Academy Uniform Expectations for September 2023
Dear Parents/Carers
As we head towards the final term of the academic year, I want to take the opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support of the Academy, notably around our uniform expectations, and provide a reminder to yourselves and our students as to expectations for September 2023. We have welcomed feedback and challenge, and from this feedback we have made some positive changes to ensure we are able to maintain a consistent and fair approach towards our uniform policy from September. Your ongoing support to maintain our high expectations is very much appreciated and give students the best chance of success.
All students at Hanham Woods Academy follow a Dress Code which represents our shared commitment to excellence in everything that we do.
Our policy is based on DfE guidelines and also the belief that a school uniform:
- Creates a sense of pride and belonging. The uniform and sports kits proudly displays our Academy logo, building a feeling of belonging. It reflects the sense both of the community and of diversity that the Academy takes pride in.
- Promotes equity and gives value for money. Uniform promotes equality as it eliminates the stress placed on students and families to purchase and wear expensive, fashionable items and is a relatively inexpensive way of dressing young people for school. It also reduces opportunities for bullying to occur.
- Professional and Practical. Following a dress code helps instil a sense of purpose; uniform is practical, identifies students and shows that students are ready to learn.
To summarise, the purpose of this letter is to serve as a reminder of our current uniform expectations, advise of some specific changes for September 2023 and outline the additional support we offer.
We are not making widespread changes to uniform and value for money and affordability is a key part of our policy. There is one change that has been made due to parental and student feedback that we would like to highlight, which is that we now have a school skirt for purchase from Monkhouse. This is the only skirt that is permitted. Further information is detailed below.
Although the rest of the expectations have been in place and communicated regularly, we will now be enforcing the policy in full so please ensure you have gone through these expectations with students and checked their uniform meets these expectations for September 2023.
As you know, all students must wear full Academy uniform and present themselves in a professional manner. As you will recall from previous communication, the following items will not be allowed to be worn to the Academy, even if the Academy is provided with a note from home*.
- Skirts that do not stay at the knee when worn are not allowed; this is in keeping with professional standards, where skirt lengths would be expected to be knee length. At present, some skirts are shorter than this. To support students and parents/carers, from September 2023, the only acceptable skirt can be purchased from the Monkhouse website (double pleated and must fall no shorter than the knee).
- Stretchy tube skirts are not allowed at any time and we have noticed some students still wearing these.
- Jumpers or hoodies, including hoodies with a zip at the front, other than the Hanham Woods Academy jumper. These must be removed before students enter the Academy and stored in students’ bags until they leave the Academy site.
- Leggings, tracksuit (jogging) bottoms and jeans are not allowed. Other trousers with back pockets are not acceptable school wear.
- Piercings, other than a single set of studs in the ears and a simple nose stud are not allowed. Any new piercings should be done at the start of the summer holidays to allow time to heal. All piercings must be removed for PE lessons and taping will no longer be allowed.
- The only jewellery that is allowed is a single nose stud and 1 pair of small stud earrings. Please note that all jewellery should be removed for PE. Plastic retainers for piercings are not permitted. All prohibited jewellery will be confiscated and will need to be collected from reception by a parent/carer. If students have a new piercing, then they must only have these done at the summer and must be ready to be removed once they are back at the Academy. We will not make any adjustments for students with piercings as they are not essential for the Academy or learning.
- Long styled or artificial nails that are over 1 centimetre longer than the length of the finger are not allowed.
- Balaclavas, which must be removed prior to entry to the Academy and stored in your child’s bag.
- Trainers, including black polishable leather trainers, must not be worn to the Academy.
All uniform guidelines apply to all students in Years 7-11-there are not exceptions made for Year 11 students. Year 11 uniform will be expected to meet expectations until the end of the academic year.
If you are looking to purchase uniform items this term (ahead of September 2023) and are unsure about whether the item meets the Academy’s uniform criteria, please do not hesitate to get in contact to check before you buy.
*If there are any medical or other extenuating circumstances relating to uniform then please contact the Academy to discuss a resolution at [email protected]. Similarly, if you have any concerns or queries regarding uniform, please do get in contact so that we can help. We want to work together with you so that students meet our mutual high expectations. The Friends of Hanham Woods Academy can supply uniform in instances of hardship. Alongside, South Gloucestershire Council are also providing financial support here: https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/community-resilience-fund
**Monkhouse can provide the only skirt acceptable from September 2023. You must ensure the length of the skirt remains at the knee when worn.
I would also like to take this opportunity to remind you about specific aspects of our Academy uniform, please see the attached imagery enclosed:
If a student arrives to the academy in the incorrect uniform the following process will be followed to support students to meet our expectations:
We appreciate that at times Academy stock has run low and students have been unable to borrow. For this reason, we have ensured our stocks for September are replenished and we will be offering parents/carers the opportunity to purchase items of uniform directly from our Uniform shop (details will be shared with you about this in future communication). We also encourage and welcome donations of uniform from students that is no longer needed.
Term 6 Assemblies and Support
To ensure all students are clear on our expectations for September, assemblies will take place for all Year Groups on Monday 5th June 2023. As a proactive measure of support, we will be checking uniform for all students in Years 7-10 during these assemblies and for the remainder of the academic year, and will make contact with parents/carers where current uniform is not meeting expectations. This will ensure we can support our families in preparation for September.
If you feel support is needed please do get in touch with your child’s Pastoral Leader, or provide feedback via our online form which can be accessed here. This form can also be used to share any specific feedback you have on our uniform policy.
We have very high standards in everything we do, and we want your child to look as smart as possible at all times. Wearing smart uniform helps to create the right conditions for learning and enables students to take pride in belonging to our community. We are very proud of our students and the high standards of their uniform, and we know that you are too.
If you require further clarity or support to ensure your child is in the correct uniform, please get in contact.
Yours sincerely
Miss Helen Barnes| Assistant Principal
