Introduction
It is our school policy that all children wear school uniform when attending school, or when participating in school-organised events outside normal school hours. We ask children to wear their polo-shirts/ shirts tucked into their skirts, shorts or trousers and to take a pride in their personal appearance. School uniform is a way of showing that the children and parents/ carers are READY, RESPECTFUL and SAFE, in line with our whole-school ethos.
Some items of uniform can be bought with the Monkton Church of England School logo on, whilst other plain items are easily available, at very competitive prices, at local shops including supermarkets and online traders such as Amazon.
Aims and objectives
• ensure clarity of what can be worn or not at school;
• promote a sense of pride in our school;
• help to create a sense of community and belonging towards the school;
• ensure that our pupils can be clearly identified with our school;
• support our commitment to inclusion;
• prevent pupils from wearing ‘fashion clothes’ that could be distracting in class;
• ensure pupils’ uniforms are practical, smart, affordable and are suitable, with health and safety in mind;
• ensure that pupils are dressed smartly.
Jewellery, Hair Ornaments, Make-up, Nail Varnish and Headscarves
For health and safety reasons, we do not allow children to wear jewellery. The exception to this rule are small objects of religious significance and simple ear studs. Children are required to remove any items (including earrings) during PE lessons to prevent them from causing injury. Your child’s class teacher will advise you when PE lessons are to take place so earrings can be removed. Please note: Teachers are not permitted to remove earrings.
Advice from the Association for Physical Education (AfPE.) All earrings need to be removed completely; children are no longer allowed to put tape around them. Children who wear earrings will not be able to take part in practical lessons but will be able to take on the role of scorer or evaluator where appropriate.
Hair bands, ribbons/bows or ‘scrunchies’ should be plain and either red, white or black. Hair bands should not have objects attached to them such as flowers. Make up and nail varnish should not be worn to school unless for an out of school hours function, for example a school disco.
Pupils are free to wear a headscarf at Monkton Church of England Primary School if they wish to based on religious grounds. These must however be plain and either red or black. Headscarves of the type which drape to shoulder length or just below are acceptable. Longer headscarves are not permitted for safety reasons.
Footwear
For health and safety reasons, we do not allow pupils to wear shoes with platform soles, Heelys or high heels. All pupils are required to wear flat, plain black shoes without logos. These should be closed in with no toes visible. If boots are worn these should also be flat and plain black. Sandals and flip-flops are not permitted.
Pupils can bring trainers into school to change into for break periods. Pupils must however change back into shoes at the end of break periods.
Adaptations for Weather
In the cold weather, particularly in the winter months, children are expected to wear coats and are permitted to wear a hat/ear-muffs, scarf and gloves. Please ensure that all items are clearly named.
On hot days all children are expected to wear full uniform (although not jumpers). Items such as polo-shirts / short-sleeved shirts, tailored shorts and summer dresses are all appropriate in the hot weather
The Role of Parents
We believe that one of the responsibilities of parents is to ensure that their child has the correct uniform and PE kit, and that it is clean, in good repair and that the child’s name is written on all items. If a parent has difficulties for any reason with fulfilling this request, they are asked to speak confidentially to a senior member of staff to discuss the issues. Parents should be assured that we will do all we can to help.
Children who arrive at school wearing non-school uniform or PE clothing will be loaned an appropriate item from school where possible. Parents will be contacted to discuss the matter and may be requested to return to school with correct clothing.
The school welcomes children from all backgrounds and faith communities. If there are serious reasons, for example on religious grounds, why parents want their child to wear clothes that differ from our school uniform, the school will consider such requests sympathetically. If any parent would like to request a modification to the uniform policy they should, in the first instance, contact the Head of School.
Lost Property
Any unidentified items of school uniform will be taken to the school office and then placed into the lost property box. Students are encouraged to look in the lost property box, on the understanding that the found item will be clearly named. If, after a fixed period (6 months or end of academic year, uniform has not been claimed, it will be added to our termly ‘swap shop’ – see below for details.
Children can become upset as a result of lost clothing. Please help us to reunite lost items of clothing with their owners by labelling items with your child’s name.
Used Uniform Swap Shop
Every term, we endeavour to hold a used uniform swap shop. This reflects the current economic climate and demographic of our school community. Items are placed outside the classrooms on a designated day for families to take or swap. Any uniform donated must be of a good standard and ready to wear.
Labelling Clothes
The school does not accept responsibility for loss or damage to personal property of pupils. Marking clothes and other property with the owner's name is, therefore, of the greatest importance and parents are requested to ensure that all property brought to school is marked.
