All pupils are encouraged to wear school uniform. This consists of maroon sweatshirts, with school logo and gold polo shirts.
Clothing which is unacceptable in school under any circumstances includes items which:
- 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.
Footwear and Clothing Grant
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 are at the discretion of the director of education. Information and application forms may be obtained from any school or area office. Parents are entitled to receive a clothing grant if they are in receipt of any of the following benefits: income support, job seeker’s allowance (income based), housing benefit, council tax rebate.
Whilst in general terms it would not normally be the policy of the authority to exlude a pupil from school soley 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 school discipline procedure.
The council wishes to minimise 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, jewellery etc. are not brought to school. parents should note than 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.
