School Uniform Policy
The Department for Education states –
We strongly encourage schools to have a uniform as it can play a key role in:
- promoting the ethos of a school
- providing a sense of belonging and identity
- setting an appropriate tone for education
By creating a common identity amongst all pupils, regardless of background, a school uniform can act as a social leveller. It can reduce bullying and peer pressure to wear the latest fashions or other expensive clothes. If, however, the uniform is too expensive it can place an unreasonable burden on families. Furthermore, if a distinction can be made between those who can afford it and those who cannot, this can reduce the benefits of a uniform and has the potential to negatively impact attendance, access and participation, and lead to bullying.
Parents should not have to think about the cost of a school uniform when choosing which school(s) to apply for. No school uniform should be so expensive as to leave pupils or their families feeling unable to apply to, or attend, a school of their choice. Therefore, schools need to ensure that their uniforms are affordable.
We will ensure that our uniform supply arrangements give the highest priority to cost and value for money, including to an item’s:
- quality
- durability
- sustainability
Uniform for Newbarns Primary and Nursery School
Our only required items of uniform are those that can be chosen from the following list –
- grey skirt, grey pinafore dress, grey trousers
- white polo-shirt or shirt
- black shoes (or trainers – if they are all black). We ask that, until a pupil can tie their own laces, they wear shoes which slip on / have velcro fastenings.
- burgundy sweatshirt or cardigan (the sweatshirt or cardigan must have the school logo)
Summer uniform (optional) is pink/red checked gingham-style dress/shorts, or grey shorts.
PE / Swimming
PE kit is white t-shirt and burgundy shorts with black plimsolls or trainers. Suitable outdoor such as tracksuits, joggers and/or sweatshirts may be used outdoors in colder weather. If a pupil doesn’t bring in their PE kit, they will typically either borrow spare kit from the school to participate, do the lesson in their standard uniform, or be given non-physical roles (like referee or scorekeeper) to stay involved. School may contact parents if this becomes a recurring issue.
Any appropriate one-piece swimming costume may be worn for school swimming lessons. Boys swim-shorts need to be above the knee. If long enough, hair must be tied back and children are not permitted to wear any jewellery. These conditions are set by the leisure centre.
Other optional items are PE t-shirts and polo-shirts that may have the printed logo too, book bags, rucksacks (Years 4 to 6 only) and waterproof jackets with the school logo. Hats are also available to purchase.
All items are widely available at supermarkets (to be purchased and embroidered with the school’s logo if necessary). One provider of school uniforms in our area is www.oneidentity.co.uk/ and others may be available.
Second-hand uniforms
Second-hand uniforms can benefit all parents, particularly those on low incomes. In addition, by extending the life of garments, it is more sustainable. Any parents wishing to be provided with these from school should contact the school office via email admin@newbarns.cumbria.sch.uk
Jewellery and false/painted nails
We do not allow children to wear jewellery or false/painted nails in our school. The exception to this rule is earring studs in pierced ears. We ask the children to remove these during PE and swimming. The school advises parents who wish their children to have their ears pierced to do so at the beginning of the school summer holidays.
Hair
The school does not permit children to have ‘extreme’ haircuts or dyed hair that could serve as a distraction to other children. We ask that children with long hair have their hair tied back. We do not allow children to wear oversized/novelty hair accessories.
Leavers' Hoodies
If parents wish to organise and purchase leavers’ hoodies for our Year 6 children, we are more than happy to allow them to wear these after SATs week.
We appreciate parents/carers support for our school uniform.