Uniform and equipment

At Ark John Keats academy, we believe that our approach to uniform benefits our community in a number of ways:

• Uniforms unite the academy. Students make a commitment that when they put on their Ark John Keats uniform, they will actively support our ethos and abide by the rules of our community.
• Uniforms reduce distractions. We are focused on achieving success.
• Uniforms help ensure equality in the academy. Whether families have high incomes or low incomes, the students come to the academy looking the same way. No one must feel bad about the clothes they have or don’t have.
• Uniforms look professional, in that students look neat and ready to learn.

All of the Ark John Keats Academy uniform can be purchased from the Lyons uniform shop on the Hertford Road. Lyons also run an online service that offers delivery to the academy on alternate Tuesdays.

Items with an asterix (*) must be purchased from the Lyons Uniform Shop (www.uniform4kids.com, 020 8804 3627.)

• Blazer*: Navy with fuchsia lining, with academy year group badge.
• Jumper*: Navy knitted V neck with school logo.
• Shirt: Plain light blue with collar. Long or short sleeved. Must be tucked in at all times, with the top button done up.
• Tie*: Navy with pink and gold repeated stripes with 6 stripes showing.
• Navy trousers: Trousers should be loose fitting with a pleated front and must be worn with black or navy socks.
• Knee-length pleated skirt: Navy pleated front skirt. Must be worn knee length, with navy tights or knee length socks or a full-length smart skirt.
• Plain navy tights: Ankle socks cannot be worn over tights. They must be worn under tights and be black/navy in colour.
• Navy school rucksack*
• Plain black shoes: No trainers or boots. Laces must be black. Shoes must be flat not heeled.
• Black or navy coloured jacket: No large branding or pictures. All jackets must be zipped – no hooded jackets or jumpers that must be removed over the head are permitted.
• PE bag*: Navy PE bag with school logo.

PE Uniform

• Tracksuit*: AJK branded top and bottoms.
• Polo shirt*: AJK branded navy polo shirt.
• Shorts*: AJK branded navy shorts (knee length)
• Navy football socks: Knee length.
• Trainers: Must be appropriate for sports. No converse style trainers.

Outdoor clothing

Outdoor coats in the secondary phase should be black or navy coloured and plain and worn over the blazer. Jackets must not have large logos or branding on them. Denim jackets are not permitted. All jackets must be zipped –no hooded jackets that must be removed over the head or hoodies are permitted.

Mobile Phones and Smart Watches

Mobile phones are to be handed in at the allocated area by 8:25am. Mobiles that are seen by staff, in use or not, will be confiscated for 10 school days. If pupils need to call home, they can do so from student service or reception. Parents will receive a text when phones are confiscated and due to be returned. Smart watches capable of communication through connectivity with phones are not permitted and are subject to the above confiscation policy.

Hair and headwear

Hair must be of a natural hair colour and appropriately styled (no tramlines, Mohicans or eyebrow/hair designs). Hair accessories must be discreet and in school colours. Baseball caps are not permitted. Pupils are permitted to cover their heads for religious or cultural reasons. Headscarves must be plain black or navy. Turbans and handkerchiefs must be plain black or navy. Eyebrows must also be natural in style.  

 Fingernail polish or make-up   

Pupils are not allowed to wear fingernail polish or false nails. Make-up is not allowed. Any makeup or nail varnish that is worn will be required to be removed immediately.  

 Jewellery   

With the exception of a wristwatch and small plain stud earrings, no other jewellery is permitted.  

Equipment 

Pupils should bring the following items with them on their first day at school. A clear pencil case with the following items:

Our sixth form dress code is important to us as it is one way in which we identify ourselves as a community, promoting a strong and cohesive AJK identity. Our sixth form dress code reflects our values and reinforces our academy’s culture of high expectations, pride in our appearance and academic achievement. It promotes harmony between different groups represented in the academy and enhances self- esteem and a sense of personal security.

As young adults, our sixth form students have more freedom in what they wear to school than those in the secondary phase, but a smart and professional appearance remains important. Our students should be able to leave AJK and immediately attend a formal interview without having to change their appearance in any way.

Expectations:

Pupils must wear:

• A suit or formal skirt, dress, or trousers with a jacket
• Smart shirt
• Plain, smart jumper or cardigan if desired
• Shoes should be formal and appropriate for school. Heels should not be higher than 5cm, with a closed toe, and comfortable enough to wear throughout the school day.

In addition, all sixth form students will be expected to wear a lanyard and ID card daily to signal that they belong within the sixth form.

The following items are not allowed:

• Sweatshirts or t-shirts
• Trainers, including Vans, Converse, or other canvass shoes
• Caps or hats
• Ripped clothing
• Tracksuits
• Jeans or leggings
• Short skirts or dresses
• Tight clothing or crop tops
• Excessive make up

Students will either be sent home, or spend the day in seclusion, if they are inappropriately dressed.

Managing Hot Weather for Students

The following outlines our approach to managing periods of hot weather for students.

Summer term

The following practices apply throughout the summer term, regardless of temperatures.

1. Jumpers are optional, but students should still wear their shirt and tie.
2. Blazers are optional for primary students.
3. Secondary students should still wear their blazers at line up and on transitions but may take their blazers off during lessons and at break and lunchtime. (NB: Students not wearing a blazer should not wear a coat.)
4. Students are encouraged to ensure their water bottle is full by using water fountains at break and lunch. Students should wear suncream if necessary. Primary students may bring a sun hat.

Hot weather

The following measures will be put in place when the weather is hot (usually temperatures above 25 degrees). This may be for a full day or part of a day and these measures will be communicated with students and staff in school at the time.

1. Students will be told that they do not need to wear a blazer. They should still bring this to school as we will update the requirements throughout the day as temperatures change.
2. Further adjustments may be made to uniform throughout the day if temperatures increase (e.g. removal of ties, no top buttons).
3. Shaded areas are available in the courtyards, canteen and library if students wish to avoid sunshine at break and lunch.
4. The site team and staff will monitor building temperatures and take measures to keep spaces as cool as possible.  

Extreme hot weather

The following additional measures will be put in place when the weather is extremely hot (usually temperatures above 30 degrees, when there are specific weather warnings, or a known long period of heat wave). These measures re most likely to be in place for a fixed period, e.g. two days or a full week, and will be communicated with both students and parents, and with notice where possible.

1. Students will be able to make fixed term adjustments to their uniform, which would include:
   • Wearing a shirt without a tie or blazer (students would not be required to bring a blazer or tie to school at all in these circumstances).
   • The option to wear PE kit to school
   • The option to bring a wide brimmed hat to wear when outside
2. Closure and reallocation of certain rooms as required and based on close monitoring of temperatures around the site.
3. Amendments to break and lunchtime to provide shaded and cool spaces for students.
4. Amendments to any strenuous or physical activity which would not be appropriate in the heat.

We ask that all clothing is named, including shoes, so that lost items can be returned to their owner. The school cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage of pupils’ property and valuables. All mislaid items are placed in the lost property box located in the school office. Please ask the school office if you wish to look through this box. We endeavour to return all named property, but give unclaimed lost property to a local children’s charity at the end of term.

Our school uniform supplier is Lyon School Shop, 242 Hertford Road, Enfield, EN3 5BL.

Website: www.uniform4kids.com

Phone: 020 8804 3627

Second-hand items

Any unwanted items of uniform may be given to the school office. We host regular second-hand uniform sales where good quality items can be picked up for low cost.