School Uniform

School uniform is the clothing that pupils are required to wear at school. We accept that mainstream schools commonly adopt strict uniform policies; however, we recognise this as a potential barrier for SEMH students, who are school avoiders, or long term non-attenders. Over recent months and years there has been a spate of headlines as children are put in isolation, served with exclusions or banned from play times due to their ‘inappropriate’ clothes, haircuts, jewellery, eyebrows or make-up; for a lot of pupils attending Apex Specialist Education, following this rule set has been a considerable barrier. Additionally, we understand that many of our children have sensory needs that may make wearing certain items of clothing difficult for them

We have currently adopted the policy of not prescribing a specific school uniform for pupils who attend Apex Specialist Education. We have considered a large (external) academic data set for this, and continue to evaluate it from stakeholders of all levels.

We encourage our children to celebrate their individuality, however this has to be done within the constraints of what is suitable for school which is in effect a workplace.

Pupils are able to wear their own clothing to school with the following exceptions. The following clothing is not permitted:

  • Fancy dress

  • Headwear of any sort, including cat ears/dog ears

  • Tails

  • Offensive branding on any clothing

  • Gloves inside of the building

  • Open toed-shoes, sandals or flip flops – these are not safe in the school environment and activities in class

  • High heels – these are not safe in the school environment for activities carried out

  • Make-up that is more suitable for night-time (thick eyeliner, heavy contouring, extremely long false lashes, foundation that is not blended into the skin’s natural colour, heavy eyeshadow)

  • False nails that are longer than 4mm over the finger- these present a health and safety hazard, and could cause harm to the child, other children or inhibit learning activities.

Parents and Carers Support and Responsibility

We rely on parents and carers to support us by ensuring their child is dressed appropriately for school in accordance with this policy, and we will do our best to support parents and carers with this.

If a child attends school not wearing suitable clothing, we will contact the parents/carers to inform them. If incorrect clothing is worn on a third occasion in two week period, we will request that parents and carers come into school with the correct clothing for their child to change into, or transport the pupil home so they can get changed into suitable clothing. Pupils may be asked to sit away from the main body of pupils while arrangements are being made. If this becomes a persistent issue, then a meeting will be called with parents/carers to look at how they can be supported with these boundaries.

If a child attends school with clothing or make up that isn’t safe for the school environment, they will sit with a member of staff away from their peers with provided work until the issue has been rectified. This may require the parent/carer attending site to support with removal of false nails, provide suitable footwear etc.

If a child attends school wearing an item of clothing that may cause difficulties with behaviour or result in other pupils becoming heightened, the child will sit with a member of staff with provided work until the issue has been rectified. Where a child has medical and/or sensory needs that may conflict the policy above, the school would discuss this on an individual basis with parent/carer before any allowances may be allowed.