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This year’s Sponsors include:

“There is a powerful sense of purpose and an expectation that everyone reach their highest possible standards.”

OFSTED 2007

School Uniform

 

The view of the school’s governing body and that of the management of the school is that School Uniform plays a valuable role in contributing to the ethos of the school and in setting an appropriate tone.  Heritage is one of the vast majority of schools nationally that has a uniform and dress code and other rules about appearance.  This year, as part of the school’s increasing drive to raise standards and generate the right ethos for the school, I have asked staff to be more consistent in their approach in challenging students who do not wear the published school’s dress code.  This is very much in response to a large number of parents and governors that have commented on the poor image given by some students of the school by their appearance. 

 

I am aware that a number of  parents, in good faith,  have purchased items of clothing that are not strictly as described in the school’s dress code.  The governors feel that given the lack of explicit guidance currently provided to parents, where the items of clothing are deemed smart and promote the correct ethos and tone for the school these should be accepted.  Governors are also conscious that in the current climate unnecessary expenditure on clothing should be avoided.   To this end the following represents what the governors feel is acceptable for students to wear this academic year as school uniform, and follows a recent discussion that they have had about this issue in order to offer students, parents and staff what is acceptable uniform for students to wear at the school.

 

What is acceptable and considered appropriate in the promotion of the school’s ethos

 

• A plain black ’V’ neck  pullover, sweatshirt or cardigan  with or without the school logo - sleeveless plain black ‘V’ neck tops are acceptable. (Boys and Girls).
• A plain white shirt with a collar, preferably one that has a top button that supports the correct wearing of the school tie (Boys and Girls).
• The black and white striped school tie (Boys and Girls).
• Black full length trousers (Boys and Girls).
• Plain black skirt (Girls).
• Dark plain socks (Boys and Girls).
• Black hard-wearing flat-soled or low healed footwear suitable for use around the school site, and that provide appropriate safe protection in Science labs or Workshops (Boys and Girls).
• A hardwearing and plain coat.

 

What is not acceptable and regarded as undermining the school ethos

 

• Pullovers or cardigans that are not black (Boys and Girls).
• Shirts that are not white and do not have a collar (Boys and Girls).
• Not wearing, or correctly wearing a school tie (Boys and Girls).
• Shorts or trousers that are not of a full length (Boys and Girls).
• Footwear that that is not plain and black; trainers that are not plain black and are intended for sport and recreation and footwear that does not provide appropriate protection when worn in areas such as workshops.  Shoes or boots with high heels are inappropriate for school (Boys and Girls).
• Multi-coloured or fluorescent socks or tights (Boys and Girls).
• Hats or caps.

 

Governors wish to work with parents to establish a dress and appearance code that sets the correct tone for the school; is fair, reasonable and that promotes a positive ethos and high standards, whilst also taking account of expense.

 

The school is about to embark on a full consultation about its uniform with its wider community with a view to introducing a new dress and appearance code in September 2010.

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