School Uniform policy

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 symbols
• Allow for adaptations to our policy on the grounds of equality by asking pupils or their parents to get in touch with Mrs Sarah McHugh, schooladmin@calegreen.stockport.sch.uk 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
• making the wearing of items with the school logo on non-compulsory
• allowing the wearing of 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
• no difference in uniform requirements for different years
• avoiding different uniform requirements for extra-curricular activities
• providing clothing for inter-school competitions
• 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 can be found on the school’s website.
• No child has to wear any branded items but these are available at a low cost.
• PE kit- this is kept cost-effective – white t-shirt and black joggings / shorts / leggings
• Swimming kit- trunks / swimming costume and cap for children with long hair
• Black school shoes are school uniform
• School Shoe Library in operation for spare good quality shoes

Where to purchase it

• For embroidered uniform items families can visit Davensport Ltd, 98 Bramhall Ln, Davenport, Stockport SK2 6JG
• Any local supermarket for non-branded items
• Pre-Loved Uniform Sale – school playground (last Friday morning in the month)

 

Physical Education kit and swimming kit

 

Children can wear their PE kit for the whole day on the days when they have PE / Sport activities timetabled.

 

The PE kit is -

 

• School black sports hoodie

 

• Plain black or white trainers or BLACK pumps 

 

• Plain white t-shirt (no logos) (black to-shirt optional for Year 5 / 6)

 

• Shorts - black (no logos)

 

• Jogging pants or leggings – black (no logos)

 

• No jewellery (staff are not permitted to take out children’s earrings)

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)

Children and families are also expected to contact Mrs Sarah McHugh 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 Mrs Sarah McHugh 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.

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 board will review this policy and make sure that it:

• is appropriate for our school’s context
• is implemented fairly across the school
• considers the views of parents and pupils
• offers a uniform that is appropriate, practical and safe for all pupils

The board 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.

Monitoring arrangements

This policy will be reviewed annually by Mrs Sarah McHugh, headteacher. At every review, it will be approved by the full governing board.

7. Links to other policies

This policy is linked to our:

• Behaviour policy
• Equality information and objectives statement
• Anti-bullying policy