All pupils of St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School are expected to wear our approved school uniform, which is both smart and practical. We believe that this provides our students with a sense of identity and promotes a belonging within our school community. 

We believe that first impressions are important and for this reason, we expect our students to present themselves in a smart, business-like appearance at all times. By consistently wearing our school uniform to the highest standards, students are not only presenting a positive image of our school community, but also of themselves as individuals.

In order to meet the required standard, students are expected to wear our school uniform correctly, e.g. shirt tucked in, top button fastened, tie correctly worn and blazer sleeves rolled down. Furthermore, in meeting the expected standard for Personal Presentation, students must conform to the following requirements:-

PERSONAL PRESENTATION

  • Hair styles must be neat and tidy and of natural colour. (Haircuts shorter than a No 3 blade are not allowed.) Long hair for both boys and girls must be tied back at all times with a bobble that is school colour.
  • Fashionable extremes will not be permitted. This includes hair extensions, shaved heads, skin fading, pattern shaving, “mullet” cuts, unnatural or two-toned colours.  
  • Hair of different lengths must be blended.  
  • Mousse/gel/hairspray should not be used. 
  • Facial hair must not be visible. Pupils should be clean shaven. 
  • The use of make-up* is NOT acceptable – students wearing makeup which is visible will be expected to remove it.  This includes fake tan.
  • Nail varnish and the wearing of false nails is NOT allowed.
  • Piercings* are not allowed and ‘recent piercing’ will NOT be accepted as a reason for keeping jewellery in during the school day and MUST not be covered with plasters.

With regards to jewellery and personal items, students are allowed to wear a simple watch, but this must not be a SMART WATCH).  No other items of jewellery, piercings or personal items are permitted, this includes ear pods.

CONFISCATION

If any student is seen to be wearing more jewellery or personal items than is allowed in line with our policy on Personal Presentation, the member of staff concerned will confiscate the item in the first instance. The item will be put into an envelope, clearly labelled with the student’s name and it will be given to the appropriate Senior Learning Coordinator.

 

If any item is confiscated from the same student on more than one occasion in any half-term, Parents/Carers will be asked to collect the confiscated item from school.

Green blazer with school badge


Grey school jumper with school badge (optional)


Shirt/Blouse: Plain white


Trousers: Plain black


Socks: Plain black


Skirt: Knee length grey with two inverted pleats (front and black). If a student would prefer to wear the trousers, then these MUST be the specified style with the school initials on the waist (in grey)


School tie


Socks: Grey knee length or grey opaque tights


Shoes: Sensible plain black


Further Uniform Information to note:

Shirt

This MUST have a top button that is fastened at all times, worn correctly, ie tucked into skirt or trousers.

Tie

Students MUST ensure that the tie is worn to correct length; crest visible below tied knot.

Trousers

This item MUST be a tailored style and must NOT be ‘skinny’, ‘slim fit’ or denim/fashion style.

Skirt

This item MUST be worn at knee length and the style as provided by our suppliers only.  This MUST be the new style with two inverted pleats (front and back).

Jumper

This optional item is only available from our approved suppliers.  This item MUST be the new style grey school jumper with the school badge.

Footwear

This MUST be a plain black shoe without logos – high/wedge heels, boots, sandals, pumps, training/sports shoes, sports branded footwear (such as ‘Nike’) will NOT be allowed.  In snow, pupils may wear wellington boots/boots whilst travelling to and from school but will be expected to bring school shoes to change into once in school.

Outdoor Coat

Outside coats or jackets should be plain black, without any logos or motifs.  Outside coats or jackets must not be worn anywhere in the building.  In cold weather however, ONLY BLACK outside coats may be worn over the blazer at breaks and lunchtimes.

 

Please note:     Casual outer garments such as hoodies, sweatshirts, tracksuit tops baseball caps are not part of the SEA School Dress Code.  

