Red Rose Primary School Uniform Policy

Contents

1. Aims        2

2. Our school’s legal duties under the Equality Act 2010        2

3. Limiting the cost of school uniform        3

4. Expectations for school uniform        4

5. Expectations for our school community        5

6. Monitoring arrangements        6

7. Links to other policies        6

1. Aims

At Red Rose Primary School we believe that the wearing of uniform plays a valuable role in contributing to the ethos of our school and setting an appropriate tone. Our children wear their uniform with pride, promoting equality and a sense of community. We ask that everyone - children, parents and carers - help to ensure that the school dress code is always observed.

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

2. 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 and safe 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 parents/carers to get in touch with Mrs Jackson (School Business Manager), who can answer questions about the policy and respond to any requests  

3. 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 take this responsibility very seriously.

We understand that items with distinctive characteristics (such as branded items, or items that carry 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:

• making uniform available that carries the school logo but not making this compulsory
• limiting any items with distinctive characteristics by allowing the wearing of generic uniform in the school colours
• limiting items with distinctive characteristics to low-cost or long-lasting items
• avoiding specific requirements for items pupils could wear on non-school days, such as coats and bags
• keeping the number of optional branded items to a minimum, so that the school’s uniform can act as a social leveller 
• avoiding different uniform requirements for different year/class/house groups
• considering alternative methods for signalling differences in groups for inter school 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/carers of any changes
• consulting with parents/carers and pupils on any proposed significant changes to the uniform policy and carefully considering any complaints about the policy

4. Expectations for school uniform

4.1 Our requirements for uniform are as follows:

School Uniform

• red jumper or cardigan
• white or red polo shirt or white shirt/blouse
• grey or black skirt/ trousers / shorts (Leggings are not allowed)
• red checked dress (summer)

Footwear

• plain black leather or leather style shoes which can be polished.
• trainers are not allowed

PE Kit

• plain white T-shirt
• black/navy shorts (no logos)
• plimsolls or trainers
• plain black/navy leggings or tracksuit bottoms for outdoor PE (no logos)
• grey Red Rose PE hoodie (optional)

Jewellery

Please note:

• jewellery should not be worn for school for health and safety reasons and is actively discouraged.
• If necessary, a small pair of plain studs can be worn when ears are first pierced but should be removed as soon as possible and micropore tape should be provided by parents to cover earrings during the school day.
• a watch may be worn
• nail varnish should not be worn for school

Hairstyles

• haircuts should not be less that a grade ‘one’
• hair should not be coloured
• no extreme hairstyles or tramlines are allowed

4.2 Where to purchase it

• Generic uniform can be purchased from any high street school uniform retailer.
• Jumpers, cardigans, polo shirts, PE Hoodies, waterproof jackets, book bags and PE bags are available with the school logo but are not compulsory. 

These can be purchased from the school office. If you wish to place a school uniform order, please complete the form below and hand this into the office or email to:  office@redroseprimaryschool.com

School Uniform Order Form

• We have arranged for two shops in Chester le Street – the British Heart Foundation and St. Cuthberts Hospice – to stock pre-worn uniform.
• Please feel free to buy Red Rose uniform at either of these shops or to donate any good quality, pre-loved uniform to them to benefit other members of our school community.

5. Expectations for our school community

5.1 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 unless directed otherwise

5.2 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 (including shoes, socks, coats, hats and gloves)
• in good condition  

Parents are asked to contact Mrs Marshall (School business Manager) if they wish 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.

5.3 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 a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

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 sensitively.

5.4 Governors

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

• is appropriate in 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  

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.

6. Monitoring arrangements

This policy will be reviewed annually by Mrs Jackson (School Business Manager). At every review, it will be approved by the Head Teacher and Full Governing Body.

7. Links to other policies

This policy is linked to our:

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