Affordability of School Uniform

Downsview Primary and Nursery School is committed to ensuring that our school uniform is affordable and represents good value for money for all families. Our uniform policy has been developed in accordance with the Department for Education's statutory guidance on the cost of school uniforms.

In line with this guidance, we:

• Carefully consider the cost of uniform items before introducing or changing requirements.
• Keep the number of compulsory branded items to a minimum.
• Allow parents and carers to purchase generic uniform items from a range of high street retailers and supermarkets where possible.
• Regularly review our uniform requirements to ensure they remain reasonable and affordable.
• Provide information about the availability of second-hand uniform to support families and reduce costs.

Reasonable Adjustments

The school recognises its duties under the Equality Act 2010 and will consider requests for reasonable adjustments to the uniform policy for individual pupils where these relate to a disability, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), medical condition, religion or belief.

Parents and carers wishing to request a reasonable adjustment should contact the Headteacher or SENCO via the school office at sec1@downsview.croydon.sch.uk. Requests will be considered on an individual basis, taking account of the pupil's needs, the school's responsibilities and any relevant professional advice.

Supportive Approach to Uniform Requirements

The school will take a supportive and proportionate approach where concerns arise regarding a pupil's uniform.

Where a pupil does not meet the uniform requirements, the school will:

1. Seek to understand the reasons for the issue by speaking with the parent or carer.
2. Offer support and guidance where financial hardship or other circumstances are identified.
3. Signpost families to available second-hand uniform and any other sources of assistance.
4. Work with families to agree a reasonable timescale for resolving any concerns.

The school will avoid unnecessarily penalising pupils for breaches of the uniform policy where this would be inappropriate, particularly where the reasons relate to financial hardship, SEND, medical needs, disability, religion or belief.

Information about second-hand uniform is available from the school office. Families requiring assistance are encouraged to contact the school in confidence.

Second-hand uniform sales are held throughout the year by the Friends of Downsview (FOD). Details will be shared with families via the school newsletter.