Uniform

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.

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.

The Halo Code is a gender neutral approach. 

• We may issue further guidance around Afro-texture hair and protective styles, for example; That head wraps and scarves should reflect other elements of the dress code such as our school colours.

•  That hair be tied up for health and safety reasons, when appropriate.

• That hair colour is reflective of the wider dress code policy.

The Halo Code

The Halo Code
Our workplace champions the right of staff to embrace all Afro-hairstyles. We acknowledge that Afro-textured hair is an important part of our Black employees’ racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious identities, and requires specific styling for hair health and maintenance.

We celebrate 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.

In this workplace, we recognise and celebrate our colleagues’ identities. We are a community built on an ethos of equality and respect where hair texture and style have no bearing on an employees ability to succeed.

Notes:

1. Race-based hair discrimination is illegal under the Equalities Act 2010. Workplaces have the right to enforce a dress code as long as it is fair and does not unduly discriminate against any staff. 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 members 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 sprit of The Halo Code, all 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. The Halo Code does not prevent workplaces from issuing additional guidance around Afro-texture hair and protective styles if applied consistently across all students and staff, including:

• That head wraps and scarves should reflect other elements of the uniform code such as the school's colours.

• That hair be tied up for health and safety reasons, such as during sports, science labs, or to avoid trip hazards.

• That hair colour is reflective of wider school uniform policy.

About the Halo Collective:

We are an alliance of organisations and individuals working to create a future without hair discrimination, founded by young Black organisers from The Advocacy Academy.

Race-based hair discrimination has been illegal in the UK since the the Equalities Act became law in 2010, and yet it still happens all the time.

For too long, Black people have been told that our hair textures and hairstyles are inappropriate, unattractive, and unprofessional. We’ve been suspended from school, held back in our careers, and made to feel inferior by racist policies and attitudes.

Together, we are fighting for the protection and celebration of Black hair and hairstyles.

PE Kit can be worn all day on your child’s allocated PE day.  

• White, round necked t-shirt with or without the school emblem
• Black/Navy shorts
• Plimsolls for indoor PE
• Trainers for outdoor PE
• Black/Navy tracksuits may be worn outside in Winter

Nursery, Reception and Key Stage 1 Classes only:  outdoor all-weather anoraks and trousers

• Outdoor all-weather anoraks and trousers
• Wellington or waterproof boots

• Watches may be worn at the owner’s risk. A school preference would be an analogue clock to support with telling the time.
• One pair of stud earrings (which will be removed during PE by the child). Please note that staff are not permitted to remove earrings