policies - staff dress code

7/30/2019 Policies - Staff Dress Code

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St Thomas BecketCatholic College

STAFFDRESS

POLICY


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1. THE POLICYThe Governing Body of St Thomas Becket Catholic College deems that inappropriate

dress can create the view that the School is unprofessional, creates offence and may be at

risk of being interpreted as disrespectful by parents and the public generally.

The Governing Body takes the view that all our staff at St Thomas Becket Catholic

College should be dressed appropriately for their particular role.

The Governing body is also mindful of the need to avoid direct or indirect discrimination

against any employee on the grounds of their sex, race, disability, sexual orientation,

religion, belief or age.

The Governing Body recognises the ethnic diversity of its workforce and takes into account

cultural and religious dress requirements as necessary.

2. THE SCOPE OF THE POLICY

This policy is applicable to all members of the Governing body when on School business,

all permanent staff, and includes all temporary, casual, relief, supply staff and Autismresource staff (when on school premises). This policy may also be applied to regular

visitors in School.

3. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Governing Body

The Resources Sub-Committee takes responsibility for reviewing the staff dress policy

every two years .

The Governing Body is aware of its responsibility to consider fairly and withoutdiscrimination any religious issues and its responsibility in ensuring health and safety is

paramount within an acceptable dress code.

The Headteacher

The Headteacher or his/her delegated member of staff is empowered to determine the

standard of smartness acceptable at St Thomas Becket Catholic College and will meet

informally with members of staff should an item of dress or footwear be considered

inappropriate, stating clearly the reasons why it is deemed inappropriate.

Failure to follow the dress policy may result in a management instruction and subsequently

further action as outlined in the schools disciplinary procedures.

The Human resources Manager

The Human Resources Manager will ensure this policy remains legally appropriate by

keeping up-to-date with relevant case law.

The Human Resources Manager will advise and support the Premises Manager and Catering

Manager in ensuring that the cleaning and catering standard of uniform is maintained and

applied consistently, in keeping with health and safety requirements. He / she will alsooversee the dress of the administrative, clerical and ancilliary staff.


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The Headteacher

The Headteacher or delegated member of staff will determine the occasion when the code of

staff dress will not apply and this may be on INSET days, school trips or specific non-

uniform days.

Staff

St Thomas Becket Catholic College staff recognises they are setting an example to young

people at all times and take responsibility in trying to promote and adhere to a professional,

smart and consistent appearance at all times.

For staff in specialist areas, failure to wear correct safety dress can amount to gross

misconduct which could lead to dismissal.

Staff wishing to raise concerns about another member of staffs standard of dress should do

so by consulting with the Human Resources Manager in the first instance.

Trade Unions

The policy will be reviewed in conjunction with our Trade Union Representatives every two

years, in line with the requirements of the Resources Sub-Committee.

4. The dress Code at St Thomas Becket Catholic College

This dress code has been devised taking into account relevant case law, union consultation

and a nominated staff consultation group.

In general, the dress of all teaching and support staff must be tidy and smart, reflecting the

business like ethos that Governors and hopefully parents, wish to foster and maintain in staffand students alike.

Staff working in specific areas need, to take particular care regarding their dress and

footwear, ensuring their own safety at all times, specifically if undertaking practical work

shops as an example. These specialist areas include PE, Design/Technology, Food

Technology, Art, Science, Premises and ICT Support. Staff wearing inappropriate dress or

footwear, contrary to the guidelines given below, do so at their own risk and should be

aware that it is a criminal offence not to wear safety dress in certain situations; for example,

headwear and hairnets in kitchens for hygiene reasons, hard hats in construction areas.

St Thomas Becket Catholic College encourages all staff to avoid brightly dyed hair,

extreme hairstyles, excessive piercings, inappropriate garments which may include items

with offensive, inappropriate or political logos, denim material garments or beachwear.

Tattoos if visible should be covered up, where practical.

Female staff

The following items of clothing are not appropriate: short skirts/dresses, culottes/shorts,

leggings, crop trousers, capri pants, see through trousers i.e. white unlined linen. Jeans or

jean type trousers, cargo pants (with side leg pockets and draw strings etc). See through

tops, low cut tops, vest tops, off the shoulder tops, exposed midriffs.


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Male staff

Male members of staff would be expected to wear shirt and tie, smart trousers and jackets as

appropriate. Denim material garments, jeans and jeans type trousers and shorts should not be

worn.

Footwear

Footwear should be smart and must be protective at all times i.e. a full front and back and of

an appropriate heel height (no higher than three inches). For men a full shoe is required. Flip

flop styles, including Birkenstocks, single strapped and back-less shoes are deemed

inappropriate in a School environment where there are several risks including the shoe

coming off the foot and students accidentally knocking into feet during breaks and

lunchtimes in congested areas of the School. Thin soled ballet slippers and Ugg boots are

not appropriate.

This dress code is sensitive to and takes into account cultural and religious dress

Head Dress

No caps or hats may be worn in school, unless for health and safety reasons or on religious

grounds. No head covering should be worn that covers a substantial part of a persons face.

The reasons for this are:

The Governors take the view that in an institution where verbal communication and body

language, form an important and significant part of the work with children and young

persons, it is not appropriate for any member of staff who comes into contact with students in

teaching and learning situations to have a substantial part of their face covered; and the

Governors are concerned to ensure that the School remains vigilant about the safety andsecurity of staff and students, and that no person employed by the School should have their

faces covered, and that the identity of persons visiting the School wearing clothes that cover

the face, should not be allowed to go beyond Reception until. (All visitors must wear

identity badges obtained in Reception).

Complaints

Any complaints regarding this policy should be made in the first instance to the

Headteacher. If not satisfied, the complainant may take his/her complaint to the Governing

Body. The Governors decision will be final.

Monitoring and Review

The Human Resources Manager will report annually on the working of this policy, and may

suggest amendments at any time to be considered by the Resources Sub-Committee. The

Dress Code will be issued on an annual basis to all staff at the start of every academic year

and to all new employees during the School Induction Day.


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Date submitted to Resources Sub - Committee

Headteachers Signature

Name of Headteacher.

Chair of Governing Bodys Signature.

Name of Chair of Governing Body

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