DoE Guidance on School Uniforms

The request was successful.

Dear Longsands Academy,

This is a request for information under the Freedom of Information act.

Department of Education guidance (Ref: DFE-00198-2013 ) states that, when developing a school uniform policy, schools should –

“take into account the views of parents and pupils on significant changes to school uniform policy.”

Please advise what steps Longsands has taken to solicit the views of parents and pupils before announcing the new uniform which is to be introduced in September 2018 with no transition period for the vast majority of pupils.

The DoE guidance also states that -

“Exclusive single supplier contracts should be avoided unless regular tendering competitions are run where more than one supplier can compete for the contract and where best value for parents is secured”

Please advise what tendering competitions or other market consultations have taken place before granting exclusive rights to Sportswear International Ltd to sell the new mandatory uniform items and mandatory Longsands' sportwear to all pupils.

As it is clearly in the public interest, please also provide details of all contracts which have been entered into with Sportswear International Ltd.

Faithfully,

C Walker

Headspa at Longsands Academy,

Dear Sir or Madam

Thank you for your email and request. We will respond to you in due course.

Regards

Marie Todd
Personal Assistant to;
Rick Carroll, CEO of the SNLP Trust
and
Martin Paine, Headteacher, Longsands Academy

Longsands Academy, Longsands Road, St Neots, Cambridgeshire, PE19 1LQ
01480 353535

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Headspa at Longsands Academy,

Our REF:  FOI\Walker\2018

 

Dear C Walker

 

Thank you for your email of 24^th January 2018 requesting for information
under the Freedom of Information Act.   

 

I am writing to advise you of our response I will respond to each question
raised below.

 

1.       Please advise what steps Longsands has taken to solicit the views
of parents and pupils before announcing the new uniform which is to be
introduced in September 2018 with no transition period for the  vast
majority of pupils.

 

Since returning in the New Year we have worked with a number of students
on the new uniform designs. Students have had opportunity to wear the new
uniform, discuss it with members of their tutor group and give feedback.

 

The letter sent to parents on 19^th January 2018 was the start of the
parental consultation, where we stated that there would be an opportunity
for parent/carers to come into school to discuss any concerns or queries.

 

The letter sent to parents on the 2^nd February 2018 address many of the
concerns and queries we had received via email, letter and telephone.  It
also offered dedicated time for parents to come into school on Wednesday
7^th February between 3.30 and 6.00 PM to meet the Headteacher and
manufacturer. This duly occurred and parents were able to provide their
feedback which is being duly considered. 

 

2.       Please advise what tendering competitions or other market
consultations have taken place before granting exclusive rights to
Sportswear International Ltd to sell the new mandatory uniform items and
mandatory Longsands' sportwear to all pupils.

 

We contacted 3 suppliers of school uniform to propose a new uniform for
Longsands.  At this stage we are still in discussions with suppliers and
no final decision as to who the supplier will be has been made. 

 

As stated in the letter dated 2^nd February 2018 all feedback will be
considered and presented to the Local Governing Body and then to the Trust
Board in March 2018 for a final decision.

 

3.       As it is clearly in the public interest, please also provide
details of all contracts which have been entered into with Sportswear
International Ltd.

 

Our current agreement with SWI is to hold stock and supply the uniform as
stated on our website, copied below for convenience.

 

·         navy blue polo-shirt, with Longsands Academy logo;

·         navy blue sweatshirt, with Longsands Academy logo;

·         black trousers/skirt.

·         red PE top, with logo;

·         shorts, plain navy;

·         socks, full length red;

·         reversible rugby shirt for boys;

·         long-sleeved fleece for girls.

 

No final decision has been made on the supplier of the new uniform and
therefore no further contracts or agreements have been made at this stage.

 

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the
right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests should be
submitted within two months of the date of receipt of the response to your
original email and should be addressed to:

 

Dr David Riddick
Finance and Operations Director
St Neots Learning Partnership
Longands Academy

St Neots
PE19 1LQ

 

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.

 

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

 

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

 

Tel: 0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545 745 if you prefer to use a
national rate number

Fax: 01625 524 510

 

I hope this information answers your questions.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Martin Paine, Headteacher, Longsands Academy

 

Longsands Academy, Longsands Road, St Neots, Cambridgeshire, PE19 1LQ

01480 353535

 

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