Dress Code Policy

Overview

School uniform is an important part of the identity of Perth Grammar School (PGS). It helps to keep everyone in our learning community safe and is a way for us to represent our school values of Pride, Respect and Ambition. Our young people are expected to wear full school uniform inside the school.

 

Aims

The aims of our dress code policy are to:

• Reduce financial pressure on families;

• Promote a greater sense of belonging and pride in the school;

• Promote the health and safety benefits of pupils being easily identifiable to their school;

• Meet the needs of all members of our school community;

• Help our learners understand the importance of meeting dress code expectations in the workplace.

 

Dress Code

Pupils and parents are asked to ensure that our young people follow our dress code. There is strong support for a uniform policy in the school. The details of this are shown below:

• Black blazer & badge or black jacket;

• White/black shirt or blouse;

• School tie (S1-S3 / S4-S4);

• Black jumper;

• Black trousers/skirt/leggings;

• Black shoes.

Sports clothes, designer tops, jackets with logos, hoodies, or black jeans are not part of the dress code. We ask that skirts are a respectable length and leggings are made from a thicker fabric.

Consultation

In line with Article 12 of the UNCRC (Article 12 of the Convention establishes the right of every child to freely express their views, in all matters affecting them, and the subsequent right for those views to be given due weight, according to the young person's age and maturity) our school has consulted pupils, parents and staff in determining our dress code policy, most recently in 2022.

 

Physical Education (PE)

We adopt a 100% participation policy here at PGS. We fully expect pupils to attend PE wearing appropriate kit and being prepared to participate in all weathers. In doing so, we ask pupils to wear:

• Plan t-shirt;

• Shorts/trousers;

• Jumper/waterproof jacket dependent upon weather;

• Change of footwear;

• Pupils are not allowed to wear football colours and young people with long hair are asked to bring a hair bobble to tie their hair up. Jewellery must also be removed and chewing gum disposed of for health and safety reasons.

It is an expectation that young people come to school in their school uniform, regardless of whether they have PE that day or not. Following each PE lesson, pupils are expected to change back into their school uniform.

Should access to PE kit be a concern for any pupil, we have a supply of PGS kit that is washed and dried in the faculty after every use. Pupils and parents/carers can contact us confidentially for more information.

School branded PE t-shirts can be purchased from Direct Soccer.

 

Unacceptable Clothing

There are certain types of clothing which should never be worn to school. These are:

• Clothes such as clothing associated with particular sports teams or political groups;

• Clothes which could cause offence to others e.g. t-shirts with offensive statements or pictures;

• Clothes which are too revealing;

• Clothes which have significant branding (larger than thumb size) which can be seen to be a factor into pressuring families/young people to purchase expensive clothing;

• Baseball caps or any other headwear that is not worn for religious reasons;

• Hoodies - these represent a health and safety risk in practical learning activities and are not conducive to a managing the security of our building.

 

Please note:

• Outdoor garments must be removed in classrooms; • Any jewellery should be minimal (to reflect our policies, processes and practices).

 

Supervision, Monitoring and Intervention

Pupils are met by the Pupil Care and Welfare Officer (PCWO) team and other school staff, including members of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) when they arrive in school in the morning. The purpose of the meet and greet is to ensure pupils are welcomed to the school. At this time, a check of dress code will apply and pupils wearing items unacceptable for school will be seen.

Class teachers will also monitor dress code and will refer any concerns to the relevant House Team (Principal Teacher of Guidance and Pupil Care and Welfare Officer).

A young person will be offered school uniform to wear when they have come to school on a second occasion without following the school dress code. This may happen on the first occasion if deemed necessary due to what the young person is wearing.

Where concerns persist, further intervention will involve support and intervention from our PCWO Team, PTs Guidance and DHTs.

Continued non-compliance will lead to a referral to the Headteacher for further action.

 

Partnership Approach

We understand the tensions which can arise in homes when young people show disregard for their school’s uniform, or indeed when they pressurise their parents into buying expensive items of clothing which are not part of our dress code.

 

What can parent/carers do to support school uniform?

• Be aware of the benefits of school uniform and discuss these with your young person;

• Stay committed to it— sometimes the road may be rocky, but it is worth showing your support and commitment;

• Keep in contact with us. A united approach from school and home will reinforce the message to young people;

• If you are contacted by the school to inform you that your young person is out of uniform, discuss it with them, set out your expectations and revisit the benefits;

• Praise your young person for wearing their uniform every day.

 

Financial Support

Uniform Grants

These are available for families on low incomes. Local organisations can also provide support with uniform. If you require support with uniform, please contact the Pupil Intervention Team.

Washing of Uniform

We recognise the pressures of the cost of living crisis on families and households. To mitigate the impact of rising energy prices, we can offer to wash uniform. Please contact our Pupil Intervention Team who will be able to assist with this request.

 

Equality & Inclusion

We understand that discrimination based on the Equality Act 2010’s protected characteristics is unacceptable. We do not discriminate in our dress code on the basis of:

• Disability

• Gender reassignment

• Race

• Religion or belief

• Sex

• Sexual Orientation

• Age

• Pregnancy and Maternity

• Marriage and civil partnership.

We will take action to prevent any discrimination or harassment, direct or indirect. Therefore, we also commit to promoting awareness and acceptance of choices made by those who identify as transgender and non-binary. We will make reasonable adjustments to the dress code for young people who require this due to a disability or additional support need. Parents/carers should get in touch with their young person’s House Team to discuss.

 

Policy Monitoring and Review

Review date: February 2026.