SCHOOL UNIFORM AND APPEARANCE

Our school uniform is important to us. It is one way in which we identify ourselves as a school family and it promotes a strong, cohesive school identity which supports high standards and expectations in all areas of school life. It promotes harmony between different groups represented in the school, and it enhances security, assisting the school to identify individual pupils in order to maintain good order, and to more easily spot those who shouldn't be on the school site.

Smartness and high standards of appearance are expected at all times.

The school believes that a school uniform is important because it:

looks smart
wears well
is cost effective
contributes to a sense of belonging
gives a common purpose
fosters a feeling of pride
reduces ‘fashion competition’ between children
prepares students well for similar demands in the workplace in future years

All children should wear the uniform and we encourage them to maintain an acceptable standard of clean and tidy dress in school. It reflects the needs of the cultural traditions represented at Stokesley School. The uniform list sets out the details of the uniform that we expect students to wear and has been updated to reflect changes from 1st March 2023. Essentially, students must wear a blazer and year group tie supplied by our uniform supplier, in addition to a polo shirt for PE.

Our uniform supplier is: Michael Sehgal and Sons Ltd. Uniform can be purchased online at: www.michaelsehgal.co.uk Telephone: 0191 230 2320

THE CORRECT UNIFORM

From September 2022: The tie colours for each year group are: Y7 blue; Y8 red; Y9 purple; Y10 orange; Y11 green. Tie colours stay with students throughout their 5 years in main school so they do not have to be replaced yearly
From September 2023: The tie colours for each year group are: Y7 green; Y8 blue; Y9 red; Y10 purple; Y11 Orange. Ties are supplied by our uniform supplier
Stokesley School Blazer bought from our school supplier (contact details above)
Optional black V-Neck Knitted Sweater. If a jumper is worn a blazer must be worn as well
A plain white school shirt (long-sleeved or short-sleeved) that can be buttoned to the collar (shirt should be buttoned at the top)
Boys’ black trousers (tight fitting trousers are not permitted)
Girls’ black trousers (tight fitting or legging type trousers are not permitted)
Girls' black, pleated, formal, approximately knee length. If a skirt is to be worn, then plain black tights (minimum of 60 denier) must be worn under the skirt
Whilst in school, sensible plain black school shoes. No trainers, boots, plimsolls, sandals or heels may be worn. There should not be any sizeable logos, any colour or any extravagant adornments on the shoes such as large bows and sequins for example, small, black bows and small black tassels are acceptable. Examples of acceptable shoes and unacceptable shoes are shown on the next page. In very poor weather conditions (heavy snow or heavy rain), students may come to school in boots. However, when in school and on school grounds school shoes must be worn
Earrings are not permitted to be worn. The only piece of jewellery students are allowed to wear is a wrist watch
If students are attending college for the day as part of their education they may come to school in the clothes they need for college. If they are back at school, they should change back into school uniform
A sturdy bag to carry equipment and books to and from school. School bags that are permitted are rucksacks, shoulder bags and satchels. PE kit may be brought into school in a separate kit bag

Uniform Support

The academy maintains a stock of second-hand uniform which is available for parents/carers upon request. The academy encourages all parents/carers to donate any outgrown or unwanted uniform items to the school if they are able.

PE KIT

Like our School Uniform, the PE Kit is now supplied by Michael Sehgal and Sons Ltd. From 1st March 2023, the only compulsory piece of PE kit is a school Polo Shirt, which can be bought from our supplier (www.michaelsehgal.co.uk). A plain black rugby top and plain black hooded top can also be bought from our uniform supplier. However, they are non-compulsory items.

In addition to the PE Kit shown above all students require:

Plain white ankle socks (indoor)
Plain black football socks (outdoor)
Shin pads
Towel
Swimming trunks/shorts (navy or black and above the knee for boys)
One piece swimming costume (girls)
Hair fastening, if required
Plain black shorts
Black tracksuit bottoms/leggings are optional, with staff permission

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN SCHOOL AS PART OF THE UNIFORM

Non-black belts or overly elaborate, decorative belts.
Make-up including nail varnish and false nails.
Tattoos including henna tattoos.
Trousers or skirts that are modified, other than bottom of trousers needing to be taken up.
Tight fitting or legging type trousers are not allowed in school
Hoodies and sports tops worn as coats and under blazers.
Head wear including caps (unless specified by school).
Sunglasses.

Extreme haircuts are banned in school

Very short hair, less than a blade two.
Students are not permitted to dye their hair in unnatural colours, this includes bleaching or bright colours.
Students are not allowed to have tramlines or patterns of any sort shaved into their hair.
If as a parent you have any query about appropriate hairstyles or cuts, please contact your child's Head of Year before going to a barber or hairdresser.

Students wearing incorrect uniform

Standards of uniform are very high in the school, breaches have reduced over time and are now relatively rare. We have a very clear set of uniform expectations simplified from March 2023 and these are shared with students and parents several times each year. In all instances in which a student is not wearing the appropriate uniform, we support and work with both the student and parents to resolve the problem as it occurs, offering loaned uniform if a family is unable to provide this. Ultimately, if a student refuses to wear our uniform, we follow our behaviour policy to determine the appropriate sanctions.

Notes

School will not lend items of uniform. However, if students forget uniform and parents cannot bring the item(s) into school or the student cannot go home to retrieve their uniform, then they can purchase missing items from Student Services. Items available to purchase are ties, blazers and trousers.
If a student cannot get correct uniform from home or is unable to purchase the missing item, then the student will be given a report card from their tutor at the start of the school day and sent to lessons. However, they will receive a negative behaviour point for every item of uniform missing.
If a student has a specific medical reason for wearing non-uniform at any time, this must be communicated to the school in advance and be accompanied by a doctor’s note.

The images below show some examples of acceptable boys’ footwear for Stokesley School.

ACCEPTABLE FOOTWEAR

BOYS

GIRLS

UNACCEPTABLE STYLE OF FOOTWEAR

EQUIPMENT

Specialised equipment may be required in certain lessons and they should be brought when necessary. Text books and specialised equipment will be issued on loan and students will be required to pay for any loss or damage to school property.