We are committed to fostering a culture of high expectation, equity and pride in our academy. We believe that school uniform supports a sense of belonging and a positive learning environment.

Our approach follows Department of Education guidance and is designed to be fair, inclusive and affordable.

We respect religious, cultural, medical and disability related needs, and reasonable adjustments will always be considered. Please speak to the academy to arrange such adjustments as required.

Equally, we value the support of parents and carers in ensuring that pupils arrive appropriately dressed and ready to learn each day.

Why do we have a uniform?

  • It helps create a learning environment ensuring that learning time is not lost on dress issues.
  • It significantly reduces arguments about what is to be worn at the academy and provides parents with a guide as to what is appropriate to wear.
  • It encourages formality and smartness which is often a requirement of employers and prepared students for real-world work standards.
  • It promotes team spirit within the academy and within the local community and clearly identifies students as being part of the academy.

Retford Oaks reserves the right to determine where uniform standards are not being adhered to. This relates to all clothing, makeup, jewellery and hairstyles. Students are expected to be appropriately dressed at all times and to wear their uniform with pride and in a manner that reflects the ethos and high standards of the academy. Smartness, health and safety considerations and common sense form the basis or the expected standards of appearance.

Our uniform

Please ensure students are wearing the correct uniform on arrival to the academy. Students will be challenged if not wearing the correct uniform. Please note that items of clothing sold in the school sections of outlets may not meet the school uniform requirements. Please ensure you read and understand the uniform requirements of the academy before making purchases.

The follow items of uniform are compulsory:

  • Academy branded blazer or school jumper. The black blazer with the Retford Oaks Academy badge, or alternatively, a plain black v‑neck jumper with the school logo (available from Uniform Direct) may be worn. Students may wear both items together if they wish. Both items must be academy branded.
  • Academy tie (four house colours).
  • Black trousers in a formal cut. The following styles are not permitted:
    • leggings;
    • jeggings;
    • jeans;
    • cropped trousers; and
    • additional zips or other embellishments.
  • Black skirt in a formal cut. The academy reserves the right to determine if a skirt is too short for an educational setting. Additional zips or other embellishments are not permitted.
  • Black shorts in a formal cut (optional). Cargo-style shorts or sports shorts are not acceptable.
  • Plain white, formal-style shirt with stiffened collar. All shirts should be able to fasten the top button (v-neck blouses are not acceptable) and can be either long or short sleeved. Shirts should be tucked in at all times. No coloured T shirts should be worn underneath the white shirt or be visible at the neck and waist.
  • Formal black shoes should be worn daily. Shoes should have no logos, patterns or coloured laces. Open toe, backless, trainers, canvas footwear, boots or high heels are not acceptable. We do not allow students to wear trainers or leisure footwear with logos (other than for PE or other recreational activities) as it is not in keeping with the hardworking environment of the classroom or the smart appearance of a school uniform. Plain black socks/tights should be worn with shoes.
  • Outdoor coats may be worn to and from the academy. Coats must not have offensive logos or be made of denim or leather. Jumpers, cardigans, sweatshirts or hoodies are not acceptable alternatives. Coats must be removed before entering lessons and not worn whilst in classrooms. Sweatshirts, denim coats and denim jackets are not allowed.
  • School bag. This should be large enough to carry equipment, books and PE kit.

Students who arrive in items that are deemed to be not part of the uniform and dress code will lose their social time until this is rectified.

Warm / extreme weather

Coats are not to be worn as an alternative to a blazer or jumper. After May half term, students are not required to wear a blazer or jumper due to the warmer weather.

Academy PE kit

All students must wear:

  • Black academy polo shirt available from Uniform Direct.
  • Plain black bottoms which may have subtle branding. Large branding will not be allowed. These can be:
    • shorts;
    • tracksuit bottoms; and
    • running leggings (which must be sports leggings and not normal leggings; anyone wearing normal leggings or tights – including sports tights – will be required to wear a pair of shorts over the top).
  • Black socks. They can be:
    • football socks;
    • ankle socks; and
    • trainer socks.
  • Trainers (not canvas shoes).

In addition to these compulsory items, students are also permitted to wear the following:

  • Boots suitable for football, hockey or rugby. For some sports, football boots may be more suitable than trainers when the PE lesson takes place on the field.
  • Reversible black and gold academy rugby shirt (available from Uniform Direct).
  • Plain black rain jacket. This must be suitable for sport (no large buttons, furry hoods). Rain jackets that are not suitable for sport are not allowed.
  • Protective equipment such as gum shields or shin pads are advisable for students.

