Great Bardfield Primary School

Great Bardfield Primary School, Great Bardfield, Braintree, Essex, CM7 4RN

Why wear a school uniform?
The uniform that is worn by the children at Great Bardfield School is a visible expression of the ethos of the school and has been agreed by the staff, children, parents, and the Governing Body.

We expect that parents who send their children to Great Bardfield Primary School will support this policy.

It has been agreed that all children wear school uniform when attending school, or when participating in a school-organised event outside normal school hours. We may request that items of the uniform be worn on a school journey e.g. sweatshirt.

We provide a complete list of the items needed for school uniform in our school prospectus, induction booklets and on our website. As from September 2010, parents can purchase Great Bardfield School uniform through the school web site link.

In order that parents can purchase the correct sizes, there is a range of ‘try on’ samples available at the School Office.

Aims and objectives

Our policy on school uniform is based on the belief that our school uniform:
promotes a sense of pride in the school;
provides a sense of community and belonging towards the school;
is practical and smart;
identifies the children with the school;
prevents children from coming to school in fashion clothes that could be distracting in class;
makes children feel equal to their peers in terms of appearance;
is regarded as suitable wear for school and good value for money by most parents;
is designed with health and safety in mind.

Girls

white polo shirt, blouse
black or navy uniform trousers (not fashion trousers)
grey or navy culottes
grey or navy skirt or pinafore dress
grey, blue or white tights or socks- long or short
dark shoes- no trainers, fashion shoes or shoes with a high heel. (Open toed sandals must be worn with socks)
school sweatshirt or cardigan with logo
school fleece

Boys

white polo shirt or shirt
black or grey uniform trousers or uniform style shorts
dark socks
dark shoes with velcro fastenings – no trainers. (Open toed sandals must be worn with socks)
school sweatshirt or cardigan
school fleece

PE Kit

navy blue shorts
white polo shirt
trainers
navy track suit for cold weather

Swimming Kit ( summer term only)

single piece swimming costume (girls)
trunks for boys (not long shorts)
towel
goggles are not used unless permission given

Other additional items which can be bought via the web site:-

reversible anorak/coat
book bag
back pack
knitted hat with school logo

We ask parents to label clearly each item of school uniform.

Jewellery

For health and safety reasons we do not allow children to wear jewellery. The exceptions to this rule are earring studs in pierced ears or nose studs if it is part of the cultural background for it to be worn. We ask the children to remove these objects during PE, games, dance and swimming.

Footwear

We believe that shoes with heels can be dangerous for the children to use especially if they wish to use the climbing equipment, children and parents are informed of this. Children wearing open toe sandals also

We do not allow children to wear trainers to school unless there is a valid reason, this is because we think that this footwear is appropriate for sport or for leisurewear, but is not in keeping with the smart appearance of a school uniform. We therefore request all children to wear shoes as stated in the uniform list.

Nail varnish should also be removed for school.

The role of parents

We ask all parents/carers who send their children to our school to support the school uniform policy. We believe that parents/carers have a duty to send their children to school correctly dressed and ready for school. One of the responsibilities of parents/carers is to ensure that their child has the correct uniform, and that it is clean and in good repair.

Nearly new uniform sales are held at school where quality clothing can be bought at a reduced price.

If any parent would like the school to modify the uniform policy, they should make representation, in the first instance, to the Headteacher.

The school welcomes children from all backgrounds and faith communities. If there are serious reasons, for example on religious grounds, why parents/carers want their child to wear clothes that differ from the school uniform, the school will look sympathetically at such requests. Similarly, should an item of school uniform prove problematic for a pupil with disabilities then parents are invited to draw this to the attention of the headteacher.

The role of governors

The governing body supports the headteacher in implementing the school uniform policy. It would consider all representations from parents regarding the uniform policy and would liaise with the headteacher to ensure that the policy is implemented fairly and with sensitivity.

It is the governors’ responsibility to ensure that the school uniform meets all regulations concerning equal opportunities.

Monitoring and review

When monitoring this policy, through its committee work, the governing body will:

seek the views of parents, to be sure they agree with the policy, and support it.
consider, with the headteacher, any requests from parents for individual children to have special dispensation.
require the Headteacher to report to the governors on the way the policy is being implemented.

This policy will be reviewed by the governing body every three years or earlier if considered necessary.