UNIFORM REGULATIONS AND POLICY [Updated November 2011]
CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction... 1 2.0 The Importance of Uniform... 1 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities... 1 4.0 General Uniform Regulations for all Pupils... 2 5.0 Specific Uniform Regulations for Girls... 3 6.0 Specific Uniform Regulations for Boys... 3 7.0 Specific Uniform Items for Girls... 3 8.0 Specific Uniform Items for Boys... 4 9.0 Pupil And Parent/Guardian Uniform Agreement... 5 10.0 Financial Assistance... 6 11.0 Uniform Suppliers... 6 Appendix I: Pupil and Parent/Guardian Uniform Agreement Form
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 St Mary s Grammar School is committed to providing an education of the highest quality for all its pupils. The whole school community pupils, parents and guardians, teaching and teaching support staff as well as school governors - have important roles to play in achieving this outcome. A clear understanding of our roles and responsibilities, coupled with effective communication, are key aspects in the pursuit of high-quality educational provision and consequent high achievement and standards. 1.2 This uniform policy aims to clarify the general and specific uniform regulations for pupils and to identify the specific compulsory and optional uniform items for boys and girls. It also outlines the roles and responsibilities of parents, pupils and staff in relation to the uniform regulations. 1.3 The policy has been drawn up after consultation with key stakeholders and is based on current guidance and statutory regulations. 2.0 THE IMPORTANCE OF UNIFORM 2.1 At St Mary s we have high expectations of all, in everything we do. The St Mary s ethos promotes an atmosphere which encourages effort, enjoyment and a celebration of the achievements of all our pupils. We believe our uniform plays an important role in establishing the ethos of our school and in: supporting discipline and good behaviour; ensuring the health and safety of pupils; encouraging identity with the school and nurturing a sense of community; protecting pupils from social pressures to dress in a particular way; instilling a sense of pride in the school; and promoting more effective teaching and learning. 2.2 St Mary s pupils are ambassadors for the school and they are judged by their appearance and conduct when wearing the St Mary s uniform. We expect pupils to wear the school uniform correctly and with pride, inside and outside of school: wearing the uniform in this manner means each pupil will be a credit to themselves, our school and their family. 3.0 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 3.1 PARENTS Parents are expected to: give their vital support in maintaining the very high standards, by supporting and endorsing the Uniform Policy; send their son/daughter to school dressed in the correct school uniform, and that it is clean and in good repair; St Mary s Grammar School Page 1
ensure that their son/daughter conforms to the uniform regulations and standards and thus avoid the possibility of sanctions being applied, which could include asking a parent/guardian to take their son/daughter home until their uniform and/or appearance is deemed appropriate; ensure all their uniform items, including their PE kit and equipment, are clearly labelled with their full name and form class; submit a request in writing to the Head of Year should, for any unavoidable reason, a temporary deviation from the above regulations arise. 3.2 PUPILS Pupils are expected to: wear their full uniform when attending St Mary s, or when participating in any school-organised event outside school; maintain a high standard of personal appearance at all times; have all their uniform items, including their PE kit and equipment, clearly labelled with their full name and form class. 