Uniform
Why wear uniform?
As a member of the Highworth community, you will want to have a sense of belonging. Your uniform demonstrates this. It is important that you wear it with pride as you are showing those around you that you represent the school.
Here are some reasons why uniform is important:
- it is clothing suitable for the work you do in school
- it puts you on equal terms with your fellow students
- it encourages a pride and sense of belonging in the school
- it makes you easy to recognise when you are out of school
- it reduces the arguments about clothes at home
- it is safe clothing for some of the practical tasks that you have to do in school
Why was this uniform chosen?
We have chosen a uniform which is practical, inexpensive and suitable for learning in school. The uniform has been the same colour for many years but the style has changed to try to keep up-to-date.
How strict are we about enforcing the uniform rules?
Because we think uniform is very important, we are very strict about our expectations. We expect you to wear your uniform correctly. If you are not in correct uniform you can expect to be challenged, asked to comply with the policy and sanctioned.
What are the school's uniform expectations?
We expect you to wear the correct uniform and look smart at all times. Items of uniform should not be customised. We want to ensure that they remain the correct shape and style. If our expectations about uniform are not adhered to, we will sanction students accordingly. In a situation where a student cannot immediately comply with our uniform expectations, this will result in the removal of social time, with the expectation that the issue is resolved the following day, or for repeated breaches of the policy, we may escalate the severity of the sanction in line with our behaviour policy.
The school’s decision is final on the uniform and dress code.
Do you have to wear uniform every day?
No. There are two special circumstances when you will be allowed to wear non-uniform clothes.
If you are on a school trip, different clothes may be more suitable for learning. For example, you may get muddy or your uniform may get damaged if you are on a Geography field trip. Your teachers will always advise you in advance if you need to wear your own clothes and give you guidelines of what is suitable for learning.
Seven times a year we have a non-uniform day to raise money for each Learning Community charity. The dates for these are always published in advance in the school calendar. You can choose not to join in if you don’t want to. Jewellery and make-up rules still operate on these days and on school trips.
What if you cannot afford the uniform?
Help is available. Please contact your Director of Learning.
What happens if one day you have a good reason for not wearing the uniform?
Occasionally, students have a good reason for not wearing a particular item of uniform. It may be that you need to wear trainers because you have hurt your foot or your jumper has been damaged. If this is the case, your parents/carers will need to contact your SSM before the start of lessons explaining the problem and how long it will last. You should then go and see your SSM at the start of the day and your SSM will issue you with a uniform pass. Then, when teachers ask you about your uniform, you can show them that you have official permission.
What if something happens during the day and an item of my uniform is unwearable?
See your Student Support Manager or Director of Learning who may be able to supply you with a replacement item for the remainder of the day.
Can you wear jewellery?
A watch and one stud earring in each ear are all the jewellery that we allow. Jewellery can become a safety risk in practical lessons and can easily be lost or stolen. For safety, jewellery must be removed for practical subjects. Other items of jewellery including bracelets, neck or ankle chains, tooth jewels, nose studs and friendship braids are not allowed at any time.
Requests to wear jewellery for religious reasons need to be directed to the Headteacher before they are worn to discuss any adjustment to the uniform policy. A uniform pass will be issued for any agreed adjustments.
The Headteacher will consider:
- adjustments requested because jewellery has to be worn by a particular religion as an obligation or is specified in a holy book;
- adjustments requested for a necklace or bracelet associated with a specific religious ceremony and worn for a specified period;
- how adjustments align with health and safety practices in the school.
This formal process for a request to wear jewellery is intended to ensure that religious jewellery retains its spiritual significance within the school community.
Are nose and body piercings allowed?
Nose and body piercings are not allowed for Health and Safety reasons. You will be asked to remove any nose or body piercings and these will be confiscated. These will only be returned to a parent/carer.
Can you wear headscarves?
A black, grey or navy headscarf may be worn to respect religious observance.
Can you wear make-up and false beauty products?
It is unnecessary to wear make-up or false beauty products (e.g. false nails or eyelashes) for school and it is not suitable for a learning environment. False nails are not permitted in school because they can be ripped during physical activities or practical work and also cause harm to others. Students who come to school with false nails will be isolated to minimise risk until they are removed. You will be asked to remove obtrusive make-up and any nail varnish.
