Uniform

The school uniform will continue to be stocked by our suppliers, the Warehouse. The uniform features a V neck jumper and cardigan and either may be worn by students. This does bring the school tie into focus a little more and our expectation is that students will wear a tie that has a sensible sized knot, which must be pushed up to the top button, and the top button must be done up.

Trousers

The policy on trousers is the same for either gender; they should be plain black tailored trousers without decoration. This means that fashion trousers, chinos, jeans or ‘skinny trousers’, with decorative buttons on the front, exposed zips and studded pockets must not be worn.

Shirts, jumpers and cardigans

School shirts for both genders; they should wear plain white long or short sleeved, with a collar buttoning to the neck and tucked in at all times. Students should not be wearing a non-school uniform sweat shirt, ‘hoodie’ or similar over their school shirt and tie. Only a school cardigan or jumper may be worn over a shirt and tie. Neither cardigans nor jumpers should be tucked into trousers or skirts. Students may wear Larkmead hoodies over their uniform, but they must be removed in all lessons, including P.E. Hoods should always be down when in a school building.

Summer Alternative Uniform (Term 5 and 6 only – optional)

• Shirts: During terms 5 & 6 students may wear white Larkmead School polo shirts (collar down, may be worn outside of trousers) Alternatively students may continue to wear their normal school shirt and tie
• Knee-length shorts which are plain black & tailored, may be worn, but not jeans, fashion or sports shorts

Footwear

Footwear: shoes must be plain black, sturdy and cover the whole foot so that good protection of the foot is guaranteed in subjects like Design & Technology. Trainers, trainers made to look like school shoes, sandals, pumps or canvas shoes are not permitted. Boots should not be worn by either girls or boys. Plain black socks or tights should be worn by all students

Skirts and Skirt length

The school policy on skirts is that they should be black, knee length and without decoration.  (For guidance purposes skirts should not be a shorter than 4 inches or 10 centimetres above the knee). Pencil or tube skirts are not permitted

Coats

Students are free to wear any design of coat, although they may not wear denim jackets or coats with potentially offensive or inappropriate words or images on them. Hoods should always be down when in a school building

Piercings and Jewellery

Piercings: Students are permitted to wear a pair of simple stud earrings, no other piercings are permitted Consequently, if any student is contemplating having their nose, lips, eyebrows or tongues pierced, they should only do so, if they can be sure that the piercing can be removed before term starts. Plastic retainers are not permitted. The following jewellery may also be worn a watch, one plain ring, and a single St. Christopher and chain or similar: all jewellery must be removed (there should be no taping over piercings or rings) in PE, Dance and Design and Technology lessons, as it is potentially hazardous.

Make –up

The schools’ policy is clear, make up should not be worn, this rule exists in part to save time debating who should be allowed to wear it, how much is appropriate. That said there is a real desire to meet students half way and allow discreet make up. The definition of discreet will be made clear to students both verbally and through pictures, and the decision of what is discreet will be decided on by a student’s Director of Learning & tutor.

Nails

Acrylic, gel or any type of false nails are not appropriate for school and represent a potential health and safety issue, therefore they are not permitted in school. Coloured nail polish is not permitted either.

Eyebrows

On the current trend of shaving off eyebrows and replacing them with stencilled or false eyebrows, this is not permitted; please do not allow your child to do this. Where this has happened we will permit a short period of grace, in order for eyebrows to grow back.

Aprons – a navy Woodworker’s type apron for use in Art.

P.E Kit

Shorts or Skort – black w/ gold side panels *
Tracksuit Bottoms – Plain Black (no logos)
Sports Leggings – Plain Black with Larkmead Logo *
Polo Shirt – black w/ gold side panels *
Hoodie – Plain Black (no logos)
Sports Trainers/Football Boots
Football/Hockey Socks – black *
Shin Pads (Hockey & Football)

Boys

Shorts – black w/ gold side panels *
Tracksuit Bottoms – Plain Black (no logos)
Polo Shirt – black w/ gold side panels *
Rugby Shirt – black w/ gold side panels *
Sports Trainers/Football Boots
Football/Hockey Socks – black *
Shin Pads (Hockey & Football

PE kit: Winter terms

If students wish to wear tracksuit bottoms during the winter terms, they may do so, but they must be plain black. A plain black hoodie may be worn for PE lessons only, but not for rugby. Larkmead hoodies may not be worn for PE lessons. Larkmead leggings may also be worn in PE lessons

The P.E. staff can answer any other questions about P.E kit. They will also advise as to when football boots will be required.

Please note – there is no difference between boys and girls P.E. kit, except the option of a skort.
In line with recommendations from the Rugby Football Union and the Hockey Association, we encourage students to wear a mouth guard when involved in these sports, both in lessons or competitive games. Mouth guards can be purchased from the P.E. Department.

All students wear full uniform until the end of Year 11. Items marked * must be purchased from The Warehouse via our uniform shop link below. Similarly, school ties, hoodies, jumpers and cardigans must be purchased in the same way. In all cases of doubt, please consult the school before purchase.

All clothing, including outdoor coats, bags and P.E. kit, must be clearly and permanently named. It is virtually impossible to trace unnamed items.

School equipment – Pencil case List

Pencil case
Blue or Black pen and a spare
Purple Pen
Pencil
Pencil sharpener
Rubber
Ruler
Pair of compasses
Protractor
4X Highlighters
Pencil crayons
Calculator (e.g. CASIO fx83 or fx85)

It is worth being aware that the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) at school can supply all of this equipment at significantly lower prices to those found in the shops.  A Casio Scientific calculator is available for £8 and a complete stationery set (including all the items above) can be bought for only £14.  These can be purchased through ParentPay and will be available for collection from the LRC.