UNIFORM, DRESS CODE, APPEARANCE & HYGIENE

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST VERSION OF THE UNIFORM, DRESS CODE, APPEARANCE & HYGIENE POLICY, WHICH TOOK EFFECT ON 1 SEPTEMBER 2022

UNIFORM, DRESS CODE, APPEARANCE & HYGIENE POLICY

SUMMARY OF THE POLICY FOR 2022 – 2025

SUMMARY OF THE MAIN CHANGES FOR 2022 – 2025

POLICY STATUS

1. This document is academy policy and is OBLIGATORY for employees and students

There is greater prominence given to the overarching expectations of appearance and personal hygiene, including on the front cover of the policy document

Uniform for Years 7-11 is prescribed / Hair style, length etc. slightly less prescriptive but still no synthetic colours, pattern/patterns, etc

The dress code applies equally to Year 12-13 students and staff and has the exact same latitudes and restrictions applied to both groups.

Colleagues must adhere to it themselves, and enforce it with all students and other colleagues, as part of their PROFESSIONAL AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The policy has regard to the LATEST STATUTORY AND NO-STATUTORY GUIDANCE

Aspects of the policy (Tattoos, Body Piercing, Jewellery, etc) have been benchmarked against OTHER PROFESSIONAL AND PUBLIC SECTOR STANDARDS / DRESS CODES

The Executive Head Teacher has very LIMITED ‘ADDITIONAL’ DELEGATED AUTHORITY to vary the policy but has the power to act, for example,

To form a view on what THE INTENTIONS OF THE ACADEMY TRUST BOARD were / would be in relation to any aspect for which the guidance is insufficient, and interpretation is necessary
When there is an urgent need, for example, when there is a CHANGE IN THE LAW / CASE LAW which must be introduced before the next policy review
After consultation with senior colleagues and/or other stakeholders regarding ANY UNFORESEEN FLAWS IN THE POLICY which need to be addressed urgently
When, HAVING BALANCED ANY COMPETING INTERESTS, it is decided that A SAFEGUARDING MATTER takes precedence (Not automatically the case)
When making a necessary REASONABLE ADJUSTMENT in accordance with the Equalities Act 2010

…. and, where appropriate, before returning the matter to the Academy Trust Board to determine in the longer term

2. SOME CHANGES IN POLICY REFLECT THE OUTCOMES OF CONSULTATION (with contributions from students, colleagues, and parents)

3. THE WHOLE POLICY HAS BEEN MADE CLEARER AND MORE ACCESSIBLE including by revisions to some vocabulary/language, through the layout, through the greater use of colour and the illustrations to exemplify the text meaning

4. LIABILITY: Increasing clarity about the limits of the academy’s liability for loss and damage of personal however so caused

No liability for loss or damage is accepted
Prohibited items and Proceeds of Crime will always be disposed of and never returned, without compensation
Most banned items will be disposed of and never returned, without compensation
Some items will be temporarily confiscated with returned in the following July
Staff confiscating items will exercise reasonable care and the academy with store them securely (Finance Centre)
Uncollected items will be disposed of each October without compensation
In exceptional cases where the academy wishes to make a gesture of goodwill or settle a complaint, compensation is limited to £20 per item (the academy discourages high value items from being brought to school and the £20 limit is fixed) or the current ‘value’ of the item if that is lower.

N.B. Further internal guidance for staff and updated confiscation procedures from October 2022 to follow. This will include a central disposal repository for confiscated items pending disposal. This will provide a buffer storage facility to allow for any appeal to be exhausted.

EQUALITIES

The policy has clearer signposting of the relevant consideration of the Equalities Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 1998, including:

GENDER NEUTRALITY: The uniform has been made more explicitly unisex, gender neutral and gender inclusive

For transgender students, for example, strict dress codes may complicate their path towards confirming their gender identity, a cost which can affect these individuals well throughout their life. Ways in which compliance with attire in institutions can cause reverberations in other areas of life are factors such as a lowered academic performance, higher dropout rates, and increased disciplinary action

The prominence of gender inclusivity in the policy is a step towards tackling this unfairness and trauma

‘REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS’: The policy is also clearer about the process for requesting or being identified as eligible for reasonable adjustments, for example, for medical conditions, disabilities, and gender diversity. In particular, the website ‘CONTACT US’ tab will be the primary route for making requests to the EHT (who may then delegate the actions to pastoral colleagues)

RELIGIOUS WEAR: The requirements are exemplified photographically. The adjustments are religion specific but gender inclusive. There are useful reminders of the purpose of the 5 Sikh ‘K’s which can assist colleagues in implementing the policy consistently.

MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS: No significant change. Greater clarity on First Aid / Medical Care responsibilities between parents and school and free access to sanitary products.
MEDICAL FACE MASKS: No significant change. Now optional

MAKE-UP / NAIL VARNISH

Reference to medical needs (e.g., cosmetic surgery) and Gender diversity

Year 7-11: NONE (except for agreed medical conditions, post cosmetic surgery, trans girls, etc).
- INFRINGEMENT CLAMPDOWN: ARTIFICIAL EYELASHES / EYE LASH EXTENSIONS

STAFF & YEARS 12-13: Cosmetics, and artificial nails, eyelashes and extensions allowed as long as conservative in appearance individually and overall (professional setting)

TATTOOS: THRESHOLD FOR DIFFERENT RULES IS 18 YEARS OLD. Greater clarity over the acceptability of some tattoos when over 18 and the response of the academy where a person under 18 has been tattooed. Please read the policy carefully.

BODY PIERCING: ONE SIGNIFICANT CHANGE: A SINGLE, PLAIN NOSE STUD IN THE NOSE IS NOW PERMITTED (YEARS 7-13 & STAFF COLLEAGUES). Greater clarity regarding permissible body piercing / piercing jewellery for staff and sixth form students

JEWELLERY: ONE PLAIN NOSE STUD NOW ALLOWED. Visual interpretation of the rules for reference
HIGH VALUE ITEMS: No significant change. NOT ALLOWED & WILL BE CONFICATED
HAIR: Visual interpretation of the rules, page 12 (See also Annex 4)
UNFORM LIST 2022-2025: Prices updated, visual images of the uniform elements. Details of new PE Uniform Kit (and transition subsidy)

Shoes: Extension of acceptable footwear now to include:

plain black trainer-shoes and
plain black ankle boots

Exemplification visually of unacceptable footwear

The changes to the substance of the policy, except for the introduction of a more durable and smarter PE uniform are minor.

STAFF & SIXTH FORM DRESS CODE: No significant change, except addition of nose stud

SPECIALIST CLOTHING: All necessary protective clothing and equipment will be provided to employees who require them to carry out their duties. Guidance on the use of academy showers by staff

STAFF TRAINING DAYS / RESIDENTIALS / HOLIDAY WORKING (Guidance)

COST CONSIDERATIONS

Date published for next retendering exercise
Brief clarification of uniform cost & available financial support: Letter on website regarding universal and targeted financial support and in Annex 3
Initial information on the envisaged sale / exchange of second-hand uniform, books etc. and c-Bay.

LINKS TO THE BEHAVIOUR AND DISCIPLINE POLICY