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School Uniform and Appearance

St. Bede’s unashamedly sets high standards and has high expectations of its pupils. This is evident in the way that pupils have pride in their uniform and appearance. We believe that when pupils show respect for their uniform as well as their own appearance, they learn a fundamental life skill of aiming to present the best version of themselves when they meet people for the first time. It gives pupils a sense of identity and of belonging to a community.

 

Whilst pupils are wearing the St. Bede’s uniform, they represent our school community; uniform should be worn correctly at all times (including travelling to and from school). Pupils are accepted at St. Bede’s on the clear understanding that parents and carers accept and comply with the rules concerning uniform requirements.

Parents may opt for either of the following uniform options:

Option A

  • A plain navy blazer with school badge.
  • Black, tailored school trousers (no extremes of fashion including ‘skinny fit’).
  • Plain light blue or white school shirt.
  • School tie fastened to top button and worn full length.
  • A plain navy jumper (optional but ‘V’ necked only).
  • Black socks.
  • Plain black flat-heeled shoes. Trainer-style shoes are not permitted.
  • Plain dark navy or black coloured outdoor coat (This should be all one colour. Branding should be small and discrete. No hooded tops / hooded zip-up tops).
  • Plain dark navy or black scarf.
  • Hairstyles which are extreme in terms of cut or colour are not acceptable in school. Hair must be one natural colour. If in doubt, check with the Head of Year.
  • Pupils are expected to be either clean-shaven or, if they maintain facial hair, it should be kept neatly groomed.

Option B

  • A plain navy blazer with school badge.
  • A navy skirt with school badge to be worn just above knee length.
  • A plain light blue or white school shirt.
  • School tie, fastened to top button and worn full length.
  • A plain navy jumper (optional but ‘V’ necked only)
  • Black opaque tights or plain white knee length socks.
  • Plain black flat-heeled school shoe. Trainer-style shoes are not permitted.
  • Plain dark navy or black coloured outdoor coat (This should be all one colour. Branding should be small and discrete. No hooded tops hooded zip-up tops).
  • Plain dark navy or black scarf.
  • Hairstyles which are extreme in terms of cut or colour are not acceptable in school. Hair must be one natural colour. If in doubt, check with the Head of Year.
  • Pupils are expected to be either clean-shaven or, if they maintain facial hair, it should be kept neatly groomed.

Jewellery and Make-up

  • With the exception of a watch, no jewellery of any sort is permitted. This includes ear, nose and tongue studs.
  • Make-up, nail polish, false eyelashes and gel nails, etc. are not permitted.
  • Only school badges are permitted to be worn on the school blazer

School Bags

Pupils must use an appropriately sized waterproof bag to carry their books and equipment.  It should hold A4-sized exercise books comfortably without causing any damage. School bags featuring inappropriate images, slogans or phrases are not permitted.

Equipment

  • Pens (including a GREEN pen)
  • Pencils
  • Eraser
  • Ruler
  • Scientific Calculator
  • Compass
  • Protractor
  • a fine non-permanent dry wipe pen

Tippex or any other form of liquid paper is not allowed in school.

 

School Shoes

Suitable Footwear Examples:                                Non-Suitable Footwear Examples:

Plain black flat-heeled shoes                                   No trainers, canvas or casual styles

Physical Education (boys and girls)

  • Plain navy polo with school badge.
  • Navy shorts/skort, with school badge. (Skort – new design for September 2023, please speak to retailer for more information).
  • Navy or white socks (trainers socks are optional).
  • Sports trainers
  • Outdoor Midlayer Top (with yellow trim). This is the only top that is permitted to be worn outdoors.

And/or

  • St Bede’s Navy Leggings (with yellow trim)
  • St Bede’s Slim fit track suit bottoms (with yellow trim)

 

Useful Links

Second-Hand Uniform 

The school offers a free ‘pre-loved’ uniform scheme.  As uniform is an expensive requirement for families, the school can offer good-quality second-hand uniform.

The school asks families to donate any unwanted items of uniform or sportswear that are in good condition and clean and could be worn by another pupil.