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Do what matters most

What matters most is ensuring that our students achieve the best possible outcomes.

Be yourself, always

We bring our best self to work, so that we each contribute a bit of our own unique Co-op difference, and respect others for doing the same.

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Succeed together

Co-operating is what makes us different; we’re better and stronger when we work together.

Contents

1. Aims        3

2. Our school’s legal duties under the Equality Act 2010        3

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

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 age, sex, disability, race, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity, 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 a way that is appropriate for school and makes them feel most comfortable
• Allow pupils to request changes to swimwear for religious reasons or if they are experiencing discomfort related to their sex, gender or gender reassignment
• Allow pupils to wear headscarves and/or other religious garments
• Allow pupils with sensory or physical needs to make reasonable adaptations to their uniform depending on their specific needs
• Allow for reasonable adaptations to our policy on the grounds of equality by asking pupils or their parents/carers to get in touch with the school office who can answer questions about the policy and respond to any requests. These will be considered on a case-by-case basis

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 (DfE) on the cost of school uniform.

We understand that items with distinctive characteristics (such as branded items, or items that need 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/carers’ 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; for example, by only asking that the only outer layers of school uniform (jumpers, cardigans and hoodies) feature our school logo as a requirement.  
• Limiting items with distinctive characteristics to low-cost and/or long-lasting items, such as ties
• Considering cheaper alternatives to school-branded items, as long as this doesn’t compromise quality and durability
• 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 leveller.
• Avoiding different uniform requirements for different year/class 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/carers to acquire second-hand, pre-loved uniform items.
• Avoiding frequent changes to uniform specifications and minimising the financial impact on parents/carers of any changes.  Any changes that will be made will be phased in without the need for parents to replace until new sizing etc. is needed.
• 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 school’s uniform

All children are required to wear school uniform. This will include;

• Burgundy jumper or cardigan with the school logo
• White short-sleeved polo T-shirt or white shirt
• Grey or black trousers/skirt
• Grey or black socks/tights
• Black plain shoes, no heels.

In the summer children have the option to wear grey or black trousers, shorts or a red and white gingham summer dress.

School Ties

Key Stage 2 children are required to wear a school tie and shirt. Children in Year 1 and Year 2 may wear a tie if they wish however children in Nursery and Reception must not wear one due their age and safety implications when playing.

PE Kit:

On PE days your child will need to come to school dressed in their PE kit and NOT their uniform.  The PE kits expected are as follows and the majority of PE lessons (weather permitting) will take place outside.

Black pumps (EYFS and KS1)

Plain trainers (KS2)

Black PE shorts

Plain black joggers

*Burgundy PE polo shirt – purchased from Longton Protective Clothing

*Black logoed Sports Zipper Jacket – purchased from Longton Protective

Swimming Kit

Swimming lessons commence for children once they enter KS2.  Children should attend school in their PE kit for ease of getting changed into their swimming kits when they arrive at the swimming baths.  They should bring their swimming kits to school in a named bag.  Swimming kit expectations are as follows:

• A one-piece swimming costume/swimming trunks (swimming trunks must be fitted and not loose or have corded waistbands for the children’s safety).
• Towel
• Swimming cap (for children with long hair or long fringes which cover the eyes).

Children may wear goggles if there is need but parents MUST send a signed, written note giving permission for them to be worn during swimming lessons. It should be noted by parents giving written permission that they take full responsibility for their child wearing goggles and the swimming baths have the final say whether goggles are permitted.

Jewellery

Jewellery must not be worn with the exception of one pair of stud earrings. This is for everyone's safety. These must be removed for PE (including swimming) by parents prior to the start of the PE day.

     Appropriate hairstyles:

Hair is expected to be tied back if longer than shoulder length for health and safety reasons.  We also ask that pupils do not have patterns in their hair during term time in school.

4.2 Where to purchase it

Logoed uniform can be purchased from the following supplier:

LPC

Located inside Timberland DIY Ltd; Sutherland Road; Longton; ST3 1HZ

01782 0327917 | SALE@LPCLOTHING.CO.UK 

www.lpclothing.co.uk     

Uniform items that do not require logos can be purchased more widely from major supermarkets and other clothing shops.

Ties and swimming caps can also be purchased from the school office.

Preloved school uniform.

We currently have a small range of pre-loved school uniform items for all parents/carers. These should be requested though our family support worker, Kerry Fullwood. Uniform items provided are subject to availability at the time of request.

These will be provided upon request free of charge, although a voluntary donation as outlined below can be paid.

Guide donations to support pre-loved running costs:

£1 per item with a logo

50p per item without a logo

In order for the school to keep a range of pre-loved stock, parents are encouraged to donate uniform items no longer used.

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)

Pupils are also expected to contact the school if they want to request an amendment to the uniform policy in relation to their 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/carers are also expected to contact the 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/carers 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/carers 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.

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.

5.4 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
• Takes into account the views of parents/carers 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 annually by Rachel Kenny. At every review, it will be approved by school board of governors.

7. Links to other policies

This policy is linked to our:

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