Author Archives: Claire Colvine

  1. Case study: Birchanger C of E Primary School, Bishop’s Stortford

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    A uniform fit for a modern childhood

    We introduced an active school uniform in September 2024. Prior to this, our uniform consisted of a navy sweatshirt, fleece or cardigan (with logo), grey trousers or skirts, school shoes, and a blue polo shirt (with logo). During the summer term, boys could wear shorts and girls had the option of summer dresses, jumpsuits, or skirts/trousers. Children also had a separate PE kit and wore their own clothing for forest school.

    Our current uniform is designed to be practical, inclusive, and suitable for an active school day. Both boys and girls now wear a navy sweatshirt, fleece or cardigan with the school logo, a pale blue polo shirt, and navy joggers or leggings. In the summer, children may wear a navy skort or cycling shorts. Children wear trainers (predominantly black) and keep a pair of wellington boots in school. There is no longer a separate PE or forest school uniform, except where additional clothing is required due to weather or mud.

    Dressing children for childhood

    A range of considerations informed our decision to move to an active uniform:

    • Encouraging physical activity: Children are ready for spontaneous movement throughout the day, supporting a more active lifestyle in line with our OPAL programme.
    • Enhancing comfort: Comfortable clothing helps reduce distractions and enables children to focus more effectively on learning.
    • Supporting mental health: Increased physical activity is linked to improved mood and reduced anxiety, promoting positive mental wellbeing.
    • Promoting equality: A consistent uniform ensures no child is advantaged or disadvantaged by clothing choices.
    • Reducing costs: With only one compulsory branded item and no requirement for a separate PE kit, overall costs for families are reduced. Many items are available from local retailers.
    • Supporting families: A single uniform removes the need to remember different kits or clothing for specific days.
    • Consistency and appearance: Children wear the same uniform each day rather than a mixture of uniform, PE kit, or forest school clothing, making expectations clearer and easier to uphold.
    • Meeting sensory needs: The move to softer, more flexible clothing supports children with sensory sensitivities. Feedback from pupils indicated that the previous uniform was uncomfortable for some children.

    Bringing everyone along

    From the outset, we recognised the importance of consultation. We spoke with other schools that had already adopted an active uniform, sought feedback from governors, and surveyed parents and pupils. Over 80% of children voted in favour of the change, which played a significant role in our decision-making.

    We also took the opportunity to modernise our school logo. To minimise costs for families, we offered logo badges that could be added to existing uniform items so these could continue to be worn. We carefully sourced suppliers, updated our uniform policy, and implemented a one-year transition period to allow families time to adjust.

    Overcoming challenges

    As with any change, there were some initial concerns from parents. These included worries that children might appear less smart or that behaviour standards could decline. We addressed these concerns through our school newsletter, sharing positive examples of the uniform in use, and by inviting parents to observe lunchtime play as part of our OPAL provision.

    At the same time, we introduced a revised behaviour policy to ensure high expectations remained clear. This helped reassure families that standards would not be compromised.

    Once the uniform was established, concerns largely reduced. Many families, particularly those with children who have SEND, reported positive experiences. Parents also appreciated the reduced cost and the simplicity of having one uniform for all school activities.

    Ongoing challenges include monitoring branded non-uniform clothing and managing the large number of wellington boots during wetter months, but these are manageable and expected aspects of an outdoor-friendly school environment.

    The difference we’ve seen

    Since introducing the active uniform, we have observed a number of positive outcomes:

    • Children appear more relaxed and settled in their learning.
    • Levels of physical activity during playtimes and lunchtimes have increased.
    • Teachers are able to be more flexible, easily taking learning outdoors or engaging in activities such as the daily mile.
    • Time efficiency has improved, with no need to change for PE, forest school, or swimming.
    • Children look more consistent as a school community, rather than wearing a mix of different clothing throughout the day.
    • Inclusion has been strengthened, with all children dressed the same and at a lower overall cost.

    Final thoughts

    Staff and pupils are overwhelmingly positive about the active uniform, which aligns closely with our school values and culture. While we acknowledge that the uniform may appear less formal than traditional school attire, we firmly believe the benefits to children’s wellbeing, comfort, and engagement outweigh the need for a more formal appearance.  We feel this approach allows children to be children – there’s plenty of time for more formal uniforms in secondary school!

