Uniform and equipment

Our school uniform is important to us because it is one way in which we identify ourselves as a school family and it promotes a strong, cohesive school identity which supports high standards and expectations in all areas of school life.

All pupils must dress according to our Uniform Policy, which reflects our values and reinforces our culture of high expectations, pride in our appearance and academic achievements. 

All children have equal access to wearing the academy uniform regardless of their culture, race, religion, gender, disability or ability. We ensure that the set uniform respects other policies such as equality, race relations, sex discrimination and allows for individual sets of circumstances for all groups and individuals.

Ark Academy is a diverse community. We recognise that different cultures prescribe different levels of importance to hairstyles, hair colouring and headwear. The academy’s approach is designed to recognise this, whilst ensuring that there are clear boundaries, and a professional ethos in the academy. 

Our 6th form students have more autonomy in what they wear to school than those in the primary and secondary phase but a smart and professional appearance remains important.

It is expected that all pupils will travel to and from the Academy every day in neat, clean uniform/ professional attire, giving the clear message to the public that our pupils take pride in belonging to the Academy. Pupils not in the correct uniform may not be able to attend lessons until the uniform has been corrected. Parents may be contacted to bring the correct items to school or the pupil may be sent home to get changed.

Uniform Policy

Our academy uniform and 6th form dress code is important to us. It is one way in which we identify ourselves as an academy community and it promotes a strong and cohesive identity, which supports high standards in all areas of academy life.  Our uniform policy reflects our values and reinforces our culture of high expectations, pride in our appearance and academic achievements.  It promotes harmony between different groups in the academy and enhances self- esteem and a sense of personal security. 

Academy uniforms and dress codes unite the academy community and support equality – whether families have high incomes or low incomes everyone wears the same.  Whether a pupil leaves Ark Academy for a formal or informal employer or other education provider they will have developed a sense of pride in how they present themselves and the importance of being ready to work.

 

1.    Equality and equal opportunities

1.1   All children have equal access to wearing the academy uniform regardless of their culture, race, religion, gender, disability or ability. We ensure that the set uniform respects other policies such as equality, race relations, sex discrimination and allows for individual sets of circumstances for all groups and individuals. Ark Academy is committed to creating a positive climate that will enable everyone to work free from discrimination and harassment in order to achieve their full potential.  Consideration has been given to how the uniform can be adapted for those who have a disability or who wish to express a cultural, religious or racial identity within the framework of an academy whilst fostering cohesion, safety and a sense of community.

1.2   We will do all we can to ensure that this policy does not discriminate, directly or indirectly. We shall do this through regular monitoring and evaluation of our policies. On review, we shall assess and consult relevant stakeholders on the likely impact of our policies on the promotion of all aspects of equality, as laid down in the Equality Act (2010). This will include, but not necessarily be limited to: race; gender; sexual orientation; disability; ethnicity; religion; cultural beliefs and pregnancy/maternity. We will use an appropriate Equality Impact Assessment to monitor the impact of all our policies and the policy may be amended as a result of this assessment.

2.    Expectations

2.1        We have taken care to ensure that our uniform is affordable and to minimise the number of items that need to be purchased from a particular supplier.  Items marked as such must be purchased from our supplier and parents should take care when buying other items to ensure that they meet our expectations.

2.2       Items marked as * should be purchased form our school uniform provider Pullens, Uniform4kids. Details of how to order uniform is in [appendix A].

2.3         Pupils not in the correct uniform may not be able to attend lessons until the uniform has been corrected. Parents may be contacted to bring the correct items to school or the pupil may be sent home to get changed

 

 

3.         Uniform List

 

Secondary Uniform

• School Black blazer with Ark Academy logo and maroon trim *
• Grey jumper with Ark Academy logo *
• Black pleated skirt *
• Black trousers
• White shirt: must be tucked in
• Blouse open neck, ¾ sleeve *
• School tie *
• Plain black, grey or white socks or black tights
• School bag or plain black bag
• Smart black leather shoes with a black sole: No trainers or boots. Laces must be black. No heels, if unsure contact your child’s head of year prior to purchasing.
• Outdoor Coats: plain black or grey and appropriate fold/wet weather, they must be large enough for the blazer to be worn underneath.

