Uniform
At Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey we believe that high expectations around uniform form the basis for students to show pride in their learning and in their Academy and in themselves. Consequently, students strive to achieve the highest standards academically, thus securing the best life chances.
We are proud of our students and want them to be proud to belong to our academy. Our Uniform and Appearance Policy is clear and simple and strictly enforced.
Please read this guidance, alongside the Oasis National Uniform Policy - which outlines responsibilities held by the academy, parents/carers and students. You can also access this policy through our Policies page.
Why do we have a uniform?
We recognise the value of having academy uniforms for the following reasons:
- Inclusion – uniforms promote our belief of inclusion for all
- A sense of belonging – the uniform promotes a sense of belonging in each student, academy and the Trust
- Safety – if all the students in our Trust wear a clearly recognisable, correctly branded uniform it is easy to identify strangers in the academy. On the way to and from the academy it also affords a degree of safety as the students are part of a large body of young people who will look out for each other
- Preparation for the future – many jobs require staff to wear a uniform and even if there isn’t a uniform there is often a dress code. Uniform helps young people get used to dressing to a prescribed standard. It also helps them know the difference between formal and informal dress
- Value for money – good quality uniform should be seen as effective value for money by most parents / carers
- Relieves students from fashion ‘stress’ – a localised academy uniform eliminates the stress placed on students to purchase and wear expensive, fashionable items
- A sense of pride – we all feel proud of our young people when they are well dressed in the uniform. Uniform and PE/sport kits also help students to demonstrate pride in their academy
- Helps raise aspirations – the smarter you feel the more you believe you can achieve
Uniform Suppliers
You can purchase uniform (non-branded items) from any retailer (ie: supermarket or clothing outlets). Please note, branded items are only available directly from Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey.
- Years 7, 8 and 9 PE kit: is available for purchase online via Macron London & South East
- Years 10 and 11 PE kit: can only be purchased directly from the Minster campus Uniform shop ( open during term time: 08:00 – 15:30 Monday – Friday. Please check uniform shop opening hours during school holidays.)
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the academy on 01795 873591 or office@oasisisleofsheppey.org.
Secondary Uniform
|
Item |
Is this a branded item? |
Optional or required? |
All year or seasonal? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Academy blazer* |
Yes |
Required |
All year |
|
Academy Tie |
Yes |
Required |
All year |
|
Jumper |
No |
Optional |
seasonal |
|
White smart shirt |
No |
Required |
All year |
|
Plain black skirt (knee length - non stretchy material) or trousers |
No |
Required |
All year |
|
Sensible black shoes/black trainers |
No |
Required |
All year |
|
Black or neutral tights – black socks |
No |
Required |
All year |
*Please note there are two cuts of blazer - Saville and Colchester - Colchester is slimmer fitting and comes up shorter than Saville (typically preferred by female students).
Academy leadership and Year Teams reserve the right to use their own professional judgement when ruling on uniform.
Secondary PE Kit (Year 7 and 8)
|
Item |
Is this a branded item? |
Optional or required? |
All year or seasonal? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Academy T Shirt |
Yes |
Required |
All year |
|
Shorts / Skort / Leggings / Joggers |
Yes |
Optional (students can choose to wear one of these options for PE) |
All year |
|
Zip top |
Yes |
Optional |
seasonal |
Secondary PE Kit (Year 9,10 and 11)
|
Item |
Is this a branded item? |
Optional or required? |
All year or seasonal? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Academy Polo |
Yes |
Required |
All year |
|
Shorts / Skort / Leggings / Joggers |
Yes |
Optional (students can choose to wear one of these options for PE) |
All year |
|
Red base layers |
Yes |
Optional |
seasonal |
Sixth Form Uniform
|
Item |
Is this a branded item? |
Optional or required? |
All year or seasonal? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Tailored Jacket |
No |
Required |
All Year |
|
Blouse or shirt |
No |
Required |
All year |
|
Skirt or trousers |
No |
Required |
All year |
|
Smart shoes only |
No |
Required |
All year |
Equipment and stationery
Our expectations of all learners is to be fully and effectively prepared for all lessons and so we ask for all young people to have a well-equipped pencil case to ensure learning opportunities and learning time are not lost.
