I would like to draw your attention to a small change to our uniform policy, which was ratified by governors at the last Governors’ Meeting. This winter we have seen the growing popularity of ‘snoods’, an item of clothing which is designed to cover the neck and face, similar to a balaclava. This item of clothing carries unfortunate connotations associated with gang culture, and is worn by some as a means to protect their identity. The look that this creates can be intimidating, and is not appropriate for a school setting.

I would like to thank those parents/carers who ensure their child arrives in the correct uniform each day. By preventing your son/daughter from bringing prohibited items to school, and perhaps by having the challenging conversation with your son/daughter yourself before they leave the house, you are allowing staff at school to get on with the important job of teaching students, rather than challenging incorrect uniform when they arrive.

For ease of reference, other items remain prohibited and which I would encourage you to ensure that your son/daughter avoids bringing to school are:

- Trainers

- Hoodies

- Sports tops or quarter-zip sweatshirts

- Balaclavas, caps or durags

- False eyelashes

- False nails

- Faux-fur coats/jackets

Our aim is that every single student arrives in the correct uniform each day, but on the occasions when this does not happen our policy remains the same -students are offered the opportunity to return home to correct their uniform, to borrow a missing item of uniform, or to hand in a prohibited item in the first instance. Where a student refuses, they will spend the day in the Refocus Room. This is a last resort, and our preference is always that students arrive in the correct uniform, or take the opportunity to correct it at the start of the day.

Thank you for your ongoing support and for helping us to maintain high standards for our students. Yours faithfully,

Mr P Hemsley

DEPUTY HEADTEACHER