School Uniform Consultation

As referenced in today’s newsletter, in response to student voice we are considering making changes to our school uniform policy to start from September 2023. We understand that any changes we make will impact on all members of the school community, and therefore welcome the views of all students, parents/carers and staff in shaping our decision. 

Please use the link at the bottom of this message to complete a very short survey to share your views. Before completing the survey, please read the rest of this message to fully understand why we have a school uniform and the options we are consulting on:

Why we have a uniform?

• Uniform helps create a sense of identity: In many walks of like, uniform is used to create a sense of identity, for example in sports teams and in public services like the NHS. All students should feel welcome and that they belong to our school community.
• Uniform helps level the playing field: Like all schools, Westfield serves a diverse range of students, some from more affluent and some from less affluent backgrounds. Our uniform brings a level of equality to our school to ensure no student feels marginalised.
• Uniform helps keep us safe: Our uniform allows us to identify Westfield students in and out of school. It also ensures students do not wear clothes that could create a safeguarding risk.

Why do some students wish to change our uniform?

• Comfort: Some students we have spoken to have described feeling discomfort, for example when wearing school ties.
• Practicality and durability: Some students have expressed frustration that school ties easily become lost or broken, leading to the expense of replacements. They also say that school jumpers can become easily ripped.
• Affordability: Students we spoke to understood the importance of affordability. They linked this to durability.

Option 1: Keep our current uniform

• Black blazer or black vneck jumper with embroidered Westfield badge.
• School tie.
• White shirt.
• Plain black tailored trousers.
  or
• Plain black skirt.
  or
• Plain black shorts
• Plain black footwear.
   

Option 2: Change some aspects of our uniform from September 2023

• Black sweatshirt (not hooded) with embroidered Westfield badge; or existing black vneck Westfield-branded jumper; or existing Westfield-branded blazer
• Plain black polo tshirt with embroidered Westfield badge or plain black school polo tshirt worn underneath a Westfield sweatshirt, blazer or jumper.
• Plain black tailored trousers.
  or
• Plain black skirt.
  or
• Plain black shorts
• Plain black footwear.

 

Summary of key changes in Option 2 (to begin September 2023):

1. Replace white shirt and tie with black polo t-shirt
2. Whilst the option to continue wearing the existing Westfield-branded v-neck jumper and blazer will remain from September 2023, these will eventually be phased out and replaced with Westfield-branded sweatshirts only.

 

Affordability:

Approximate cost of options (excluding footwear) based on supermarket prices and school-shop online prices for school-branded items.

Option A		Option B (Westfield branded polos)		Option B (plain black polos)
School trousers X2   White school shirts X5   Westfield tie X2   Westfield v-neck jumper X2	£14   £16     £10   £32	School trousers X2   Westfield polo shirts X5   Westfield sweatshirt X2	£14   £55     £27	School trousers X2   Plain black polo shirts X5   Westfield sweatshirt X2	£14   £32.50     £27
Total	£72	Total (including sweatshirts)	£96	Total	£73.50
		Total (excluding sweatshirts	£69

 

Approximate costs are therefore broadly comparable. Students felt that option B may provide greater durability.

Would all items in option B need to be branded with the Westfield logo?

In line with Department for Education advice we would not expect all items to be Westfield branded. We would ask that the ‘top layer’ be Westfield branded to ensure students are identifiable as being from Westfield. For example, this top layer might be a Westfield branded polo shirt. Or students may choose to wear an unbranded, plain black polo shirt underneath a Westfield branded sweatshirt or jumper.

 

Transitionary period to support affordability?

If, following consultation, a decision is taken to change our uniform to Option B, we would still allow students to wear Westfield blazers and v-neck jumpers over plain black polo t-shirts until these blazers and jumpers needed replacing with Westfield branded sweatshirts.

Please give your feedback via our survey here.