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School Uniform
Support with school uniform
Should you find that you need help or assistance with uniform, we are here for you. Please contact Lorraine Young or Sarah Handcock via the school office or follow the link for more information about how we can support with school uniform.
Our Always Active Uniform at Mendip Green
We are very proud of our school uniform and believe that it is important for children to have a level playing field during the school day and not feel any pressures to wear the latest fashion or expensive brand of trainer.
We deliberately make our uniform very accessible – it can be purchased cheaply from local supermarkets and, although logoed items are available through our website, these are not a requirement.
Our full School Uniform Policy is available in the policy section of our website.
We are making changes to our school uniform from September. The key aims for these changes are to ensure our uniform:
- allows children to be active throughout the school day.
- removes the gender imbalance between what boys/girls traditionally wear which creates an inequality of access to activities.
- is comfortable and inclusive for all.
- is winter-proof.
- is easy to clean and continues to be affordable for all.
- does not add negatively to ‘cognitive load’ through colour or comfort.
Mendip Green is going GREEN. However, to reduce cost and waste, children may wear red items instead of green for the next 2 years. The new uniform will fully replace red items from September 2028.
School Uniform
What is an always active uniform?
An Always Active Uniform is a simple but powerful change that supports young people’s health, confidence and access to physical activity. It is a flexible, comfortable school uniform including active footwear designed to support spontaneous movement and daily activity throughout the school day.
Unlike traditional school uniforms, which can be restrictive and gendered, the Always Active Uniform removes barriers to PE and play by allowing children to stay ready for movement in lessons, at break, and beyond.
This approach is especially beneficial for:
Increasing participation in physical activity
Improving comfort and focus in class
Supporting inclusion for girls and students with SEND
Reducing costs for families by removing the need for multiple kits
Wearing incorrect uniform
We have noticed this year that some children are routinely wearing items that are non-uniform. This includes items with brand logos and/or are not school colours. We will be using September as a reset and expect all children to be wearing the correct uniform every day. You will see below the additional steps we have taken to make our uniform even more child-focused and to cater to all needs. If children are wearing items that are non-uniform, they will be asked to change into spare items held in school (these may be in the new school colours or the old school colours depending on the sizes we have available).
If your child comes to school in incorrect uniform, including footwear, we may need to contact you to request you bring in correct uniform for them.
Details of the Always Active Uniform at Mendip Green
We allow…
We recommend…
Tops
Bottle green:
- jumper/cardigan/fleece
- polo shirt
- t-shirtWhite:
- polo shirt
- t-shirtChildren may also wear a bottle green/black/grey zip up hoodie for PE instead of their green jumper/fleece, if they wish.
Year 6 children may wear their leavers' hoodie instead of a school jumper/cardigan.
Avoid white!
Bottle green uniform will not show stains and will be easier to wash.
Some children may wear the same type of top for PE as they do day-to-day. This is not a problem.
Bottoms
Black/Grey
- trousers, including joggers and leggings
- shorts, including cycling shorts
- culottes and skorts
- joggers/leggings/shorts (PE)
Children may also wear black grey skirt/pinafore/playsuit with a bottle green or white top (winter) or bottle green checked dress/playsuit (summer).
Avoid tailored items. These take longer to dry and are not as flexible for active play.
Jersey fabrics are more breathable and comfortable.Think carefully about uniform for girls: skirts and dresses, even when wearing cycling shorts underneath, can make it difficult to engage in all play activities.
Some children will wear the same type of bottoms for PE as they do day-to-day. This is not a problem.
Shoes
Plain black shoes, including black trainers (no coloured laces/soles)
All shoes must have a thick sole and good grip. Shoes must be secured to the foot with laces, Velcro or buckled straps
If you are struggling to get plain black trainers for PE, we will allow white trainers or other colours (no brightly coloured trainers, please) on PE days only.
What do you need to provide for the winter?
- A pair of wellies if your child would like to access the fields in wet weather (named)
- A drawstring bag (water-proof material if possible) or carrier bag to protect shoes and keep them together when they are in the box (shoes and bags should be named)
It is likely that wellies will not be needed until mid/late October.
One pair of black trainers can be worn for PE and day-to-day.
Consider how active your child’s shoes will allow them to be.
Avoid shoes with high shine as these do not stand up well to play.
Tights and socks
Tights and socks that are on show should be in school colours.
Socks worn under trousers can be any colour/design, as always, the world is your oyster.
Coats
It is essential that all children have a coat/waterproof for cold and wet weather. We may call you to ask you to bring in a coat, if your child does not have one. Your child may be prevented from going out to play if they do not have appropriate clothing to keep them dry and warm so they are not sat in damp clothes for the rest of the day.
Hair accessories
All hair longer than shoulder length should be tied up. Hair accessories should be functional, in school colours and of a sensible size – no giant bows or cat ears please!
Jewellery
Simple studs can be worn in pierced ears. These will need to be removed for PE. If earrings can not be removed they will need to be taped over. Jewellery that is worn for religious reasons is permitted (this will need to be removed for PE). Children may also wear a simple wrist watch (no SMART watches please - for children in Y5/6 who may be walking home alone and need to wear a SMART watch for this reason, the watch must be locked in the phone box with the class mobile phones). No other jewellery is permitted, including charity bands and friendship bracelets.
PE Kits
On your child’s PE day they should come to school wearing their PE kit. With the exception of trainers, all PE kit should be unbranded. Football and rugby kits are not permitted. Due to our move to more active uniforms, their PE kit may be very similar to (or even the same as) their day to day uniform.
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Weather Proof Uniform:
We will play outdoors in all weather, with the exception of torrential rain or where guidance has been given through the Met Office to stay indoors. As always, it is essential that children bring a coat during wet weather and appropriate items such as hats and gloves when it is very cold.
If you would also like to send your child to school with waterproof trousers or puddle suits, please do. It will enable them to stay completely dry so they can make the most of the outdoor spaces during wet weather.
See above table for details regarding wellies. We will have a small number of spare pairs of wellies available but cannot guarantee these will be the right size or that there will be enough for all children who do not bring wellies to school with them. Children’s wellies can stay in school throughout the winter or you can ask your child to bring them home each day/week. Children who do not have wellies will still be able to access the full lunchtime play provision available on the playgrounds.
Book bags and school bags:
- New EYFS starters are given a book bag as a gift from our PTA
- We encourage all Year 1 and Year 2 children to have a book bag. However, a small school bag is also permitted.
- Year 3 - 6 children can bring a small school bag. As a guide, this should fit in a washing up bowl when full.
Stationery: All stationery is provided by the school. However, children in Year 3 to Year 6 are able to bring a small pencil case with essential, basic stationery, if they wish.
No notebooks, sticky notes, highlighters, marker pens or gel pens, please.
Buying Uniform Online
This link will take you to the Price & Buckland website where you can purchase uniform with the Mendip Green logo
