Co-op Academy Nightingale  Uniform Policy

Aims

• 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 pupils to request changes to swimwear for religious reasons
• Allow pupils to wear headscarves, although these should be in school colours (Black, White or Grey) 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 school office, which can answer questions about the policy and respond to any requests.  

. 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 by accepting that all items must be of a chosen colour but not necessarily need the school logo. This will be optional for all our requested uniform items.
• 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 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

Our day-to-day uniform for children in reception to year 6:

• Navy blue jumper or cardigan, with or without the school logo
• Trousers, skirt or pinafore dress  in grey, black
• Polo shirt or shirt in white or light blue with or without logo
• Black smart shoes, flat with no heels
• Headscarves in, black, white or greySummer uniform

Our day-to-day uniform in summer, with the following options:

• Shorts in grey or black
• Sun hat, the ones with a neck protector are the best.

Jewellery must not be worn at any time to avoid injury to your child  and loss of items. The academy does not take responsibility for the loss of damage to jewellery worn outside the school's guidance.

See images below for further guidance:

P.E. uniform

• White t-shirt, plain or with our logo
• Black shorts, leggings or jogging bottoms
• Trainers (or suitable footwear for PE)
• Winter jumper black or blue

Where can uniforms be purchased from?

No logo items of uniform can be purchased from any retailer. If parents wish to purchase logo items these can be purchased from The School Uniform Shop. Harehills Leeds. 369-371 Harehills Ln, Harehills, Leeds LS9 (Logo items are completely optional on all items of clothing)

Where can I get a Second Hand Uniform?

Second hand uniforms are available at the Academy.  Please contact Halema Begum/ Ruth Strahan on 0113 2359164  if you require support with this.

 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 Halema Begum/ Ruth Strahan on 0113 2359164  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:

  Clearly labelled with the child’s name

  In good condition

Parents are also expected to contact Halema Begum/ Ruth Strahan on 0113 2359164 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 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.

Ongoing breaches of our uniform policy will be dealt with by the head teacher

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 and pupils

  Offers a uniform that is appropriate, practical and safe for all pupils  

7. Links to other policies

This policy is linked to our:

  Behaviour policy

  Equality information and objectives statement

  Anti-bullying policy

  Complaints policy