Academy Uniform and Meals
Our uniform policy fosters a sense of equality, discipline, and community among students, promoting a focused learning environment. Uniforms contribute to a positive school culture by eliminating socio-economic distinctions and helping students concentrate on academics. Additionally, our school meals play a crucial role in ensuring students receive balanced nutrition, supporting their physical and mental well-being, and enhancing their ability to focus and perform well in their studies. Both of these contribute to a conducive and nurturing school environment for optimal student growth and development.
Academy Uniform
Our uniform policy encourages a sense of pride, belonging and loyalty to the community of which all students are members. The policy also removes any visible manifestations of inequality. The policy is applied consistently and in a fair manner without exception.
Students must display exemplary behaviour at all times when wearing Academy uniform; they must not bring the Academy into disrepute. The Academy has the legal authority to discipline students in line with our behaviour policy for any misbehaviour that occurs both in and outside of school including whilst students are wearing our uniform outside of the Academy.
This policy should be read in its entirety. However, some of the key points include:
- Banned Item List (including update on jewellery)
- Uniform items and further requirements of presentation
Students are expected to adhere to the policy at all times, including on their journey to and from the Academy. When a student is not in full uniform or expected appearance, they will not be permitted to attend lessons. In such cases, students will, if parents can be contacted and informed, be sent home to change, or alternatively undertake supervised work within the “Reflection room” until the correct uniform is brought to them, or until the student is of correct appearance.
If in any doubt about the details of the uniform policy, and to save time and anguish, please contact the Academy. It is better to check than to rely on assurances from students which could be incorrect.
Banned Items
The Academy is a place of learning and not a place to demonstrate or show off the latest fashion accessories, clothes or footwear. The Academy has the legal power to confiscate any items that it has banned. Any confiscated items can be destroyed. Banned items will be confiscated, regardless of to whom they belong. High value objects such as mobile phones and electronic devices will be kept in a secure place until the end of the confiscation period. Mobile phones will be confiscated until a parent / carer comes in to collect it. All other confiscated items will be kept until the end of the half term. The rules on confiscation are applied without exception.
- Mobile phones* (if brought to school as a necessity it must be switched off and placed in bag or locker for duration of the day in school. Not to be seen or heard anywhere on school grounds including playground, field and between building and gates)
- Large amounts of money
- High value items and electronic items (MP3 players and similar)
- All non-uniform items of clothing, including, Hoodies and non-Academy jumpers, Baseball caps & Jewellery (with the exception of a watch - smart watches are not permitted)*
- Handbags (see bag item below)*
- Fizzy drinks and ‘energy’ drinks
- Glass bottles and containers
- Aerosol sprays and spray body fragrances
- Pointed objects/blades (a compass in a maths set is permissible)
- Chewing gum
- Toys, laser pens and fidget spinners
- Birthday accessories (e.g. large badges, sashes or balloons)
- Any item that is deemed by the Leadership Team to disrupt learning
- Any item/substance that is prohibited by law
The Academy will not accept any liability for any claim arising from theft, accidental loss or damage to personal effects, money, belongings or clothing whilst on the premises, even if lost after being confiscated by the Academy. Please do not wear them or bring them to the Academy if they are not allowed.
Uniform Items & further requirements of presentation
| Item | Description | Further requirements |
| Blazer | Navy blazer with school logo as supplied by our uniform supplier |
|
| Jumper | (Optional) Navy V neck sleeved or sleeveless jumper |
|
| Skirt | Grey box pleat |
|
| Shirt | Plain white with collar |
|
| Trousers |
Classic style, full length, grey |
|
| Tie | School tie only |
|
| Socks | Plain black or white |
|
| Tights | Plain black tights only (not leggings) |
|
| Shoes | Plain black leather only |
|
| PE Kit |
Navy jogging bottoms Navy sweatshirt Navy Shorts White polo shirt Plain black or white trainers |
|
| Coat | Plain navy or plain black only |
|
| Bag | Sturdy rucksack style bag |
|
| Scarf | Plain navy or black only |
|
| Hat | Plain navy or black only |
|
| Head Scarf | Plain navy or Black only (if worn for religious reasons) |
|
| Make-up | Not permitted |
|
| Jewellery | Only a watch is permitted |
|
| Hairstyles |
|
|
| Religious Dress | Some families may wish their children to wear amended uniform for reason of religious conviction. In these cases, a student may wear a Shalwar Kameez with appropriate academy trouser and with the academy blazer also worn. Alternatively, a student may wear an Abaya (hoodless only) which should be one piece and have full academy uniform worn with it (academy trousers/skirt underneath and academy blazer also worn). You should discuss these requirements with your head of year if you have further concerns. Should these options be taken, they should be plain black. | |
Equipment
Pupils will need to be fully prepared for each school day and bring with them:
- 2 pens (rollerball/biro or fountain pen) in black or blue
- Pencil
- Pencil sharpener
- Rubber
- 30cm ruler
- Coloured pencils and a basic set of felt tip pens
- A clear plastic angle measure or protractor and compass
- A scientific calculator
- A reading book
Eraser pens may be used but correction fluid in bottles and pens are not permitted.
All items of personal property should be marked with the owners name.
Pupils are currently not permitted to borrow other pupils property due to Covid-19.
Please note that we expect pupils to treat their own possessions and also school equipment with equal care and respect. Books and items of school equipment are provided on the understanding that pupils take care of them. Pupils who damage or lose school property are required to meet the cost of the replacement.
