The NI Department of Education is firmly of the view that school uniforms play an important part in the engagement of pupils with their school, promoting a sense of identity, pride and unity and supporting the ethos of the school. The Department states that a school uniform can also ensure pupils from all backgrounds feel welcome, protecting children from social pressures to dress in a particular way and promoting good relations between different groups of pupils. In addition, school uniforms support the safe-guarding policy of a school, making it easier to identify any individuals who should not be on the premises.
The Department is also aware of increasing and ongoing concerns raised by parents about the costs associated with uniform requirements and it is important that schools carefully consider again the rationale for such requirements. With this in mind, all schools have been asked to review their uniform requirements taking into account comfort and flexibility for pupils and sustainability for families and the broader environment, within the context of affordability for all parents.
This is very appropriate timing for us here in Edenderry as we also now need to update our logo on the uniform. Please be assured, however, that any change will be phased in so if though changes will be made, existing uniforms can be worn until they are worn out.
We have no doubt that there will be many views regarding our uniform; probably too many to incorporate all in a short survey. Therefore, we are asking questions about a specific number of variations and again providing you with the chance to share different views if the options we discuss in this survey do not align with your personal opinion.
If you want to include your voice in this discussion, please take a few minutes to complete this short survey.
Click here to complete the survey
Thank you.
