School Uniform
Lever Edge Primary Academy Uniform Policy
1. Aims
Our policy on school uniform is based on the belief that school uniform:
- promotes a sense of pride in our school
- helps to create a sense of community and belonging towards the school
- identifies the children with the school
- supports our commitment to inclusion
- prevents children from wearing ‘fashion clothes’ that could be distracting in class
- is practical, smart and designed with health and safety in mind
- is considered good value for money by most parents
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:
- 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 for school yet makes them feel most comfortable
- Allow pupils to request changes to swimwear for religious reasons
- Allow pupils to wear headscarves
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
We will do this by:
- Carefully considering whether any items with distinctive characteristics are necessary
- Avoiding specific requirements for items pupils could wear on non-school days, such as coats, bags and shoes
- Avoiding different uniform requirements for different year groups
- Avoiding different uniform requirements for extra-curricular activities
- 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 school’s uniform (see below for images)
Winter Uniform – Autumn and Spring Terms
Red sweatshirt/jumper or cardigan
Grey or black trousers
Grey or black skirt or pinafore dress
White polo shirt
Black school shoes
Optional additions to Summer Uniform (from Easter onwards)
Grey or black shorts trousers
Red checked summer dress
P.E. Kit
Navy blue or black shorts (gymnastics)
Plain white t-shirt
Black or blue joggers or leggings
Rubber soled pumps
Years 3-6 may wear trainers instead of pumps for outdoor games
Forest school activities
These are included in your child’s timetable and you will be informed what day this will be. When your child is going to the forest school, they will be expected to bring with them suitable clothing:
Wellington boots
Waterproof coat
Hat (woolly or sunhat – depending on the weather)
Sunscreen if required
Headscarves/Hijjab
These may be worn for religious reasons but must be either black, or white
Jewellery
It is not appropriate for children to wear jewellery except a sensible watch and a pair of small plain stud earrings.
Hairstyles
Hairstyles should be appropriate for school, i.e. no “mohicans”, no designs cut into hair, no extremely short hair (no-guard or number 1) or bright coloured highlights.
School Bags
There is no reason for children to bring large bags into school. There is a great shortage of space in the cloakrooms and large bags exacerbate the problem. Lunch boxes can be carried and stored on the designated trolley.
4.2 Where to purchase it
All uniform items can be bought from any school wear retailer, including supermarkets such as Asda, Tesco or Sainsbury’s.
Sweatshirts with the school logo on can be bought from Smart Clothing or Whittakers. Please see below for links to websites.
We have a uniform exchange at school where second-hand uniform is available. Parents can call into the school office for more details.
Bags and PE bags can be purchased from school at a very reasonable price.
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
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 the headteacher if they want to request an amendment to the uniform policy. 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.
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 Trustees
The board of trustees will review this policy and make sure that it:
- Is appropriate for our school’s context
- Is implemented fairly across the school
- Offers a uniform that is appropriate, practical and safe for all pupils
6. Links to other policies
This policy is linked to our:
- Behaviour policy
- Equality information and objectives statement
- Anti-bullying policy
- Complaints policy
