School Uniform Policy

 Introduction

 It is our school policy that all children wear school uniform when attending school, or when participating in school-organised events outside normal school hours. We ask children to wear their shirts tucked into their skirts, shorts or trousers and to take a pride in their personal appearance.

Items of uniform can be bought with the school logo on from Whitaker’s Uniform Shop in Farsley, whilst other plain items are easily available, at very competitive prices, at local shops including supermarkets. A complete list of the items needed for school uniform, including those for P.E. and Outdoor Learning, is included in this policy.

“We believe that the wearing of a school uniform enables students to identify with their school, gives a sense of belonging, is practical and smart, reinforces a positive work ethos and reduces expenditure for parents/carers”.

Aims and objectives

The aims of this policy are to:

 • ensure clarity of what can be worn or not at school;

• promote a sense of pride in our school;

• help to create a sense of community and belonging towards the school;

• ensure that our pupils can be clearly identified with our school;

• support our commitment to inclusion;

• prevent pupils from wearing ‘fashion clothes’ that could be distracting in class;

• ensure pupils’ uniforms are practical, smart, affordable and are suitable, with health and safety in mind;

 • ensure that pupils are dressed smartly.

Our Uniform for Reception Class:

  • Red Jumper or cardigan, white shirt or polo shirt; black or grey trousers, shorts or skirt; black, grey or white socks or red or grey tights and black shoes
  • A grey pinafore dress can also be worn
  • Red and white gingham dresses may also be worn in warmer weather in Autumn & Summer terms.

Our Uniform for Years 1 to 6:

PE Uniform:

  • Red PE hoodies and black or grey tracksuit trousers should be worn on PE Days with unbranded black, grey or white trainers

Jewellery, Hair Ornaments, Make-up and nail varnish

For health and safety reasons, we do not allow children to wear jewellery. The exception to this rule are small objects of religious significance or stud earrings.  Children are required to remove any items during PE lessons to prevent them from causing injury. Your child’s class teacher will advise you when PE lessons are to take place. Please note: Teachers are not permitted to remove earrings. Hair bands, ribbons/bows or ‘scrunchies’ should be plain and either red, white, or black. Hair bands should not have objects attached to them such as flowers. Make up and nail varnish should not be worn to school unless for an out of school hours function, for example a school disco. Pupils are free to wear a headscarf or other hair coverings for religious reasons at school if they wish to. These must however be plain and either white, red or black. Headscarves of the type which drape to shoulder length or just below are acceptable. Longer headscarves are not permitted for safety reasons.

Footwear

For health and safety reasons, we do not allow pupils to wear shoes with platform soles, Heelys or high heels. All pupils are required to wear flat, plain black shoes without logos. These should be closed in with no toes visible. If boots are worn these should also be flat and plain black. Sandals and flip-flops are not permitted due to health and safety reasons.

Adaptations for Weather

In the cold weather, particularly in the winter months, children are expected to wear coats and are permitted to wear a hat/ear-muffs, scarf and gloves. Please ensure that all items are clearly named. On hot days all children will not be expected to wear ties and jumpers. Items such as polo-shirts / short-sleeved shirts, tailored shorts and summer dresses are all appropriate in the hot weather.

The Role of Parents

 We believe that one of the responsibilities of parents is to ensure that their child has the correct uniform and PE kit, and that it is clean, in good repair and that the child’s name is written on all items. If a parent has difficulties for any reason with fulfilling this request, they are asked to speak confidentially to a senior member of staff to discuss the issues. Parents should be assured that we will do all we can to help. Children who arrive at school wearing non-school uniform or PE clothing will be loaned an appropriate item from school where possible. Parents will be contacted to discuss the matter and may be requested to return to school with correct clothing. The school welcomes children from all backgrounds and faith communities. If there are serious reasons, for example on religious grounds, why parents want their child to wear clothes that differ from our school uniform, the school will consider such requests sympathetically. If any parent would like to request a modification to the uniform policy they should, in the first instance, contact the Headteacher.

The role of staff

 Staff should support the Leadership Team in maintaining high standards of uniform dress. Where pupils fail to wear the correct uniform, staff should make discreet and sympathetic enquiries.

The Role of Governors

 The governing body supports the School in implementing the school’s uniform policy. It considers all representations from parents regarding the 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 that the school uniform meets all regulations concerning equal opportunities. Governors ensure that the school uniform policy enables children to dress sensibly, in clothing that is hardwearing, safe and practical.

Special Circumstances

 Special dispensation can be requested for temporary exception from the prescribed school uniform or elements of it. This will usually be on medical grounds or for other exceptional circumstances. The Headteacher and/or Deputy Headteacher will have the ultimate decision on granting or refusing this.

Persistent non-wearing of uniform

We would always make contact with families of children who persistently do not wear school uniform to try and ascertain the reason for this.  We would deal with each case on a case-by-case basis, but it remains our policy that school uniform should be worn.

Lost Property

Any unidentified items of school uniform will be taken to the school office. Pupils and families are encouraged to look here to reclaim lost property, on the understanding that the found item will be clearly named. Children can become upset as a result of lost clothing. Please help us to reunite lost items of clothing with their owners by labelling items with your child’s name.

Help providing Uniform 

School will hold uniform swap afternoons and we will always work sympathetically with families who require support to ensure children come to school in the correct uniform.