College Uniform and Hair Policy

In "Policy"

ST MICHAEL’S CATHOLIC COLLEGE UNIFORM POLICY 

This document provides details of the College Uniform requirements for students in Years 7-11.

For students in Years 12 and 13 please see the 6th form Dress Code information on the website

We want all students to take pride in their appearance and to recognise that they wear a uniform to show they are a valued part of the college community. Therefore, all students are required to meet College uniform requirements at all times both in school and on the way to and from school.

It is not reasonable for parents/carers to ask us to make exceptions for their child as it undermines our high standards and ethos. We ask all parents and carers to read this policy carefully and ensure their child’s uniform complies.

 Please note all items of uniform are available from Whitehall Clothiers, 77 Camberwell Road, SE5 OEZ Tel: 020 7703 3604

Both Whitehall Clothiers and St Michael’s can provide help to any families who require support in purchasing uniform so please do contact us if you require financial assistance in this way. The college also has a second-hand uniform stock set up in conjunction with the ‘Friends of St Michael’s’ parent group and the student Eco Committee to support families and promote sustainability. Parents/Carers who wish to donate items for the second hand uniform stock should drop them into the main reception and Parents/Carers who wish to access the 2nd hand uniform stock should contact their child’s Leader of Learning in the first instance who will support with this.

We have recently consulted with all stakeholders on the college uniform and as a result there has been a reduction in the number of branded items required and changes made to shirts, ties and blazers so there is no inequality in terms of cost. Having one set of uniform requirements for both girls and boys also ensures equality.

 

ST MICHAEL’S CATHOLIC COLLEGE UNIFORM POLICY 2023-24

(Years 12 and 13 should see the 6th form Dress Code information on the website)

Uniform for students in Years 8-11 in September 2023 – 24  the small changes required for September are highlighted.

  • Grey Trousers or Grey Kilt (same shade of grey as blazer) Both items are only available from Whitehall Clothiers. In relation to the kilt there should be no extremes of length. Students are not permitted to roll up the waistband of their skirts and the skirt must be knee length or longer.
  • White Shirt with a top button- all students (open necked blouses are no longer permitted)
  • Clip on tie in House colours – all students. All students now require a tie in house colours.  
  • Grey Cardigan with only available from Whitehall Clothiers. Students are not permitted to tie up their cardigans at the back.
  • Grey Blazer – with College Badge – only available from Whitehall Clothiers.
  • Black socks ankle or knee length or Black tights (NO WHITE SOCKS)
  • Black/ Navy/Dark Grey Coat –no other colours, patterns or logos allowed. Outdoor hats must be plain black, navy or grey. Coats, hats, scarves and shawls/wraps are not allowed to be worn inside the college building.
  • Formal Black Leather Shoes (NOT trainer style or boots) with black soles, black laces (if lace ups) and all black stitching.
  • No Jewellery of any type is allowed- students are also not permitted to wear jewellery to and from school.
  • Trainers of any colour are not permitted to be worn to or from the college.

As students in Year 8-11 grow out of the current uniform items can be replaced with the new uniform that has been introduced for the new Year 7 from September 2023.

 

Uniform for students in Year 7 from September 2023 

  • Grey Trousers or Grey Kilt (same shade of grey as blazer) Both items are only available from Whitehall Clothiers. In relation to the kilt there should be no extremes of length. Students are not permitted to roll up the waistband of their skirts and the skirt must be knee length or longer.
  • White shirt with top button and House tie.
  • Grey v- necked jumper with blue trim, only available from Whitehall Clothiers
  • Grey Blazer with College Badge and blue trim – only available from Whitehall Clothiers.
  • Black socks ankle or knee length or Black tights (NO WHITE SOCKS)
  • Black/ Navy/Dark Grey Coat –no other colours, patterns or logos allowed. Outdoor hats must be plain black, navy or grey. Coats, hats, scarves and shawls/wraps are not allowed to be worn inside the college building.
  • Formal Black Leather Shoes (NOT trainer style or boots) with black soles, black laces (if lace ups) and all black stitching.
  • No Jewellery of any type is allowed- students are also not permitted to wear jewellery to and from school.
  • Trainers of any colour are not permitted to be worn to or from the college

School Bags for all students in Years 7-11

  • All students in Years 7-11 must have the official St Michael’s School bag bought from Whitehall Clothiers with their name written on the name label. No other bags will be allowed in these year groups.

