School uniform plays a valuable role in contributing to the ethos of our school and setting an appropriate tone. We have a school uniform as it can instil pride; support positive behaviour and discipline and encourages support for school ethos.  We strongly believe that school unform ensures students of all backgrounds feel welcome and protects them from social pressures to dress in a particular way. We have worked with our school council and LQBTQ+ student group to review the school policy to ensure that it meets the needs of all our students. 

Full school uniform should be worn at all times including travel to and from school. Outdoor coats may be worn over, but not instead of, blazers which are compulsory in all year groups. Hoodies or non-approved school jumpers may not be worn under school blazers.

At TDMS, we are conscious that the cost of uniform can be a burden to families. We offer the following to ensure that our uniform is affordable for all families: 

• We keep branded items to a minimum. There are three compulsory branded items: The school blazer, tie and PE top. All other items of the uniform are available to purchase at a range of retailers. 
• We keep a stock of uniform and shoes which can be loaned to students until items can be replaced. 
• We offer support for the students who qualify for Free School Meals. 

The cost of uniform is reviewed annually to ensure its affordability. 

In September 2021, the school changed the school logo and has updated the uniform accordingly. We do not expect families to buy the new uniform. We are happy for students to continue wearing the previous uniform until such time as they grow out of it. The school fully expects the change to the new uniform to take a number of years.

The school will tackle uniform issues as soon as possible in the morning to reduce the time lost to learning. Each morning, members of staff on the school gate and tutors will check the uniform of tutees. Additional checks will also take place throughout the day to ensure uniform standards remain high.

If there is an issue your child will be sent to the standards gate or appropriate pastoral office.  The member of staff on duty will decide on how to proceed. Resolutions include but are not limited to:

• Phoning parents to ask them to bring the correct item of uniform in to school
• Providing a uniform loan in exchange for a deposit from the student. We will take as a deposit the incorrect item of uniform, e.g. a pair of trainers for a pair of shoes 
• Deciding that the student should stay out of circulation for the day (or until the problem is resolved) due to non-correction of the issue and or serious breaches. Students will complete their schooling in isolation.

Students who arrive at school with incorrect uniform will be deemed to be in breach of the School’s Behaviour Policy.  Incorrect uniform will never be tolerated and will always be corrected. We hope that this will be achieved without a loss of learning time and without the need to impose sanctions.

However, should compliance to rectify uniform issues not be rapidly achieved sanctions will be issued, this may include time in our reflection room.