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

Our school has a duty to make sure that our uniform is affordable, in line with statutory guidance from the Department for Education on the cost of school uniform.

We understand 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:

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
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.

All students are asked to wear:

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

black academy blazer showing the Co-op Academy Manchester logo
an academy tie
white shirt with a collar (not a polo shirt)
black trousers or a pleated, plain black knee length skirt (touching the knee cap when standing). Trousers and skirts must not be Lycra, denim or similar stretchy/skin-tight material
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)

academy black jumper with red stripe
a plain black or plain white headscarf (for Muslim students)

For PE lessons all students are asked to wear:

academy polo shirt and/or long sleeved multi-sports top
academy shorts
suitable trainers

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

academy tracksuit bottoms
academy leggings

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 reception or from the Parent Pay Uniform Shop:

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 with red stripe
academy multi-sports tops for PE lessons
academy polo shirts for PE lessons
academy shorts for PE lessons
academy leggings or tracksuit bottoms for PE lessons

white shirt with a collar (not a polo shirt)
black trousers or a pleated, plain black knee length skirt. Trousers and skirts must not be Lycra, denim or similar stretchy/skin-tight material
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)

New Year 7 students are invited to a special uniform collection day before they start at the academy, where they are provided with a free blazer. Their first tie is also provided free of charge. As your child outgrows their uniform or needs new items, you can purchase them from the Parent Pay Uniform Shop.

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
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 – as a Green Flag Eco-School, looking after the environment is important to us.

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)

Students should contact the Principal if they want to request an amendment to the uniform policy in relation to their protected characteristics.

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

Parents/carers are also expected to contact the Principal if they want to request an amendment to the uniform policy in relation to:

Their child’s protected characteristics
The cost of the uniform

Parents/carers are expected to lodge any complaints or objections relating to the school uniform in a timely and reasonable manner.

Disputes about the cost of school uniform will be:

Resolved locally
Dealt with in accordance with our school’s complaints policy

The school will work closely with parents/carers to arrive at a mutually acceptable outcome.

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 headteacher if the situation doesn’t improve.

Ongoing breaches of our uniform policy will be dealt with according to our Behaviour, Rewards and Sanctions 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.

Governors

The Governing Council will review this policy and make sure that it:

Is appropriate for our school’s context
Is implemented fairly across the school
Takes into account the views of parents/carers and students
Offers a uniform that is appropriate, practical and safe for all students

The board will also make sure that the school’s uniform supplier arrangements give the highest priority to cost and value for money, for example by avoiding single supplier contracts and by re-tendering contracts at least every 5 years.

Monitoring arrangements

This policy will be reviewed every two years by the Vice Principal - Behaviour & Culture. At every review, it will be approved by the Academy Governing Council.

Links to other policies

This policy is linked to our:

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

Co-op Academy Manchester

Uniform Policy