Our policy is based on the notion of ‘look smart – act smart – be smart’ and that a school uniform:

• Promotes a sense of pride in the school;
• Engenders a feeling of community and belongings;
• Is practical and smart;
• Identifies the children with the school;
• Is not distracting in class (as opposed to fashion clothes);
• Makes children feel equal to their peers in terms of appearance;
• Is regarded as suitable, and good value for money, by the majority of parents;
• Has been designed with Health and Safety in mind.

It is our policy that all children should wear school uniform when attending school, or when participating in a school-organised event outside normal school hours.

Moorside Primary school will ensure a stock of second hand uniforms are available for parents to acquire.  We welcome donations of good quality second hand uniforms.  Should parents require second hand uniform from school please visit our Uniform Exchange, situated outside the main office.

PE Lessons

Moorside Primary School pupils are expected to wear a PE kit when taking part in PE lessons.

• Plain White T-Shirt
• Black/blue shorts or jogging bottoms/ leggings for winter months
• Plimsolls for indoors/suitable trainers if completing outdoor activities

All items must be marked clearly to avoid your child’s uniform going missing.

Jewellery

On Health and Safety grounds, we do not allow children to wear jewellery in our school. If a child wishes to have his/her ear(s) pierced, we ask that this be carried out at the beginning of the summer holiday, so that the healing process is completed by the time school starts again in September and the ear stud can be removed. In the rare cases when a child cannot remove their ear studs, parents must provide a letter with appropriate plasters that the child can themselves apply to cover ear studs during PE lessons. If they are not covered the child will not be able to take part in PE lessons. In these circumstances only plain studs may be worn.

Children who attend school wearing earrings without permission will be instructed to remove them immediately.

Inexpensive wrist watches may be worn in KS1 and KS2. However, if a watch is designed for games or making disruptive noises it cannot not be worn whilst in school.

Hair and Make-up

The school does not permit children to have extreme haircuts or colouring that could serve as a distraction to other children. Hair bands, clips etc should be discreet designs in colours compatible with school colours and only used in order to keep hair in place. Long hair should be tied back with blue or black bobbles for practical subjects, including P.E. Some hair ornaments, such as clips, slides or headbands that are of plain design, may need to be removed for P.E. on the ground of Health and Safety.

Children are not permitted to have Mohicans or shaved designs sculpted in their hair.

No make-up, including nail varnish, may be worn during the school day. Similarly, temporary transfers of fake tattoos are not permitted.

Children who attend school wearing makeup shall be asked to remove and wash off immediately.

Footwear

The school wants all children to grow into healthy adults. We believe that it is dangerous for children to wear shoes with platform soles or high heels in school, so we do not allow this. Shoes made of breathable material such as leather are preferred. We do not allow children to wear trainers to school; these are appropriate for sport or as leisurewear, but are not in keeping with the smart appearance of a school uniform (including travel to and from school). We require all children to wear the types of shoe described in the uniform list. Shoes which incorporate flashing lights or similar distracting gimmicks in their design are not appropriate for school wear.

Winter boots/wellington boots may be worn to and from school during bad weather but shoes must be brought to school and worn during the school day. Flat sandals that provide firm support may be worn in summer but they must have a heel strap to ensure that the foot cannot slip off the sandal.

Seasonal Safety

All children require a coat in school when the weather is changeable, cold or wet. On hot, sunny days, children should be protected from the sun when outdoors by;

• Wearing a hat/cap
• Wearing an appropriate SPF 30+ sun-screen that has been applied at home, or that they have brought to school to apply themselves (Adults in school are not permitted to apply sun-screen)
• Wearing sunglasses with a CE mark which conform to British Standard BS EN 18361977 and are of a design/colour compatible with school colours

The Role of the School

Items bearing the school logo are available for purchase through 'Whitakers' of Swinton, currently via their online shop at https://www.whittakersschoolwear.co.uk/product-category/swinton/moorside-primary-school/ , you can also ring to make an appointment to purchase in store or via 'My Clothing' again an online shop. https://myclothing.com/moorside-primary-school/6864.school.  The school will make every effort to ensure these items are of good quality and set at a reasonable price. There will be consultation with parents in the event of any change in supplier of uniform items.

The school accepts no liability for loss or damage to uniform or personal items worn or brought into school.

Acceptance of the school’s uniform policy forms part of our Home-School agreement. In the event of an infringement of this policy, in the first instance a member of staff would have a discrete discussion with the pupil regarding any explanation for the infringement and any remedial action that might be required (for example, a child might be asked to change into P.E. pumps if their footwear is unsuitable for wear in school. In the event of persistent or flagrant infringements, parents will be contacted.

The Role of the Parents/ Carers

We ask all parents/carers who send their children to Moorside Community Primary School to support the school uniform policy. We believe that parents have a duty to send their children to school correctly dressed and ready to learn. Parents should ensure that their child has the correct uniform, and that it is clean and in good repair. All items should be clearly marked with the child’s name.

If any parents would like the school to modify the uniform policy, they should make representation, in the first instance, to the Head Teacher. The school welcomes children from all backgrounds and faith communities. If there are legitimate reasons, e.g. religious objections, 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 the Governing Board

The Governing Board supports the Head Teacher in implementing the school uniform policy. It considers all representations from parents regarding this policy, and liaises with the Head Teacher to ensure that the policy is implemented fairly and with sensitivity.

It is the Governors’ responsibility to ensure that the school uniform meets all national regulations concerning equal opportunities, and that our school uniform policy is consistent with our Equalities Scheme.

Governors ensure that the school uniform policy helps children to dress sensibly, in clothing that is hard-wearing, safe and practical

Complaints and Challenges to School Uniform Policy

Parents/carers are to follow the school’s complaints policy.

The Governing Board are to consider any reasonable requests for flexibility in the uniform policy for an individual pupil to accommodate particular social and cultural circumstances

Pupil/ Parents/ Carers Non-Compliance

The Head Teacher, or persons authorised by the Head Teacher, may ask a pupil for the reasons why this policy is not being adhered to. The pupil shall be challenged (Upper KS2) and reminded of the schools expectations. In KS1 and lower KS2, teachers shall ask to pupil and then follow this up by reminding parents of the requirements of this policy.

If the child persists in non-compliance then the Phase Leader, of the pupils respective key state, shall contact parents to arrange a meeting to discuss the matter and develop a solution. If the issue continues then the Deputy Head Teacher (DHT) becomes involved and the Head Teacher (HT) thereafter. If the issue is not resolved and the family continues to challenge the policy then exclusion will be considered. At this point the HT will meet with parents/carers to discuss non-compliance and the reasons for. Ensuring issues of non-compliance are not related to; race, religion, medical or financial, the HT shall be clear that by a parent choosing to bring their child/ren to this school they are agreeing to all the policies in the school. They must seek alternative provision or follow and support the school’s policies.