Proposed change to School Uniform

							        Changes to Beaminster School Uniform
        September 2010
        Information for Staff, Students and Parents

Summary
   1. The new uniform from Sept 2010 for Years 7–10 will be:
      White Shirt – House tie (clip on) – black V-neck jumper – school coat/fleece
      Year 11 will not be required to change their uniform
      Research/consultation suggests this will be a much anticipated and welcome change
      (according to 63% of the 813 students, parents, staff, Governors and Year 6 parents
      surveyed)

   2. The current uniform, coloured polo shirt and black sweatshirt, will become part of the
      PE kit so our old uniform will not just be made redundant and there will be no ‘waste’
   3. The average cost for the new uniform, including the coat/fleece and tie, is likely to be
      less than that of the current uniform.
      The practical and aesthetic benefits are significant – sensible and cost effective use for our
      old uniform, promotion of house identity, ease of organisation and identification in PE
      lessons/House Matches/Sports Day.
   4. The introduction of a second hand uniform store in the Autumn Term will ensure
      there is a cheaper alternative to buying new. It will also provide an opportunity for
      parents to get some money back as their children grow out of their uniform or leave
      school.

FAQ’s

1. Why are we changing the uniform, and who decided to change it?
 The majority of ‘us’ said we wanted to (after extensive consultation – Autumn 2009).
   The majority (63%) of students, parents (including Year 6 parents), staff and Governors said
   they wanted to see a change from the current polo shirts and sweatshirts for a variety of
   reasons;

     A fresh start – rebranding affords us an opportunity to evolve our image as a high
      performing school.
     Stronger and smarter corporate school image
     Increase pride – uniform represents a certain ‘image’ and wearing it should mean
      something to students - and their parents!
     Improve our community image – it does matter how others perceive us BEFORE they get
      to know us!
     To make our uniform more ‘business like’ – it needs to reflect the dress codes and
      expectations of the world of work and other formal/social occasions our students will find
      themselves in outside of the school environment.
     We wish to Improve the quality of our uniform in general

This change is based on the belief that what we wear affects how we feel and behave – we need
to strike the right balance between practicality and formality in line with life/work outside of school.

                                                                                                 Page 1 of 5
    The new uniform - white shirt, house (clip-on) tie and black V-neck was seen as smarter
     and more desirable/appropriate uniform/school image than we have currently.

2. When will it change?
 September 2010
Where schools are asking for a big change (where current uniform becomes redundant and there
is a large additional expense for parents) then it is reasonable to look at phasing in the uniform in a
number of stages. As we are effectively ‘recycling’ our current uniform to improve our PE kit and
adding little extra cost to the uniform, we are introducing it in just 2 phases - excluding next year’s
Year 11 from the proposed phase 1 change. So:

    ALL students in Years 7–10 in September 2010 (current Years 6–Year 9) will be expected
     to have the new uniform for the start of the new academic year Sept 2010/11.
    Current Year 10 (Year 11 from Sept 2010) will no doubt wish to purchase the V-neck (as in
     previous years) but would not be expected to wear the shirt and tie – remaining in their polo
     shirts will also serve to distinguish them from the rest of the school as ‘seniors’.

It is not realistic to wait for a build up of second hand uniform from incoming Year 7’s (of the newly
introduced garments) to become available before introducing a new uniform to the whole school.

3. What do we do with the current uniform – I’ve only just recently
   bought a polo shirt and sweatshirt?
 Keep it, you’ll still need it for PE!

    The current house polo shirt and school sweatshirt will become part of the PE Kit – to
     replace the current ‘white polo shirt’ and ‘plain dark sweatshirt’. This will mean little or no
     wastage through obsolete uniform. It will also help give a visual identity in house sports
     competitions like Sports Day and House Matches, as well as during PE lessons themselves.
    Those who have the white PE Polo shirts may continue to wear them for Gym based
     activities (and the plain dark sweatshirts also) but both the white polo and plain sweatshirt
     will be phased out eventually and be replaced by our current uniform.


4. Will the new uniform cost more than the current uniform?
 No – parents will actually get more uniform for less money!

No school can make a change to the uniform without there being some initial new purchase
expense for parents. The school’s responsibility is to ensure there is a significant enough benefit
(and support) for this change so that the majority of people are convinced it is worth the
investment. Our total uniform costs are now, and will continue to be, less than many other schools.
It is also the school’s responsibility to try to limit this expense by all reasonable measures. This we
have done through responding to consultation outcomes and introducing a new second hand
uniform shop (opening in the Autumn Term 2010 - more details on this will follow).



