Set out our approach to requiring a uniform that is of reasonable cost and offers the best value for money for parents and carers
Explain how we will avoid discrimination in line with our legal duties under the Equality Act 2010
Clarify our expectations for school uniform

Limiting the cost of school uniform

New national legislation, introduced through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, requires schools to reduce branded items and lower costs. We fully support this and understand that our school has a duty to make sure that our uniform is affordable.

We appreciate that items with distinctive characteristics (such as branded items, or items that have to have a school logo or a unique fabric/colour/design) cannot be purchased from a wide range of retailers and that requiring such items limits parents’/carers’ ability to ‘shop around’ for a low price.

We will make sure our uniform:

Is available at a reasonable cost
Provides the best value for money for parents/carers

We will do this by:

Ensuring a maximum of three branded items are required
Carefully considering whether any items with distinctive characteristics are necessary
Limiting any items with distinctive characteristics where possible
Limiting items with distinctive characteristics to low-cost or long-lasting items, such as ties
Considering cheaper alternatives to school-branded items, such as logos that can be ironed on, as long as this doesn’t compromise quality and durability
Avoiding specific requirements for items pupils could wear on non-school days, such as coats, bags and shoes
Keeping the number of optional branded items to a minimum, so that the school’s uniform can act as a social leveller
Avoiding seasonal uniform requirements where items would only be worn at certain times of the year
Making sure that arrangements are in place for parents/carers to acquire second-hand uniform items
Avoiding frequent changes to uniform specifications and minimising the financial impact on parents of any changes
Consulting with parents/carers and pupils on any proposed significant changes to the uniform policy, and carefully considering any complaints about the policy

Our school’s legal duties under the Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination against an individual based on the protected characteristics, which include sex, race, religion or belief, and gender reassignment.

To avoid discrimination, our school will:

Avoid listing uniform items based on sex, to give all pupils the opportunity to wear the uniform they feel most comfortable in or that most reflects their self-identified gender
Make sure that our uniform costs the same for all pupils
Allow all pupils to have long hair (though we reserve the right to ask for this to be tied back)
Allow all pupils to style their hair in a way that is appropriate for school, yet makes them feel comfortable
Allow pupils to wear headscarves and other religious or cultural symbols
Allow for adaptations to our policy on the grounds of equality, by asking pupils or their parents/carers to get in touch with their Heads of Year who can answer questions about the policy and respond to any requests
Allow pupils to request changes to swimwear for religious reasons

Expectations for school uniform

Our school’s uniform

Our uniform prepares pupils for the world of work; it is practical and smart and also helps our pupils develop a sense of belonging in our academy community.

Please note that, whilst skirts are currently part of the uniform, from September 2026 all pupils will be expected to wear plain black tailored trousers. Full details of our uniform expectations can be found via this link:

All pupils are asked to wear:

Academy Uniform

Grey Academy long-sleeve multi-top with logo and tie visible;
Co-op Academy North Manchester year-coloured tie;
Traditional white school shirt with a collar, with top button fastened;
Plain black tailored school trousers;
Plain black school shoes or full-leather plain black trainers;
Headscarves or headbands must also be plain black.

PE Uniform

Royal blue Academy PE T-Shirt with logo;
Grey Academy long-sleeve multi-top with logo (same as regular academy uniform);
Plain black tracksuit bottoms or plain black PE shorts;
Trainers.

Footwear

For comfort and practicality, we don't insist on formal or traditional black school shoes. Pupils can wear plain black trainers to school.
Pupils enjoy lots of extracurricular activities at lunchtime and this makes it possible to take part and be comfortable while doing so.
Trainers must be black with no logos, embellishments or bubble soles.

To see examples of appropriate footwear, please see our Uniform Expectations Guide 2026.

You can find the Uniform Expectations Guide 2026 by clicking on this link:

School Bags and Equipment

Every pupil must bring a school bag to the academy each day. This will be particularly important next year when pupils will no longer have blazer pockets.

A school bag is a functional item rather than a fashion item; it must have the capacity to hold A4 books and all other required equipment. School bags can be any colour, but shouldn't have expensive designer branding; this puts additional pressure on other parents/carers to spend more than is necessary on a basic school item.

A backpack is an ideal style of bag because it is comfortable and has a large carrying capacity. Cross-body handbag styles are not allowed.

Required equipment:

A school bag big enough to fit A4 exercise books;
A pencil case;
A scientific calculator;
Pens and pencils;
A ruler;
A green pen for self-assessment;
A reusable water bottle;
A waterproof coat.

Please note that coats are not worn inside the building and are packed into bags during the day.

Hairstyles and Nails

Nails must be natural and of an acceptable length due to the health and safety risks that long nails present. Pupils are not permitted to attend the academy with any form of pattern shaved into their heads or eyebrows. Extreme hairstyles such as Mohican-style haircuts are not allowed.

Jewellery

Pupils are allowed to wear one pair of stud earrings which must not hang below the bottom of the earlobe. Large earrings that hang below the earlobe, bars or hoops are not permitted, as shown in the Uniform Expectations Guide. No other jewellery is permitted to be worn for school including bracelets, chains, rings or facial piercings.

Banned Items

No hoodies, caps, beanie hats, caps, leg-warmers or outerwear (to include body warmers) are allowed to be worn in the academy.

Items worn on the way to school must go into school bags during the day. This includes headphones, earphones and AirPods.

How to buy

For September 2026, there are only two branded items required.

These can be bought from Debonair by following this link.

More information will be shared directly with parents and carers in anticipation of the 2026/7 school year.

Uniform Exchange

As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability and assisting parents and carers with uniform expenses, the academy offers a uniform exchange program accessible to all pupils. We maintain a selection of pre-owned academy blazers and unbranded items for pupils to choose from. If you require any support with uniform please email noma-enquiries@coopacademies.co.uk and we will be happy to help.

Expectations for our school community

Pupils

Pupils are expected to wear the correct uniform at all times (other than specified non-school uniform days) while:

On the school premises
Travelling to and from school
At out-of-school events or on trips that are organised by the school, or where they are representing the school (if required)

Parents and carers

Parents and carers are expected to make sure their child has the correct uniform and PE kit, and that every item is:

Clean
Clearly labelled with the child’s name
In good condition

Staff

Staff will closely monitor pupils to make sure they are in the correct uniform. They will give any pupils and families breaching the uniform policy the opportunity to comply, but will follow up with the leadership team if the situation doesn’t improve.

Ongoing breaches of our uniform policy will be dealt with according to our Behaviour Policy.

In cases where it is suspected that financial hardship has resulted in a pupil not complying with this uniform policy, staff will take a mindful and considerate approach to resolving the situation.

Links to other policies

This policy is linked to our:

Behaviour policy
Equality information and objectives statement
Anti-bullying policy
Trust Complaints policy