Uniform FAQs

Why has the uniform been changed?

The changes are actually very minor. We are tightening up our policy so that school trousers are more smart and formal then they have been this year. Over the year, several students have begun to wear jean style trousers which have faded and are looking unsuitable. We have also begun to see the appearance of cropped or ankle grazer trousers which we see as a fashion item and not suitable for school. We have also tightened up on footwear. At the moment, too many students are opting for a canvas black fashion shoe which is unsuitable for school and does not look smart. From September, we expect all students to be in leather or leather-look shoes.

Where can I get the formal trousers, skirts and shoes?

As a Senior Leadership Team, we went to local stores ourselves to see how easy it would be to find the kind of items suitable for our Ivanhoe Uniform. Typically, the major supermarkets and other large retailers stock trousers which are suitable for school alongside footwear of the leather and leather-look variety. Equally, stores such as Next and Marks and Spencer also stock suitable items in their uniform section (see the link below). The main thing is to avoid any item which is jean style or in any way a fashion item and certainly not tight-fitting trousers. From September, the only trousers we will accept are traditional polyester school trousers. In particular, for boy trousers we expect a black belt to be worn in order to avoid any unsightly underwear visibility which we have seen on some boys’ low slung jean style trousers this year.

Please be careful to select the style of trousers which will accommodate your child’s body shape. In the first instance, keep your receipts in case your choice of uniform doesn’t comply with our school policy.

Babe2tots Schoolwear in Ashby now stocks 3 styles of skirt which have been approved. However, skirt length is dependent on your child’s height. So please take care to make sure that skirt lengths are on the knee.

Will the new uniform be more expensive?

On the contrary, supermarket school uniform prices are very good value. The aim of the new policy is to make uniform cheaper and to avoid the peer pressure of branded items. The senior leadership team found girls’ school trousers for instance for £5 at George Asda which is excellent value. Buying tailored uniform is much cheaper than buying any fashion item. If you buy the new uniform in July there are significant discounts to be had especially at stores such as Marks and Spencers who stock all our uniform including polo shirts and sweatshirts. The link is below: http://www.mandsyourschooluniform.com/leicestershire-warwickshire/ivanhoe- college/catlist_fnct5175.htm

How will the new uniform be enforced?

Students will be inspected as soon as they get off the bus or enter the playground in the morning. Form tutors will also be scrutinising students’ uniform. Any student who is not in correct school uniform will face one of the following sanctions.  Confiscations of inappropriate items(s) for collection by parent / carer, in the case of hoodies, ear rings, bracelets or other inappropriate items which flout the rules  Having to go home to get changed or clothes to be brought in by parent / carer.  Students may be given the option to borrow a clean uniform item until they are correctly attired.  Having to wash off make-up.  Not being allowed to take part in an extra-curricular activity or event.  Isolation.  Detention.

Why should my child wear the correct uniform when no one else seems to?

Next year, we aim to have all students at Ivanhoe wearing our more formal uniform and students who don’t comply will face the appropriate sanction. We know that some parents will worry that the new guidelines won’t be enforced but we can assure you that they definitely will and we will be in touch with parents whose children are non-compliant. Students who don’t comply will be sanctioned.

Can my daughter wear a skater skirt?

Skater skirts are often too short, of unsuitable material and have an exposed zip. The aim of the new uniform is for smart formal skirts. A skater skirt does not come under formal wear so will NOT be acceptable. A pleated skirt or smart A line or formal pencil skirt (not tight) are the only options. Babe2tots schoolwear in Ashby is stocking 3 styles of skirt which have been approved. However, skirt length is dependent on your child’s height. So please take care to make sure that skirt lengths are on the knee.

Why are canvas shoes no longer allowed?

This week we have had two unpleasant injuries – toe-nails being bruised or pulled back – because the injured students were wearing canvas rather than leather shoes. Our move to a leather shoe is a safety issue as well as a smarter option.

Can my child wear leather Vans/Converse/Nike or other leather branded footwear?

No. These types of footwear are branded items and not formal footwear so will not be allowed next year. We are keen to work with parents to save money. This year we have the ridiculous situation where a child has been bought a pair of branded shoes – paid full price of £90 – but then has snipped off the brand label in order to comply with our policy. Please don’t spend out on these expensive types of fashion shoes. The issue with shoes is an important one in terms of our move to a smarter and safer school uniform. It should also be cheaper for parents - many leather or leather- look shoes from traditional shoe shops are significantly cheaper than branded items like Vans and Converse or other fashion shoes.

My child’s shoes do have a logo but they are black. Is that ok?

No. All the shoes at Ivanhoe have to be without a logo or branding of any kind. Some Nike shoes have an inlaid tick in black but this is still unacceptable. Don’t go to a fashion shop to buy shoes.

Can my child bring a hoodie as a coat?

With the exception of the House Leader Hoodie and the Rewards Hoodie, no other hoodies are allowed in school. In school all students need to wear their Ivanhoe Sweatshirt and may bring an outdoor coat if it is cold. A hoodie is not a coat. Once again it is a fashion item and is not permissible. If you child brings a hoodie of this type to school, it will be confiscated and you will have to come and collect it from the main office in reception.

Why can’t my child take off their school jumper and just wear their polo shirt to school?

This year we have had problems where some students fail to wear their school sweatshirt at all and replace it with another hoodie – or other fashion item. The Ivanhoe school sweatshirt is part of the school identity and we feel students should be wearing it around the building. In terms of overheating, this issue should only affect students in the summer term. But please be assured that should any student feel hot in lessons, they will be able to remove their sweatshirt. At times in the summer term, we are likely to announce that sweatshirts can remain off on particularly hot weeks. It is all about common sense really. The key issue for us is that all students have their sweatshirt with them and not bring another item of outer wear which is what has happened this year.

I am struggling to convince my child to wear the new style of uniform. What can I do?

In terms of your child’s reluctance to wear the new uniform, we can offer you several points of reassurance. The wearing of skinny trousers – by both boys and girls – has been one of the main reasons we have chosen to go for more formal wear and the more traditional school trousers with a crease. The skinny trousers look scruffy and are not acceptable as school uniform. Your child may have got used to wearing skinny trousers but they will certainly get just as used to wearing the new formal style trousers or formal style skirts. You know how flexible children can be and your child will want to be dressed the same as everyone else. When your child realises that only the formal style of school wear is acceptable and everyone is wearing it, they will want to fit in. Equally, if you encourage your child to shop with friends over the summer and to arrange with others what they are going to wear together (as long as it complies to the new standard), it should minimize the fear that they will be in any way different from the others.