Letter to Parents and Carers: September Return - Expectations and Standards
Thu 09 Jul 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we move towards the end of this academic year, I want to take this opportunity to express my thanks for your continued support for Outwood Academy Shafton.
Throughout the last few weeks, we have seen some students struggle to meet our basic expectations. As you are aware our standards are high and unfortunately for some students, this means that we start the day with a negative conversation instead of a positive one. In order to ensure that we start the next academic year strongly, we felt it important to share a reminder of our expectations.
Hair Styles and Hair Colour
- We have recently observed an increase in the number of students attending the academy with unnaturally coloured or dyed hair, including underdye/peekaboo hair. Please remember that hairstyles must be a natural colour. We strongly advise that you check with your child's Learning Manager before considering any dramatic changes to hair style or colour.
Jewellery and Make-up
- No items of jewellery are allowed (other than a watch). Please note that watches of any kind are no longer permitted in examination rooms.
- Clear plastic retainers are NOT allowed
- Make-up must be very discrete, eyebrows of normal shape and colour.
- Fake eyelashes are not allowed and students will be sent home to remove them
- No nail varnish, gel nails or false nails
- Chewing gum, fizzy pop (including energy drinks), big bags of sweets and crisps etc are NOT allowed anywhere on site. We are a healthy eating site. Students should bring a refillable water bottle – there are water stations around the Academy where free fresh water can be accessed. Please note that students MUST have a water bottle to be able to use these water dispensers.
- We are a no mobile phone site, phones are not allowed anywhere on the academy site. If your child chooses to bring in a phone, it must be switched off and in their bag. We are not liable for any breakages, loss or theft. If a phone is seen by a member of staff or heard then this will be confiscated and must be collected by a parent/carer.
Sometimes students tell us that they cannot remove gel nails or false eyelashes, or take out a piercing because it will heal up. These are not acceptable reasons as we have repeatedly made our policy very clear. Any student intending to have a piercing, should do so at the very start of the summer holiday, as the jewellery will have to be removed by the time that we return in September.
Please reinforce these expectations with your child.
Yours faithfully,
Alison McQueen
Principal