Academy Uniform Supplier
TFS School & Dancewear Ltd
45 Spital Street
Dartford DA1 2DX
Tel: 01322 291838
email: enquiries@tfsclothing.co.uk
- online via www.tfsclothing.co.uk/
- directly from the shop in Spital Street, Dartford
Academy Meals
We have partnered with Innovate to provide high street-inspired food experiences, freshly prepared each day using quality ingredients.
About Innovate
Innovate is part of the award-winning Impact Food Group (IFG), a team of experienced caterers who are driven to create a positive food culture within schools and, ultimately, feed more students better food. Through establishing happy and empowered local catering teams, we provide pupil focused services and food which balances choice, nutrition and value for money.
Tell Us What You Think
Once you’ve tried our service, please let us know what you think. Drop us an email at hello@impactfood.co.uk to share your experience. Thank you!
Menus
Each day, students can access a range of hot and cold ‘grab and go’ items or take a seat and tuck into a hearty main meal and dessert. Here’s a bit more on what to expect from our menus…
- Main meals – From traditional classics to new flavour combinations, daily options include meat and vegetarian dishes served with vegetable sides and desserts.
- Hot and cold 'grab and go' – Includes filled baguettes, sandwiches, paninis, burritos and salads to name a few.
- StreetVibes – Is our range of globally inspired food is packed with textures and flavours from different countries.
- Naturally – Offers a variety of sweet and savoury vegetarian and vegan dishes and snacks such as wraps, salads, fruit pots and baked goods.
- PowerBites – Recently introduced, our new value range ‘PowerBites’ is perfect for refuelling at mid-morning break or grabbing on the go if you’ve got somewhere to be. Pasta, rice and noodle pots, topped nachos, glazed breadsticks and other tasty snacks are available with every item at just £1.30.
Drinks Tariff - September 2024
Grab and Go Tariff - September 2024
Jacket Potatoes Tariff - September 24
Daily Meal Deals and Themed Events
Look out for daily meal deals and themed events. Our chefs create new specials and host regular celebration days to keep mealtimes fresh and exciting. Watch out for guest menus to mark British Food Fortnight, Chinese New Year, Viva Mexico, Veganuary and more!
Enjoying Free School Meals
Students entitled to a free school meal allowance can enjoy a choice of hot main dishes plus a dessert of the day. Alternatively, they can opt for a daily meal deal, where they choose a main item – examples include topped jacket potatoes and pasta pots – and a choice of traybake or drink. £2.65 will automatically be added to their account each day and unspent FSM money will roll over to Friday each week but not from week to week. Parents wishing to top up in addition to the FSM allowance can do this through Parent Pay.
Blue Dot Value Range
Our ‘Blue Dot’ meal deal is an easy way to build a personalised lunch at a great price. Students can choose four items with a blue sticker to make up the deal. This includes selected hot items (such as garlic bread, mini pizza boats and mushroom quesadillas) and selected cold items (such as filled rolls, crudites and fruit pots). These are priced at around £1 each but can also be bundled together at the free school meal price.
Students can also purchase any items they wish that fall within the free school meal allowance, including those from the breakfast and breaktime offers.
Free Porridge!
As well as lunch and morning break services, we also offer all students a free bowl of porridge to help set them up for the school day. Please do join us and make the most of it!
How To Pay
A meal deal costs £2.65 and consists of the meal of the day, pudding and a drink. We ask that parents use ParentPay, which allows you to pay for school meals in advance. Parents and carers will be able to view all transactions made by students within the Academy, and should you wish to place dietary restrictions or spend limits on your child's account please do contact us to arrange this.
If you have not yet activated your ParentPay account and require some guidance to do this, please use the link below.
Login details are sent during the Summer break for new students, however if you no longer have these please contact the school and we can resend them to you.
Packed Lunches
We encourage our students to eat a balanced and healthy diet. Our canteen offers a range of healthy, delicious meals. However, should your child prefer to bring a packed lunch, here are some guidelines we would appreciate you following:
Packed lunches should include:
- At least one portion of fruit and one portion of vegetables.
- A carbohydrate food such as wholemeal or granary bread, pasta, potato salad.
- Dairy food such as milk, cheese, yogurt or custard.
- Meat, fish or other source of non- dairy protein.
- Drinks should be water, still or sparkling, fruit juice, semi skimmed milk, yogurt or milk drinks or smoothies.
An example of a healthy packed lunch may look like this: tuna or ham salad sandwich, bread sticks with a hummus dip, cucumber or carrot batons, apple, yogurt and a bottle of flavoured water.
Healthy guidance for packed lunches:
- An alternative to snacks such as crisps could be seeds, vegetables and fruit. Savoury crackers or bread sticks served with fruit or vegetables are also a good choice.
- Confectionery such as chocolate bars and sweets should be avoided if possible. Cakes and biscuits should only be eaten as part of a balanced meal.
- Try to avoid processed meat products such as sausage rolls, individual pies, corned meat and sausage / chipolatas where possible
- Fizzy drinks or energy drinks are not allowed in School at all.
Allergies & Special Diets
- Please be aware that some students suffer from severe nut allergies. Please do not put items in your child's packed lunch containing nuts.
- We also recognise that some students may require special diets that do not exactly comply with Health In Education standards. In this case we urge you to be responsible in ensuring that packed lunches are as healthy as possible.
For the reasons above, we ask that students do not swap food items.