 

PE Kit

• Ark Academy PE polo shirt *
• Ark Academy tracksuit top with academy logo *
• Black training pants with school logo (optional) or plain black tracksuit bottoms
• Black PE shorts
• Rain jacket – black with school logo (optional)
• Black or maroon socks
• Trainers: Must be appropriate for sports. No converse style trainers. 
• PE bag

 

Secondary Second-hand Uniform

The school stocks good quality, second hand uniform, that has been cleaned and is well presented. Please contact k.nagle@arkacademy.org if you wish to find out more or what is in stock/prices.

 

Primary Uniform

Autumn/Spring Uniform

• Red v-neck jumper or cardigan with school logo*
• White collared long sleeve shirt
• School tie*
• Charcoal trousers / charcoal skirt / charcoal pinafore
• White, grey or black socks / black or grey tights
• Black shoes (no trainers)
• Grey blazer with school logo (optional)
• Red, white or grey headscarf (if appropriate)
• Ark Academy book bag*

Summer Uniform

• Red polo shirt with school logo* or white short sleeved shirt with school tie
• Charcoal shorts / red and white gingham dress
• White, grey or black socks / black or grey tights
• Black shoes (no trainers)
• Red, white or grey headscarf (if appropriate)

PE Kit

• White polo shirt with school logo
• Red PE shorts / tracksuit bottoms
• Black or white plimsolls or trainers

 

Primary Second-hand Uniform

The school holds termly second-hand uniform sales. Parents are invited to purchase second hand uniform directly from the school at these sales events at a reduced price.

 

4.   Hairstyles, Headscarves and Headwear

Ark Academy is a diverse community. We recognise that different cultures prescribe different levels of importance to hairstyles, hair colouring and headwear. The academy’s approach is designed to recognise this, whilst ensuring that there are clear boundaries, and a professional ethos in the academy.  Pupils’ faces should not obscured or covered, so that the teacher can judge their engagement with learning and their participation in discussions and practical activities.

4.1 Hair

Pupils’ hair should be neat for appearance and health and safety. Pupils may not wear designs or words cut into their hair or eyebrows. Pupils may not have lines shaved into their hair.

Hair accessories must be subtle and in Ark Academy colours.

If pupils are unsure whether a hairstyle meets the academy policy they should check in advance with the school.

Where pupils have facial hair, it must be neatly groomed, and as with hairstyles, not have designs or logos shaved into it. 

4.2 Hats, Headscarves and Head coverings

• Hats, headscarves and head coverings are permitted for religious or cultural reasons and should be black or grey.
• Pupils are not allowed to wear hats, headscarves or any other head covering inside the academy building unless it is due to religious or cultural reasons.
• Students’ faces should not obscured or covered, so the teacher can judge a pupil’s engagement with learning and participation in discussions and practical activities.

 

5.    Jewellery/Accessories

Pupils may not wear any jewellery except for the following:

• one watch (no sound effects, games or smart watches).
• Pupils are allowed to wear plain stud earrings. These should not be bigger than the lobe.
• The academy will be unable to take any responsibility for any watches or jewellery that are lost.
• Accessories that are seen to be contravening these rules will be confiscated.

 

6.      Body piercing

Body piercing is prohibited, with the exception of studded piercings on the ear lobe. No other forms of body piercing will be allowed.

 

7.       Special circumstances

There are very few reasons why a pupil should not be wearing academy uniform. If there are extenuating circumstances, parents and carers should share the reason with their child’s Head of Year, either in person or by email/letter. The academy will always be considerate and discrete in trying to establish why a pupil is not wearing the correct uniform. Pupils will not be made to feel uncomfortable, nor discriminated against, because their parents/carers are unable to provide them with the required items of the academy uniform. In line with our ethos, we encourage discussion with the academy at the earliest opportunity if there are any difficulties. 

There will be occasions when the academy decides that the academy uniform is not appropriate, for instance when taking part in a physical activity day, wearing different clothes due to a fund raising event or due to extreme weather. Parents and carers will be notified in advance of the revised dress code on these days. 

 

8.      Naming clothing and property

Please ensure all clothing and property is clearly marked so that lost articles may be easily traced and returned. The academy cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to pupils’ property and valuables. 

