School Uniform

We want our pupils to wear their uniform professionally, correctly and with pride.

Houlton’s uniform is a traditional style, whilst suitable for a C21st academy. The uniform has been designed to be gender neutral, whilst ensuring that there are cuts available in items to better fit male and female proportions and that there are appropriate choices for pupils.

Please refer to the full policy document for full dress code details, but in summary, our 11-16 daywear uniform consists of:

• Required Grey contemporary style logo blazer (two cuts available);
• Optional grey Houlton School logo pullover (unisex)*;
• Required Grey contemporary style logo trousers (two cuts available – must be at ankle-length and not modified to capri or similar styles) or
• Required Tartan kilt-style logo skirt, which, if worn, must be worn on or below the knee; any pupil not wearing the skirt at the specified length will lose the privilege of wearing it and will be required to wear our contemporary logo trousers instead; and/or
• Optional grey contemporary style logo shorts (may be worn by boys or girls at any time of year but we ask parents/carers to support their children in making sensible decisions during inclement weather);
• Required Houlton School tartan tie (clip-on style available in different lengths);
• Required Plain white, shirt/blouse (must be suitable for wearing a tie and may be purchased from any retailer);
• Plain, dark (black or grey) ankle socks or black, opaque tights - may be purchased from any retailer;
• Plain black leather or leather-look formal school shoes – no canvas, trainer, or ‘trainer-style’ shoes/logos are acceptable – see picture guide below - may be purchased from any retailer;
• One, plain (no gem-stones) stud earring per ear – no other jewellery (see policy for full details);
• High-fashion hair styles (including skin-fades), colours, or extreme styles are not acceptable (see policy for full details).

Outer Garments 

• Black, dark grey or navy coat only with no large/designer logos - may be purchased from any retailer;
• Hooded-style tops are not permitted at any time and should not be brought onto campus (except the optional Houlton hooded top for PE lessons only);
• A scarf/gloves/winter hat is permitted during the winter months but must be removed in all buildings - may be purchased from any retailer;
• Pupils wearing a Hijab/turban or other item of clothing relating to religious observance must ensure that it is either black or grey in colour. Full face coverings are not appropriate for wear in school - may be purchased from any retailer;
• All pupils should have a suitable bag for their essential daily equipment. They may choose the colour and style but should ensure that it is practical and free from any logos or slogans that could be deemed offensive/inappropriate - may be purchased from any retailer. There is no branded PE bag - pupils may use any bag that is practical.

Cosmetics

• Eye brows should be natural, not drawn on or with any razor indents.
• Nails should be of a length suitable for all activities. Please note that students will need to file down
  long nails if they attend school with nails of an unsuitable length to safely participate.
• Nails should not be brightly painted.
• Make-up must be natural in appearance and used only for the purposes of covering blemishes. Fashion make-up is not acceptable.
• Make up should be subtle.

Pupils arriving at school with inappropriate cosmetics/hair will be asked to rectify this prior to attending lessons and may be withdrawn from circulation until they have been able to do so.

PE Core Uniform 

• Required Houlton School logo PE top (unisex);
• Plain black shorts, joggers or leggings (unisex);
• Suitable training footwear. These may be any colour or style so long as they are designed for sports;
• Football boots will be required for a Rugby block of work in year 7 for the first half term. We advise you to borrow boots where possible rather than paying for a new pair for one term if you do not already own a pair. Gum-shields will only need to be purchased if your child wishes to partake in Rugby club.

Optional items for additional warmth**:

• (If worn) Houlton School logo winter tracksuit (bottoms)**;
• (If worn) Houlton School logo mid-layer (top)**;
• (If worn) Houlton School logo winter outer-layer hooded style (top)**;
• (If worn) Houlton School logo base-layer for Football/Rugby/Dance (top)**;
• (If worn) Houlton School logo base-layer for Football/Rugby/Dance (bottoms)**.

Gum shields must be worn for rugby – shoes or boots worn for outdoor games may not be worn indoors and vice-versa.

Deodorising products must be roll-on. Sprays of any kind are strictly forbidden as some students have allergies/asthma: spraying of these products is dangerous and potentially fatal.

*Whilst this is an optional item, no other pullovers, hooded tops or additional items will be allowed on campus, so if your child is likely to be cold, this is an advisable item.

**If worn, these items must be Houlton School items. High Fashion/Designer/Alternative items are not acceptable.

Support with the cost of uniform

Warwickshire County Council no longer offer a school uniform grants scheme (the 2005 Education Act stated that local authorities no longer had a specific duty to provide this service). If you live in a different local authority, you should contact them directly to find out whether they still operate a uniform grant scheme as some LAs continued with the scheme. Warwickshire families may also wish to complete a Turn2Us grant search to see if they are eligible for any alternative grants that could support with the cost of school uniform.

For pupils joining in Year 7 for the first time, unfortunately the academy does not receive any funding for your child until they are enrolled in September; therefore, we do not have access to any funds to support families with the cost of school uniform.

Warwickshire’s Family Information Service (FIS) may also be able to explore alternative grant applications and whether you are receiving all available financial support generally.

Houlton School required branded School uniform items have been minimised in line with government guidance and and best value options are as follows:

Core Uniform:
Blazer:                  35.60
Tie:                       9.90
Either
Shorts                   18.99 (£64.49 Total)
OR
Trousers                19.99 (£65.49 Total)
OR
Skirt                      £24.60 (£70.10 Total)

Required branded PE Kit items:
Top                       17.99
Total                     17.99

All other uniform items are either optional or may be purchased from generic (e.g. supermarket) retailers as stated above.

Houlton School do offer good condition, second hand uniform at a reduced price. If you are interested to see if we can help with what you need with, please email hello@houlton.tlet.org.uk with the subject 'second hand uniform'. Please include the items required and sizes and a member of staff will be in touch.

Sixth-Form

The Sixth-Form dress code is detailed within our formal policy, below.

Sixth Form Dress Code

 Girls