Clothing and Uniform
Parents are asked to co-operate with the school in encouraging the wearing of school uniform.
Buchanan High has a dress code which encourages pupils to dress in a way which is appropriate to attendance at school. This dress code must not lead to direct or indirect discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, gender or disability. Prior to drawing up the dress code the parents, pupils and staff were fully consulted. Buchanan High uniform can be purchased at Scotcrest.
Some items of clothing are unacceptable in school under any circumstances. These would include items that:
• could potentially encourage factions (e.g. FOOTBALL COLOURS)
• could cause offence (e.g. anti-religious symbolism or political slogans)
• could cause health and safety difficulties such as loose fitting clothing, dangling earrings and other potentially dangerous jewellery
• are of flammable materials which may be a danger in certain classes (e.g. shell suits)
• could cause damage to flooring
• carry advertising in particular for alcohol or tobacco, and
• could be used to inflict damage on other pupils or to be used by others to do so.
The appropriate clothing for PE is a T-shirt, shorts and gym shoes. These are necessary for health and safety reasons.
Indoor PE: Towel, T-Shirt, Shorts/Tracksuit bottoms and Trainers.
Outdoor Education: Warm kit –sweater, jacket, outdoor trousers, gloves, waterproof shoes.
Swimming: Towel, swimsuit/trunks.
Jewellery must be removed for PE. Please ensure that all items are clearly labelled.
Parents in receipt of a grant for footwear and clothing from the council will be encouraged to purchase items which are in accordance with the school dress code. Approval of any requests for such grants in other circumstances is at the discretion of the Executive Director of Learning & Leisure Services. Information and application forms may be obtained from any school or First Stop Shop. Parents are entitled to receive a clothing grant if they are in receipt of any of the following benefits: Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance (income based). Employment & Support Allowance (income related), housing benefit, council tax rebate.
Whilst in general terms it would not normally be the policy of the school to exclude a pupil from school solely on the basis of his attire, persistent refusal to respond to a reasonable dress code might be deemed to be a serious challenge to the head teacher’s authority and be detrimental to the well being of the whole school community. In such circumstances a head teacher could justify the use of the school discipline procedure.
The council wishes to minimize claims arising from the loss of pupils’ clothing and/or personal belongings. Parents are asked to assist in this area by ensuring that valuable items and unnecessarily expensive items of clothing are not brought to school. Parents should note that any claims submitted to cover the loss of such things are likely to be met only where the authority can be shown to have been negligent.