3.3 STAFF Staff are expected to: promote that pupils wear their uniform correctly; address a pupil whose appearance or uniform does not meet the uniform regulations and record on pupil behaviour record; follow-up on persistent breaches of uniform regulations by referring them to the Head of Year. 4.0 GENERAL UNIFORM REGULATIONS FOR ALL PUPILS 4.1 TOP BUTTONS - top buttons and cuffs of the shirt MUST be fastened at all times. 4.2 TIES - ties MUST be knotted neatly and touch the waistband of the skirt or trousers; senior ties MUST be worn with the school symbol below the knot. 4.3 BADGES & PINS - badges and pins other than official school badges are NOT allowed. 4.4 SCHOOL BAGS - school bags MUST be strong enough to hold and protect school books. Bags must be clean and kept free of decoration and/or graffiti at all times. 4.5 PE UNIFORM - ONLY the official school PE and Sports clothing MUST be worn. 4.6 UNIFORM AFTER PE ACTIVITIES - Pupils going home after a sports practice are permitted to wear either FULL SCHOOL UNIFORM (including blazer) or St Mary s HOODED TOP & TRACKSUIT BOTTOMS. The St Mary s raincoat, if required, may also be worn over the hooded top. No other form of dress is acceptable. St Mary s Grammar School Page 2
4.7 A tracksuit top, rain jacket or hoodie, even one used for sport in the school, MUST NOT be worn with the non-sports uniform, for example when travelling to and from school. 5.0 SPECIFIC UNIFORM REGULATIONS FOR GIRLS 5.1 MAKE-UP For Years 8-12, make-up is NOT permitted; For Years 13 and 14 a subtle layer of foundation ONLY is permitted; Nail varnish is NOT permitted. 5.2 JEWELLERY - the ONLY jewellery permitted is: a small gold/silver stud or sleeper earring, one in each ear lobe; cross or miraculous medal worn around the neck but inside the blouse. 5.3 HAIRSTYLES Hairstyles are expected to be neat, tidy and sensible. Extreme styles and colours, as deemed unacceptable by Principal, are NOT permitted. If hair bands are worn they must be in neutral colours. Hair braids, hair extensions and hair decorations are NOT permitted 6.0 SPECIFIC UNIFORM REGULATIONS FOR BOYS 6.1 JEWELLERY - the ONLY jewellery permitted is: cross or miraculous medal worn around the neck but inside the shirt. Earrings are NOT permitted. 6.2 HAIRSTYLES Hairstyles are expected to be neat, tidy and sensible. Extreme styles and colours, as deemed unacceptable by Principal, are NOT permitted. Boys MUST be clean shaven. 7.0 SPECIFIC UNIFORM ITEMS FOR GIRLS 7.1 COMPULSORY JUNIOR GIRLS UNIFORM ITEMS (YEARS 8-10) Regulation blue School Blazer, as supplied by official outfitters Regulation blue six-gore pleated skirt which must be knee-length Long-sleeved or short-sleeved uniform white blouse with regulation collar Regulation blue V-neck Slip-over Regulation school striped tie Plain black 60 Denier tights Non-marking flat plain black shoes. Boots, training shoes, high heels or sling backs are NOT permitted St Mary s Grammar School Page 3
7.2 COMPULSORY SENIOR GIRLS UNIFORM ITEMS (YEARS 11 AND 12) Regulation blue fitted School Blazer, as supplied by official outfitters Regulation blue six-gore pleated skirt which must be below knee-length Long-sleeved uniform blue and white striped blouse with regulation collar Regulation blue V-neck jumper Regulation school blue tie Plain black 60 Denier tights Non-marking flat plain black shoes. Boots, training shoes, high heels or sling backs are NOT permitted 7.3 COMPULSORY SENIOR GIRLS UNIFORM ITEMS (YEARS 13 AND 14) Regulation blue fitted School Blazer, as supplied by official outfitters Regulation blue six-gore pleated skirt which must be below knee-length Open necked short sleeved uniform blue and white striped blouse Regulation blue V-neck jumper Plain black 60 Denier tights Non-marking flat plain black shoes. Boots, training shoes, high heels or sling backs are NOT permitted 7.4 OPTIONAL GIRLS UNIFORM ITEMS (YEARS 8-14) The following are the only items permitted to be worn in addition to the above: School outdoor coat which is plain navy with the official school