Are there rules about hair?
Hair should not be dyed an unnatural shade. In some practical subjects it will be necessary to tie long hair back if long enough to do so.
Uniform and PE
You will be required to remove watches and stud earrings for PE lessons. As hockey and football are contact sports, shin pads are compulsory and we recommend the use of mouth guards for hockey.
If you are joining the Sixth Form
When you join the Sixth Form, you will be allowed to wear your own choice of clothes and there are guidelines on the Sixth Form pages here.
The school’s decision is final on the uniform and dress code.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
| Fitted Jacket: | Navy blue with school logo - branded item |
| Skirt: | Bedford check - branded item |
| or | |
| Trousers: | Navy blue with school logo - branded item |
| Blouse: | Pale blue, long or short sleeved school blouse, with revered collar |
| Jumper (Optional): | Highworth navy jumper with pale blue V-neck stripe - branded item |
| Shoes: | Black shoes with closed-in toes and heels. Heels should not be higher than 5cm No boots, canvas shoes, sandals or trainers |
| Ankle Socks or Tights: | Black. No patterned or footless tights. No leggings |
| Lanyard and ID Cards: | School issued in Community colour with ID badge |
| Headscarves: | A black, grey or navy headscarf may be worn to respect religious observance |
ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS
| Hair: | Natural colours only |
| Hair Accessories: | Should be unobtrusive, blue, black, white or grey |
| Jewellery: | One pair of discreet stud earrings - removable for P.E./Dance One wrist watch Nose and body piercings are not allowed for Health and Safety reasons |
| Make-up: | It is not appropriate to wear make-up or false beauty products (e.g. false nails or eyelashes) for school |
DANCE KIT
| Key Stage 3: | Plain black T-shirt with small sleeves (not a strappy top). Black tracksuit bottoms or black leggings (no short trousers, zips or logos). Leggings must be thick sports material with no sheer/cut out panels above the knee. |
| Key Stages 4 & 5: | Plain black T-shirt or dance T-shirt and black leggings or tracksuit bottoms. Leggings must be thick sports material with no sheer/cut out panels above the knee. Year 11 students will need a black leotard for the practical examination. Trainers should be any proper sports style, not fashion trainers, plimsolls, 'converse' or boot style. |
YEARS 7-11 PHYSICAL EDUCATION KIT
| P.E. Shirt with Logo | Petrol blue/navy with school logo - branded item |
| Hoodie Top with Logo: | Petrol blue/navy with school logo - branded item |
| Skort: | Navy |
| or | |
| Shorts: | Navy |
| or | |
| Sports Leggings: | Navy or black. Either 3/4 or full length with no sheer/cut oup panels above the knee and no logos visible |
| or | |
| Tracksuit bottoms | Navy or black. Plain with no logos |
| Socks: | Ankle socks |
| Trainers: | Any proper sports style, not fashion trainers, plimsolls, 'converse' or boot style |
| Shin Pads: | Compulsory for hockey and football |
| Mouth Guards: | Recommended for hockey |
| Base Layer Top and Leggings (Optional): | Plain navy or black to be worn under polo shirt and skort/shorts |
OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR DANCE AND PE
| Hair: | Hair must be tied back if long enough to do so |
| Jewellery: | All jewellery including earrings and watches must be removed |
UNIFORM SUPPLIER
All uniform items are available from our uniform supplier:
Pages Schoolwear: Unit 13, Ashford Market, Monument Way, Orbital Park, TN24 0HB
Telephone: 01233 501300 www.pages-schoolwear.co.uk
Non-branded items can be sourced from a variety of High Street shops and supermarkets.
SECOND HAND UNIFORM
Many parents/carers donate uniform to The Friends of Highworth and they run uniform stalls at events such as the Festive Fair in November. Second hand uniform is available at the school Reception and items can be purchased by speaking to the Receptionist.
HIGHWORTH GRAMMAR SCHOOL EXPECTS ITS STUDENTS TO WEAR THEIR UNIFORM CORRECTLY AND WITH PRIDE, AS WELL AS DEMONSTRATING A SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE HIGHWORTH COMMUNITY