Uniform Policy

 

Nishkam School pupils are ambassadors of the school and all the Nishkam Schools in the trust.  We believe our uniform fosters a sense of belonging, pride and identity. It sets high standards for students and makes an important contribution to a positive and purposeful working environment. We ask that parents support us with the uniform policy and ensure pupils come to school wearing a smart, clean uniform every day.

The schools uniform supplier is School Bells and My Uniform Hub

Supporting to wear the Dastaar

All keshadari male Sikh pupils, (and optionally for female pupils) are required to wear the dastaar for year 7 and above. Please start practicing with your child as early as possible and at least by the beginning of the summer break.  Please let us know if you require specific support to help your child learn to tie the dastaar when school starts.

 

Articles of Faith

As a school, we encourage pupils to wear their ‘articles of faith’ (as specified by an appropriate religious authority).  The school ethos is designed to:

• Encourage and value the religious practices of pupils and staff whilst ensuring the health and safety, and wellbeing of all pupils and staff.
• Support the practice of religious understanding and harmony within schools serving diverse religious and ethnic communities.
• Meet the requirements of the law and government guidance on the wearing of the Sikh articles of faith in the workplace and public spaces (such as Equalities legislation, Health and Safety practices and school policies).
• If your child is an Amritdhari (initiated) Sikh, please kindly:
  • inform us by completing the ‘Article of Faith’ form, to help us support his/her journey through the school.
  • read the ‘Articles of Faith’ policy together with your child, to help understand his/her responsibilities in school.
  • be guided that, a Kirpan should be worn under the shirt or blouse.  
  • consider, if your child is under the age of 11, for him or her to wear a small kirpan around the neck. Parents/ carers or pupils wishing otherwise should discuss this with the school leader on a case-by-case basis.
• During contact sport in secondary schools (football, rugby, basketball, netball, hockey) and all sports in primary schools and swimming, we, the school, will provide a specifically designed small kirpan secured and cushioned within a sports belt to wear as an alternative. The pupil’s personal kirpan should kindly be removed by the pupil and placed in a specifically designed kirpan box provided by the school and left with staff in a predesignated space. It will be important that the sanctity of the kirpan is maintained in doing so.
• During P.E times and during any other physical activity, the Kara (steel bracelet) should be covered with a sweatband.

Jewellery

In the interests of safety, pupils should not wear jewellery as these items can easily become entangled and therefore present a health and safety risk.  

To reflect any professional working environment, students may wear simple stud earrings, one in each ear.

Pupils should not come to school wearing any of the following:

• Skirts above the knee length Jeans or skinny trousers
• Pencil skirts
• Leggings (or similar)
• Patterned or “fishnet” tights; only plain grey tights with the school skirt will be permitted
• Boots, flip flops, trainers – there should be no sports logos on any shoes
• Jewellery including bracelets, necklaces, wristbands, non-ear piercings. Stipulated articles of faith may be worn
• Earrings other than simple studs or multiple pairs of earrings
• Make up
• False eye lashes
• Acrylic nails, nail gels, nail colouring and varnish
• Hoodies, denim jackets, leather jackets or tracksuit tops worn as an outside jacket
• Extreme hairstyles (Mohawks, tramlines, shaved patterns, hair less than grade two, unnatural hair dye colours).

The uniform is compulsory to wear at all times on the journey to and from the school and during the school day. Failure to adhere to the policy is serious and will be addressed through the school’s behaviour protocols.

Sixth Form

To wear professional business attire.

Uniform for 6th Form girls	Uniform for 6th Form boys
Smart trousers/knee length skirts (or suit). Collared work shirt or smart top. Smart work shoes or boots; no trainers, flip-flops, or similar. Tights should be plain (no patterned tights). Chunni (head scarf) for Sikh students during prayer.	Smart Trouser and blazer (or suit). Collared work shirt and tie. Smart work shoes; no trainers. Dastaar for Keshadhari Sikh students.

Additional notes:

• Trousers must be full length and tailored style, no leggings or cropped trousers or shorts allowed.   Material should be plain  – no denim allowed.
• Skirts must be of a modest length and allow freedom of movement around school.
• Tops must be of a suitable, non see-through material with a modest neckline. Length must ensure complete covering of midriff.
• Footwear must be suitable to maintain work appearance – no trainers. Heels should be appropriate and small.

In order to maintain an appropriate dress code whilst allowing our Sixth Form students the privilege of wearing their individual choice of suit, and access to a modern working wardrobe, the school reserves the right to send home any student who fails to meet our standards.  It is suggested that students studying Art or Design courses wear an overall or apron in order to protect their clothing.

It is compulsory to wear appropriate Sixth Form clothing on the journey to and from school and during the school day. Failure to adhere to the policy is serious and will be addressed through the school’s behaviour protocols

 

Recycled Uniform

At Nishkam schools we understand recycled uniforms can benefit all parents, particularly those on low incomes. In addition, by extending the life of garments, it is more sustainable.

If you would like to donate items please ensure the following:

• items are current, clean and wearable (i.e. no holes, rips, stains).
• Please remove all name tags where possible.

To find out more about donating or acquiring recycled uniforms please contact the school office.