June 2022
You may, or may not, be aware that the government has issued new guidance with regard to school uniforms. Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Act 2021. Compliance is expected for September 2022 before it becomes statutory.
Below is what the government says about school uniform:
We strongly encourage schools to have a uniform as it can play a key role in:
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. In considering cost, schools will need to think about the total cost of school uniforms, taking into account all items of uniform or clothing parents will need to provide while their child is at the school. Schools should keep the use of branded items to a minimum.
Uniform consultation
In response to this, North Crescent is making changes to our uniform for pupils starting our school in September 2022, and thereafter. Pupils already in our school may choose to wear the new uniform but it will not become mandatory until September 2023 following a period of consultation. This means that our current pupils can wear their current uniform until July 2023.
Our Uniform Journey so far
Thank you so much for all the positive comments so far and your questions. I hope the Q&A table below is supportive of any questions you may have. If not, please respond via the link below.
QUESTIONS | ANSWERS |
Why are you changing to an active uniform? | More and more of the taught curriculum is outdoors in KS1 and KS2. This will become increasingly so at NCPS as this is where the children have voiced that they prefer to learn. |
Why are you changing from black shoes to black trainers? | As part of our wellbeing strategy, in September, we will be starting the Daily Mile. Children will need to be dressed appropriately without losing precious learning time in changing clothes. More of our learning will also be outside, including the vegetable garden, pond areas and woodland. Appropriate footwear is essential. |
Will changing the uniform mean more mud comes into classrooms? | Not at all. Our KS1 and KS2 are active around the whole school site currently. We have door mats to wipe feet on and children are encouraged to do so. |
Do all of the girls have to wear all -in-one playsuits? | Absolutely not. |
Why are the girls being asked to wear playsuits as this means they have to get naked and it’s unhygienic if it goes on the floor? | No one is being told to wear a playsuit - it is a personal choice. Similarly, trousers, shorts and leggings may touch the floor when toileting. |
Why are we changing the colour of our outer tops? | Red is an emotional colour for both love and anger. In school, we use the Zones of Regulation as part of our pupils' wellbeing and self management. In the Zones of Regulation red is the colour for when pupils are in the highest negative emotional state. |
Why are you changing the red chairs to blue as this is not environmental? | The green, light blue, dark blue and lilac chairs are remaining. The red chairs are being changed because they are the size of chairs for secondary school pupils. The chairs need to be replaced because of their size - it makes no sense to buy red ones - please see the above question for an explanation about ‘red’. |
Why are we changing the colour of our polo shirts? | White shirts stain very easily. Many parents have said that they would prefer non-white as they stay in better condition for longer - so they are more durable and economical. The colour of light blue was chosen to match the navy blue trousers and outer wear and as it represents the natural world. |
Why do girls have to wear navy cycling shorts under their skirts/dresses? | This is to ensure they can be fully active at all times, and to protect their dignity. |
Why is there not a separate PE kit? | We currently ask our KS1 and KS2 pupils to come to school dressed for PE on their PE days. The PE kit is shorts, joggers and a top. These functional items will remain the same. Pupils can wear the same clothes/colours as they wear everyday, except for dresses and skirts as these are not functional for all PE activities. |
If you are changing to a gender neutral uniform why have you gone blue for boys? | In school we challenge gender stereotypes and don’t relate gender to colours. We work hard to challenge society's perceptions of gender as we, like other schools, have pupils that don’t present themselves in the way that society expects for the assigned labels. Hence, the gender neutral uniform. What that really means is that we accept ‘boys’ dressed as ‘girls’ and vice versa. |
Why have girls got to wear black shoes as that is a masculine colour? | School shoes are typically black in all schools for all children. Our current uniform is black footwear. We do not assign the colour black to a gender - please see above explanation. |
Why are you changing the uniform to leisure wear instead of the children taking pride in looking smart? | An active uniform is still smart, it’s just not formal. |
Why are you moving to a casual outdoor uniform as I believe this will have a negative attitude to children’s learning and their behaviour? | A ‘smart’ uniform does not define what children can learn or their behaviours and attitudes towards learning. Pupils from the poorest of backgrounds can have the best of behaviours and attitudes despite living in sheltered accommodation, sleeping on a floor and owning only one set of clothes. |
Our new uniform, for new entrants from September 2022, will be an ACTIVE UNIFORM so that our pupils are ready to learn outdoors at all times, and in all weathers. There will not be a different PE kit. It will be non-gendered.
Tops:
Light blue short sleeve or long sleeve polo shirts
One pieces: (optional)
Navy blue pinafore or light blue gingham dresses (with dark, plain cycle shorts beneath), or gingham playsuits
Outerwear:
Navy blue jumpers, cardigans, sweatshirts or zipped sweatshirts
Feet:
Plain back trainers, Navy blue socks or Navy blue tights