We do not have a strict or exhaustive pencil case contents list but all learners should be effectively equipped with the following items:
- School bag large enough to fit iPad
- iPad to be brought in daily, fully charged
- Two or three plain black writing pens
- One or two drawing HB equivalent pencils
- Ruler
- Eraser/Rubber
- Green pen for improvements to marked work
- Scientific calculator
- A small number of colouring pencils
All students should also carry with them a reading book.
High Standards of Appearance
Stud earrings and watches are the only permitted jewellery on site. Students wearing any other items, such as hoop or long earrings, rings, or bracelets will be asked to remove them.
- Only natural hair colours, no extreme colours
- No tramlines in hair or eyebrows
- Hair no shorter than a Number 2 shave
- No facial or other piercings
- No henna or artificial tattoos/body ink
- No artificial/false nails or gel nails/gel colours
- No nail varnish
Uniform and appearance is checked rigorously each morning at the gate by members of the Academy Leadership team. Year teams will check students’ uniform throughout the day. In cases where students do not comply with this rule, a uniform slip will be issued highlighting the item missing or needing to be changed.
As a parent/carer, your assistance in enforcing the uniform and appearance policy will be gratefully received. Students should not need to lose valuable time away from their education to address situations regarding any uniform issues, if they are correctly attired and presented.
Personal belongings
Please do not send you children to the academy with personal belongings other than those required for study. Any games devices brought in for break times should be brought in with caution. The school accepts no responsibility for lost items.
Rules concerning mobile phones, EEDs and headphones/earphones
- Mobile phones and EEDs should be kept out of sight at all times throughout the school day.
- Students seen with these will have the device confiscated from them.
- Confiscated mobiles will be put in the Academy safe and will only be given back to parents/carers unless express permission has been given by a member of ALT.
- In certain circumstances (persistent use, suspicion of illegal images, etc.) the device may be retained by the Principal and parents asked to meet with the Principal.
- The Principal reserves the right to download any images which provide evidence of breaches of the Academy discipline policy;
- Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey students bring in mobile devices at their own risk.
- Headphones/earphones have no educational value and are banned from the Academy site. They will be confiscated if seen and will only be returned to parents/carers.
Physical Education
For safety reasons, all jewellery should be removed for all PE activities and long hair should be tied up. If students are unable to remove jewellery, it should be covered with tape.
Usually, students are expected to change into PE kit for every PE lesson.
Religious items
Some students may wish to wear distinctive garments for religious reasons. As an academy we consult with our parents, carers and community representatives to determine which religious garments are allowed at school.
Religious head coverings may be worn but must be plain, as well as of an agreed colour to be fixed upon by the academy. In most cases, the standard colour would include black, navy blue or white, although exceptions may be made with the academy.
Students may wear long, ankle-length skirts, instead of knee-length skirts or trousers.
Students may wear long tracksuit bottoms for PE instead of shorts.
No dress will be allowed that covers any part of the face from forehead to neck in the interests of safety. It is vital that the academy staff can always recognise who is in the academy.
Should parents/carers require their child to wear a specifically religious garment or symbol, they should contact the academy (i.e., the Principal) who, after consultation, will contact the parent/carer with a decision.
Second hand uniform
To ensure that uniforms are affordable for everyone and to reduce our carbon footprint, we have a uniform hub on both campuses. Parent/carers have kindly donated pre-worn or unwanted items, which are in good condition and have been laundered. These are available free of charge. Please ask at main reception on either campus for more details.
Uniform costs and support
The academy takes the cost of the uniform seriously and works hard to ensure that items required can be purchased for a reasonable price which provides good value.
If any parents/carers are concerned about the cost of uniform items, we do have a hardship fund. Please contact your child’s Year team and we can explore the best way in which we can support/help you.