Uniform

Our Vision

Our vision is that every member of the Academy community (students and adults) is given the opportunity to achieve and be the best they can be. We want people to aspire to do great things, to achieve highly and to make a contribution to the Academy community, the community of Milton Keynes and to the national and international communities. In this way, ‘Everyone Achieves’.

Our Values

Uniform promotes a strong sense of self discipline, self-esteem, equality and a sense of belonging to a community with a shared set of values. At our Academy we value enterprise and employability skills alongside academic achievement. We want our students to be well prepared for the world of work where first impressions are very important. We believe that if young people look smart, they will act smart and be smart. Appearances matter. Uniform encourages a professional and business-like attitude that aims for quality and success. We want our students to be proud of their appearance and their academy.

Aims

Our Uniform Policy is about looking smart for the work place. Our Policy contributes to the ethos and culture of our Academy.

Uniform:

• helps to set the right tone
• promotes good behaviour and discipline
• protects children from social pressures and bullying
• supports community cohesion between different groups of students

Overview and Operation of the Policy

1. The Academy uniform is both smart and practical and avoids the fashion trends. The only branded items available from our on-line retailer are the blazer, the tie and the backpack. (See uniform list in the appendix to this policy and on the website). All other items are available from major retailers and the main supermarkets
2. Hoodies are not permitted on the school site and must be removed at the school gate to avoid confiscation.
3. The standard of dress is the responsibility of the individual student.
4. Every member of staff has a responsibility to ensure that students are correctly dressed while in classes and moving around the Academy building (see uniform chain in the appendix)
5. Any member of staff may address a student’s uniform issue at any time.
6. Tutors are expected to make the checking of uniform a daily event during registration.
7. Students not in uniform will be asked to go to the uniform room to change into Academy loan stock for the day, returning the borrowed item at the end of the day. This loan stock is washed regularly and is bought for this purpose.
8. If a student refuses to change, they will be detained in Reset and their parents/carers will be contacted by the Year Team.
9. The Principal or a person authorised by the Principal, may ask a student to go home briefly to remedy a breach of the Academy’s rules on appearance or uniform.
10. Any issues of genuine hardship should, in the first instance, be referred to the Head of Year.

You can order Academy uniform here.

The Milton Keynes Academy Dress Code

Uniform Item	Description
Black, single-breasted blazer with The Milton Keynes Academy logo	• Blazers without logo are not permitted • To be worn at all times, including when students arrive or leave school • Must be worn with sleeves rolled down
Plain black, smart trousers (plain black belt, without oversized decorative belt can be worn)	• No jeans or jean style trousers • No cargo style trousers • No cropped trousers • Trousers should be tailored • No leggings or skintight trousers
Plain black tailored school skirts	• Must be knee length • Plain black tights must be worn when wearing a skirt • No socks/ankle socks to be worn over the top of tights
White shirt, long or short sleeved	• Neck size to allow the top button to be fastened comfortably • Shirts should be tucked in
Year 7 & 8, black and grey stripped tie Year 9 and 10, black, grey and gold striped tie Year 11, gold Tie	• Academy tie
Plain black smart shoes	• Formal black leather/leather look shoes • No boots above ankle cut, trainers, pumps, dancing shoes or informal shoes • Shoes with sports logos are not permitted • No thin heels e.g. Stilletto or Kitten heels • No sandals, sliders, sling backs or flip flops • No trainers of any kind (please refer to the footwear guide)
Plain black socks or tights	• No logos/decoration
Plain black school back-pack or black school back-pack with The Milton Keynes Academy logo	• No other bags permitted
Black V-neck jumper with gold stripe (optional)	• No hoodies, sweatshirts or any other style of jumper or cardigan permitted • No logos/decoration
White short sleeved t-shirt or vest (optional)	• Can be worn under shirts only (no logos/decoration)

PE Kit

Year 7 & Year 8 Students Kit

Compulsory	Optional
Black Polo Shirt with Milton Keynes Academy logo Plain black shorts Sports socks – black or white Suitable sporting footwear	Plain black jogging bottoms (Please note: no other hoodies, sweatshirts or jogging bottoms are permitted)

Year 9 to Year 11 Students Kit

Compulsory	Optional
Black Polo shirt with Milton Keynes Academy logo Plain black shorts Sports socks – black or white Suitable sporting footwear	Plain black jogging bottoms (Please note: no other hoodies, sweatshirts or jogging bottoms are permitted)

All clothing must be appropriate for the school environment.

Other Items

Hair and make-up

• All hair colour must be natural or red dye only
• Hairstyles should not be extreme
• Long hair to be tied back in PE, DT and science
• Hair products should be avoided due to safety issued around flames in Science,
  DT etc.
• Students will be given 24 hours to change inappropriately coloured hair
• Hair extensions must be the wearer’s hair colour
• Hair accessories must be sensible and plain black (nor sparkles or decorations)
• Make-up must be subtle. The Milton Keynes Academy defines what subtle is
  and students will be asked to remove excess
• No nail extensions: these prevent students from effectively participating in
  activities and pose a safety risk. Only clear varnish – no colours
• Hijabs/durags and other religious headwear must be plain black in line with school uniform colours, with no sparkles or decoration

Jewellery

• One small gold/silver ring is permitted
• One pair of small gold/silver sleeper/stud earrings is permitted
• One gold, silver, clear nose stud in only one nostril is permitted
• No ear stretchers or spikes
• No other jewellery items are permitted
• No facial piercings other than a gold, silver, clear nose stud in only one nostril, no hoops, no multiple studs, no tongue studs, no spacers

Students with any of the above prohibited piercings must remove piercing. Covering piercing with a plaster or plastic retainer is not an acceptable alternative

Coat

• Not to be worn instead of blazer or under blazer
• No hoodies are permitted in the building

Hats

• Hats must not be worn unless authorised during periods of hot weather. They should be plain black only

Entry to classes at The Milton Keynes Academy will depend on students complying with the dress Code.

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