Dear Parent/Carer,

I am writing to you today to outline our renewed focus on high standards and school uniform.

At Co-op Academy Priesthorpe, we believe that a smart uniform is central to building a sense of community and pride. It ensures that all students are equal and can focus entirely on their learning. While the vast majority of our students attend school looking smart and professional, we have noticed a recent decline in consistency.

Effective from Monday 23rd February, we will be implementing a rigorous uniform check at the academy entrance every morning.

We want to be clear about the process so there is no confusion:

• Checks: Staff will check every student’s uniform before they enter the building from the time the doors open. Students will be expected to be dressed in full school uniform before entering the academy.

• Borrowing: If a student arrives without a specific item (e.g., tie, blazer, correct shoes), they will be required to borrow an item from our stock for the day. To ensure the loaned item is returned, students will be expected to hand over a personal item as a deposit. This will be stored securely and returned at the end of the day.

• Refusal: We view borrowing an item as a reasonable request that allows a student to access their learning immediately. Therefore, if a student refuses to borrow the required item, they will be placed in the Room for Improvement (RFI) for the remainder of the day.

We are committed to ensuring no learning time is lost, and this system ensures students can resolve a uniform issue quickly and get straight to class.

We recognise that the cost of living is high. If there is a genuine financial reason why your child does not have the correct uniform, please contact your child’s Year Manager via email. 

We thank you for your continued support in ensuring Co-op Academy Priesthorpe remains a place of high standards and high achievement.

Yours sincerely,

Liam King