Uniform Policy

2024 - 2025

Policy details

• Date created - June 2024
• Date reviewed - June 2024        
• Date approved - June 2024
• Next review date - June 2026
• Policy owner - Shirley Carrigan & Paul Atkins

The governing body of Co-op Academies Trust schools believe that school uniform is important in building the pupils’ sense of identity and belonging to the community of their academy. It instils a sense of pride in the academy and supports positive behaviour. It is one of the symbols of the ethos of the academy and protects children from social pressures whatever their race, religion, gender or background. Other advantages to having a school uniform are linked to security, as a uniform enables pupils to be identified easily and means that any intruders can be identified swiftly.

The Governors of our academy also believe that a school uniform is an important contributor to the overall success of the academy and, therefore, expect that the school uniform will be worn by all children.

This policy document outlines: -

• The reasons for having a school uniform
• What the school uniform consists of
• Making the uniform accessible
• How the school will deal with non-adherence

What the school uniform consists of:    

*This uniform can be purchased from the National School wear Centre, Stafford Street, Hanley, Stoke-on- Trent. ST1 1LS

Uniform guidance  

• All items of school uniform must be clearly labelled with the child’s name.    
• Additional guidance will be given with regards to changes to seasonal uniform.  

Jewellery   

•         Jewellery must not be worn in the academies. Standard ‘non-toy’ watches may be worn, although the Academy cannot take responsibility for them and they must be removed for P.E. lessons.  No smart / watches are allowed.   Stud earrings may be worn, but must be removed for PE and after-school sports clubs. (Staff are not allowed to assist with this). It is preferred that children do not wear their earrings on PE days, or days when they have after-school sports clubs.

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Hair   

• Long hair must be tied back. No dyed, shaved lines or patterned hairstyles are allowed in the academy.    
• Back and sides of hair should be no shorter than a Grade 1 cut.  
• Hair accessories should be small, plain (e.g. no large bows) and in academy colours (grey, purple, navy) No tinsel or coloured braids.  
• Head scarves must be in academy colours (navy, purple or grey)

Footwear  

• Children’s footwear must be black, with a secure fastening (buckles, laces or Velcro)
• Shoes with a high heel or open toes are not permitted
• Black training shoes are to be worn with PE kit – they are only part of the P.E. uniform and should not be worn at other times during the academy day.

In the interest of health & safety, these items are NOT permitted in the academy:  

• Umbrellas  
• Sunglasses (unless prescription)  
• Pumps should not be worn with PE kit – pupils will change into these if needed
• Open-toed sandals, shoes with raised heels, clogs or mules should also not be worn. These are not suitable or safe, especially at playtimes  
• Jewellery – Strictly no chains, rings or bracelets to be worn, stud earrings may be worn.    
• Make up, nail polish and temporary tattoos must not be worn (unless under extenuating circumstances)  
• We do not allow PE bags to be brought into school, for health and safety reasons. Children are to attend school in their PE kit on days when they have PE or sports clubs.

Accessibility to academy uniform    

• The governing body recognises the need to ensure that the uniform is affordable and will work with the academy to ensure schools use any donated uniform to hold ‘pre-loved’ sales which are regular and well publicised.  We have a stock of pre-loved uniform, please contact a member of the pastoral team to purchase.
• The academy will also ensure that parents or carers where necessary, know about any local authority schemes that can provide school clothing grants or other help towards the cost of school clothing.    
• The governing body recognises its obligations to accommodate reasonable religious requirements within the official academy uniform and to ensure it is not discriminatory on the grounds of gender, race, religion or belief.  

Please be aware that what is and is not acceptable will be decided by the academy in line with this policy and the academy’s decision is final.  

Please note that by sending your child to Co-op Academy Grove, you are agreeing to ensure that your child abide by this policy.   If you have any queries or questions regarding any aspect of uniform, jewellery or hair style, please speak to a member of academy staff.