School Uniform

Our policy is based on the notion that a school uniform:

• promotes a sense of pride in the school;

• engenders a feeling of community and belonging;

• is practical and smart;

• identifies the children with the school;

• is not distracting in class (as fashion clothes might be);

• makes children feel equal to their peers in terms of appearance;

• is regarded as suitable, and good value for money, by most parents;

• has been designed with health and safety in mind.

  
  

Uniform

School Uniform is typically worn 3/4 days a week leaving PE Kit to be worn on timetabled PE days.  There is a Winter Uniform and a Summer Uniform: Winter Uniform must be worn from Autumn half-term through to the end of the Spring term, whilst Summer Uniform must be worn during the summer term.  A choice of either uniform can be worn at the start of the academic year, from September through to the first half-term holiday.

The only uniform items that are specific to Oakdene and compulsory, are a jumper/cardigan with the embroidered school badge plus the school tie.  All other uniform items are available generically from a wide range of retailers. 

Jewellery

On health and safety grounds we do not allow children to wear any jewellery in our school. This includes all earrings. We therefore ask that if ears are to be pierced, this should be carried out at the beginning of the Summer Holidays and earrings can be removed before the children come back into School in September. If earrings are still required for a short time, they must be covered by sticking plasters BEFORE the child comes to School and they will not be allowed to undertake PE / Games or go out to play. Staff are unable to touch earrings. Spacers can be worn as an alternative during the healing process, and provided parents sign a declaration accepting the risks associated with them, children can then join in with PE and playtime.

Watches are permitted, but any that have phone or internet capability must have such features disabled whilst in school.  During tests, these devises must be removed.  Any that prove to be misused or a distraction in class, will be held in the school office for the rest of the day.

Hair

The school does not permit children to have haircuts that could serve as a distraction to other children. This includes no ‘razor cuts’ or extreme hair colour. 

Long hair (longer than shoulder length) must be tied back at all times with a dark coloured, plain bobble and if necessary, children can wear a thin navy hairband or slide (this can be blue and white checked in summer to match Summer Uniform).

Footwear

The school wants all children to grow into healthy adults. We believe that it is dangerous for children to wear shoes with platform soles or high heels in school, so we do not allow this. We require all children to wear the types of footwear described in the uniform list.