*Disclaimer:  The school reserves the right to make the final judgement on any of the above
Additional Compulsory Items

Planner

This is issued to every student – students MUST have their plan for every lesson. Parents and Carers are expected to monitor their child’s planner and sign it weekly

Equipment

All students MUST have following items on a daily basis:

  • School bag – large enough to carry books and equipment
  • Pencil case with pen, pencil, ruler, rubber and coloured pencils
For D&T 
  • White cotton craft apron for workshop activities
  • Green and white striped tabard for Food Technology

 

PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW FOR THE FULL LIST OF UNIFORM & EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS (which includes Y10 & Y11 Options PE equipment):

Pupil Uniform & Equipment

PE Kit requirements have been reviewed in line with government cost of school uniform guidelines and, following a second review in September 2022, several changes have been made.  These changes take effect following the publication of this information on the school website, however, PE kit purchased for the 2022-23 school year remains acceptable until a pupil grows out of the kit or items of kit need replacing.  
 

All pupils are expected to have the required PE kit available from our approved suppliers.

  • Pupils must always have minimum kit requirements for their PE lessons.
  • All items of kit must be clearly labelled with a pupil’s name.
  • Kit described as ‘plain’ must not be branded with brand logos. (The changes in minimum kit requirements have been introduced following government guidelines to ensure that PE kit is affordable and socially levelling.)
  • Pupils are expected to bring the minimum kit which is appropriate for each activity and for the forecasted weather. Pupils will be allowed to wear base-layers, gloves etc. IN ADDITION to their PE kit if the teacher deems it suitable.
  • Please be aware that studded boots are essential for boys' outdoor lessons as training shoes DO NOT provide a sure enough footing on grass.
  • Pupils may shower after every lesson if they wish and will need to bring necessary supplies to do so.

Boys’ and Girls’ Indoor Kit

Boys’ and Girls’ Outdoor Kit (in addition to indoor)

CORE PE KIT MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

  • Plain black shorts (boys and girls)*  OR
  • Plain black opaque leggings (girls only)*
  • White polo shirt with SEA badge*
  • Black socks (football socks for boys)
  • Trainers suitable for indoor and Astroturf use (Pumps e.g. Converse, Vans NOT allowed).     *Can be worn as outside kit also.
  • Red hoodie with SEA badge (girls only).
  • Green reversible rugby shirt with SEA badge (boys only).
  • Studded boots (boys only).
  • Shinpad/guards (essential for Football and Hockey).

 

CORE PE KIT OPTIONAL/RECOMMENDATIONS

 

  • Plain black tracksuit bottoms.
  • Mouth Guard/Gum Shields (Recommended for Rugby and Hockey)

PLAIN ITEMS MUST NOT BE BRANDED WITH BRAND LOGOS 

 

We have 3 main suppliers of our school uniform:-

 


We work closely with all our suppliers to ensure that the cost of our school uniform remains cost-effective for all parents/carers and have recently revised the PE kit requirements to reduce the cost of embroidered garments.  However, we would ask that any parent/carer who is experiencing difficulty in purchasing items of uniform to please contact us as we do have a stock of second-hand uniform items that can be provided, or financial help may be available [depending on criteria].  Also, suppliers do often provide a 'LayBy Service' to choose items of uniform and collect at a later date, or other methods of helping parents to pay for their child's uniform.  It is always worth speaking directly to the supplier in the first instance to see what direct help may be available.
 

We are all acutely aware that the current cost of living crisis is impacting many families across the borough.  As parents ourselves we share these concerns and we want to work with our customers to help in any way possible. We have a Savings Club to allow parents to spread the cost and 'Smart Futures' pre-loved uniforms are available at a fraction of the cost.

Free (Second Hand) Uniform Provision

We do have a supply of second-hand uniform items and if you wish to enquire about availability of certain items, please contact Mrs McGuinness in the Pastoral Office.


Situated in Ashton-in-Makerfield, the Diamond Community Support Centre welcome donations of school uniform items in good and clean condition for their second hand uniform free shop.  Please visit the Diamond Centre Community Support Centre Facebook page or telephone 07821 462068 for information about how to donate the items your children no longer need and for the dates that the free shop will be open (summertime dates only). 

Whether this provision helps families facing challenging times or is used as a means of recycling and reducing our impact on the environment, there is no doubt that this is an excellent project providing a vital service to the local community.

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