Uniform Policy

Co-op Academy Grove

Policy details

• Date approved by Trust Board - 15 July 2026
• Applicable from - 1 September 2026
• Next review date - September 2027
• Policy owner - Head of Marketing and PR

Contents

1. Aims        2

2. Our school’s legal duties under the Equality Act 2010        2

3. Limiting the cost of school uniform        3

4. Expectations for school uniform        4

5. Expectations for our school community        5

6. Monitoring arrangements        6

7. Links to other policies        6

1. Aims

Co-op Academies Trust is committed to ensuring that school uniforms are affordable, simple and consistent for families across our academies. This approach enables the Trust to:

• Reduce costs for families through collective purchasing.
• Ensure consistency and quality across all academies.
• Simplify the purchasing process for parents and carers.
• Improve sustainability and efficiency across the Trust.

This policy aims to:

• Set out our approach to requiring a uniform that is of reasonable cost and offers the best value for money for all parents and carers
• Explain how we will avoid discrimination in line with our legal duties under the Equality Act 2010
• Clarify our expectations for school uniform

2. Our school’s legal duties under the Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination against an individual based on the protected characteristics, which include: age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, race, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity, and gender reassignment.

To avoid discrimination, our school will:

• Avoid listing uniform items based on sex, to give all pupils the opportunity to wear the uniform they feel most comfortable in
• Make sure that our uniform costs the same for all pupils
• Allow all pupils to have long hair, although we reserve the right to ask that long hair be tied back
• Allow all pupils to style their hair in a way that is appropriate for school, and makes them feel most comfortable
• Allow pupils to request changes to swimwear for religious reasons, or if they are experiencing discomfort
• Allow pupils to wear headscarves
• Allow pupils with sensory or physical needs to make reasonable adaptations to their uniform, depending on their specific needs
• Allow for reasonable adaptations to our policy on the grounds of equality by asking pupils or their parents/carers to get in touch with Miss Cacia (SENDCO) on 01782 234550, who can answer questions about the policy and respond to any requests. These will be considered on a case-by-case basis

3. Limiting the cost of school uniform

Our school has a duty to make sure that the uniform we require is affordable, in line with statutory guidance from the Department for Education (DfE) on the cost of school uniforms.

We understand that items with distinctive characteristics (such as branded items, or items that need to have a school logo attached or be in a unique fabric or style) cannot be purchased from a wide range of retailers, and that requiring many such items limits parents/carers’ ability to shop around for the best price.  

We will therefore make sure our uniform:

• Is available at a reasonable cost
• Provides the best value for money for parents and carers
• Simplifies purchasing options for parents and carers

We will do this by:

• Following the statutory limits for compulsory branded items of uniform and PE kit to a maximum of 2.
• Carefully considering whether any items with distinctive characteristics are necessary, and limiting these items where possible.
• Limiting compulsory branded items to low-cost and/or long-lasting items.
• Avoiding specific requirements for items such as coats, bags and shoes/trainers that pupils could also wear on non-school days. See more information in section 4.1
• Avoiding different uniform requirements for different year/class/house groups
• Avoiding different uniform requirements for extra-curricular activities including (but not limited to) sport, music and drama
• Avoiding requiring different branded items for particular times of the year, such as a branded dress in summer and a branded skirt in winter
• Considering alternative approaches, including loaning compulsory branded items such as sports kit for competitions
• Making sure that opportunities to acquire second-hand items in a timely manner are accessible to parents and carers of both current and prospective pupils
• Avoiding frequent changes to uniform specifications, and minimising the financial impact on parents/carers of any changes
• Where appropriate, consulting with parents/carers and pupils on any proposed significant changes to the uniform policy, and carefully considering any complaints about uniform in line with the school’s complaints policy
• Avoiding single-supplier contracts for non-branded items, to make sure generic items can be purchased from a range of retailers
• Continuing to review this policy, to ensure the cost of our uniform is reasonable and provides the best value for money

4. Expectations for school uniform

4.1 Our school’s uniform

At Co-op Academy Grove we believe that school uniform shows that we are in a community. Wearing it says we’re all in this together.

Our pupils are expected to look smart at all times and to be appropriately dressed in the Academy as per our uniform expectations. We believe strongly that wearing the correct uniform is part of being ready to learn, part of belonging to a community that promotes a positive attitude along with preparing them for their secondary education and the world of work.

Uniform expectations

All children are required to wear a school uniform every day and all items are essential. Our uniform can be purchased from any shop unless indicated below.

Our essential uniform includes;

• A purple jumper with the school logo (*This uniform can be purchased from the National School wear Centre, Stafford Street, Hanley, Stoke-on- Trent. ST1 1LS)
• White short-sleeved polo T-shirt
• Grey trousers/skirt
• Black plain shoes or trainers, no heels

In the summer children have the option to wear grey shorts or a purple and white summer dress.

