Uniform Policy
Our uniform policy reflects our values and reinforces our academy’s culture of high expectations and academic achievement. All pupils must dress according to the uniform policy. Our academy uniform is important to us. It is one way in which we identify ourselves as a community and it promotes a strong, cohesive identity which supports high standards and expectations in all areas of academy life. Smartness and high standards of appearance are expected at all times.
We require academy uniform for several reasons:
We ask parents and carers to support all decisions by academy staff regarding whether or not clothing is appropriate or inappropriate for academy.
Non-compliance with the Uniform Policy
It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure that the academy uniform policy is adhered to. Parents and carers of pupils that do not wear the correct uniform will be contacted and asked to ensure the correct uniform is provided.
There may be good reasons why a pupil is not wearing academy uniform. In this case, parents and carers are asked to contact the academy and we will help to resolve this discretely.
Equal Opportunities
All children have equal access to wearing academy uniform regardless of their culture, race, religion, gender, disability or ability. We ensure that the set uniform respects other policies such as equality, race relations and sex discrimination. Rainbow Forge Primary Academy is committed to creating a positive climate that will enable everyone to work free from racial intimidation and harassment and to achieve their full potential.
Academy Uniform
| Item | Purchased From | Other Notes |
| Dark blue/navy sweatshirt/jumper or cardigan | Available from Pinders or School Trends with a school logo, or plain from any high street shop | |
| Plain white or sky blue polo shirt | Available from Pinders or School Trends with a school logo, or plain from any high street shop | |
| Black trousers, skirt or pinafore | Available from any high street shop | Blue gingham dresses and shorts may be worn during the summer months. |
| Black shoes or all black trainers | Available from any high street shop | No brand logos or coloured shoes. Open-toed sandals may be worn in the summer months with socks but flipflops should not be worn. |
| PE Kit | We have a set (T-shirt/shorts/PE bag) available to buy from school, or available from any high street shop | Barefoot work is undertaken for indoor gymnastic, yoga and dance lessons. |
| Black or navy plain shorts | Available from any high street shop | |
| White plain t-shirt | Available from any high street shop | |
| Navy sweatshirt or hoodie | Available from Pinders or School Trends with a school logo, or plain from any high street shop | No brand logos. |
| Black or navy plain jogging bottoms or leggings | Available from any high street shop | |
| Trainers/plimsolls | Available from any high street shop | |
| Outdoor clothing | Available from any high street shop | Pupils should bring a coat to school each day, apart from during the hotter weather. Hats, scarves and boots should not to be worn inside the school buildings. Sun hats should be worn outside during the hotter summer months. |
| Book Bag | Available from school with a school logo, or plain from any high street shop | This is not a requirement to have, and parents may choose to only use a school bag/rucksack |
| Swimming costume/trunks | Swimming costume – one piece Trunks – no shorts allowed | Pupils go swimming usually in year 3 & 4 |
| Earrings- small stud earrings | Metal, one per ear. For health and safety reasons we cannot permit hoop, or drop earrings | |
| Jewelry | No other jewelry is permitted | |
| Make-up | No make-up, including nail varnish is permitted | |
| Hairstyle | Pupils’ hair should be neatly groomed and tidy at all times. Long hair on both girls and boys should be tied back neatly. | No extreme haircuts or colours are permitted. We champion the Halo code (see below for more information) |
| Additional Items for children in Pre Nursery, Nursery & Reception | ||
| All in one suit | Any colour from any high street shop | If possible, we like Early Years pupils to have an all-weather suit so they can access the outdoor learning environment throughout the year. |
| Wellies | Any colour from any high street shop | If possible, we like all children to have wellies so that they can access the outdoor learning environment throughout the year. |
| Additional Items for children in Pre Nursery & Nursery | ||
| Indoor shoes | Any colour from any high street shop | If possible we like all children to have a clean pair of shoes to wear inside to ensure the environment and the resources inside are clean and hygienic. |
The Halo Code
Our academy champions the right of staff and students to embrace all Afro-hairstyles. We acknowledge that Afro-textured hair is an important part of our black staff and students’ racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious identities, and requires specific styling for hair health and maintenance.
We welcome afro-textured hair worn in all styles including, but not limited to, afros, locs, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, hair straightened through the application of heat or chemicals, weaves, wigs, headscarves, and wraps.
At this academy, we recognise and celebrate our staff and students’ identities. We are a community built on an ethos of equality and respect where hair texture and style have no bearing on anyone’s ability to succeed.
For more information about the Halo Code: https://halocollective.co.uk/
Fingernail Polish & Make-Up
Pupils are not allowed to wear fingernail polish or false nails. Make-up is not allowed.
Jewellery/Accessories
Pupils may wear a watch and may wear one pair of small, stud earrings. Religious necklaces e.g. a cross can be worn but must be underneath the child’s polo shirt.
All jewellery must be removed for PE by the pupil or left at home. Stud earrings that cannot be removed by the pupil for PE lessons will be covered with a plaster or tape.
Please note that the academy will be unable to take any responsibility for any watches or jewellery that are lost.
Labelling Clothing and Property
VERY IMPORTANT – Please ensure all clothing and property is clearly marked so that lost items may be easily traced and returned. The academy cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage of pupils’ property and valuables.
Lost Property
All mislaid items are placed at the back of the hall. Please ask the academy office if you wish to look through these. We endeavour to return all labelled property. All unclaimed lost property is put out for parents periodically throughout the term. At the end of every term, all unclaimed items of uniform will be disposed of.
School Uniform Suppliers
Sweatshirts, fleeces and cardigans must have the academy logo. They can be purchased from:
All other items can be bought from high street stores.
Limiting the Cost of School Uniform
We make sure that the uniform we require 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 many such items limits parents’ ability to ‘shop around’ for a low price.
We will make sure our uniform:
We will do this by:
