UNIFORM POLICY – SEPTEMBER 2026
Statement of Intent
The Premier Academy believes that a consistent, high-standard uniform is central to promoting the ethos of the Academy and providing a strong sense of belonging, pride and identity for all children.
The uniform sets an appropriate tone for academic achievement, reinforces equality across the school community and ensures that every child arrives at school ready to learn on an equal footing.
For the purposes of this Policy, “uniform” includes the following elements of a child’s appearance:
- Clothing, including day-to-day uniform, variations such as Physical Education (PE) kits and clothing worn on non-uniform days.
- Hairstyles and headwear.
- Jewellery and accessories.
- Cosmetics, including makeup and nail polish.
Legal Framework
This Policy has due regard to all relevant legislation and statutory guidance, including:
- Education and Inspections Act 2006
- Education Act 2011
- Human Rights Act 1998
- Equality Act 2010
- The UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018
- Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Act 2021
- DfE (2021) ‘Cost of school uniforms’
- DfE (2021) ‘School Admissions Code’
- DfE (2024) ‘School uniforms: guidance for schools’
- Equality and Human Rights Commission (2022) ‘Preventing hair discrimination in schools’
- Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026
This Policy operates in conjunction with the Academy’s Complaints Procedures Policy, Behaviour Policy and Tendering and Procurement Policy.
Cost and Procurement Principles
The Academy ensures that uniform remains accessible and fair, in line with statutory requirements limiting compulsory branded items to a maximum of three:
- Reception to Year 2 (Key Stage 1): Compulsory branded items are limited to the TPA tie and TPA PE sweatshirt.
- Years 3 to 6 (Key Stage 2): Compulsory branded items are limited to the TPA blazer, TPA tie and TPA PE sweatshirt.
All non-branded items, including collared shirts, knitwear, trousers, skirts, dresses, tailored shorts, PE t-shirts and PE shorts and PE joggers may be purchased freely from any supermarket or high-street retailer of choice, provided that they strictly meet school colour and design specifications.
The Academy retenders its uniform contract every five years in accordance with our Tendering and Procurement Policy to secure optimal quality and value for money.
Re-Wear Scheme and Financial Assistance
The Academy operates the “Academy Re-Wear Scheme” to ensure that high-quality second-hand uniforms are accessible to all families. Parents and carers can acquire pre-loved branded and non-branded items on request at the Atrium.
Financial assistance towards uniform costs is available to eligible families, assessed on an individual basis. Funding for children eligible for Pupil Premium is drawn from Pupil Premium allocations; all other financial assistance is supported via general Academy funds. Parents and carers requesting support must complete the Financial Assistance Application Form (Appendix A).
Roles and Responsibilities
- The Governing Body: Approves the uniform policy, monitors affordability compliance and reviews value for money.
- The CEO: Sets operational standards, enforces the uniform policy consistently across the Academy and adjudicates financial assistance applications.
- Staff Members: Enforce the uniform requirements consistently, address any non-compliance directly and ensure that children maintain high standards of presentation.
- Parents and Carers: Ensure that their children arrive at school in the correct, clean and well-maintained uniform as specified in this Policy.
- Children: Take pride in wearing the correct uniform at all times.
Equality and Inclusion
The Academy meets all statutory obligations under the Equality Act 2010:
- Religion and Belief: Religious headwear, including hijabs, turbans and headwraps, is permitted. Such headwear must be plain, unembellished and in school colours (navy blue, black, grey or white). Modesty requirements are met through standard school uniform trousers or thick grey tights beneath skirts and dresses.
- Race and Hair Textures: Hairstyles, hair textures and protective styles, including braids, locks, twists, cornrows and hair extensions, are permitted. Hair must remain tidy, safe and clear of the face during practical lessons. Shaved designs, unnatural bright colours and temporary hair dyes are not permitted. Simple hair beads in protective styles must be plain white or navy blue. Hair accessories must be discreet and in navy blue, light blue, white, grey or black.
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND): Reasonable adjustments will be made for children with documented sensory processing sensitivities or physical medical conditions (such as casts or orthotics) on an individual basis in consultation with the leadership team.
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Uniform Documents
- Uniform Policy