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Uniform and Equipment

While in school and outside in the community all students must wear school uniform in the acceptable way, which promotes the school positively to our visitors and the wider community.

We are proud of our students and we believe that our uniform has helped to improve and expand academic excellence in the following ways:

  • Instilling students with discipline.
  • Helping parents and students resist peer pressure.
  • Helping students concentrate on their school work because they are dressed for learning.
  • Encouraging an improvement in student behaviour through a greater sense of school unity and identity.

We therefore expect all students to wear their uniform with pride, whether they are in school or outside in the community as they travel to and from school. In short, they should be ‘dressed for learning’ as they are representative of our school community and must wear school uniform in the acceptable way:

  • Shirts should be tucked into skirt/shorts or trousers at all times.
  • The stripes and badge on the tie should be worn below the tie knot.
  • The blazer is a compulsory item and should be worn at all times. (Students will be advised not to wear blazers during heatwaves)
  • The V-neck jumper is optional and may be worn during cold weather beneath the blazer.
    Note: Only the school shirt and jumper may be worn beneath the blazer
  • Sensible black shoes without markings or brand names. Shoes should be full and cover the whole foot with a sturdy sole for health and safety reasons.
  • Brown shoes, trainers, ankle boots, ‘slipper shoes’ (with no backs) are NOT allowed.
  • Outdoor coats should be navy blue or black, without brand names.
  • Hat/hoods or hooded-tops and leisurewear are not permitted. Such items are not outdoor coats and should not be worn.
  • Non – uniform, ‘own clothes rewards days’, we expect our students to dress modestly (eg no shorts or low cut tops) and appropriately for a school environment.

Our uniform consists of the following items:

Sensible black shoes without markings or brand names. Shoes should be full and cover the whole foot with a sturdy sole for health and safety reasons.

  • Navy blue school blazer, badged (compulsory)
  • Navy blue school tie, with stripes worn below the knot (compulsory):

September 2023

Year 7 = Blue Stripe
Year 8 = Red Stripe
Year 9 = White Stripe
Year 10 = Gold Stripe
Year 11 = Green Stripe

September 2024

Year 7 = Green Stripe
Year 8 = Blue Stripe
Year 9 = Red Stripe
Year 10 = White Stripe
Year 11 = Gold Stripe

All Students

  • Plain white school shirt (tucked in to skirt/trousers)
  • Navy blue V-necked jumper with school logo (Optional item)
  • Plain black or white socks or Plain black or grey tights

To go with these:

  • Mid-grey tailored school knee-length wide-pleated skirt/Mid-grey tailored school knee-length Shorts or mid-grey/charcoal or black straight tailored school trousers, which must have:
  • A front zip fastening
  • A waistband

Skirts should be knee length and certainly no more than 5cm above the knee. They should be loose fitting and have a boxed pleat. NB Skirts in all waist sizes and in all lengths are available through our suppliers – please refer to your child’s Student Support Leader if you are experiencing difficulty in sourcing the correct length of school skirt.

PE/Games Kit

Jewellery must not be worn during PE lessons

  • Polo Shirt – Navy/Sky Blue with Badge
  • Shorts – Navy Blue with Badge or/ Leggings – Navy Blue with WHS branding
  • Socks – Navy/Sky Blue Top or/ plain trainer socks
  • Swimsuit – One Piece, Navy Blue Preferred or Swimming Shorts, Navy Blue Preferred
  • Trainers – Any Colour
  • Towel – Any Colour
  • Track Suit – Navy with School Badge (optional)
  • Rugby Jersey – Navy/Sky Blue with Badge (optional)

Hairstyles, Makeup & Jewellery

The following hairstyles, hair colours and headwear are not considered appropriate for school:

  • Unnatural coloured hair
  • Extreme hairstyles
  • Excessive hair accessories
  • Caps

Scarves which are prescribed as part of religious dress may be worn as deemed appropriate.

Makeup and cosmetics

The school rules on makeup and cosmetics are as follows:

  • Makeup may be worn if it is natural in appearance. Excessive make-up, tanning products and false eyelashes are not permitted.
  • Nail polish may be worn if it is natural in appearance. Coloured polish, acrylic and false nails are not permitted.

Jewellery

The school rules on jewellery are as follows:

  • One pair of stud earrings may be worn – no hanging or loop earrings other piercings are permitted.
  • A smart and sensible wrist watch may be worn.

Uniform Suppliers

Whittakers Schoolwear
106 Deansgate, Bolton. BL1 1BD. Tel: 01204 389485

Smart Clothing
Units 5, 6 & 7 Black Horse Street, Bolton, BL1 1SY. Tel: 01204 392610

Andrew Leach Sports & Schoolwear
78-80 Lee Lane, Horwich BL6 7AE. Tel: 01204 697624

Rainbow Uniforms
87-89 Bradshawgate, Leigh. WN7 4ND. Tel: 01942 609447

BL5 Schoolwear
Westhoughton market, Westhoughton, BL5 3AZ. Tel: 07719 563593

Icon Embroidery
8 Market Street, Atherton, M46 0DN. Tel: 01942 665155

Acceptable and Unacceptable Uniform

While it is easy to ensure that specific uniform items such as the blazer, jumper and tie which carry logos are as expected, items that can be purchased from a range of high street stores are more difficult to standardise. If in any doubt, please contact your child’s Student Support leader to clarify before making purchases.

Shoes: Any sportwear brand (adidas, nike etc) is not accepted as a suitable shoe. Shoes should be entirely black and leather or a leather style in appearance. Canvas shoes, high heels and boots are not permitted.

Skirts should be knee length and certainly no more than 5cm above the knee. They should be loose fitting and have a boxed pleat. NB Skirts in all waist sizes and in all lengths are available through our suppliers – please refer to your child’s Student Support leader if you are experiencing difficulty in sourcing the correct length of school skirt.

Please view our uniform policy here.

Equipment

As a minimum expectation, students must bring the following to school:

  • A sturdy school bag
  • A pen, pencil and ruler
  • Their student planner (provided at the start of each academic year replacements are available to purchase via ParentPay)

Students are also encouraged to bring:

  • A scientific calculator and Maths set (both available to purchase via ParentPay)
  • A green pen, purple pen, eraser and a sharpener

Pencil case packs are available to purchase from school via ParetnPay. They include: black pen, purple pen, green pen, pencil, 15cm ruler, eraser, sharpener, pair of scissors, gluestick, highlighter, pack of 12 colouring pencils, compass and protractor in a small plastic pencil case. Once you have made payment please ask your child to collect from Student Reception.