Brierley Uniform Policy

Policy details

• Date created - December 2024
• Date approved - December 2024
• Next review date - December 2025
• Policy owner - Sara Simpson

Content

1. Aims…………………………………………………………………………..  2

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

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

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.

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, 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:

1. Is available at a reasonable cost
2. Provides the best value for money for parents/carers
3. We will do this by:
4. Carefully considering whether any items with distinctive characteristics are necessary
5. Limiting any items with distinctive characteristics where possible
6. Avoiding specific requirements for items pupils could wear on non-school days, such as coats, bags and shoes
7. Keeping the number of optional branded items to a minimum, so that the school’s uniform can act as a social leveller
8. Avoiding different uniform requirements for different year/class/house groups
9. Avoiding different uniform requirements for extra-curricular activities
10. Considering alternative methods for signalling differences in groups for inter school competitions, such as creating posters or labels
11. Making sure that arrangements are in place for parents/carers to acquire second-hand uniform items
12. Avoiding frequent changes to uniform specifications and minimising the financial impact on parents/carers of any changes
13. 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

Co-op Academy Brierley

At Co-op Academy Brierley School uniform plays a valuable role in contributing to our ethos and sense of pride.  Uniform shows that we are a community.  Wearing it says we are all in this together.  School uniform is compulsory for all new children from September 2024.  

Why do we wear school uniform:

Uniform:

• Is a signifier that your child is going to school.
• Reinforces the structures and routines that many of our children need to feel less anxious.
• Gives your child a sense of belonging.

Everyday Uniform at Co-op Academy Brierley consists of:

• Sweatshirt with logo
• Polo shirt with logo
• T-shirt with logo

We are flexible about the trousers/skirts/shoes your child wears as we recognise that children need to feel comfortable and that tricky fastenings may hinder developing life skills

Summer Uniform

• A sun hat to protect from the sun
• Cool clothing
• Layers for days when the weather is changeable

Winter Uniform

• Hat,scarf and gloves
• Warm winter coat which fastens
• Waterproof footwear
• Wear layers as the school building is very warm throughout the year

4.2 Where to purchase our Uniform

Parents/Carers can order and buy new school uniform in a number of ways;

• The School Uniform Shop

369-371 Harehills Lane

Leeds, LS9 6AP

0113 2351256

Alternatively school uniform can be ordered online by clicking on the link below:

https://schoolwearexpress.co.uk

Like all internet purchases you choose your goods, pay online and they are delivered directly to your home.

Co-op Academy Brierley  - Nearly New Uniform

We are in regular receipt of good quality nearly new uniform from parents/carers of children who have outgrown their uniform or moved on to another school.  Nearly new uniform is available from the school office, is subject to availability, please contact: info.brierley@coopacademies.co.uk

The academy office welcomes donations of nearly new uniforms throughout the year.

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)

5.2 Parents and carers

Parents and carers are expected to make sure their child has the correct uniform and that every item is:

Clean

Clearly labelled with the child’s name

In good condition

Parents/carers are also expected to contact the Headteacher via the school office 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 the 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.

6. Monitoring arrangements

This policy will be reviewed on an annual basis by Sara Simpson, Academy Business Manager and approved by the Brierley Senior Leadership Team.