Uniform Policy 2023 -2026

Uniform Policy

This policy has been approved and adopted by the Governing Body in July 2023 and will be reviewed in July 2026. 

Introduction

At St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School it is our policy that all children wear school uniform when attending school or when participating in a school-organised event outside normal school hours. A complete list of the items needed for school uniform is included in this policy, and is displayed on the school website.

Pre-loved uniform will be on sale regularly throughout the academic year to enable parents to purchase good quality, second hand items.  Donations of pre-loved uniform can be made through the school office to be added to the sale.  

Aims and objectives

Our policy acknowledges that school uniform:

• promotes a sense of pride in the school;
• engenders 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;
• is designed with health and safety in mind.

The role of parents

We ask all parents who send their children to our school to support the school uniform policy. We believe that parents have a duty to send their children to school correctly dressed and ready for their daily schoolwork.

One of the responsibilities of parents is to ensure that their child has the correct uniform, and that it is clean and in good repair. If the school has a problem with clothing that a pupil is wearing parents will be contacted to resolve the issue.

The school is fully inclusive of 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 the school uniform, the school will look sympathetically at such requests.

The role of governors

The Governing Body monitors and reviews the school uniform policy. It is the governors’ responsibility to ensure that the school uniform meets all regulations concerning equal opportunities.

Governors ensure that the school uniform policy helps children to dress sensibly, in clothing that is hardwearing, safe and practical.

Uniform

• School blue sweatshirt (available from Stitch-a-Logo or Pre-loved uniform)
• White shirt (available from local supermarkets and shops)
• School tie (available from Stitch-a-Logo or pre-loved uniform)

• Grey trousers or Grey skirt (knee length) or tailored grey trousers (not skinny fit, jersey material or with embroidery or embellishment) (available from local supermarkets and shops)

• White, black or grey socks or grey tights (No footless or cropped tights)
• Black shoes - not trainers or boots (During extreme weather wellies / boots may be worn to school, but changed for school shoes when the pupils arrive at school.)

Optional Summer Term Uniform (between the Easter holidays and October half term):

• Tailored grey knee length shorts or blue and white checked school dress (available from local supermarkets and shops)
• A white polo-shirt (no tie) (available from local supermarkets and shops)
• White/black/ grey socks must be worn.

Jewellery

As a general rule, jewellery is not appropriate for children to wear at school and is not permitted.  It can cause distraction to learning as well as health and safety issues.

The following is permissible:

• Small plain gold or silver studs in pierced ears;
• A small discreet watch (no smart watches – recording and communicating devices are not permissible)
• Small objects of religious significance (i.e. a cross, worn on a chain beneath the shirt)

We ask the children to either remove earrings and all other jewellery items during PE lessons.

Make up, Nail Varnish and Transfers

Make up, nail varnish and skin transfers are not permitted.

Hair

• The school does not permit children to have ‘extreme’ haircuts that could serve as a distraction to other children e.g. completely shaved heads; shaved designs; Mohawk cuts;
• Pupils’ hair should not be cut shorter than a ‘grade 3’ cut;
• Hair accessories such as hairbands, should be discreet and in school colours;
• Long hair (that reaches the shirt collar) must be tied up at all times;

Footwear

• Plain, black shoes - flat, closed toe;  

• Boots are not permitted – if wellies or boots are required when walking to and from school due to the weather, children must bring their school shoes to change into once in the building;
• Trainers are to be worn for PE only.

PE

• Blue t-shirt with school logo (available from Stitch-a-Logo or Pre-loved uniform);
• Navy shorts (available from local supermarkets)
• Trainers
• Plain blue or black tracksuit for colder weather (school branded tracksuit is optional and available from Stitch-a-log or Pre-loved uniform); 
• PE kit is required in school every day;
• If girls wear tights to school, they need to pack a pair of white socks for PE.

Bags

• Book bags can be purchased from the school office in red, yellow, blue or green to match your child’s House group.
• PE kits must be kept in a drawstring bag.
• Due to limited storage space children must not bring rucksacks into school.

Labels

• All uniform items, book bags and PE bags must be named clearly.
• Please check these labels regularly to ensure your child’s belongings are easily identifiable.