Please be aware that kit is also required for all dance and drama lessons. Removal of shoes and socks is also required and compulsory as part of the kit.

For practical PE lessons any jewellery permitted under academy rules must be removed for health and safety reasons. Plasters covering any of these items (or items that are not visible) are not suitable solutions as they can easily fall off in the natural course of physical activity.

Students are expected to bring their PE kit to every lesson, including when they have a note asking to be excused. Students arriving to lessons without kit are expected to wear the spare clean kit provided by the PE department. Students who fail to be in their kit or who refuse to use the loan kit provided will be sanctioned.

Hair, makeup and nails

We wish to promote a business‐like approach to appearance, therefore the following should be followed:

  • No shaved patterns, lines or sculptured hairstyles.
  • No bright hair dyes. We allow subtle and natural hair colourings only.

Students say that nail varnish is an expression of their individuality. However, we want to cultivate pride in their appearance by wearing the correct uniform and being suitably formal in their appearance. In order to recognise the fact that students are growing in maturity, they will be permitted to wear a single neutral nail varnish colour.

We strongly recommend that false nails and or any form of extensions are not worn as they can pose a risk in practical subjects and physical activities. The academy has the discretion to isolate students or restrict access to certain subjects where nails (extension or own nails), are deemed to pose a risk. In such cases, the academy may seek to resolve the issue with parents/carers.

We understand the importance of developing self‐esteem and self‐image for our students, therefore:

  •  Subtle make‐up can be worn by students.
  • Foundation and blusher, if worn, should be of the natural skin colour range and lightly applied.
  • Eye makeup and lipstick must be in the natural muted, nude range of shades. If the academy deems the makeup too obvious, then students will be expected to remove it.

The academy will notify students and parents of any breaches in dress code.

Jewellery

With safety and security being paramount, we strongly recommend that jewellery is not worn in the academy. Piercings must be kept to small studs (no bars, hoops, stretchers etc). All jewellery must be removed for PE, dance and other practical lessons. The academy does not accept responsibility for loss, damage or injury caused should the recommendations not be followed.

Should the academy deem any jewellery to be unsuitable, excessive or dangerous, students will be asked to remove items and these may be confiscated until the end of the academy day.

The academy has the discretion to isolate students or restrict access to certain practical subjects where these items are deemed a risk.

Supplier

Some of the uniform items can be purchased through our specialist supplier, Uniforms Direct, either online or at their Gainsborough shop. All other items, no matter the supplier, must conform to the above specifications to ensure our standards are maintained.

The sixth form dress code is business wear of the student’s choice.

Uniforms Direct,
9 Market Street,
Gainsborough,
DN21 2BL

01427 616105

www.uniform-direct.com

Second-hand uniform

We would like to advise parents/carers that second-hand uniform can be obtained through the School Uniform Bank charity organisation.

They are now based at Poplars Church, 3 Victoria Square, Worksop, and are open Monday-Wednesday, 10am-12pm for anyone to choose free school uniform and children’s clothes.

The charity frequently advertises on Facebook where and when pop-up events will be held, where good quality second-hand uniform can be collected for free. The Facebook page can be viewed without needing to have a Facebook account, however, alternative contacts are also available through admin@fthc.org.uk and hello@nowchurch.org.uk.

If you wish to donate any clean, unneeded uniform, drop-off points can be found at Retford Morrisons or within the academy main reception.

What to do if there is an issue with your child’s uniform

Communication from parents/carers must be sent to a child’s tutor if they are unable to wear the correct uniform (including footwear). This should explain the problem and how soon it can be rectified. The head of year will decide if a white uniform slip will be issued or items can be borrowed from the academy. There may be a loss of unstructured time or even isolation depending on how serious the uniform breach is.

Where a student arrives at the academy in the incorrect uniform and no communication has been received explaining the issues, the academy will contact home and ask parents/carers to bring in the correct uniform or the student may be isolated for unstructured time.

If students do not adhere to the uniform requirements, where possible, items will be confiscated.

  • In the first instance, the student will be allowed to collect the item at the end of the school day from main reception and it will be noted that the student has received a warning and a sanction for uniform infringement.
  • In the second instance, the item will be confiscated and be kept safely by the academy until an adult can collect the item.
  • In the third instance, the parent/carer will be invited in for a meeting.
  • If the item cannot be confiscated then the student could lose their social time.