All North Lanarkshire schools must have 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 ground of race, religion, gender or disability. Prior to drawing up the dress code the parents, pupils and staff were fully consulted. It is the expectation of the education authority that parents will be keen to support the dress code and written agreement may be sought.
Clothing which is unacceptable in school under any circumstances include items which:

• Could potentially encourage factions (e.g. football colours)
• Could cause offence (e.g. anti-religious symbols 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

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 request for such grants in other circumstances are discretion of the director of learning and leisure services. Information and application forms may be obtained from any school area office. 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), housing benefit and council tax rebate.

Whilst in general terms it would not normally be the policy of the authority to exclude a pupil from school solely on the basis of his/her dress, 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 minimise claims arising from 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 items are likely to be met only where the authority can be shown to have been negligent.