Earrings - Update

Dear Parents and Carers,

As you will all know we have recently been trying to address safety concerns regarding the wearing of earrings in school. Can I thank the majority of parents who have supported us in the matter, but unfortunately a number of children are still coming into school wearing earrings that are not complying with school policy:

• They should not be wearing hooped or dangling earrings under any circumstances. These types of earrings are a health and safety risk. 

In some cases our attempts to address this issue has caused concern from parents and been difficult for staff to manage.

Legally, school leaders and governors are responsible for the safety of all children, whilst they are in school. This means that we must make and implement decisions that follow health and safety guidance fairly and without exception. What children wear at home remains a parental decision. 

Because of this I have taken time to consult with our health and safety advisors and discuss with governors to agree a reasonable and manageable policy that will be in place from after the half term holiday:

• It remains school policy that children should not be wearing hooped or dangling earrings under any circumstances. These types of earrings are a health and safety risk. Children are welcome to wear one pair of stud earrings. Studs should be small and plain, and should not have any additional embellishments. We greatly appreciate the support of all parents who enable their child to comply with this policy request.

• Where a child wears earrings that do not comply with school policy, we will not be taking any further action other than in PE lessons where such earrings do create a risk. In these circumstances children will be asked to remove and be responsible for their earrings.

• If children are unable or unwilling to remove their earrings, then staff will not intervene. We are however saying that in these circumstances children will be unable to join in PE lessons until they wear appropriate earrings, are able to remove them or do not wear earring into school on this day. If this happens we will remind parents via text.

I am hoping that this update gives everybody time to reflect on the options and hopefully help us by supporting the school’s policy on this matter.

Yours sincerely

Matt Condon

Headteacher