Our uniform has changed over time. When uniform was first introduced in the 1990s, Pontllanfraith's uniform included a white shirt, a tie and grey v neck woollen jumpers / cardigans. Children wore grey trousers / skirts and smart black shoes.
Many schools, including Pontllanfraith, moved away from this style of uniform over time, favouring polo shirts and sweatshirts. This was as the curriculum changed and greater access to the outdoors was encouraged.
In Pontllanfraith, the children voted on sweatshirt colour and chose red. Governors debated red or white polo shirts and decided on red as white can get dirty quickly. Children continued to wear grey trousers / skirts but black was creeping in which we did not object to. We still required black smart shoes.
Children were asked to have a separate PE kit in school which should be a white t shirt, black shorts and trainers. We asked that this be left in school all week so that classes had flexibility around when to do PE, particularly during the summer term.
We struggled with getting parents and children to support this. Many children did not have PE kits in school all week. Many did not have suitable PE kits: strappy vests, all different colour T shirts, some branded kit (and then complaints if expensive clothing was lost / stolen from the cloakrooms or comments made to upset those who did not have expensive kit).
We also had problems with providing adequate supervision for older children changing (girls and boys needing to change separately). And this started to be needed for more classes, not just in Year 6, as children began to hit puberty earlier.
Then came the pandemic. Restrictions at the time led to schools asking children to come dress for PE on specific days. There were pros and cons. The immediate pros being no lost kit, no forgotten kit, it was more efficient for staff without changing required. Some schools have continued with this policy for that reason.
But in Pontllanfraith we had a significant con. We had complaints from parents of older children about peer pressure and bullying. It was becoming a bit of a fashion parade. Expensive football kits and branded sweatshirts (hoodies) were being worn.
We discussed this with Governors as part of a uniform review as we eased pandemic restrictions (some restrictions were still in place). The current policy is available on the school website, linked here.
Governors chose not to return to PE kits & decided to opt for a practical uniform that encouraged children to be active at any point. The policy no longer included mention of skirts or tights and we actively encouraged black trainers (no laces until the children can do them up themselves). We change to black bottoms as many girls had started wearing black leggings: black is more popular than grey.
Staff and Governors felt that the new policy supported a more flexible curriculum so that PE & outdoor activity could take place at anytime (which is line with the principles of Curriculum for Wales which became statutory in 2022).
We chose to specify 'no hoodies' in the interest of good order - we found during the pandemic that some older children challenged staff by putting hoods up in the classroom during lessons on PE days.
It is clear that not all parents support the current uniform policy 100% by the choices they make when buying uniform.
Some parents of girls still opt to send them to school skirts, tights and shoes that are smart but not appropriate for PE. This has not been an issue during the autumn & spring terms when it has been convenient for us to have a set day for PE (and parents have dressed them in the current uniform for those days). It is only an issue now it's summer term and we want to practise for Sports Day when the weather allows.
A very few parents send their children to school in white polo shirts instead of red. A very few still have the old ties worn with shirts.
Some parents of older children provide hooded jumpers despite our policy of 'no hoodies' (although we do periodically follow this up and offer second hand school jumpers as a replacement).
Some parents send their children to school in other shoes: brightly coloured trainers or shoes.
Some parents send their children to school in trainers with laces before the children can tie laces.
In primary schools we are reliant on parental support when it comes to uniform (in secondaries uniform breaches are more likely to be down to the child rather than the parents). Therefore your views are essential.
Where I have approached parents it has been around shoes that are not safe (slip-ons for example) and where children are wearing hoodies (as we find older children will use hoods to be deliberately disrespectful). Occasionally I also contact parents of younger children wearing laces when they can’t do them up (this is to support staff).
We are seeking the views of parents, staff & children and the Governing Body will take the final decision. Please click here for the survey.