Case study: Grimes Dyke Primary School, Leeds

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