style and only in the school colours of purple and grey.
Footwear
Children should wear black shoes to school (not trainers). We believe that it is dangerous for children to wear shoes with platform soles, open toed sandals, or high heels in school, so we do not allow this. Black boots are only acceptable in the winter months, where they are both practical and necessary. Our school promotes the use of practical shoes that are well maintained and reflect our commitment to smart appearance and pride in school identity.