Contents

1. Aims

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

3. Limiting the cost of school uniform

4. Expectations for school uniform

5. Expectations for our school community

6. Monitoring arrangements

7. Links to other policies

1.  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

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 it 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

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 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
•  Limiting items with distinctive characteristics to low-cost or long-lasting items, such as ties and jackets
•  Keeping the number of optional branded items to a minimum
•   Avoiding different uniform requirements for different year groups
•  Avoiding different uniform requirements for extra-curricular activities
• Considering alternative methods for signalling 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

4. Expectations for school uniform

4.1 Our uniform - applicable only to schools in the Federation with a uniform

Ashburnham Specific:

Branded optional items are the school coat, rucksack and book bag. Plain alternatives are permitted.

In EYFS (Nursery & Reception), a white polo shirt, a navy round neck sweatshirt and navy tracksuit bottoms must be worn.

In Years 1 to 6, a white polo shirt, a navy round neck sweatshirt and grey trousers or a skirt or shorts must be worn. A navy cardigan may be worn instead of the navy sweatshirt.

Blue checked or grey ‘pinafore style’ dresses are permitted in any year group.

Socks and tights must be black, grey or white.

Headscarves, if worn, must be plain blue, white, grey or black.

The only jewellery that is permitted are simple studs in pierced ears and simple necklaces or bracelets if they are worn for religious reasons. The school does not bear any responsibility for lost or damaged jewellery. Analogue wrist watches are allowed.

Hair ties, clips and hair bands must be plain blue, navy or black.  

 Shoes must be plain black and comfortable. ‘Trainer-style’ shoes are allowed, provided they are black. Velcro shoes are recommended in the younger years.

Parents will be notified if their child is not in the correct uniform. They will be asked to supply the correct uniform as soon as they can.

Avonmore Specific:

The only ‘distinctive feature’ items that are required are a tie, jumper/cardigan and book bag.  

In EYFS, a white polo shirt, navy jumper and comfortable black or grey bottoms must be worn.

In KS1, a white shirt and grey shorts, trousers or skirts must be worn. Children must also wear a tie.

In KS2, our uniform is the same, however elasticated ties are recommended for children younger than KS2.

Blue checked summer dresses are also optional for children to wear.

Socks and tights must be black or grey.

Headscarves, if worn, must be plain blue, white, grey or black.

The only jewellery that is permitted are simple studs in pierced ears. The school does not bear any responsibility for lost or damaged jewellery. Analogue wrist watches are allowed.

Hair ties, clips and hair bands must be plain light blue, navy or black.  

 Shoes must be plain black and comfortable. Velcro shoes are recommended in the younger years.

Parents will be notified if their child is not in the correct uniform. They will be asked to supply the correct uniform as soon as they can.

4.2  Expectations for clothing - applicable only to schools in the Federation without a uniform

We ask for children to come to school in clothes and shoes that are appropriate and comfortable and easy to learn in. Please try to avoid clothing that may be distracting to learning (ie. flashing shoes, feely jumpers etc.).

We go out to play in all weather conditions, so please ensure children have appropriate outside jackets.

The only jewellery that is permitted are simple studs in pierced ears and religious jewellery. The school does not bear any responsibility for lost or damaged jewellery. Analogue wrist watches are allowed.

4.3 Our PE kit - applicable to all schools

All pupils must change into the correct PE kit for physical activity (unless otherwise directed by school staff).

Where an item is distinctive or branded (for example a tracksuit), it must be worn; no alternatives are accepted.

Sensible and comfortable trainers must be worn.

Jewellery (except simple studs) must be removed before PE lessons.

Parents will be notified if their child is not in the correct uniform. They will be asked to supply the correct uniform as soon as they can.

See Appendix 1 for school-specific information.

4.4 Where to purchase it

Branded and distinctive items are available to purchase online and details of the websites are available at the school office.

Unbranded items can be purchased from a wide range of ‘high-street’ retailers.

Unclaimed items from the school’s lost property can be taken free of charge.

Sale of second-hand items will take place throughout the school year.

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 (if required)

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.

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
•   In good condition

Parents are also expected to contact 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

5.3 Staff

Staff will closely monitor pupils to make sure they are in the 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 may  be dealt with by following our Behaviour Policy.

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.

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
•   Takes into account 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.

6. Monitoring arrangements

This policy will be reviewed every two years.  At every review, it will be approved by the 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

Appendix 1: School-specific PE kit

Ashburnham:

Distinctive items that must be worn: tracksuit top and bottoms

Unbranded items: a plain navy t-shirt

PE kit for competitive matches will be loaned to children as appropriate.

Avonmore:

Distinctive items that must be worn: Sports Hooded Sweatshirt with logo and white t-shirt with logo

Unbranded items: plain black bottoms or shorts

PE kit for competitive matches will be loaned to children as appropriate.

Fox:

Distinctive items that must be worn: Sports sweatshirt with logo and blue t-shirt with logo

Unbranded items: plain dark (black/navy/grey)  bottoms or shorts

PE kit for competitive matches will be loaned to children as appropriate.

This policy has been written in accordance with the Department for Education’s guidance on School Uniforms: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-uniform/school-uniforms and the Cost of School Uniforms: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms/cost-of-school-uniforms