Uniform

Our Uniform Code - Be Proud To Wear It

At Grafton, we believe the wearing of a school uniform gives an immediate sense of belonging to our school community. The high standard we set in appearance is a signal to everyone outside the school of our expectations in effort, work and behaviour. So we have a uniform code that we like our children to adhere to every day. Generic items will be accepted.

Grey or Black skirt, trousers (Long/Short) or Dress (red and white check)
no leggings or tracksuit bottoms
Red cardigan or jumper
White polo shirt
Short-sleeved white blouse or white shirt
Navy jumper (Year 6)
Footwear – black shoes or trainers
No platform shoes, boots or bulky trainers

Our uniform is neat and simple. Polo shirts and jumpers with the school logo can be purchased from Premier School Wear https://www.premierschoolwear.co.uk/school/grafton-primary-school/

Premier School Wear Unit 1, Cromwell Centre, Selina's Lane, Dagenham, RM8 1QH

School P.E. Kit

T-Shirts - White, no wording or pictures. PE tops with the school logo can be bought from Premier School Wear.

Shorts - Red, black, blue, navy, or white with no words or pictures on them

Footwear - Black plimsolls. Trainers may be worn for outside lessons.

Children may wear grey or black tracksuits or jogging bottoms for games outside when it’s cold.

Our school champions the right of staff and students to embrace all Afro-hairstyles.

We acknowledge that Afro-textured hair is an important part of our Black staff and students’ racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious identities, and requires specific styling for hair health and maintenance.

We welcome Afro-textured hair worn in all styles including, but not limited to, afros, locs, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, hair straightened through the application of heat or chemicals, weaves, wigs, headscarves, and wraps.

At this school, we recognise and celebrate our staff and students’ identities. We are a community built on an ethos of equality and respect where hair texture and style have no bearing on anyone's ability to succeed.

Notes regarding ‘The Halo Code’

1. Schools have the right to enforce a dress code as long as it is fair and does not unduly discriminate against any students and staff. Under the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), “schools must eliminate racial discrimination and promote good race relations”. Policies and practices that prohibit hairstyles which are primarily used to maintain Afro-textured hair can lead to indirect discrimination.

2. The Halo Code focuses on hair textures and styles most commonly associated with the Black community. The term Black has historically been used as a racial and political label. Here, we use it to refer to people of the African Diaspora, including those with mixed heritage, who as a result of their ancestry have Afro-textured hair.

3. The Halo Code is a gender neutral policy.

4. In order to embody the spirit of The Halo Code, staff are encouraged to familiarise themselves with different Afro-textured hairstyles and their cultural significance, and to avoid labelling Afro-textured hair with terms such as messy, unprofessional, or inappropriate.

5. Halo Code does not prevent schools from issuing additional guidance around Afro-texture hair and protective styles, including:

- That head wraps and scarves should reflect other elements of the dress code such as the organisation’s colours.

- That hair be tied up for health and safety reasons..

- That hair colour is reflective of the wider dress code policy

The Halo Code Agreement

1. Our school will display a copy of the Halo Code publicly and proudly in our building and on our website

2. Our school will announce our adoption of the Halo Code to pupils, parents, and staff, in person or by email

3. Our school name will be displayed on the Halo Collective website so that others can see we’ve adopted the Halo Code

4. Our school will embed the Halo Code within any existing uniform policy and include it in future student handbooks

5. Our school will signpost staff and students to the additional resources on the Halo Collective website

6. If disputes around hairstyles arise, our school will refer to the Halo Code for guidance

Here are a few reminders as to the standards we like to set

There is a strict no jewellery policy. The wearing of earrings is not permitted at any time.
Please note that if your child has earrings on, including studs, plastic, wooden or string forms they will either have to remove them themselves, if capable, or a member of the office team will remove them, with permission from parents only or the parent/carer will be called to the school to help remove them. Children will not be allowed into class with them on.
Watches are allowed. Smartwatches are not allowed.
No nail varnish is permitted at any time, neither are tattoo transfers, false nails or make-up. This is also the case on non-uniform days.
any children coming to school wearing inappropriate clothing/shoes will be asked to change into spare clothes. These are stocked in the school and then they can change back at the end of the day. Please note that all worn clothing is washed daily.

Please note:

It is advisable that if you're thinking to get your child's ears pierced, have this done at the beginning of the summer holiday. Which will leave enough healing time before your child returns to school.

Book Bags

In response to your ideas and suggestions regarding pupil bags and book bags, pupils will be able to bring a small school book bag. This is to allow children to carry their reading books and reading records to and from school.

The reason we are asking parents to only send children to school with a slim line book bag is because they need to be stored in their own class trays. Large rucksacks and back-packs will not be permitted.

School book bags with the embroidered logo are available to purchase from Premier Schoolwear at a cost of £6.00 each.

Alternatively, you could purchase a plain (without logo) book bag without the school logo at other stores or online.

We ask that the book bags are red (school colours) and that you ensure that you clearly mark the bag with your child's name and class.