Dress Code

The Sixth Form encourages smart, stylish dress which expresses our students’ self-confidence, pride and sense of the standards expected in business and professional work places.

Sixth Form are required to wear formal business wear. We actively encourage sixth form students to develop their own vision of what it means to be confident in the workplace and we trust students to choose outfits which are formal and appropriate.   

The Code expects everyone to avoid extremes of fashion and common sense dictates that students should not wear items of clothing - for example something short/tight.  

School Lanyard All students and staff must always wear a school lanyard including on non-uniform days and during external examinations, this is for identification and safeguarding reasons.
Black Jacket Smart, black business wear.
Blouse/shirt/ top Smart business wear, any colour may be worn. T Shirts with slogans are not allowed. Crop tops, strappy tops and backless tops are not allowed.
Skirt/dress/ trousers Smart business wear, any colour may be worn. Skirts/dresses should be no shorter than mid-way between knee and hips. No jeans, jogging pants or leggings (these are classed as casual/sportswear) No bodycon.
Cardigan, jumper, or waistcoat. Smart business wear, any colour may be worn. No large images or logos. No hoodies
Business suit Smart tailored business suit, any colour may be worn. Trouser-suit or skirt-suit.
Footwear Must be compatible with business wear and practical, plain, safe and smart. Black trainers may be worn. Flip flops are not allowed.
Outdoor Coat Smart business wear coat, any colour may be worn. Denim jackets and hoodies are not allowed.
Head Scarves If worn, any colour may be worn. They should be neat and fastened securely. No other items of religious dress including face coverings are permitted. The policy on religious dress is available from school.
Jewellery All jewellery should be non-ostentatious in style. Discrete ear piercings or single nose stud/ring are allowed. Lip rings, septum piercings, multiple visible facial piercings, large ear bars, hoops or gauges are not discrete.
Hair Hair must be of natural colour and if dyed of natural tones No extreme hairstyles or extremes of colour.
Make Up Make-up should be discreet. Foundation, mascara (black or brown), neutral coloured lip gloss and nail varnish consistent with a professional style is permitted.

Policy supporting this guidance

We know the vast majority of students get their dress right but to ensure that equality is maintained within the community, a set of sanctions supports these guidelines.

The following steps will be applied when a student is not meeting expectations in terms of dress code.

Level 1: Where a uniform concern has been recorded on Arbor by a Personal Tutor or teacher the Personal Tutor will discuss the concern with the student and email the parents (cc’ing in MLB).

Level 2: Where a second concern has been raised on Arbor by a Personal Tutor or teacher a meeting will be held between MLB and the student to discuss the concern.

Level 3: If a third concern is raised in a term, the student will be issued with a detention on a Thursday lunch time in the Sixth Form office. A message will be sent to parents/carers.

Level 4: If the behaviour continues, the Head of Sixth Form will refer the student to a member of Senior Leadership Team for a further meeting/conversation with parents. The student will also have some study periods withdrawn for ‘supported study’.