Dear Parent/Carer,
Over the past few months you will know that we have increased our engagement with parents and carers through the relaunch of our PTA and the introduction of the termly Parent Forum. One of the areas that we have been working on with these groups, as well as with students and governors, is ensuring that our school uniform is smart, safe and also affordable for families. We would like to provide some updates on how we are actioning this over the coming months.
We are aware that the cost of living is affecting many families adversely, and we are always looking for ways to support families. Our school skirt requirements are currently that it is pleated and branded with a school logo, whilst trousers are standard black. From September 2025 both pleated skirts and trousers can be standard black items available from all uniform shops including those bought from supermarkets, which we hope will support families when buying new school uniform. However, due to concerns over the length of skirts, which I am sure you will be aware, affects all schools, we are introducing compulsory opaque black tights from September 2025 for all students wearing skirts. This will be reviewed in the summer term each year when the weather is warmer.
We launched our “Pre-loved” Uniform Shop with the new Year 7 families for September at the recent welcome event and it was a huge success. We will grow this for all year groups going forward and there will be a “Uniform Stall” at all of our larger events where families are in attendance. It is an opportunity for families to purchase good quality uniform items at a much-reduced cost. If you have any old uniform still in good condition that you would like to donate, please drop it at the school reception and it will be gratefully received.
Over the past couple of years we have seen increasing health and safety issues with long headscarves, particularly in science, DT and PE and on corridors. We are extremely supportive of students who choose to wear headscarves, however the health and safety issues have continued throughout the year, and so we are introducing a plain black, standard headscarf with the Sharples logo for students who choose to wear a headscarf.
We have consulted at length with parents through our Parent Governors, PTA and Parent Forum, who have been overwhelmingly supportive. Our Student Affairs Committee have also been consulted and have trialled the headscarf in recent weeks. It will be introduced from September, but is available now for students to wear. Parents and carers can buy the headscarf from school for £8 by completing this form https://forms.gle/duj12UgkVb6EzLxF6 and making payment via MCAS. It will also be available from our normal uniform stockists going forward.
We would like to remind families who have siblings joining the Sharples Family in September 2025, that a free tie is provided to all new students during the Year 7 Tie Ceremony on the first day for new students.
Our next Parent Forum will be held on Wednesday 11th June at 14.15-15.15. The theme for this final meeting of the year is “Support for Parents” and we will be looking at the support available for parents both at school and in the community. We welcome all Parents and Carers to attend and share your views on how we can improve our school.
Yours sincerely
Ms C Molyneux
Headteacher
Note: please click here to view the original letter as a PDF.
