Set out our approach to requiring a uniform that is of reasonable cost and offers the best value for money for parents and carers
Explain how we will avoid discrimination in line with our legal duties under the Equality Act 2010
Clarify our expectations for school uniform

Limiting the cost of school uniform

New national legislation, introduced through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, requires schools to reduce branded items and lower costs. We fully support this and understand that our school has a duty to make sure that our uniform is affordable.

We appreciate that items with distinctive characteristics (such as branded items, or items that have to have a school logo or a unique fabric/colour/design) cannot be purchased from a wide range of retailers and that requiring such items limits parents’/carers’ ability to ‘shop around’ for a low price.

We will make sure our uniform:

Is available at a reasonable cost
Provides the best value for money for parents/carers

We will do this by:

Ensuring a maximum of three branded items are required
Carefully considering whether any items with distinctive characteristics are necessary
Limiting any items with distinctive characteristics where possible
Limiting items with distinctive characteristics to low-cost or long-lasting items, such as ties
Considering cheaper alternatives to school-branded items, such as logos that can be ironed on, as long as this doesn’t compromise quality and durability
Avoiding specific requirements for items students could wear on non-school days, such as coats, bags and shoes
Keeping the number of optional branded items to a minimum, so that the school’s uniform can act as a social leveller
Avoiding different uniform requirements for different year/class/house groups
Avoiding different uniform requirements for extra-curricular activities
Avoiding seasonal uniform requirements where items would only be worn at certain times of the year
Considering alternative methods for signalling differences in groups for inter-school competitions, such as creating posters or labels
Making sure that arrangements are in place for parents/carers to acquire second-hand uniform items
Avoiding frequent changes to uniform specifications and minimising the financial impact on parents of any changes
Consulting with parents/carers and students on any proposed significant changes to the uniform policy, and carefully considering any complaints about the policy

Our school’s legal duties under the Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination against an individual based on the protected characteristics, which include sex, race, religion or belief, and gender reassignment.

To avoid discrimination, our school will:

Avoid listing uniform items based on sex, to give all students the opportunity to wear the uniform they feel most comfortable in or that most reflects their self-identified gender
Make sure that our uniform costs the same for all students
Allow all students to have long hair (though we reserve the right to ask for this to be tied back)
Allow all students to style their hair in a way that is appropriate for school, yet makes them feel comfortable
Allow students to wear headscarves and other religious or cultural symbols
Allow for adaptations to our policy on the grounds of equality, by asking students or their parents/carers to get in touch with their Heads of Year who can answer questions about the policy and respond to any requests
Allow students to request changes to swimwear for religious reasons

Expectations for school uniform

Our school’s uniform

Our ‘dressed for business’ uniform prepares students for the world of work; it is practical and smart and also helps our students develop a sense of belonging in our academy community.

Please note that, whilst skirts are currently part of the uniform, from September 2026 all students will be expected to wear plain black tailored trousers.

From September 2026 until September 2027, Y8 to Y11 students can continue to wear their existing red PE t-shirts, multi-tops and academy shorts although these items are being phased out. From September 2027 all students will be expected to wear uniform as below.

All students are asked to wear:

Students can choose to wear the following optional items, if they wish:

Academy Uniform

Black Academy Logo Blazer
School Tie
Traditional white shirt with a collar
Plain black tailored trousers
Plain black smart shoes

Black Academy Logo V-Necked Jumper
A plain black or plain white headscarf (for Muslim students)

For PE lessons all students are asked to wear:

Plain black Academy Logo PE T-Shirt
Plain black tracksuit bottoms or plain black football shorts
Trainers

Students can choose to wear the following optional items for PE, if they wish:

Plain black leggings or plain black ‘skins’ may be worn under shorts.

It is highly advised that students bring shin pads for practical PE lessons and gumshields when taking part in Rugby.

Where to purchase it

The following are available from the Arbor Shop and at Reception

Parents/carers will need to buy their children the following items, which are easily available from clothes shops or large supermarkets:

academy blazers
academy ties
academy black jumper
academy plain black PE T-Shirt

white shirt with a collar (not a polo shirt)
Plain black tailored trousers. Trousers and skirts must not be Lycra, denim or similar stretchy/skin-tight material
Plain black tracksuit bottoms or plain black football shorts
Plain black socks (knee or ankle length)
Plain black shoes (no trainers, pumps, canvas, patterns, accessories or excessive decorative features). Shoes should not be on or above the ankle (i.e. no boots)
Trainers (for PE use only)

From September 2026, new students are provided with a free Academy blazer, PE t-shirt and a tie. As your child outgrows their uniform or needs new items, you can purchase them on the Arbor shop and at Reception.

A note on jewellery and hairstyles

Please be aware of the following rules regarding jewellery and hairstyles:

A watch and a small pair of stud earrings (1 in each lobe) are the only jewellery to be worn in the academy
Ear ‘gauging’ (stretched ear lobes) is not allowed
Hair bands are to be discreet and either black or dark navy blue
No facial/body piercings are allowed
For health and safety reasons, all jewellery must be removed during PE lessons and hair tied back
False eye lashes and false nails (this includes nail varnish) are not allowed
Make up, if worn, should be minimal and natural in appearance
Hair colour must be of a ‘natural’ colour with no extreme haircuts/styles

Uniform Exchange

Good quality school uniform is going to waste when it could be shared – so we’ve set up a uniform exchange.

We want people to recycle preloved school uniform, rather than put it in the bin. Donating unused and unneeded clothing plays an important part in sustaining our planet’s natural resources.

A uniform exchange makes it easy for families to pass on school uniform that’s no longer needed and, instead of buying new, find items of school uniform for free.

The uniform exchange will be open at publicised times throughout the year.

Expectations for our school community

Students

Students are expected to wear the correct uniform at all times (other than specified non-school uniform days) while:

On the school premises
Travelling to and from school
At out-of-school events or on trips that are organised by the school, or where they are representing the school (if required)

Parents and carers

Parents and carers are expected to make sure their child has the correct uniform and PE kit, and that every item is:

Clean
Clearly labelled with the child’s name
In good condition

Staff

Staff will closely monitor students to make sure they are in the correct uniform. They will give any students and families breaching the uniform policy the opportunity to comply, but will follow up with the leadership team if the situation doesn’t improve.

Ongoing breaches of our uniform policy will be dealt with according to our Behaviour Policy.

In cases where it is suspected that financial hardship has resulted in a student not complying with this uniform policy, staff will take a mindful and considerate approach to resolving the situation.

Monitoring arrangements

This policy will be reviewed every two years by the Headteacher, Executive Headteacher and Regional Director and/or if legislation or the Trust guidance on uniform changes.

Links to other policies

This policy is linked to our:

Behaviour policy
Equality information and objectives statement
Anti-bullying policy
Trust Complaints policy

Co-op Academy Manchester