Uniform at Downlands

Downlands is a “uniform” school and we expect all students to wear uniform without exception. Our uniform policy is based on the belief that school uniform :

  • Is smart and promotes a sense of pride in the school
  • Engenders a sense of community and belonging towards the school
  • Identifies the children with the school
  • Makes children feel equal to their peers in terms of appearance
  • Is a protection for both parents and students from temporary fashion trends

The school would see it as reasonable for a particular item or appearance to be allowed if it is a requirement of religious observance unless the item or appearance compromises the learning or health of the student or others.

It is pupils’ responsibility to be correctly uniformed, families can request help from the school. If you are not sure about the requirements, you must check first. It will not be an excuse that you did not know or that you have already bought the wrong item.

Those parents who are experiencing financial difficulties should not hesitate to contact Mr J Chandler at  behaviourattendance@downlands.org

All uniform must be clearly marked with the owner’s name.

Please note that if your child chooses to bring a mobile phone to school, it is at their own risk and the school accepts no responsibility for it’s loss or damage.

FOR FULL DETAILS, PLEASE SEE OUR UNIFORM POLICY and for SANCTIONS, please refer to Section 4.5 of our DISCIPLINE and STUDENT BEHAVIOUR POLICY. These can be found in the Policies section of our website.
Second Hand Uniform
We hold two second-hand uniform sales each year: one at the Summer Fair and another at the Christmas Market.

 

 

 

 

School Suppliers

 

 

 

 

 

Broadbridges
Lynnem House
1 Victoria Way
Burgess Hill RH15 9NF

Tel: 01444 242682 | Email: burgesshill@broadbridges.co.uk
 www.broadbridges.co.uk

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Monkhouse Schoolwear (previously Sussex Uniforms Ltd)
Unit 1&2 Bridge Road
Business Park
Haywards Heath, RH16 1TX

Tel: 01444 227066
www.sussexuniforms.co.uk

GR Teamwear (PE kit only – compulsory for Y7 from September 2025, phased in over five years for students in Years 8 – 11 from September 2025)
Unit 3, Regent Business Centre,
6 Jubilee Road,
Burgess Hill,
RH15 9TL
Tel: 01444 244401

enquiries@grteamwear.co.uk

ALL UNIFORM MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED WITH THE OWNER’S NAME

All Years

  • Completely black polishable school shoes, leather or faux leather. Boots, trainers, plimsoll-style/canvas shoes, sandals, clogs, stilettos, high heels and platforms are not allowed.
  • Belts should be plain black, no more than 5cm wide
  • Jewellery: only the following are permitted:
  • No more than two plain studs or small sleepers per ear
  • Only one plain unobtrusive ring
  • One plain unobtrusive chain
  • No bracelets
  • No flesh tunnels
  • No nose studs
  • We do not permit any other facial or body piercings (including oral piercings)
  • No badges unless associated with the school
  • Clear but no coloured nail varnish is allowed
  • Nail extensions are not permitted
  • Discreet make-up only is acceptable. False eyelashes or eyelash extensions are not permitted at any time
  • Extremes of hairstyle, e.g. shaved patterns, and hair colour not within the student’s natural colour range are not suitable. Hair should not be cut shorter than a grade one. Please note, it is the school who decides what is deemed extreme.
  • Hairbands should be plain with no flowers, bows or other embellishments
  • All coats must be removed inside the building, unless the Headteacher makes a temporary amendment to the policy due to low temperature inside. Coats have a full-length zip
  • Headphones and Airpods are not allowed to be worn in school
  • In high temperatures the Headteacher may take the decision to allow pupils to attend school in PE kit
  • A non-visible white base layer may be worn under shirts in the winter.

Trousers uniform

  • Shirt: Plain white school shirt or blouse. T-shirts and sports shirts are not allowed. White polo shirts with school logo are allowed for the summer term wear only. A non-visible white base layer may be worn under shirts in the winter.
  • Tie: Y7/8/9 – Black and red stripe school tie.
  • Y10/11 – Navy school tie.
  • A tie is not required to be worn with a blouse.
  • Trousers: Dark grey or black in a standard uniform style and fabric. Trousers should not be tapered below the knee or in the style of ‘skinny’ or ‘tight’ fit’. Corduroy, cotton, denim, drainpipes and jeans are not allowed. Riveted and patch pockets are also not allowed.
  • Trousers should be worn without adjustment i.e. not pulled down
  • Shorts: unaltered formal tailored shorts in dark grey school trouser material will be allowed in the summer term. No cargo style shorts.
  • Jumper: Uniform red, V neck, close knit with school logo.
  • Socks: Grey, black or white, ideally plain but may have a logo. This means simple socks that are not fluffy and without any patterns, or embellishments.
Prefects:
  • Only Senior Prefect Team in Y10 should wear a pale blue shirt. Duty Prefects and Senior Prefects in Y11 will wear a pale blue shirt.
In Y10: From September 2025, Y10 will wear a white shirt, uniform navy blue, V neck with school logo, blue school tie and grey or black trousers. A white polo shirt with the school logo is allowed in the summer term only.
 
