School Uniform

At John Burns we are proud of our school uniform as it is an important part of life which helps children to settle into school and feel a sense of belonging.

It is our school policy that all children wear school uniform when attending school, or when participating in school-organised events outside normal school hours.

Guidelines

We expect the support of all parents/carers for our policy and this expectation is included in the Home School Agreement.

It is school policy to include all our children in every activity.  Provision will be made for children who, for medical or religious reasons, find the uniform inappropriate, providing they do not pose a threat to security, safety and learning, or compromise the well-being of the school community.  Parents must discuss the issue with the Headteacher.

Every effort will be made to help all our children keep to the uniform; pupils should not be made to feel uncomfortable, nor discriminated against, because their parents cannot provide them with the right school uniform.

Purchasing School Uniform

Buying school uniform for growing children can be expensive for families. Within this policy, there is the option to purchase plain items of uniform which do not contain the school badge embroidery. These can be purchased from any supplier, including local supermarkets and second-hand retailers. The purchase of embroidered garments is entirely at parents’ discretion.

Items of uniform can be bought with the school logo on from My Clothing

John Burns Primary School – My Clothing

Uniform for Nursery and Reception:

• Red jumper or cardigan, white shirt, white polo shirt or red polo shirt; black or grey trousers, shorts or skirt; black, grey or white socks or red or grey tights and black shoes.  These should be closed in with no toes visible. Sandals are not permitted due to health and safety reasons.
• A grey pinafore dress can also be worn
• Red and white gingham dresses may also be worn in warmer weather (May to September). 

Uniform for Year 1 to Year 6

• Red jumper or cardigan, white shirt, white polo shirt or red polo shirt; black or grey trousers, shorts or skirt, black, grey or white socks or grey or red tights and black shoes.  These should be closed in with no toes visible. Sandals are not permitted due to health and safety reasons.
• A grey pinafore dress can also be worn
• Red and white gingham dresses may also be worn in warmer weather in autumn and summer terms.

PE Uniform

• Black shorts – no logo
• Black tracksuit bottoms or black leggings (for outdoor PE/winter sports only) – no logo
• Plain white t-shirt or plain house colour t-shirt – no lettering, decorative patterns/designs or logos
• Trainers – either laced or velcro

If at any time you wish your child to be exempt from a PE lesson for medical reasons a letter must be sent in.  Long hair should be tied back and all jewellery should be removed prior to the lesson. 

Children should wear their shoes, as part of school uniform, to and from school each day and during lesson times.  They may change into trainers for playtimes only.

Religious Headwear  

• If your child is wearing religious headwear, such as a turban, hijab or head scarf, it should either be plain red, black or white.  

Hair Accessories  

• Hair accessories, such as hair bands, bows, etc can be worn but should be school colours (i.e. red, black or white) and should be as simple as possible.

Book Bags 

• Parents are encouraged to purchase a book bag for their child.  The book bag is useful for holding homework books, reading books and reading diaries.  It is also an important means of being able to send letters home.   

Adaptations for Weather 

• In the cold weather, particularly in the winter months, children are expected to wear coats and are permitted to wear a hat/ear-muffs, scarf and gloves.  Please ensure that all items are clearly marked with the child’s name.  
• In warm sunny weather we ask that parents apply sun cream to their children before they come to school as this is not something that staff are permitted to do.  We also advise that they have a hat and a water bottle. 

Pupil Non-Compliance

If a child arrives at school without the proper school uniform, the following procedure will be put in place:

1. The uniform policy will be explained to the child in an age-appropriate way and they will be asked to remove, if appropriate, any part that does not conform – this might include fleece jackets inside, non-uniform hoodies, oversized hair accessories or jewellery. The teacher will speak to the parent at the end of the day and present them with a copy of the Uniform Policy.
2. If the uniform item cannot be removed in school, the pupil will be reminded of the policy and be advised that they must not wear the item in school. The teacher will speak to the parent at the end of the day and present them with a copy of the Uniform Policy.
3. If, after 7 days, the correct uniform is not worn, the Headteacher will contact the family directly. 

Make-Up 

No make-up or nail varnish is allowed in school.  If a child arrives at school with makeup or nail varnish, they will be asked to remove it at the earliest convenience. 

Jewellery and Body Art 

No jewellery, except a watch and small earring studs, are allowed in school.  Each ear to have only one small earring stud.  It is a health and safety hazard on the playground and in PE lessons and can cause distress to the child if such jewellery is mislaid.  If jewellery, other than a watch and earring studs are worn, the pupil will be asked to remove it and hand it to the teacher.  It will be returned to the parent/carer at the end of the school day.  This includes charitable wristbands, unless consent has been given by the school.  Body art, in the form of temporary tattoos and transfers, are also unsuitable for school. 

Lost Property 

Unfortunately, we cannot take responsibility for lost items of clothing, though we keep any unclaimed items of clothing in a lost property box in the school dinner hall. At the end of each term these items are put on tables outside at the beginning and end of the school day for parents to look for lost items. 

Please ensure ALL items of clothing are clearly marked with your child's name. 

Provision of Second-Hand Uniform 

School uniform donated by parents or items of uniform unnamed and not reclaimed from lost property after a half term period, will be washed and ironed for second-hand uniform sales.  

The PTA will, depending on availability of volunteers and calendar events, co-ordinate regular second-hand uniform sales throughout the school year.  The PTA role will also include preparing second-hand uniform items for resale.  The school does not have the capacity to take on this role.          

Non-Uniform Days /Good to Be Green Dress Down Reward Days 

At times through the school year, we hold non-uniform days, which are communicated to parents on the school website and via the newsletter.

On these days, the Uniform Policy is relaxed and pupils can come dressed in their own clothes. 

In the interests of health and safety, the policy does not change for wearing hair extensions/oversized accessories or jewellery, make-up and nail varnish or body art.

Pupils should not wear sandals, flip-flops, sliders or crocs on non-uniform days.     

Electronic Devices 

Mobile phones, communication watches and any other personal devices are not allowed to be used by pupils on the school grounds. 

Our Year 6 permission to walk home alone form (available from the school office) includes a section for parents/carers to identify whether their child will have a phone or other device with them.  We expect these devices to be handed into the school office every day on arrival, and they can be picked up again at the end of the day. 

Any child found with a mobile phone or other device on school premises will have it confiscated and their parent/carer will be called to come and collect the item at the end of the school day. 

They are not covered on the school insurance and therefore, any family sending them in an overnight bag for a stay at a second home, do so at their own risk.  The teacher should be made aware so that any device can be signed in at the office until the end of the day when it will be returned to the child.