PE Kit

On PE days your child will need to come to school dressed in their PE kit and NOT their uniform. PE day reminders will be sent via Arbor/Class Dojo so you know the days your child needs to wear their PE kit to school.

All children are required to wear a PE kit and all items are essential. Our PE kit can be purchased from any shop unless indicated below. This will include;

• A purple tshirt with the school logo (*This uniform can be purchased from the National School wear Centre, Stafford Street, Hanley, Stoke-on- Trent. ST1 1LS)
• Plain black joggers/shorts
• Plain black jacket
• Plain black trainers

Children in Year 4 attend swimming lessons. We expect our children to wear swimming trucks or a one-piece swimming costume and swim cap. We also ask them to bring a towel in a bag.  

General expectations

All items of school uniform must be clearly labelled with the child’s name.    

Jewellery must not be worn with the exception of one pair of stud earrings. This is for everyone's safety. These must be removed for PE by parents prior to the start of the PE day.

All children should come to school with a warm coat with a hood, a sun hat when sunny and a re-fillable water bottle with a sports lid.

We also ask that children bring a book bag (not backpack)

We allow standard ‘non-toy’ watches to be worn, but the academy takes no responsibility for them and they must be removed for PE lessons.

Long hair must be tied back. No dyed, shaved lines or patterned hairstyles are allowed. Small hair accessories can be worn but they must be linked to our academy colours (grey or purple). We do not allow tinsel or coloured braids.

Headscarves can be worn but must be in the academy colours (grey or purple).

No nail varnish, nail extensions, make up or temporary tattoos can be worn.

4.2 Where to purchase or acquire it

Uniform supplier

Our essential item uniform (jumper with logo and PE tshirt) can be purchased from the National School wear Centre, Stafford Street, Hanley, Stoke-on- Trent. ST1 1LS

Pre-loved school uniform

At Co-op Academy Grove, we have a stock of pre-loved uniforms, please contact a member of the pastoral team to purchase. (To note: This is developing over the academic year 26-27 due to our current changes).

If you have any good-quality school uniforms that you wish to donate, please contact the academy office for further information.

Guide donations to support our pre-loved running costs:

• £1 per item with a logo
• 50p per item without a logo

5. Expectations for our school community

5.1 Pupils

Pupils are expected to wear the correct uniform at all times (other than specified non-school uniform days) while:

• On the school premises
• Travelling to and from school
• At out-of-school events or on trips that are organised by the school, or where they are representing the school (if required)

Pupils are also expected to contact Miss Cacia (SENDCO) if they want to request an amendment to the uniform policy in relation to their protected characteristics.

5.2 Parents and carers

Parents and carers are expected to make sure their child has the correct uniform and PE kit, and that every item is:

• Clean
• Clearly labelled with the child’s name
• In good condition  

Parents/carers are also expected to contact Miss Cacia (SENDCO) if they want to request an amendment to the uniform policy in relation to:

• Their child’s protected characteristics
• The cost of the uniform

Parents/carers are expected to lodge any complaints or objections relating to the school uniform in a timely and reasonable manner in accordance with the school’s complaints policy.

Disputes about the cost of the school uniform will be:

• Resolved locally
• Dealt with in accordance with our school’s complaints policy

The school will work closely with parents/carers to arrive at a mutually acceptable outcome.

5.3 Staff

Staff will closely monitor pupils to make sure they are in correct uniform. They will give any pupils and families breaching the uniform policy the opportunity to comply, but will follow up with the headteacher if the situation doesn’t improve.

Ongoing breaches of our uniform policy will be dealt with, initially by class teachers and senior leaders as required.

In cases where it is suspected that financial hardship has resulted in a pupil not complying with this uniform policy, staff will take a mindful and considerate approach to resolving the situation and the pupil will not miss classroom teaching because of a sanction. This is in line with the statutory guidance.

5.4 Trust Senior Leadership Team

The Trust Senior Leadership Team will review this policy and make sure that it:

• Is appropriate for our Trust’s context
• Is implemented fairly across the Trust
• Takes into account the views of parents/carers, and pupils
• Offers a uniform that is appropriate, practical and safe for all pupils

5.5 Trust Board

The Trust Board is responsible for approving this policy. The Trust Board will also make sure that the school’s uniform supplier arrangements give the highest priority to cost and value for money, for example by avoiding single-supplier contracts and by re-tendering contracts at least every 5 years.

6. Monitoring arrangements

This policy will be reviewed at least once every three years by the Trust’s Senior Leadership Team, and then approved by the Trust Board. At every review, it will be approved by the Trust Board.

7. Links to other policies

This policy is linked to our:

• Behaviour policy
• Equality information and objectives statement
• Anti-bullying policy
• Complaints policy
• Charges and Remissions policy