PE Kit

PE kit requirements are the same for all students and items are available from Whitehall Clothiers

  • St Michael’s PE sport shirts
  • St Michael’s PE 1⁄4 zip sweatshirt.
  • Navy Shorts or Navy tracksuit bottoms (leggings and cycling shorts are NOT allowed)
  • Trainers (no pumps, converse etc)
  • Pupils should bring their own roll-on anti-perspirant. Aerosols are not permitted as they cause problems for those with asthma.
  • If students forget their P.E. Kit it will result in students receiving a negative mention on their record. Pupils will be expected to borrow a clean P.E. Kit from the P.E. Department which must be washed and returned to the P.E. Department promptly.
  • All pupils at St Michael’s are expected to take part in P.E. unless there is medical evidence to excuse them.
  • All children who are selected for college teams will be expected, if required, to play on Saturday mornings and after college hours during the week.

Equipment

  • All pupils must have a ballpoint pen, pencil, eraser, ruler and geometry set and a small scientific calculator.

Additional information

  • Chewing Gum is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN in college as it causes costly damage.
  • All items of uniform should be clearly marked with the students’ name.
  • Caps and non-winter hats are banned at all times.
  • Make-up( including lip gloss) nail varnish and false nails are not to be worn by any student.
  • Jewellery is not allowed at all and cannot be worn whilst travelling to, from or at college, including earrings. This applies to all students. Jewellery and any other unauthorised items will be confiscated and retuned to parents/guardians at the end of each college term. We do not allow students to cover piercings with plasters/use clear plastic studs to protect piercings. Therefore, students will be required to remove any piercings. Students are advised to have any piercings done at the start of the summer holiday to allow enough time for healing and earrings etc to be removed before the start of term.
  • Wristwatches are permitted but smart watches are not allowed as this would be the same as allowing students to have a phone with them which is switched on all day.
  • Mobile phones if brought to college should be switched off before entering the school site and must not be switched back on or used until the pupil has left the college site. Students who do not follow these requirements or breach the safety policy will have the right to bring a phone to college revoked.

College Hair Policy

The College hair policy has been informed by student, staff, parent and governor feedback to ensure our policies reflect and are supportive of the diversity of our college community.

Parents and carers are asked to read the policy carefully and go through it with their child so that everyone is clear about expectations. It is not fair to expect the college to make an exception for your child unless there is a specific medical reason.

  • Students’ hair should remain naturally coloured with one natural colour. Streaked, dyed, two tone, highlighted or coloured hair/braids are not permitted, nor are exaggerated hair styles e.g. Mohican
  • For health and safety reasons students with hair that is shoulder length or longer must have their hair tied back in PE, DT and Science lessons and hair/fringes should not fall across students’ eyes making it difficult for them to see or fully participate in lessons. Also, for health and safety reasons hair should be no longer than waist length.
  • Afro-textured hair can be worn in all styles including, afros, locs, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, hair straightened through the application of heat or chemicals and weaves (in line with the ‘Halo Code’) but should be one natural colour. We acknowledge that Afro-textured hair requires specific styling for hair health and maintenance.
  • Students are not permitted to have their heads shaved all over (skinhead/0.5 or less all over) and lines (including false partings) and patterns are not allowed to be shaved into eyebrows or hair.
  • In years 7-11 hair accessories for all students e.g. hairbands, headbands, ribbons, slides, etc. must be black. Please note headbands should be narrow and glass or plastic beads are not allowed for health and safety reasons.
  • In the 6th form all hair accessories and head scarves etc. must be black, navy or grey in line with the 6th form dress code colours.
  • Information from the Halo Collective has also been used to inform our hair policy and we have adopted the Halo code. More information can be found here: https://halocollective.co.uk/halo-school/