                                                                                               Page 2 of 5
    Even with the introduction of the school coat/fleece [£22] – which was separately decided
      in 2008, the total proposed uniform change will actually be £2+ less than the current
      uniform. So, it could be argued (comparatively speaking) that parents are effectively getting
      a free coat and tie – which represents fantastic value for money!
      (Based on the cost of 3 shirts (3x ‘Fair Trade’ Tesco white shirts [£6] and a school tie [£4]
      vs 3x embroidered school polo shirts [£34.50]. (Tesco do also sell 3 shirts for £3 so savings
     could be even more significant!))
    The new V-neck jumper costs less than the current sweatshirt and consultation suggests it
     will be much more desirable

    There will be no additional cost associated with the PE kit until students need to replace
     their polo shirts or sweatshirts, but the practical and aesthetic benefits are significant:
     sensible and cost effective use of our old uniform, promotion of house identity, ease of
     organisation and identification in PE lessons/House Matches/Sports Day and by then, there
     will be a stock of second-hand alternatives for parents to chose from.


Quick Cost Comparison
Current School Uniform                         New School Uniform

3 x School Polo shirt       £34.50             3 x School ‘Fairtrade’ Shirts        £ 6.00
3 x School Sweatshirt       £37.50             3 x School V-Neck                    £36
                                               ……..and
                                               School Tie                           £4
                                               School Coat/Fleece                   £22
                        Total £72                                           Total   £68


5. Do we have to buy all items of uniform through the school?
    No, only the embroidered items

    All schools are obliged to ensure they have alternative sources for parents to purchase
     uniform from. This is so they don’t become the sole suppliers of ALL the uniform and
     therefore control ALL the costs.
     We make NO PROFIT from uniform sales and we ensure our uniform suppliers source
     garments ethically (see Fairtrade brochure on our website)
    Parents will still be able to purchase many items from other outlets (Asda/Tesco etc): white
     shirt, trousers, skirts, socks, jogging bottoms, shoes/trainers/boots, swim wear and towel,
     shin pads etc
    The items we require you to purchase through the school are: tie, V-neck jumper, coat, polo
     shirt, sweatshirt (plus for boys only a rugby shirt and games socks (socks from Bridport
     Sports))




                                                                                             Page 3 of 5
6. What if I am unable to afford to buy uniform?

    Parents in receipt of Free School Meals are entitled to an annual discount against the cost
     of school uniform

    We have other ways of helping parents with the cost of uniform – please do contact the
     office for more details (please note that all enquiries are dealt with confidentially)


7. Why was the school coat introduced?
 Because it is very practical, waterproof and warm, smart and corporate

    The embroidered reversible coat/fleece has been an optional item of uniform for over a year
     now and a number of students have chosen to purchase a coat prior to them becoming
     compulsory. Many parents are very complimentary about their quality and value for money.
    Over a year’s notice has been given to parents and students about its impending
     introduction as a compulsory item from September 2010 (p17, 2009-10 School Prospectus
     and p6 of School Planners 2009-10). This was to allow parents time to make informed
     decisions about future coat purchases (and time to save to purchase them if necessary).
    It was introduced in response to the large variation in style, type and colour of
     coats/jackets/tops worn by students. As a school this made us look untidy when observed
     collectively outside on and off site. It has also caused issues about what is and isn’t
     acceptable in terms of outdoor coats/tops – ‘hoodie’ style, tracksuit tops etc
    It is a more practical/versatile and very smart alternative to blazers!
    We believe it sets the right tone/image when out and about and visible on the school site
     and in the community – travelling to and from school, outside during breaks and lunchtimes,
     on trips and visits off site, visiting other school for sports fixtures etc.
    Many students (and parents) expressed a desire to have totally separate home and school
     garments. No other coat (for Years 7 – 10) will be acceptable in school from Sept 2010.


8. Will we be able to sell items - like the polo shirt, sweatshirt, V-neck, tie and
   coat, back to the school when our children grow out of them or leave
   school?
 Yes – we will actively encourage you to via our new second-hand uniform store!
    A second hand uniform store has recently been built (in Sandhurst) to accommodate all the
     uniform donations we predict we will receive. We hope this will give parents both an
     affordable alternative to buying new uniform and a chance for some parents to recoup some
     money at the end of their child’s time with us

    The second hand uniform store will open during the Autumn Term 2010



                                                                                          Page 4 of 5
9. Are there other items of uniform available?
 Yes!

   Other items of optional embroidered uniform available are:
     School Cap
     School Beanie
     School Scarf

As in previous years, these items of uniform remain optional. However, if students do wish to wear
such items, we would wish for the school versions to be worn rather than alternatives from home if
possible.


10. When will the new uniform be available?
 Details are now available

    Sales of second hand uniform – details of when the new second-hand uniform shop will
     open will follow, watch the website for more information!


 Please do contact the school if you have ANY queries about the new school uniform – we
                             will be more than happy to help

If you can think of any questions not covered above then please do let us know so that we
                                    can include them!


All information can also be found on our school website and
                    is regularly updated:

                www.beaminster.dorset.sch.uk




                                                                                           Page 5 of 5