We are asking the Governing Board, Senior Leadership and Xavier Academy Heads to review and modernise the Junior School uniform at St Francis Catholic Primary School in Caterham and review the Summer Girls School Uniform for all ages.  

This petition is not asking for the removal of school uniform. We are asking for a practical, affordable and inclusive uniform that reflects the needs of today’s primary school children while still maintaining the standards and identity of the school.

We are asking the school to:

• Replace the compulsory Junior School shirt and tie with the same polo shirt already worn successfully in the Infant School.

• Create one consistent, practical polo shirt uniform across the primary school.

• Allow summer dresses with built in shorts, or an equally practical active option, so girls can move, play and participate freely.

• Consult properly with parents, pupils and staff before making future uniform decisions.

Why does the uniform change at Year 3?
For the first three years of school, children wear polo shirts.

Then, at age seven, families are expected to buy shirts and ties instead.

But what actually changes?

Seven - eleven year olds are still children. They still sit on classroom floors. They still paint, build, run, climb, cartwheel, play and learn through movement.

If polo shirts are smart enough for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, what educational reason is there for replacing them with shirts and ties in Year 3?

At a time when families are facing rising costs, asking parents to buy an entirely new style of uniform needs a very clear reason. We do not believe that reason currently exists.

Shirts and ties are not necessary for learning.
The Education Endowment Foundation says the evidence base on school uniform and academic outcomes is “extremely weak” and that wearing a uniform is not, on its own, likely to improve learning.

Children learn because of excellent teaching, high expectations, supportive relationships and a positive school culture.

Not because they are wearing a tie.

Primary school should be built around children. Primary school is not secondary school. Primary school should prepare children for the future through confidence, independence, kindness, resilience and a love of learning.

It does not need to prepare them for secondary school or work life by putting them in formal clothing at the age of seven - eleven. Children have many years ahead of them to wear shirts, ties and formal clothing if they need to. 

Traditionally, shirts and ties were seen as preparing children for the workplace. Yet many modern professional environments have moved away from compulsory formal business dress in favour of smart, practical clothing that suits the work being undertaken. 

We no longer judge professionals solely by whether they wear a tie. We judge them by how they behave, communicate, collaborate and solve problems. Those are the skills primary schools should be preparing children for.

They only get one childhood.

Comfort and movement matter.
Sport England and the Youth Sport Trust have called for schools to rethink uniform and consider “Always Active Uniforms” that are flexible, comfortable and designed for movement.

Their research found that :
74% of parents of primary aged children support an active uniform.
67% of primary school teachers support an active uniform.
81% of the public believe being active during the school day improves children's mood, focus and wellbeing.
72% believe an active uniform is more appropriate than a smart, office style uniform.
58% agree skirts and dresses discourage girls from participating in physical activity.

Sport England say,  'Unlike traditional uniforms, often stiff, formal and impractical for physical activity, an Always Active Uniform is designed with movement in mind...helping children to be more physically active, more included, more focused and ready to learn.'

The Department of Education says governing boards should: 'Consider how comfortable the proposed uniform will be for pupils,'  and points out that,  'Some schools... have adopted active uniforms which allow pupils to move freely and promote physical activity throughout the day.'

This petition is to show that the St Francis Parents would like this change. 

Children should not be restricted by stiff collars, ties, awkward buttons or clothing that makes movement harder than it needs to be.

A polo shirt is simple, smart, washable and practical and it allows children to get on with being children.

 

 

Summer Uniform: The current summer dress policy is unfair to girls
We have been sent an email to say the summer uniform does not allow dresses with built in shorts.

This creates a problem boys do not have.

Many parents buy separate shorts for underneath anyway, which adds cost and creates an extra layer in hot weather.

More importantly, it affects how girls play.

Boys can climb, roll, hang upside down, cartwheel, race and play freely without thinking about whether someone can see their underwear.

Girls in dresses often cannot.

From a very young age, girls can start changing how they sit, move and play because of what they are wearing.

That is not fair. A school uniform should never be the reason a child joins in less.

Allowing dresses with built in shorts, or another active summer option, would allow girls to play with the same freedom and confidence as boys.

It also sends a healthier message: girls’ bodies are not something they should have to constantly manage or restrict in order to take part.

We are asking parents to sign this petition and for St Francis to take note.

A modern uniform would:
• Reduce unnecessary costs for families.

• Create consistency between Infant and Junior School.

• Improve comfort throughout the school day.

• Support active learning and outdoor play.

• Better support children with sensory needs.

• Give girls equal freedom to play.

• Reduce lost ties, ironing and unnecessary stress at home.

• Keep children looking smart without making them uncomfortable.

• Maintain school pride while reflecting modern primary education.

 

We are proud of our school.

This petition comes from parents who want a uniform that is practical, inclusive, affordable and designed around the real needs of children.

Children only get one primary school experience.

It should be spent learning, exploring, creating, climbing, running and playing, not worrying about ties, collars or whether they can cartwheel in a dress.

We respectfully ask St Francis School to begin a formal review of the Junior School uniform and Summer Uniform policy prior to the new Academic year in September, and to consult with parents, pupils and staff for any further uniform changes. 

 

Signed the below ....