badge, as supplied by official outfitters Regulation school scarf (should be worn only during the autumn and winter terms) 7.5 COMPULSORY GIRLS PE UNIFORM ITEMS (YEARS 8-14) St Mary s white school PE shirt St Mary s blue school PE skirt or PE skort St Mary s blue school sport socks Non marking training shoes suitable for impact sports (not fashion trainers) 7.6 OPTIONAL GIRLS PE UNIFORM ITEMS (YEARS 8-14) St Mary s rain jacket St Mary s hooded top (only for wearing with PE kit) St Mary s navy tracksuit bottoms 8.0 SPECIFIC UNIFORM ITEMS FOR BOYS 8.1 COMPULSORY JUNIOR BOYS UNIFORM ITEMS (YEARS 8-10) Regulation navy School Blazer, as supplied by official outfitters Regulation grey trousers Regulation grey V neck jumper Regulation school shirt (white) - long-sleeved or short-sleeved St Mary s Grammar School Page 4
Regulation school striped tie Plain grey socks Non-marking flat plain black shoes. Boots or training shoes are NOT permitted 8.2 COMPULSORY SENIOR BOYS UNIFORM ITEMS (YEARS 11-14) Regulation navy School Blazer, as supplied by official outfitters Regulation grey trousers Regulation grey V neck jumper Regulation school shirt (striped) Regulation school navy tie Plain grey socks Non-marking flat plain black shoes. Boots or training shoes are NOT permitted 8.3 OPTIONAL BOYS UNIFORM ITEMS (YEARS 8 14) The following are the only items permitted to be worn in addition to the above: School outdoor coat which is plain navy with the official school badge, as supplied by official outfitters Regulation school scarf (should be worn only during the autumn and winter terms) 8.4 COMPULSORY BOYS PE ITEMS (YEARS 8-14) St Mary s blue uniform PE shirt St Mary s blue uniform PE shorts St Mary s blue uniform sport socks Non marking training shoes suitable for impact sports (not fashion trainers) 8.5 OPTIONAL BOYS PE ITEMS (YEARS 8-14) St Mary s rain jacket St Mary s hooded top (only for wearing with PE kit) St Mary s navy tracksuit bottoms 9.0 PUPIL AND PARENT/GUARDIAN UNIFORM AGREEMENT 9.1 Pupils and parents/guardians are asked to make themselves aware of St Mary s Uniform Policy and Regulations. Both parents/guardians and pupils are required to complete the Uniform Agreement (Appendix I) to indicate that they will adhere to the Uniform Policy and Regulations and that acceptance of a place at St Mary s implies full support for the School Uniform Policy. St Mary s Grammar School Page 5
10.0 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 10.1 Financial assistance is available through the Education and Library Boards Clothing Allowance Scheme for some pupils towards the cost of school uniform. The eligibility criteria are the same as those used for free school meals. Please contact the Principal s Secretary at St Mary s for information. 11.0 UNIFORM SUPPLIERS 11.1 Burns & Co Address: 15/17 St Patrick s Street Draperstown Telephone No: 028 7962 8405 Sportique Address: 8 Broad Street Magherafelt Telephone No: 028 7963 2899 Cuddy s Address: 13-15 Market Street Magherafelt Telephone No: 028 7963 2373 Sportsworld (PE Uniform only) Address: 64 Rainey Street Magherafelt Telephone No: 028 7963 1765 St Mary s Grammar School Page 6
APPENDIX I PUPIL AND PARENT/GUARDIAN UNIFORM AGREEMENT FORM Name of Pupil: Form Class: PARENTAL AGREEMENT I have read St Mary s Uniform Policy and agree to ensure that my child will adhere to the School s Uniform Policy throughout his/her time at St Mary s. I understand that acceptance of a place at St Mary s implies full support for the School Uniform Policy. Signed: Date: Parent/Guardian PUPIL AGREEMENT I (name of pupil) Class (Insert Form Class) Understand the Uniform Regulations and I agree to wear my school uniform as described in the School Uniform Policy throughout my time at St Mary s. I understand that acceptance of my place at St Mary s implies full support for the School Uniform Policy. Signed: Date: Pupil This agreement form is included in the Pupil Records Pack