The children have come back looking wonderfully smart. Our thanks to all for supporting with this.
That we had become perhaps a bit lax in our application of the Uniform policy has been frequently reported to us as a source of frustration by parents/carers. We recognise that we never really got back to the way things were post-Covid, when we were just glad to see anyone in school whatever they were wearing!
So, in keeping with a promise made last term, we will be paying much closer attention to uniform. The policy is available here for reference: . Parkdale Uniform 2025 v2
Enforcing a uniform policy can be contentious. Those who follow it want to see everyone else doing the same, on the basis of “what is the point otherwise?”. Those who philosophically oppose uniform would rather it was not enforced if it has to exist at all. There is a case to be made that it is unfortunate if children are sanctioned for non-compliance as it is actually a parental choice, not usually the child’s. And so on…
However, we do have a policy, which we have tried to make minimalist and low cost; in extensive consultation, the great majority of people have told us they want to keep it and for it to be enforced. So, enforce it we will:
If a child’s uniform is noted as being non-compliant, parents/carers will be informed by way of a message on the Arbor app. At this point there is no sanction for the child. Please don’t be offended or take it personally! We recognise that things can go wrong, items get lost and mistakes can be made.
Parents/carers will be asked (in the same message) to address the issue no later than the following Monday, therefore giving at least a weekend to remedy the problem or to let us know mitigating circumstances that mean it can’t yet be sorted. We will try to be understanding whilst still expecting an attempt to remedy the shortfall.
If the uniform remains non-compliant on the Monday (and mitigation has not been received and agreed), a negative uniform point will be logged against the child on our reward system, the equivalent of negating a single House Point from their tally towards the annual treat.
If the situation remains unsettled by the following Monday, a Reflection Time (missed break) will be issued and the cycle repeated if necessary.
We hope the above will serve to support the uniform policy as people want, whilst giving parents/carers a fair chance avoid any impact on their child.
We will see how this goes. We’d hope to not have to apply the full thing very often! We will review, in consultation, at the end of the Autumn Term.