School Uniform

At The Willows Catholic Primary School, we take pride in our school uniform and the sense of belonging it creates within our school family. Our uniform promotes equality, encourages children to take pride in their appearance and helps create a shared identity across our school community. We ask parents and carers to support our uniform expectations so that all children arrive at school looking smart and ready to learn.

Winter School Uniform

Our winter school uniform consists of the following items. 

Children may choose the trousers, shorts, skirts or dresses that they feel most comfortable wearing, provided they meet our school uniform requirements. We expect shirts to be tucked in and school uniform to be worn correctly throughout the day.

Summer School Uniform

During the warmer months, children may wear our optional summer uniform. This consists of:

• Green checked summer dress

• Grey tailored shorts

• Brown or white summer sandals

• White or grey socks, which must be worn with sandals

Children may continue wearing their usual school uniform throughout the summer term if they prefer.

School Shoes

All children must wear suitable, plain black school shoes. School shoes should be comfortable, practical and appropriate for everyday school activities. Trainers, boots and open-toed school shoes are not permitted. If your child has a medical condition that requires alternative footwear, please contact the Headteacher to discuss appropriate arrangements.

Hair and Appearance

We expect all children to maintain a neat and appropriate appearance for school.

• Long hair must be tied back.

• Hair bobbles, headbands and small bows must be school green.

• Large decorative bows and oversized hair accessories are not permitted.

• Hair must remain a natural colour. Dyed hair and shaved patterns or designs are not permitted.

These expectations help children maintain a smart appearance and ensure that hair does not interfere with learning or physical activities.

Jewellery

Jewellery must not be worn to school. This includes earrings, bracelets, necklaces and other decorative items. This expectation helps reduce the risk of injury, loss or damage during the school day, particularly during PE and other practical activities. Where a child requires an adjustment for religious, medical or other individual needs, parents should contact the Headteacher.

Physical Education

Children are expected to have the correct PE kit in school so that they can participate safely in physical activities. Our PE kit includes:

• Green school PE polo shirt

• Green PE shorts

• Black plimsolls for indoor PE

• Appropriate outdoor PE clothing and footwear

All PE clothing and footwear should be clearly labelled with your child's name. For health and safety reasons, long hair must be tied back and jewellery must be removed for PE lessons. Your child's class page provides information about when PE lessons take place.

Purchasing School Uniform

School uniform and PE kit can be purchased through school. Please contact the school office for information about ordering, sizes and prices. Plain uniform items, including white shirts, grey trousers, shorts, skirts, socks and tights, can also be purchased from supermarkets and other retailers. We encourage families to choose affordable, practical clothing that meets our uniform expectations.

Free Pre-Loved School Uniform

We recognise that buying school uniform can be expensive, particularly as children grow. To support families, we provide free pre-loved school uniform in the school foyer. Parents and carers are welcome to take any available items they need, free of charge. We also welcome donations of clean, good-quality uniform that children have outgrown. This helps reduce costs for families, prevents unnecessary waste and reflects our commitment to caring for one another and God's creation. If you need a particular item or size, please speak to our school office.

School Bags and Belongings

To help children organise their belongings and make effective use of our cloakroom space:

• Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 should bring a school book bag.

• Children in Years 3 to 6 should bring a suitable rucksack.

• Pencil cases and personal stationery should not be brought into school.

• Children should use their school-provided water bottle unless an alternative has been agreed for medical or additional needs.

Labelling Uniform

Please ensure that every item of school uniform is clearly labelled with your child's name. This includes jumpers, cardigans, coats, shoes, PE kits and bags. Clearly labelled items are much easier to return when misplaced.

Support with School Uniform

We recognise that families have different circumstances and that some children may require reasonable adjustments to our uniform expectations. If you are experiencing difficulties obtaining school uniform or your child has additional needs that require adjustments, please contact the school office. We will always aim to provide practical support and consider individual circumstances sensitively.