School Uniform Policy >

The Clare School uniform is worn by pupils / students from National Curriculum Year 1 to Year 11 and optional in Nursery / Reception.  Sixth Form do not wear uniform, but we ask that they come appropriately dressed to school.

Our uniform colours are royal blue and light blue and will consist of:

·         A sweatshirt or cardigan

·         A Polo shirt

·         And a navy blue / black or grey bottom half

The school logo will appear on the top part of the uniform.  If you have any difficulties, please speak to the school office and we will be glad to help. 

Parents are asked that all items are labelled clearly with their child’s name.
Aims This policy aims to:
• Set out our approach to requiring a uniform that is of reasonable cost and offers the best value for money for parents and carers • Explain how we will avoid discrimination in line with our legal duties under the Equality Act 2010 • Clarify our expectations for school uniform Our school’s legal duties under the Equality Act 2010 The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination against an individual based on the protected characteristics, which include, amongst others, sex, race, disability, religion or belief. To avoid discrimination, our school will: • Avoid listing uniform items based on sex, to give all pupils the opportunity to wear the uniform they feel most comfortable in • Make sure that our uniform costs the same for all pupils • Allow all pupils to have long hair (though we reserve the right to ask for this to be tied back) • Allow all pupils to style their hair in the way that is appropriate for school yet makes them feel most comfortable • Allow pupils to wear headscarves and other religious or cultural symbols • Allow for adaptations to our policy on the grounds of equality • Allow for adaptations to our policy on the grounds of disability Limiting the cost of school uniform Our school has a duty to make sure that the uniform we require is affordable, in line with statutory guidance from the Department for Education on the cost of school uniform. We understand that items with distinctive characteristics (such as branded items, or items that have to have a school logo or a unique fabric/colour/design) cannot be purchased from a wide range of retailers and that requiring many such items limits parents’ ability to ‘shop around’ for a low price. We will make sure our uniform: • Is available at a reasonable cost • Provides the best value for money for parents/carers We will do this by: • Carefully considering whether any items with distinctive characteristics are necessary • Limiting any items with distinctive characteristics where possible • Limiting items with distinctive characteristics to low-cost or long-lasting items • Keeping the number of optional branded items to a minimum, • Avoiding different uniform requirements for different year/class groups • Avoiding different uniform requirements for extra-curricular activities • Making sure that arrangements are in place for parents to acquire second-hand uniform items • Avoiding frequent changes to uniform specifications and minimising the financial impact on parents of any changes • Consulting with parents and pupils on any proposed significant changes to the uniform policy and carefully considering any complaints about the policy Expectations for school uniform The Clare School is a complex needs school for pupils with physical, medical and sensory needs. We recognise that our pupils need to be comfortable during the day and, due to individual medical, sensory or physical needs, pupils may not always be able to wear a ‘standard’ school uniform. However, we also recognise that wearing a school uniform has numerous benefits, including promoting a sense of belonging and making morning routines easier. We have therefore adopted a flexible approach to our school uniform as detailed below. We do not expect pupils in Nursery or Sixth Form to wear school uniform, but to be appropriately dressed for school. Our school’s uniform • Black, grey or navy trousers, tracksuit bottoms, leggings or shorts • Black, grey or navy skirts or pinafore dresses, blue gingham dresses • White, navy, royal blue or light blue t-shirt or polo shirt • Royal blue or navy jumper or cardigan The Clare School branded jumpers, cardigans and T-shirts are available: https://www.schooltrends.co.uk/uniform/TheClareSchoolNR47AU We also hold a range of second hand jumpers, t-shirts and cardigans. Please speak with our Parent Support Advisor if you would like further details about this. She is always happy to receive donations of uniform that pupils have grown out of to pass on to other parents and carers. Expectations for our school community It is expected that pupils wear the correct uniform (other than specified non-school uniform days) while on the school premises and while out on school events or trips. This should be clearly labelled/named. Parents are asked to contact the main school office if they want to request an amendment to the uniform policy in relation to their child’s specific needs. If financial hardship results in a pupil not wearing school uniform, staff will take a mindful and considerate approach to the situation. Monitoring arrangements This policy will be reviewed every three years by the Business and Finance Managers. At every review, it will be approved by the Headteacher. Links to other policies This policy is linked to our: • Behaviour policy • Equality information and objectives statement • Anti-bullying policy • Complaints policy Table of changes Date of change Summary of update 6/1/23 New policy writte