Dear Parents,
School uniform is central to our way of building a sense of community among students, staff, and parents as well as the local community.
School uniform plays a key role in promoting pride, self-confidence, and a feeling of belonging within school. These factors contribute to students’ wellbeing. Wearing a uniform sets our expectations of the mindset we need. It gives clear signals to pupils that this is a working environment with high standards and helps them separate their social and school life. When children wear a uniform, as well as gaining a sense of pride, we see improved discipline and concentration. Uniform removes the points of difference between students, unifying the student body and providing a greater focus on academic work.
We recognise that with the cost of living rising, that worries about the cost of uniform can be very real, so we have kept our Secondary Phase uniform simple, with unbranded black footwear, unbranded black trousers and skirts, unbranded white shirts. The school tie and jumper being the only branded uniform items for daily school. Our uniform bank is also full of items for those families who need more support, and we are grateful to those that have donated good quality items.
Over the last few weeks it is clear that for some pupils, standards have fallen. Pupils are arriving in school wearing PE Kit or in items which are not part of our uniform. Some pupils have had to be challenged about wearing outerwear such as hoodies and coats in class as they do not have school jumpers. Others have said they don’t have any uniform available.
For school uniform to have a positive effect in building our community and improving standards, then it needs the support of all our parents. Pupils need clear and consistent messaging from both school and home, and we hope that we can rely on you for that. We want to help those families that are struggling, but the best way to help all of our children right now is to set out the high expectations we all have for them.
Please ensure that on return to school after Easter that pupils have at least the minimum requirement. Black footwear, black skirt or trousers, white shirt a school tie and a school jumper if the weather is cold. Outerwear, including hoodies are not to be worn in class.
Thank you for your support
