The Independent Grammar School: Durham
UNIFORM POLICY
Aim
IGS: Durham’s uniform policy aims to ensure that pupils are neat and well-presented at all times. We believe that that encourages high standards in other areas, fosters self-discipline, gives the school a clear identity and presents a positive image of the school to others. We want pupils to feel part of the IGS community and dressing in a smart, professional manner strongly encourages that feeling of belonging. A school uniform also has the obvious advantage of removing the need to decide what to wear, and the sometimes very significant cost of alternative clothing. Wearing uniform helps to ensure safety at all times. Finally there is evidence that a school uniform reduces the range of contexts in which bullying may take place.
As an affordable private school (i.e. accessible to as many families as possible) we want our uniform to be equally accessible. No item is expensive, all are very good value and some are available for just a few pounds from supermarkets.
Background
This policy takes into account a range of legislation relevant to the wearing of school uniform. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
· Education Act 2011
· Human Rights Act 1998
· Equality Act 2010
· Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Act 2021
In addition, the guidance in the following documents has been considered:
· DfE Guidance on “School Uniforms” 2021
· DfE Guidance on “Cost of School Uniforms” 2021
The policy should be read in conjunction with a number of other IGS: Durham policies including:
· Behaviour Policy
· Complaints Policy
· Data Protection Policy
· Parental Commitment
Policy
In all matters relating to school uniform the school’s decision is final and not negotiable. All decisions we make will ensure that no-one is unfairly discriminated against.
When pupils join IGS: Durham, parents sign an entry form and by doing so indicate that they have read and agreed to our Parental Commitment (on the school website). This document contains a paragraph on school uniform which says:
As the best schools have known for years, and an increasing number are rediscovering, uniform is an important aspect of a school and encourages a positive attitude to school life as a whole. At The Independent Grammar School: Durham, we do not allow pupils to attend school with incorrect uniform, unless there are clear medical reasons for not doing so. The way in which uniform is worn is also very important, i.e. neatly and tidily, making allowances for very young children. Other aspects of appearance are also important. For example, hair colour must not be unnatural, pupils’ hair if long must be fully tied back off the face using green fastenings/bobbles and pupils must not wear excessive hair gel (the school’s definition of words such as “long” and “excessive” is final). School PE kit must be worn for all school sporting activities including clubs and those events taking place outside school, e.g. at local sports centres. Full school uniform must be worn whilst travelling to and from school and at all school events, including those held outside normal school hours. The uniform code at IGS: Durham is very clear. All pupils are expected to adhere to it and parents are asked to support it by providing the correct clothing and equipment, and ensuring uniform is worn appropriately. In all cases where there is room for interpretation, the school’s interpretation will be final. Parents of pupils who come to school with incorrect or inappropriately worn uniform will be asked to rectify the situation at the earliest opportunity.
Parents and carers are responsible for ensuring that pupils wear the correct uniform, and wear it correctly.
As ever, reasonable allowances will be made for the youngest children and those with medical conditions, sensory issues etc., but we still expect their personal best. In the case of medical problems (e.g., a foot injury necessitating the wearing of trainers or similar) we will be reasonable but will ask parents to remedy the situation as soon as it is safe to do so in line with professional advice.
Shirts & Ties
Top buttons must be fastened, and shirts tucked in. Teachers will encourage younger children in this respect as appropriate.
We expect to see older pupils taking personal responsibility for uniform standards and parents will be informed in cases of what might be termed “persistent scruffiness” following repeated warnings.
Pupils above Year Two will wear traditional ties and learn to tie them properly. Younger children will be encouraged to wear elasticated ties. The school uniform supplier does not supply clip-on ties.
How children wear shirts and ties can occasionally be affected by sensory issues – if that applies to a child, parents should let us know and we will make reasonable allowances.
Velcro-fastened shirts should not be worn unless there is a genuine reason for doing so.
Ties should be worn so that all shirt buttons are covered.
Skirts & Trousers
Older pupils must ensure that skirts are not worn too short. The school’s view of what is too short is not negotiable and will be based on common sense. As a guide, skirts should touch the top of the knee or be longer and must not be rolled up.
All pupils may wear grey trousers. If pupils find it difficult to wear skirts at a reasonable length, we might insist that they wear trousers instead, or they may choose to do so. If trousers are worn, they must be smart grey trousers and not leggings, track suit bottoms or similar.
Shoes, Socks and Tights
Shoes must be black and polishable. This means that pupils are not allowed to wear patent leather shoes, boots or trainers. Pupils who come to school wearing anything other than black, polishable shoes will be asked to remedy that by the next day, and parents will be informed by email.
Socks worn with trousers or skirts must be grey - in the case of socks worn with a skirt, they must be knee-length. Black, or multi-coloured, socks are not acceptable. If a child is wearing a summer gingham dress, white socks should be worn (not trainer socks).
Tights, if worn, must be grey (below Ravens class); for older girls, tights should be black and no less than 80-denier.
Bags, Coats, Scarves, Gloves & Hats
The green school bag (with logo) is recommended but where a larger bag is needed, it should be plain black and without obvious logos. The green school bag can be obtained from the uniform supplier at very reasonable cost.
Again, the school winter coat is strongly recommended – it is reasonably-priced, of very good quality and warm. If a pupil’s own coat is worn, it must again be plain black without fur collars, obvious logos or similar.
All scarves, gloves and hats must be plain black or “school green”.
Pupils are encouraged to wear the school hoodie which is available from the supplier.
Religious Dress
Dress specific to a pupil’s religion may be worn provided the reasons for doing so have been clearly communicated to the school and the school is satisfied that a variation to the school policy is fair and justified.
Hair
Hairstyles should be neat, tidy and safe. Long hair must always be tied back. Hair bobbles must be black or school green. No other hair adornments other than small clips may be worn.
Jewellery, Make-Up etc.
Other than small ear studs and wrist watches, no jewellery of any kind may be worn. “Smart” watches may not be worn, and expensive watches should not be brought in to school.
Make-up may not be worn. Pupils may use clear lip balm, although this should not be applied during lessons.
Coloured nail varnish may not be worn, and false nails are not allowed.
PE Equipment
Pupils must wear for all PE and after-school sports clubs:
· School polo shirt with logo – this is inexpensive and can be bought from the uniform supplier
· Black shorts (not dark blue) without logos
· Plain black track suit bottoms may be worn as an alternative to shorts
· Black trainers (not white) or black plimsolls
No other PE kit is acceptable, even for clubs (e.g., football, tennis etc.).
What happens if the Uniform Code is not observed?
Standards of uniform are checked by form teachers at the beginning of each day. Issues will be addressed at that point. If at any point in the school day a teacher considers that a pupil is deliberately flouting the uniform rules – e.g., ignoring instructions, failing to rectify uniform issues – he/she will be given an appropriate sanction. Where a uniform problem cannot be rectified during the school day, an email will be sent to the parent(s) concerned and the pupil may not be permitted to return to school until the matter is addressed.
Uniform issues are for all members of staff to address if appropriate, regardless of whether the pupil concerned is in his/her form group.
The Independent Grammar School: Durham
Date of Policy: January 2023
Review due: January 2025