School Uniform

The Government strongly encourages schools to have a uniform as it can play a valuable role in contributing to the ethos of a school and setting an appropriate tone. 

In setting our uniform policy the Local Academy Committee:  

• has taken into account the views of parents and pupils on significant changes to school uniform policy;
• considered the cost, the available supply sources and year round availability of our uniform to ensure it is providing best value for money for parents;
• has ensured that the PE uniform is practical, comfortable and appropriate to the activity involved, and that consideration is given to the cost of compulsory PE clothing;
• considered how the introduction of our uniform policy might affect each group represented in the school and any existing suppliers;

The importance of cost consideration

We have ensured that our policy does not discourage parents from applying for a place for their child at St Thomas's Church of England Primary School. We have adopted DfE guidance that states, "No school uniform should be so expensive as to leave pupils or their families feeling unable to apply to, or attend, a school of their choice, due to the cost of the uniform." 

In determining our uniform supplier, we have given high priority to cost considerations. We can demonstrate how best value has been achieved and we will keep the cost of supplying the uniform under annual review. 

We always endeavour to make sure that the  school uniform is easily available for parents to purchase. We are keeping  compulsory branded items to a minimum and we always avoid specifying expensive items of uniform eg expensive outdoor coats.   

Human Rights, Equality and Discrimination considerations

Some religions and beliefs require their adherents to conform to a particular dress code, or to otherwise outwardly manifest their belief. This could include wearing or carrying specific religious artefacts, not cutting their hair, dressing modestly, or covering their head. Pupils have the right to manifest a religion or belief, but not necessarily at all times, places or in a particular manner.   

The school must balance the rights of individual pupils against the best interests of the school community as a whole.  Nevertheless, it should be possible for most religious requirements to be met within our school uniform policy and our local academy committee will act reasonably through consultation and dialogue in accommodating these.  

In formulating our school uniform policy, we have given due consideration to our obligations not to discriminate unlawfully.   

Complaints and challenges to school uniform policy

Disputes about school uniforms should be resolved locally and should be pursued in accordance with the school’s complaints policy. We  have a complaints procedure in place to deal with issues such as a complaint about school uniform. Our current uniform supplier is Monkhouse. We have established  an agreed procedure to deal with parental complaints about the supply and quality of uniform with the provider.
 
The academy partners are willing to consider reasonable requests for flexibility in the uniform policy for an individual pupil to accommodate particular social and cultural circumstances.

Our school jumpers, cardigans and bookbags can be bought at Monkhouse, located on The Rock in Bury. They can also be purchased through their website, Monkhouse Schoolwear

Any other items without the school logo may be bought at local shops or supermarkets. These can also be purchased through second-hand websites such as, Grown Out of It 

Please make sure that all items of clothing, footwear and anything else your child brings to school is clearly labelled with their name. 

School will make every effort to find lost items, but we do not accept responsibility for any loss or damage to personal property or clothing. 

The school uniform and PE kit is as follows: