Purpose of this policy
This policy ensures our school uniform is affordable, inclusive, and aligned with statutory guidance, including the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill taking effect September 2026.
Key Legislative Changes (Sept 2026)
Limits on branded items (maximum 3; plus a tie for secondary). Schools must ensure affordability, provide second-hand options, and avoid requiring branded items for extra-curriculars.
Implementation Timeline
Full compliance with new requirements begins September 2026.
Introduction
Our uniform policy reflects our values and reinforces our school’s culture of high expectations. Our school uniform is important to us and demonstrates both a child’s and a family’s commitment to the school. It is one way in which we identify ourselves as a school community and it promotes a strong, cohesive school identity which supports high standards and expectations in all areas of school life. It promotes harmony between different groups represented in the school and enhances security.
Uniform is not a fashion item. It is designed to be both formal and comfortable. All students are expected to wear uniform appropriately from when they leave home to when they return. Smartness and high standards of appearance are expected at all times including when representing the school on trips, visits and fixtures.
We have a required school uniform for several reasons:
- Uniforms promote a sense of pride and belonging
- Uniforms unite the school. Students make a commitment that when they put on their Tewkesbury Academy uniform they will abide by the rules of the community
- Uniforms reduce inequalities. Regardless of income, students come to school dressed in a similar manner
- Uniforms look professional with students looking neat and ready to learn
- Some aspects of the uniform link to safety and wellbeing in practical subjects and in and around the school site
We expect parents and carers to support this uniform policy and to work in partnership with the school. Our uniform policy has been constructed after conversations with students, parents and staff. Our policy does not contain reference to gender and the uniform described is designed to be worn by any/all students regardless of how they identify. Equality issues have been considered and our calculations show that the cost of uniform is broadly similar for children regardless of their gender identification.
Value for money
The school firmly believes that our uniform policy and supplier offer value for money and that the cost of uniform should never be a barrier to a child attending the school. Therefore, the school will ensure the following:
- As much uniform as possible will be able to bought from a supermarket
- Nearly new uniform is available as an alternative, low-cost option for families
- Uniform costs and durability are balanced to ensure good value for money
- Changes to school uniform are limited and, when implemented, phased in over time
- Our uniform is suitable for the whole year and no summer/winter uniform is required
- Low-income families are provided with a uniform voucher to help support the purchase of uniform
- Requests for support from families in difficult financial circumstances are welcomed and looked on favourably
Compliance with the Uniform Policy
The vast majority of Tewkesbury Academy students wear their uniform well and with pride. Similarly, our parents are overwhelmingly supportive of the school’s uniform policy. There may be good reasons why a child cannot wear a school uniform. In this case, parents/carers should share the reasons with the school either in person or by letter. The school will always be considerate and discreet in trying to establish why a student is not wearing the correct uniform and offer support where appropriate.
Students will not be made to feel uncomfortable, nor discriminated against, because their parents may be unable to provide them with the required items of school uniform. In line with our culture of honest conversation with parents and carers, we encourage discussion with the school at the earliest opportunity if there are any difficulties.
There will be occasions when the school decides that school uniform is not appropriate ie when taking part in a physical activity day or wearing different clothes as part of a fundraising event. Parents and carers will be notified in advance of the revised dress code on such days.
Sanctions
Attempts will be made to help students to adhere to the uniform regulations but deliberate non-compliance, without good reason, will be dealt with by a range of sanctions in line with the school’s behaviour policy and persistent non-compliance without reason will be treated as conscious defiance. There is no suggestion, nor has there ever been, that the wearing of a uniform or the way in which a child presents themselves makes them a better learner. Parents choose our school because of its high standards, so we make no excuses in enforcing this policy to uphold the values we share with our parents and students in this area.
Tewkesbury Academy uniform list
Compulsory uniform items – please refer to images below:
- Blazer: Tewkesbury Academy navy blue blazer with integrated badge on the blazer pocket
- Tie: Tewkesbury Academy navy blue clip-on tie with school badge
- School shirt: Plain, light blue, long-sleeved shirt, to always be worn tucked in. A fitted shirt with ¾ length sleeves is also allowed, which may be worn untucked. All shirts must have a top button so that the tie can be clipped on.
- Trousers: Tewkesbury Academy navy blue trousers with logo on the left hip or black tailored trousers. The navy trousers are only available from Monkhouse Schoolwear or our nearly new shop. Lycra, leggings, denim, chino, skinny or fashion trousers are not permitted.
- Skirt: Tewkesbury Academy navy blue skirt with a logo embroidered onto the left hip. The navy skirt is only available from Monkhouse Schoolwear or our nearly new shop. Skirts are to be worn at knee length with knee length defined as touching the top of the knee whilst standing.
- Tailored shorts: Tailored black shorts are permitted. These need to be at least knee length.
- Rugby Top: Navy/sky reversible rugby sports top (boys only)
- Black socks / plain black or natural-coloured tights. Patterned tights are not allowed. Fluffy, coloured or white socks are not allowed.
- Shoes: These should be all black, low heeled and sturdy. These should be a polishable material. Black sports trainers and canvas pumps are not acceptable.
