Introduction
Schools will determine their own standards of dress as part of their school uniform policy. Schools may differ on what is expected as suitable footwear, and length of hair. Schools should take into consideration costs, cultural and religious requirements, and special needs issues.
If you have any complaints about the uniform policy or dress code, talk to your school governing body.
You can find more information on the GOV.UK school uniform page.
Help with paying for school uniform
Parents should ask their child’s school for advice and help.
The school may:
- have information on discounts available at local shops
- run their own nearly new uniform purchase scheme
- be able to provide information about local charities
- be able to provide financial support if the child is in receipt of pupil premium or free school meals.
We do not provide grants towards the cost of school uniforms.
SEND information - part of our Local Offer
School uniform and reasonable adjustments
The SEND Code of Practice 2014 and Equality Act 2010 work together to protect children and young people with SEND from discrimination and promote equal participation in society (including in schools or educational settings). This includes undiagnosed conditions or needs.
Educational settings have a responsibility to be proactive in finding and removing any obstacles that might be getting in a child’s way. Flexibility in the dress code or uniform can be a reasonable adjustment to access the school environment for a child with SEND.
These adjustments might be needed for a short time or for the long term, and they should be regularly reviewed as part of the Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle to make sure they’re still working. The child’s needs could be related to sensory, physical or emotional needs.
This could include:
- avoiding certain textures,
- adapting rigidity or stretchiness of materials,
- adapting functional fastenings,
- adapting length or fit of clothing,
- allowing wearing of a scarf, hat, hood or pockets,
- allowing individual adjustment to temperature.