All Dumfries and Galloway schools must have a dress code which encourages pupils to dress in a way appropriate to attendance at school. This code must not lead to direct or indirect discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, gender, disability or poverty. Prior to drawing up the dress code, parents, pupils and staff should be fully consulted, and it is the expectation of Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing Directorate that parents will be supportive of the dress code.

The Scottish Government have also produced non-statutory school uniform and clothing guidance for schools which should be taken into account when making any amendments to the dress code of the school. You can find out more about the guidance at: School uniform and clothing guidance: information for parents and Carers – gov.scot.

Clothing which is unacceptable in school under any circumstances would include items which:

• Could potentially encourage factions (eg football colours).
• Could cause offence (eg anti-religious or political slogans).
• Could cause health and safety difficulties (loose-fitting clothing, dangling earrings).
• Are of flammable materials which may be a danger in certain classes.
• Could cause damage to floors.
• Carry advertising, (such as alcohol or tobacco).
• Could be used to inflict damage on other pupils.

Parents in receipt of a grant for footwear and clothing from the authority will be encouraged to purchase items which are in accordance with the school dress code.

It is not normal policy for the authority to remove a pupil from school solely based on their dress. However, a persistent refusal to respond to a reasonable dress code could be deemed a challenge to the Headteacher’s authority and as such be detrimental to the good order of the whole school community. In such circumstances a Headteacher could justify the use of other school disciplinary procedures.

Responding to environmental factors. Each school will give consideration to adjustments to School uniform requirements to address any extreme weather conditions and relay this to parents/carers as timeously as possible.

Dumfries and Galloway Council have set up several permanent School Uniform Donation and Collection Points in partnership with community organisations throughout our Region. Each location has an extensive stock of excellent to good-condition school uniforms which are suitable for the schools near the Uniform Bank locations. Additional equipment including School Bags and Stationery can also be sourced at times from these locations and full details of each can be found on the following link: Free School Uniforms – Dumfries and Galloway Council.