Optional uniform items
- V-Neck navy blue jumper (no brands or logos). The jumper is to be worn in addition to and not instead of a blazer.
- An outdoor coat. This should be predominantly plain and suitable for school wear. Hoodies are not allowed as an alternative to the blazer, ‘V’ necked jumper or coat. Hoodies are not to be worn under blazers.
Summer
- Blazers are expected to be worn between lessons but may be removed, at the discretion of the teacher, on arrival at a lesson.
All items of clothing, PE kit and equipment must be clearly labelled with the owner’s name. Tewkesbury Academy cannot accept responsibility for loss. The school’s lost property area is based in the RISE area.
The following items of clothing are not allowed:
- Unofficial non-logoed skirts
- Unofficial non-logoed navy-blue trousers or styles that are ‘skinny leg’, Leggings, Lycra or denim
- Branded jumpers, sweatshirts, or hooded tops
- Denim shirts and denim or leather style outdoor coats
- Boots, sports trainers, Sliders, Crocs, Uggs, open toed shoes or black canvas pumps
- Fashion belts
- Coats and scarves must not be worn inside buildings
- Hats are not permitted
Hairstyles
- Hairstyles must be neat and tidy
- Long hair must be tied back for PE, Technology, and Science lessons
- Extremes of style or colour are not allowed, e.g. tram lines, shapes and symbols shaved into the hair, Mohican style cuts, prominent blocks of colour, non-natural hair colourings/hair dyes. This list is not exhaustive and the Headteacher has absolute discretion.
After holidays, students should return to school with acceptable hairstyles. Please allow adequate time for colours or patterns to grow out. If in doubt, parents should contact the school to discuss future plans before any decisions are made.
Lashes
- False eyelashes, eyelash extensions, and other cosmetic lash enhancements are not part of the school uniform.
- Students should not wear false eyelashes or eyelash extensions to school.
- Students who wear false eyelashes or eyelash extensions will be asked to remove them
Facial hair
With the exception of religious grounds, students are expected to be clean-shaven until they enter the Sixth Form.
Jewellery
- All jewellery must be removed for PE/Games lessons
- Plain signet rings (one on each hand) and watches are allowed
- Earrings – if ears are pierced, – studs or small plain sleepers may be worn
- Nose piercings must be small, clear plastic and discreet
- No eyebrow, bridge of the nose, tongue studs or any visible other body piercings are permitted
- Stretcher earrings are not permitted
- Any necklaces should be worn underneath the uniform
Make-up/nail varnish
- If worn, must be discreet, natural looking and at the discretion of the Principal
- Where make-up becomes noticeable and excessive, a student will be asked to modify their makeup
- Coloured nail varnish is not permitted, and students will be expected to remove it with immediate effect
- Acrylic nails are not permitted
Tattoos
- Visible tattoos of any description are not permitted
Tewkesbury Academy PE Kit – please refer to images below
Compulsory items can be purchased from Monkhouse or the School’s nearly new shop.
Compulsory items
- Navy/pale blue Tewkesbury Academy PE top with logo
- Navy blue shorts or skort (no brands). Cycling/gym shorts are not permitted
- Plain navy long sports socks
- Navy/sky reversible Tewkesbury Academy rugby sports top (boys only)
- White sports socks. (White socks are encouraged for certain activities where shin pads are not needed, e.g. for netball, badminton and fitness suite)
- Sports trainers with non-marking soles (no daps or pumps)
- Soccer boots: all students should have a football boot with non-metal studs that can be worn both on the AWP and the field.
- Shin pads
- Gum shield
- One piece swimming costume or short swimming shorts or trunks and towel for swimming
Optional PE kit items
- Navy/pale blue Tewkesbury Academy hooded top with logo or navy sweatshirt (no brands).
- Navy or black plain leggings/base layer top (squat proof and without logos), available from any sports retailer.
- All jewellery must be removed for Physical Education. No tape is allowed to cover newly pierced earrings. Please consider the timing of getting ears pierced, as the expectation is that students will be asked to remove them at the start of each PE lesson.
- Please bring a drink of water along with your PE kit
- It is important that you bring any medication you require eg inhaler, diabetes kit etc
- Please ensure that you wear sun protection during the hot summer months
- In the interests of personal safety, students must wear shin pads and gum shields when appropriate
- The school suggests that students do not bring valuable items to school on PE days or when participating in extracurricular activities as we cannot accept responsibility for loss.
Where can I buy uniform and PE kit from?
All items of logoed uniform can be purchased from Monkhouse Schoolwear or our school’s nearly new shop.
- Monkhouse Schoolwear 252 High Street, Cheltenham, Glos, GL50 3HF. 01242 523632.
Please visit website for opening hours. Items to try for size are only available in the Cheltenham store. The staff are on hand to help in store, with any special size orders.Online: https://www.monkhouse.com/school/tewkesbury-academy-urn-137752
- Tewkesbury Academy nearly new uniform shop – the school operates a nearly new shop, selling good quality items of uniform and PE kit. Visit the school’s website uniform page to view the items available to buy. Payment is required in advance via ParentPay.
- Tewkesbury Academy online shop – ties can be purchased via the school’s online shop.
