Academy Uniform

A small number of items that form our uniform are branded items which are available to purchase from the providers listed. We do have a limited number of good quality items donated by previous families available for students who might benefit from these. We can also signpost you to organisations that can help and support. Please contact your child’s Student Services Leader by telephoning the academy on 0161 230 8039.

School uniform plays a valuable role in contributing to the ethos of a school and setting an appropriate tone. In the past we have spent considerable time working with our students to agree a uniform that they felt proud to wear. Most schools in England have a school uniform or dress code, and other rules on appearance and the Department for Education 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 students 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 students.

We would like to therefore remind students and families of the Academy’s uniform:

• House lanyard and TEMA tie. These are provided by school
• All black footwear. Trainers may be worn but these should be all black. No coloured stripes or soles
• Coats and scarves off before the door. No coats and scarves inside. Students are allocated a locker in order to store their coat and other equipment
• Black trousers or a skirt of school uniform style. Leggings, jeans-type leggings and jogging-type trousers are not permitted. Skirts must be of an appropriate length (maximum 2” above the knee)
• We do not have a boys’ and girls’ uniform expectation. We would support students to make a thoughtful and considered choice about the clothes worn at school in relation to their gender identity in conjunction with their families
• Plain white shirt or blouse with top button fastened
• Academy blazer displaying the academy logo
• There is a school jumper but this is an optional item
• Subtle makeup is permitted. False eyelashes and nails should be of a natural length and appearance
• Students’ hair does not form part or our uniform expectations. We expect that long hair should be tied back when working in a science laboratory or technology classroom for health and safety purposes
• Students are permitted to wear a single pair of stud earrings. No other piercing or jewellery. This is for health and safety reasons. We would strongly discourage students from wearing expensive jewellery to school as it can be very distressing for students if this is lost
• Wristwatches are permitted – except smart watches
• School bag – this should be large enough to bring your PE kit and fit A4 sized books

The Department for Education makes it quite clear that students can be asked to return home briefly in order to comply with the uniform expectations. This is not exclusion, but an authorised absence. However, if the student continues to breach uniform rules in such a way as to be sent home to avoid school, or takes longer than is strictly necessary to effect the change, the student’s absence may be counted as unauthorised absence and you may receive a penalty notice warning and fine in relation to that absence. Where non-compliance is persistent the Department of Education does consider exclusion to be an effective response. This is of course something that we wish to avoid and a number of items will be available for students in case of an emergency. Our expectation is that students will change into these items promptly and therefore not jeopardise any loss of learning or additional consequences for failing to comply.

Uniform Suppliers

School uniform can be obtained from:

• Panache Schoolwear

  90 Market Street,
  M43 6DE,
  0161 301 5570

• Ziggys Schoolwear

  North City Shopping Centre,
  M9 4DH,
  0161 205 6171