Uniform Concerns - Sept 12 - Denefield School

Denefield School
Working together for success
Long Lane, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 6XY
www.denefield.org.uk Tel: 0118 9413458 Fax: 0118 9452847
Headteacher: Mr G Whiteford
Dear Parents/Carers
Following my recent letter to all parents/carers I wish to clarify the school’s position on uniform and dress and
outline our plans to improve uniform standards going forward.
I am extremely grateful to all those parents/carers who are actively supporting our endeavours to achieve
consistency around uniform issues, and to those who have written to the school following my previous letter.
Whilst the vast majority of our parents/carers support what we are doing, some parents/carers are finding it
difficult to fully support us in enforcing our policy. In a minority of cases, parents/carers believe the policy is
either not clear, or is unreasonable. I do not share the view that the policy is unreasonable as I believe it is
firmly based on guidance issued by the Department for Education (DfE) and is in line with the expectations of
the vast majority of our parents/carers. I am taking this opportunity to make absolutely clear our policy and
proposals with regard to school uniform.
As a school we became increasingly concerned over the course of the summer term by the numbers of female
students choosing to wear close fitting trousers and in some cases leggings, despite stating explicitly in our
uniform guidance for the last three years that ‘no tight trousers are allowed’. This current situation has evolved
gradually and, as you will be aware from press coverage locally, we are not the only school which is
attempting to address this problem.
The problem has arisen because a number of parents/carers, undoubtedly under pressure from their
daughters, are choosing to purchase trousers which do not comply with the uniform guidance. These trousers
are, in my view, not suitable to be worn as part of school uniform because they are very tight fitting and, as a
fashion item, are not appropriate for the school environment. This is also true of some styles of skirt.
Unlike other workplaces, a school is a mixture of young people of different ages and it is my responsibility to
ensure the environment is one which allows effective learning to take place. Uniform plays an important part
in achieving this objective and it is my intention to ensure that we ultimately enforce far greater conformity to
the school’s dress code.
We are not in a position to control how a young person is dressed when leaving home in the morning: only
their parents/carers are able to determine this. Nor are we present when uniform purchases are made. We
can, however, issue clearer advice and guidance to parents/carers on uniform and we could, as some schools
do, restrict the purchase of uniform to a prescribed list of sources or, indeed, a single supplier. This last
option is something I would not wish to do as this would undoubtedly have cost implications for parents/carers.
I would like to reassure you that I have given this matter considerable thought in response to the queries that
parents/carers have raised. However, the DfE is quite clear in the guidance that it offers to headteachers.
Indeed earlier this year, the DfE updated its guidance on school uniform by publishing the document ‘School
Uniform, a Guide for Head Teachers, Governing Bodies, Academy Trusts, Free Schools and Local Authorities
on School Uniform and Related Policies’. The document, which is available from the DfE website, states that:
‘A school uniform plays a valuable role in contributing to the ethos of a school and setting an appropriate tone.
Most schools in England have a uniform or dress code, and other rules on appearance.’
‘The Department strongly encourages schools to have a uniform as it can instil pride; support positive
behaviour and discipline; encourage identity with, and support for, school ethos; ensure pupils of all races and
backgrounds feel welcome; protect children from social pressures to dress in a particular way; and nurture
cohesion and promote good relations between different groups of pupils.’
Denefield School, a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales under number 7852122, registered office Denefield School, Long Lane, Tilehurst, Reading RG31 6XY.

‘Above all, many schools believe that school uniform supports effective teaching and learning.’
‘It is for the governing body of a school to decide whether there should be a school uniform and other rules
relating to appearance, and if so what they should be. This flows from the duties placed upon the governing
body by statute to conduct the school and to ensure that school policies promote good behaviour and
discipline amongst the pupil body.’
Furthermore it states that a headteacher:
‘can discipline pupils for a breach of the school’s rules on uniform or appearance. […] Where a pupil
repeatedly refuses to comply with school uniform policy, even if they do not otherwise display poor
behaviour, we believe that exclusion could be an appropriate response, depending on the circumstances of
the case.’
A small number of parents/carers have raised with me their concerns that our approach to uniform and dress
restricts their son’s/daughter’s ‘human right’ to express their individuality. The guidance from the DfE is quite
explicit on this matter in stating:
‘In fulfilling its obligations, a school may have to balance the rights of individual pupils against the best
interests of the school community as a whole.’
When parents/carers are offered a place at Denefield School they are sent all relevant information regarding
the Code of Conduct on Behaviour and the School Uniform Policy and Sixth Form Dress Code. In accepting
the place for a child, parents/carers are deemed to have agreed to the school’s expectations in such matters.
This is further reinforced by the signing of the Home-School Agreement to indicate support for school
policies and rules.
My own views on uniform very much echo the guidance I have referred to above and I wish to move us to a
position where all students are coming to school dressed in uniform which complies with the published
uniform guidance. To this end I would like to propose a way forward that is reasonable, fair and above all
will avoid causing financial hardship.
In consultation with our governors, we have decided to adopt an approach which will enable us to phase out
all instances of noncompliant uniform by the start of term three in January. We have constructed the timeline
below which we hope will support you as parents/carers to prepare your child for the new term in January, or
we hope in advance of this date.
Action Who By when
Conversations to take place regarding
uniform with students
Tutors
Wednesday 26 September
2012
Collate lists of students wearing non Tutors Friday 28 September 2012
compliant uniform
Contact any parents/carers by telephone or Tutors Friday 12 October 2012
email to express concerns over tutees
uniform
Parents/carers to notify school of any Parents/carers Friday 12 October 2012
financial difficulties that are current and will
prevent purchasing new uniform items by
January
List of tutees wearing non compliant
uniform to be updated as each student
conforms
Tutors From 15 October 2012 – 21
December 2012
Text message reminder sent to
parents/carers of those yet to meet uniform
requirements
Parents/carers to look in to the purchasing
of items that conform to uniform code
All students to attend school in correct
uniform
Students attending school without the
correct uniform to be sent home at the gate
- names noted and follow up calls made
Heads of House Week commencing 19
November and 17 December,
2012
Parents/carers Between 26 October 2012 - 7
January 2013
Students and Tuesday 8 January 2013
parents/carers
Heads of House and Tuesday 8 January 2013
Senior Leadership
Team

I hope that this timeline is one that is achievable by all parents/carers. Should there be any issues with this
proposal, I would ask that you discuss your concerns directly with your child’s Head of House.
In an attempt to support parents/carers over cost and sourcing suitable trousers my colleagues have, over
the weekend, purchased a range of girls’ trousers from high street suppliers in Reading which we deem to be
suitable for school, details of which will be published on our website. All of the trousers illustrated are
suitable for school and range in price from £6 to £22. We will also be publishing similar information on
suitable skirts over the course of the next two weeks.
I have attached to this letter a copy of our uniform guidance which is in every student’s planner. The
guidance clearly states that ‘jeans, tight trousers or leggings are not acceptable’ and we will be addressing
all these issues over the coming term.
I would like to thank you in advance for your support of school policy and everything we are trying to achieve
at Denefield.
Yours sincerely
Mr G Whiteford
Headteacher