OUR SCHOOL UNIFORM ~ GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS
A more rigorous approach to uniform will apply from August 2011.
Wearing the school uniform:
- plays a vital role in the safety of all our young people by allowing staff to recognise unwelcome visitors to the school.
- indicates a sense of pride and identification with the school;
- helps pupils form or enhance positive attitudes to school and school work;
- protects our young people from the damaging impact of social distinction and ‘competitive’ dressing;
- promotes the school's identity in the community;
- assists staff in the task of supervising pupils;
There are forms of dress which are unacceptable in school, such as items of clothing which:
- potentially encourage faction or division (eg football colours, Goth, Emo, Biker, Heavy Metal or other music-related identities);
- could cause offence (such as items which display anti-religious symbolism/political slogans/sexual innuendo);
- advertise fashion chains, designer logos or sports’ emblems;
- could cause health/safety difficulties (such as piercings/large items of jewellery etc);
- display advertising, particularly for alcohol or tobacco;
- excessively display inappropriate lapel badges;
Only formal school shirts (with top buttons) should be purchased for school.
Adapting the uniform to reflect current ‘trends’ is to be strongly discouraged: eg fashion t-shirts, belts and scarves, leggings, trainers, jeans/‘jean like’ trousers with studs, shorts, culottes, ¾ length trousers, blouses, gloves or hats (worn indoors), hooded or ‘zipped’ jackets, inappropriate fashion footwear such as Converse boots or shoes, Uggs etc.
Items of the existing uniform may be worn until such time as replacements are required. Replacements should be the new uniform items.
The full new uniform is available for order by any pupil in any year group for August 2011. Order forms are available on the school website (see below) or from the school office.
We think this implementation plan takes the fullest possible account of the range of parental opinion and we hope therefore that it will be supported by all.
