Uniform

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. The school does not allow the wearing of a full-face veil as this may be a barrier to effective communication and learning.

Those parents who are experiencing financial difficulties should not hesitate to contact Mr Graham Odlin, Assistant Headteacher at godlin@downlands.org.

We are grateful to parents for their full support in seeing that high standards are maintained in the wearing of uniform. All students are expected to be in full uniform each day and the school reserves the right to decide when an item of uniform or appearance does not conform to our policy. We ask parents to provide a written note or contact a student’s group tutor if there is a temporary problem with uniform or appearance. Where no reasonable grounds exist students can expect a sanction which may involve a detention or, with parents’ knowledge and approval, being requested to return home to change, with missed school time being made up. Refusal by students to comply with such requests or persistently not abiding to our uniform expectations can be subject to sanctions in line with our Behaviour Policy.

Uniform at Downlands

Shirt: Plain white school shirt. T-shirts and sports shirts are not allowed.  White polo shirts with school logo are allowed for the summer term wear only.

Tie: School tie.

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. Jumper:  Uniform red, V neck, close knit with school logo. Socks:  Grey, black or white Shoes:  Completely black polishable shoes, leather or faux leather.  Boots, trainers, plimsoll-style/canvas shoes, sandals, clogs, stilettos, high heels and platforms are not allowed.

Pullover: Uniform red, V neck, close knit with school logo.

Socks: Grey, black or white.

Shoes: Formal black, polishable shoes. Boots, trainers, plimsoll-style/canvas shoes are not allowed.

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 THING.

Notes for all years
  • Boots include any shoe which extends beyond the ankle.
  • 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, and one plain unobtrusive chain. No bracelets, no flesh tunnels, no nose studs or any other facial or body piercings.
  • No badges unless associated with the school.
  • Clear but no coloured nail varnish is allowed.
  • Discreet make-up only is acceptable.
  • Extremes of hairstyle, e.g. shaved patterns, braiding, beading and hair colour not within the student’s natural colour range (e.g. red, purple, black, peroxide blonde) are not suitable. Hair maybe shaved back and sides, no shorter than a grade 2 and longer on top.  Please note, it is the school who decides what is deemed extreme.
  • Hairbands should be plain with no flowers, bows or other embellishments.
  • No outdoor coats or jackets to be worn inside the school building.
  • If for any good reason you are not able to wear normal uniform you must make sure that you have a note from your parents/carers with you at all times.
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. 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. Jumper:  Uniform red, V neck, close knit with school logo. Socks/tights:  White, black or grey socks. Plain black or natural tights. Patterned tights and leggings are not allowed. Shoes:  Completely black polishable shoes, leather or faux leather.  Boots, trainers, plimsoll-style/canvas shoes, sandals, clogs, stilettos, high heels and platforms are not allowed

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 THING.

Notes for all years
  • Boots include any shoe which extends beyond the ankle.
  • 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, and one plain unobtrusive chain. No bracelets, no flesh tunnels, no nose studs or any other facial or body piercings.
  • No badges unless associated with the school.
  • Clear but no coloured nail varnish is allowed.
  • Discreet make-up only is acceptable.
  • Extremes of hairstyle, e.g. shaved patterns, braiding, beading and hair colour not within the student’s natural colour range (e.g. red, purple, black, peroxide blonde) are not suitable. Hair maybe shaved back and sides, no shorter than a grade 2 and longer on top.  Please note, it is the school who decides what is deemed extreme.
  • Hairbands should be plain with no flowers, bows or other embellishments.
  • No outdoor coats or jackets to be worn inside the school building.
  • If for any good reason you are not able to wear normal uniform you must make sure that you have a note from your parents/carers with you at all times.
 

If for any good reason you are not able to wear normal uniform you must make sure that you have a note from your parents with you at all times. 

Shirt: Plain white school shirt. T-shirts and sports shirts are not allowed.  White polo shirts with school logo are allowed for the summer term wear only.

Tie: Year 11 school tie.

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. Jumper:  Uniform navy blue, V neck, close knit with school logo. Socks:  Grey, black or white Shoes:  Completely black polishable shoes, leather or faux leather.  Boots, trainers, plimsoll-style/canvas shoes, sandals, clogs, stilettos, high heels and platforms are not allowed.

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 THING.

Senior Prefect Team and duty prefects only should wear a pale blue shirt/blouse.

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 THING.

Notes for all years
  • Boots include any shoe which extends beyond the ankle.
  • 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, and one plain unobtrusive chain. No bracelets, no flesh tunnels, no nose studs or any other facial or body piercings.
  • No badges unless associated with the school.
  • Clear but no coloured nail varnish is allowed.
  • Discreet make-up only is acceptable.
  • Extremes of hairstyle, e.g. shaved patterns, braiding, beading and hair colour not within the student’s natural colour range (e.g. red, purple, black, peroxide blonde) are not suitable. Hair maybe shaved back and sides, no shorter than a grade 2 and longer on top.  Please note, it is the school who decides what is deemed extreme.
  • Hairbands should be plain with no flowers, bows or other embellishments.
  • No outdoor coats or jackets to be worn inside the school building.
  • If for any good reason you are not able to wear normal uniform you must make sure that you have a note from your parents/carers with you at all times.
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. Tie: Year 11 school tie may be worn with a school shirt. Skirt: Davenport Knife Pleat in grey or navy blue. 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. Jumper:  Plain navy, V neck, close knit with school logo. Socks/tights:  White, black or grey socks. Plain black or natural tights. Patterned tights and leggings are not allowed. Shoes:  Completely black polishable shoes, leather or faux leather.  Boots, trainers, plimsoll-style/canvas shoes, sandals, clogs, stilettos, high heels and platforms are not allowed

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 THING.

Senior Prefect Team and duty prefects only should wear a pale blue shirt/blouse.

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 THING.

Notes for all years
  • Boots include any shoe which extends beyond the ankle.
  • 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, and one plain unobtrusive chain. No bracelets, no flesh tunnels, no nose studs or any other facial or body piercings.
  • No badges unless associated with the school.
  • Clear but no coloured nail varnish is allowed.
  • Discreet make-up only is acceptable.
  • Extremes of hairstyle, e.g. shaved patterns, braiding, beading and hair colour not within the student’s natural colour range (e.g. red, purple, black, peroxide blonde) are not suitable. Hair maybe shaved back and sides, no shorter than a grade 2 and longer on top.  Please note, it is the school who decides what is deemed extreme.
  • Hairbands should be plain with no flowers, bows or other embellishments.
  • No outdoor coats or jackets to be worn inside the school building.
  • If for any good reason you are not able to wear normal uniform you must make sure that you have a note from your parents/carers with you at all times.
Indoor: White socks Black shorts or scort Plain black sports leggings (optional) PE uniform polo-shirt Non marking trainers Outdoor: Red socks Black shorts or scort Plain black jogging bottoms (optional) Plain black sports leggings (optional) Rugby shirt/sweat shirt Trainers Football/rugby boots (optional) Gum shield Shin pads ALL UNIFORM MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED WITH THE OWNERS NAME.  

School Suppliers:

Broadbridges, Lynnem House, Victoria Way, Burgess Hill RH15 9NF

TEL 01444 242682

www.broadbridges.co.uk

Email: burgesshill@broadbridges.co.uk

Sussex Uniforms Ltd, Unit 1&2 Bridge Road Business Park, Haywards Heath, RH16 1TX

Tel: 01444 227066

Online at www.sussexuniforms.co.uk

ALL UNIFORM MUST BE CEARLY 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.

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