    Sharon Vessey, Headteacher, Birchanger C of E Primary School

  2. Case study: Grimes Dyke Primary School, Leeds

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    A move from the traditional

    We used to have a traditional uniform of grey school trousers, skirts or dresses, a white polo shirt, a red jumper and black school shoes. The children then changed for PE into black shorts or joggers, a white t-shirt and a pair of trainers. 

    Like many schools following Covid, we encouraged children to come to school dressed in P.E. kit on their PE days. We found that on PE days teachers were taking the opportunity to be more active in the curriculum and were getting outside more with the children as they weren’t worried about ruining uniforms or not being safe. We also found that we didn’t look like we had a uniform as children were dressed differently throughout school on different days of the week and many chose to come in PE kit on non PE days claiming they thought it was PE. as they were obviously more comfortable. It made sense to make an active uniform for everyone. 

    We introduced an active uniform at Grimes Dyke in September 2021. 

    A uniform fit for modern childhood

    Now our uniform is black joggers, leggings or shorts for everyone with a red or white polo shirt or plain t-shirt and a red jumper or hoodie. All children wear trainers and there is no PE kit. The most important part of our uniform is a pair of wellies to change into outside. There is no difference in uniform for girls or boys. 

    Initially we sent out a letter to parents explaining our thinking around changing the uniform and included a link to an online consultation which had a huge response. On the whole this was positive, but we had a group of parents who opposed it for a number of reasons including: they would look scruffy on school photograph day, children would look like prisoners, and we were being snowflakes and woke because I had used the term gender neutral and they weren’t ready for this! 

    Addressing challenges from parents

    We responded to the comments in the questionnaire and were up front and honest about the responses. We published positive and negative comments for all to see and answered any of the points for all to see, so we were being transparent. As the overwhelming response was positive, I then made it clear in a follow up letter that the uniform policy was changing. A couple of parents continued to complain and we had quite a few negative comments on Facebook from one family and their friends, but we stood our ground. Interestingly this parent is now one of our biggest supporters and loves how muddy our kids get! 

    Children, staff and Ofsted approve

    The children and staff are far happier! We made it clear to staff that they had the same freedoms as the children and, if I expect them to be outside, they can dress for the outdoors. I’m often in a pair of jeans and trainers to model this to staff. The curriculum is much more flexible allowing teachers to plan active lessons as well as in the moment activities without worrying about children in skirts and school shoes. 

    Thanks to OPAL, playtimes are transformed and incidents of behaviour and first aid are reduced. Lots of people expect to visit Grimes Dyke and see incidents of challenging behaviour but it’s really the opposite: the children are calm and happy. The parents are our biggest supporters and Ofsted couldn’t praise our approach enough. The lead inspector spent a lot of time waving her arms around in awe of our ethos to the outdoors. 

    Protecting children’s right to be children

    I always say to other schools that as a headteacher of a primary school I have a duty to protect the childhoods of my pupils. Children grow up far too quickly in a world with external online pressures and once they move on to high school we have lost them to mini adults – they are 11! If you only get 10 years of your life to be a child then it’s my job to protect that right and not to prepare them for high school. 

    In order to thrive as a child you need to be able to play and to do this freely, without limitations, you need to be dressed to move. We would never go back to a formal uniform; it would limit us in what we are trying to achieve. 

    Top tip for schools thinking of making the move

    An active uniform is cheap but we are always getting muddy so make sure that there are spare clothes in every class that children know they can change into if needed. Parents are always happy to hand over clothing their children have grown out of so we wash it and keep it in stock cupboards to hand out to children. 

    Louise Hill, Headteacher, Grimes Dyke Primary School

  3. London school joins always active uniform pilot to combat children’s inactivity and obesity levels 

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    Active Uniform Alliance founding partner the Youth Sport Trust has launched an exciting year-long initiative with Harbinger Primary School in London, to demonstrate how reimagining school uniforms could be key to tackling the nation’s growing inactivity crisis among children. In partnership with Sports Direct, every child starting Reception for the 2025/26 academic year at Harbinger Primary School has received an Always Active Uniform, gifted by Under Armour, to wear in place of the school’s traditional uniform.  

    The Always Active Uniform is a flexible, comfortable school uniform including active footwear, designed to support spontaneous movement and daily activity throughout the school day. To understand the impact of this change, pupils will also be wearing donated Moki Bands, as part of a live research project capturing real-time data on how much children move during the school day following this change in uniform. The pilot offers a unique opportunity to see how a simple change in what children wear could spark greater activity and healthier habits. 

    Watch the video

    Curious to find out more? Visit the Youth Sport Trust guidance page.