In line with Curriculum for Wales, which was brought in September 2022, we plan for outdoors and experiential learning, particularly for our youngest pupils who have access to trikes and mud kitchens, for example. We're a school who have invested in adventure logs for the playgrounds and promote daily activity - we launched The Daily Mile for Welsh Government.
Curriculum for Wales promotes flexible organisation of teaching and learning and so a flexible timetable for PE is desirable.
Our current school uniform was chosen, with this curriculum in mind, in 2022.
I was recently approached by a parent who held the view that instead we should be returning to a smarter uniform like the one that we had in the past.
I have noticed that some parents opt to send children to school in white shirts, skirts and tights, that are not school current uniform and therefore concluded that there is some support for this point of view. This led to me opening up the consultation and seeking the views of staff, parents and children for Governors to consider.
Overall, most people felt that the current uniform was smart enough and suitable for the activities taking place in school.
Debate took place over the following points: whether or not we should have a separate PE kit; smart shoes or trainers; skirts (& tights); hoodies.
It was decided that current uniform, with no separate PE kit and no hoodies being allowed, would be continued but that we will agree to store a pair of labelled black trainers in school if parents wish their child to wear smart shoes instead. These should remain in school throughout the term (not brought in on a daily basis).
Skirts, tights and summer dresses will not be listed as school uniform but no objections were raised to children wearing them - they should, however, be black in keeping with the listed school uniform of black trousers, leggings or shorts.
Parents choosing to dress their children in skirts and / or smart shoes should be mindful that we operate a flexible timetable and encourage outdoor activity at play and throughout the day and this forms the rationale for not listing skirts or smart shoes as uniform. Children changing shoes will need to be able to do this independently and staff will not be responsible for ensuring this is done outside of PE lessons. Please note, children should not wear trainers with laces until they are capable of doing them up.
Hoodies will not be permitted. We know the children will be disappointed but sadly a minority of pupils have previously used hoodies as a way to challenge staff during lessons / assemblies. Concerns were also raised about the risk of hoods being pulled. We have a supply of spare school jumpers in school and children regularly wearing hoodies to school will be asked to wear a spare school jumper instead.
The policy will be updated to reflect the above position and taken back to Governors at their next meeting in July. The school website and prospectus will be updated by the end of term.
If you'd like to read more about the survey responses and the rationale behind these decisions, please click here.