 

9.      Equality Impact Assessment

We do all we can to ensure that this policy does not discriminate, directly or indirectly. We shall do this through regular monitoring and evaluation of our policies. On review, we shall assess and consult relevant stakeholders on the likely impact of our policies on the promotion of all aspects of equality, as laid down in the Equality Act (2010). This will include, but not necessarily be limited to: race; gender; sexual orientation; disability; ethnicity; religion; cultural beliefs and pregnancy/maternity.

Final decisions on the suitability of the uniform will be made by the Principal and we expect parents to support these decisions in full. 

 

 

 

Sixth Form Dress Code

As with our academy uniform, our 6th form dress code is important to us. It is one way in which we identify ourselves as an academy community and it promotes a strong and cohesive academy identity. Our 6th form dress code reflects our values and reinforces our academy’s culture of high expectations, pride in our appearance and academic achievement.  It promotes harmony between different groups represented in the academy and enhances self- esteem and a sense of personal security. 

As young adults, 6th form students have more freedom in what they wear to school than those in the secondary phase but a smart and professional appearance remains important. Whether you leave Ark Academy to go to university or an apprenticeship you will have developed a sense of pride in your appearance and the importance of being ready to work.  You should be able to leave the Academy and immediately attend a formal interview without having to change your appearance in any way.

Your tutor will help you to interpret this code if you have a question and you can also refer to the dress code guidelines below. In the case of your failure to agree, the Principal will make the final decision.

 

Ark Academy students must dress professionally at all times. This means they are expected to wear the following:

• Formal blazer, jumper or cardigan
• Collared shirt or smart blouse or turtleneck (must be worn with blazer)
• Formal trousers, dress or skirt
• Plain formal shoes

In addition, male sixth form students are expected to wear the following when in school:

• Tie (unless wearing turtleneck and blazer)

In addition, all Sixth Form students will be expected to wear a lanyard and ID card daily to signal that they belong within the Ark Academy Sixth Form.

 

Hairstyles, headscarves and headwear

Ark Academy is a diverse community. We recognise that different cultures prescribe different levels of importance to hairstyles, hair colouring and headwear. The academy’s approach is designed to recognise this, whilst ensuring that there are clear boundaries, and a professional ethos in the academy.  Students’ faces should not obscured or covered, so the teacher can judge your engagement with learning and your participation in discussions and practical activities.

Hair should be neatly groomed at all times for smartness, appearance and health and safety. You may not wear designs, lines or words cut into hair or eyebrows.  If you colour your hair, it must be subtle and in line with your natural hair colour.

If you have facial hair, it must be neatly groomed, and as with hairstyles, not have designs or logos shaved into it. 

Hats, headscarves and head coverings are permitted for religious or cultural reasons but you may not wear hats, headscarves or any other head covering inside the academy building for any other reason.

Cultural dress:

• Appropriately smart cultural dress is seen as part of a diverse and inclusive workplace
• Cultural dress is celebrated so long as it does not include any of the non-negotiable items below
• There may be specific occasions when students are asked to not wear cultural dress if required (for example for a visit to an external site where there are different expectations)
• If you wish to wear cultural dress, you should speak to your Head of Year to check the specific features of the clothing match sixth form expectations

 

Non negotiables:

This list is not exhaustive and may be amended

• Clothing should be smart and suitable for a business environment
• No sportswear or hoodies
• No trainers or casual shoes
• No denim or leather jeans/skirts/trousers/jackets
• No logos or slogans
• No visible underwear
• No skirts or dresses that are either too tight or too short to be professional (shorter than knee length)
• No shorts
• No bodycon skirts or dresses
• No casual t-shirts or cardigans/jumpers

• Outdoor coats must not be worn inside the school buildings
• Tattoos must not be visible
• A single nose stud is the only facial piercing permitted. Other facial piercings and dramatic hair-styles (including outlandish patterns) are not permitted

 

The final opinion of what is deemed appropriate falls with Sixth Form staff.  If your attire is not appropriate, you will be asked to adjust your dress or to go home to change. We expect parents to support these decisions in full.

Our uniform supplier is Pullens (formerly known as Jackies), located at 48-50 Church Road, Stanmore, HA7 4AH.

The shop is open Monday - Saturday 9.00-5.30pm.

You can also order via their website: www.uniform4kids.com

Or via telephone: 020 8954 3850

Second-hand items

Any unwanted items of uniform may be given to the school office. We host regular second-hand uniform sales where good quality items can be picked up for low cost.