Uniform

Uniform checks are conducted every morning at the student entrance and throughout the day by staff. If for any reason a student is unable or has chosen not to wear full Academy uniform, the following procedure will happen:

Either:

• Students will be offered to wear the uniform that is provided by the Academy and return the item of uniform at the end of the day (this will also apply for school bags).
• The student’s parent/carer will be contacted to bring the missing uniform to the Academy. The students may be required to wait in the Reflection Room until the uniform issue is resolved.

If we cannot contact the parent/carer or any other of the named contacts, and the student refuses to borrow uniform then they will be placed into the Reflection Room for the day until 2.50pm. Refusal to go to the Reflection Room may result in a Fixed Term Suspension for non-compliance with Academy rules.

We will contact the parent/carer to discuss when the issue can be resolved and come to an agreed timeframe with support offered where required.

Full uniform is expected to be worn when students walk to and from the Academy at the start and end of each school day. Staff on duty before and after school will challenge any students breaching these rules as they enter/leave the Academy site.

Class teachers and support staff: Check uniform on entry/exit to every lesson; challenge infringements and apply sanctions where appropriate. They also liaise with parents of students who persistently fail to comply and follow DfE guidance not to consider exclusion where students engage with support.

Form tutors: Address uniform issues during registration; work with class teachers and support staff to correct uniform and apply sanctions where needed. They communicate with parents where issues persist.

• The Head of Year is to ensure that pupils comply with the uniform policy agreed by the governing body.
• The Head of Year has a duty to enforce the school uniform throughout the school community, as part of the duty within maintenance of day-to-day discipline in the school.
• The Head of Year will speak to the parents of children who persistently do not wear the correct uniform.
• The school will follow the DfE guidelines and not consider exclusion from the school where a student fails to comply with the school’s rules on uniform but engages with the support offered by school.

• To ensure that their child / children adhere to the school’s uniform policy.
• Ensure that they come to school in correct uniform every day unless there are special circumstances such as non-uniform days.
• To communicate proactively with school over any genuine uniform issues to allow school to support their child appropriately.
• To ensure that they have all equipment for the day.
• To support the school in sanctioning students as per policy

• Students will be given kit from PE supplies to borrow if they do not bring kit.
• Sanctions will be imposed by the PE departments for students who persistently fail to bring kit to school.
• Students who are unable to participate in PE for medical reasons must bring a note but they are still required to bring their kit and change as they can assist with other elements of the lesson.
• No jewellery may be worn during PE.
• Whilst piercings are not permitted within the Academy, any students wearing plastic retainers in the nose or ears will be asked to take them out for PE and still participate.
• Students are also expected to wear their hair tied back in order to follow health and safety regulations for the subject.

Where an EHCP, disability, medical condition or sensory need exists, reasonable adjustments to uniform may be agreed by the SENDCO and documented accordingly. As sensory-friendly school uniform is now available from many retailers, students will be expected, wherever reasonably possible, to wear uniform that remains consistent with the Academy's colour, style and appearance requirements. Adjustments will be considered on a case-by-case basis and only where necessary to meet the student's identified needs.

The term ‘branded item’ is not just an item with a logo. It is used to describe an item of clothing with distinctive characteristics which make it unique to the school or trust. As a general rule, if an item cannot be purchased at a range of retailers it is likely to be a branded item.

Barnsley Academy Branded Items:

Barnsley Academy Tie - Barnsley Academy clip‑on tie (standard light blue unless issued for a specific student group).

Barnsley Academy Blazer – we have sourced 3 providers for our school blazers, these have been chosen on locality to the school and pricing. Our third provider was sourced via a parental suggestion based on costing but this is an online retailer.

Academy School Bag: The Barnsley Academy branded school bag forms part of the Academy uniform. To ensure that cost is not a barrier to attendance, every student is provided with a Barnsley Academy branded school bag free of charge when they join the Academy. Where a bag shows clear signs of fair wear and tear through normal daily use, the Academy will provide a replacement free of charge. Replacement bags required as a result of loss, damage, vandalism, misuse, or neglect will be charged to parents/carers at cost price.

PE Top – Our PE top is the only compulsory item of the kit that is branded; all other items are available from high street stores or online. 

Optional branded items:

Optional Jumper or Cardigan – Barnsley Academy allows students to wear either a school logo branded or plain black V necked jumper or button up cardigan. These are available branded from our school uniform providers or unbranded from high street stores or online. Plain black alternatives are permitted.

This policy complies with Department for Education requirements regarding compulsory branded uniform items and seeks to minimise costs for families by providing generic alternatives wherever possible.

The Academy will periodically review supplier arrangements to ensure value for money and maintain competition within the uniform market. We do this by keeping uniform changes to a minimum to allow suppliers to purchase stock in bulk.

To reduce waste and help those in need we happily accept donations of pre-loved school uniform and thank those who have previously donated pre-loved school uniform.

We are happy to accept good quality donations from parents whose children have outgrown their uniform or are leaving after Y11. We accept school blazers, trousers, skirts, school shoes and PE kits. These items can then be passed on to others who need them.

We regularly donate uniform items to the ‘Caring for Kendray’ group who distribute uniform to our local community free of charge. We also encourage parents of Year 11 children either to donate uniform items back to the school or pass them on to other families.

We also support Academy parents using the Barnsley Academy Uniform Facebook Page and also the Barnsley Academy Parents Facebook Page where uniform is re-distributed either free of charge or for a minimal cost between parents.

Barnsley Academy is committed to ensuring that the cost of uniform does not become a barrier to attendance, participation or inclusion.

Families experiencing financial hardship are encouraged to contact the Safeguarding Team or our pastoral team in confidence to discuss available support. The Academy will work with families to identify appropriate solutions, which may include:

· Access to donated or second-hand uniform.

· Temporary loan of uniform items.

· Assistance sourcing low-cost uniform from approved suppliers.

· Phased replacement of uniform where appropriate.

· Signposting to local community organisations or support schemes.

Where a uniform issue arises due to genuine financial hardship, the Academy will seek to provide support and agree a reasonable timescale for resolution before considering sanctions. Each case will be considered individually and handled sensitively and confidentially Complaints regarding uniform.

The Academy recognises that some families, including those seeking asylum, refugees, newly arrived families and those experiencing temporary financial hardship, may face additional barriers in meeting uniform requirements. In these circumstances, the Academy will work collaboratively with families and relevant support agencies to identify appropriate assistance and ensure that uniform does not become a barrier to education.

Disputes about the cost of school uniform should be pursued in accordance with the Academy’s Complaints Policy, available on the website.

Disputes about the cost of school uniforms should be resolved locally and should be pursued in accordance with the school’s complaints policy.

Tailored schoolwear refers to garments designed and manufactured as formal school uniform.

Trousers, shorts and skirts should be structured, smart and appropriate for a school environment. Items made from jersey, lycra, stretchy fabrics, or sportswear/leisurewear materials, or those designed as fashion wear, casual clothing or activewear, are not acceptable. This includes, but is not limited to, leggings, jeggings, bodycon skirts, cycling shorts, tracksuit-style bottoms and other tight-fitting or stretch-fashion garments.