Uniform

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:

  • Uniforms unite the academy. Wearing the same shows that the children are part of one team working together
  • Uniforms reduce distractions. We are focused on achieving success. When pupils are allowed to wear their own clothing, there is the potential to talk about fashions and styles rather than learning
  • Uniforms make us all equal. Everyone wears the same and there is no label stigma in academy
  • Uniforms look professional. Pupils look neat and ready to learn.

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

ItemPurchased FromOther Notes
Dark blue/navy sweatshirt/jumper or cardiganAvailable from Pinders or School Trends with a school logo, or plain from any high street shop 
Plain white or sky blue polo shirtAvailable from Pinders or School Trends with a school logo, or plain from any high street shop 
Black trousers, skirt or pinaforeAvailable from any high street shopBlue gingham dresses and shorts may be worn during the summer months.
Black shoes or all black trainersAvailable from any high street shopNo brand logos or coloured shoes. Open-toed sandals may be worn in the summer months with socks but flipflops should not be worn.
PE KitWe have a set (T-shirt/shorts/PE bag) available to buy from school, or available from any high street shopBarefoot work is undertaken for indoor gymnastic, yoga and dance lessons.
Black or navy plain shortsAvailable from any high street shop 
White plain t-shirtAvailable from any high street shop 
Navy sweatshirt or hoodieAvailable from Pinders or School Trends with a school logo, or plain from any high street shopNo brand logos.  
Black or navy plain jogging bottoms or leggingsAvailable from any high street shop 
Trainers/plimsollsAvailable from any high street shop 
Outdoor clothingAvailable from any high street shopPupils 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 BagAvailable from school with a school logo, or plain from any high street shopThis is not a requirement to have, and parents may choose to only use a school bag/rucksack
Swimming costume/trunksSwimming costume – one piece Trunks – no shorts allowedPupils 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
HairstylePupils’ 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 suitAny colour from any high street shopIf possible, we like Early Years pupils to have an all-weather suit so they can access the outdoor learning environment throughout the year.
WelliesAny colour from any high street shopIf 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 shoesAny colour from any high street shopIf 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:

  • Pinders Schoolwear
  • School Trends

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:

  1. Is available at a reasonable cost
  2. 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
  • Avoiding specific requirements for items pupils 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 signaling differences in groups for interschool competitions, such as creating posters or labels
  • Making sure that arrangements are in place for parents to acquire second-hand uniform items
  • Avoiding frequent changes to uniform specifications and thereby minimising the financial impact on parents of any changes
  • Consulting with parents and pupils on any proposed significant changes to the uniform policy and carefully considering any complaints about the policy