In Y11: A blue shirt, uniform navy blue, V neck with school logo blue school tie and grey or black trousers. A white polo shirt with the school logo is allowed in the summer term only.

 

 

Skirt Uniform

  • Blouse: Plain white school blouse, or shirt, with collar and revere. T-shirts and sports shirts are not allowed. White polo shirts with school logo are allowed for the summer term only. A non-visible white base layer may be worn under shirts in the winter.
  • Tie: School tie may be worn with a school shirt.
  • Skirt: Davenport Knife Pleat in grey. It is sold by our uniform suppliers with the expectation that the skirt is knee length. As a general guideline, this will be 18” length for the smallest waist size and 20” length for most other waist sizes. Where there are exceptions, the uniform suppliers will help advise accordingly to ensure a good fit and correct length.
  • Skirt should be worn without adjustment i.e. not rolled up
  • Jumper: Uniform red, V neck, close knit with school logo.
  • Socks/tights: Socks/tights: White, black or grey socks or plain black or natural tights. This means simple socks that are not fluffy and without any patterns, or embellishments and patterned tights and leggings are not allowed. If natural tights or socks are worn on their own, they cannot be patterned and are ideally plain but may have a logo.  If socks are worn over black tights, they must be plain black (no logo) and ankle length without any embellishment, pattern or design.
Prefects:
  • Only Senior Prefect Team in Y10 should wear a pale blue shirt or blouse. Duty Prefects and Senior Prefects in Y11 will wear a pale blue shirt or blouse.
 
In Y10: From September 2025, Y10 will wear a white shirt or blouse, uniform navy blue, V neck with school logo, blue school tie (if wearing a shirt) and a blue skirt. A white polo shirt with the school logo is allowed in the summer term only.
 
 
In Y11: A blue shirt or blouse, uniform navy blue, V neck with school logo, blue school tie (if wearing a shirt) and a blue skirt. A white polo shirt with the school logo is allowed in the summer term only.
 

PE Kit

PE Kit
Must have
  • Downlands PE Polo-shirt or t-shirt*
  • White sports socks or long red or black football socks*
  • Plain black shorts (no skorts, cycle shorts or Nike Pro style)
  • Non-marking trainers
Optional extras
  • Downlands Quarter Zip, Downlands Rugby shirt or Downlands red PE sweatshirt)*
  • Black tracksuit bottoms/black leggings
  • Football boots/Rugby boots are advised for lessons that take place on the astro-turf/field
  • Gum shield (strongly advised for Rugby)
  • Shin pads
*Note – we have changed PE uniform for year 7 students entering Downlands in 2025 to a more comfortable, light-weight and cost-effective kit. This will be phased in over five years for students in Years 8 to 11 from September 2025. The new style PE logo items are available from GR Teamwear only
These are the new items that will replace the items marked with * above:
 
Must have
  • Downlands PE t-shirt
  • White sports socks or long black football socks
Optional extra
Downlands Quarter Zip, Downlands Rain jacket or Downlands Shower jacket
 
PE Kit Policy
  • Students must wear the Downlands PE polo-shirt or t-shirt* but may wear the optional items for rugby lessons or outdoor lessons.
  • Alternatively, a warmer base layer is permitted in winter months (requested not to be brightly coloured). The main specification is that this is worn under the Downlands PE polo-shirt or t-shirt.*
  • Students can choose to wear one of the following in their PE lesson: black shorts (not cycle shorts, Nike pro style or skorts), black sports leggings or black tracksuit bottoms. The item of clothing that they choose to wear must be plain black with the exception of small logos.
  • Students must have a change of footwear from their school shoes and these should be non-marking trainers.
  • Football boots/Rugby boots are advised for lessons that take place on the field, such as Rugby.
  • Gum shields are strongly advised for Rugby lessons.
 

Our Communities

All students at Downlands belong to one of 4 Communities, all named after areas of natural beauty in Sussex

  • Beacon
  • South Downs
  • Weald
  • Wolstonbury
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