The appearance of students in such a large school can be a significant sign to others of the kind of ethos or atmosphere in the school. While appearances can be deceptive, they can also indicate an attitude of mind. Smart and tidily-dressed pupils tends to suggest that they are well-motivated, well-disciplined and keen to show that they belong to one community.

On a practical point, in such a large school, it is a particular advantage to be able to identify intruders quickly. For these reasons, and because we know that the majority of parents wish their children to wear uniform, we actively encourage it within the following guidelines:

Pupils are asked to wear school uniform
• Black trousers/skirt.
• White shirt or polo shirt.
• The Academy tie when wearing a shirt.
• Black pullover or sweatshirt or red sweatshirt.

The main forms of dress which are unacceptable in school include items of clothing which:

• potentially encourage factions (such as footbail colours)
• could cause offense
  (e.g. anti-religious symbolism or political slogans.)
• could cause health and safety difficulties, such as loose fitting clothing, dangling earrings, shell suits and football tops of flammable material in practical classes such as Science, Home Economics and Technical Subjects.
• could cause damage to flooring.
• carry advertising, particularly for alcohol or tobacco or relating to the use of drugs.
• could be used to inflict damage on other pupils or be used by others to do so.

PE KIT
• White sports shirt
• Black shorts.
• White socks.
• White soled non-marking trainers for indoor work,
• Outdoor trainers.