Pentland Field School uniform
Why we wear school uniform
At Pentland Field School, we encourage all pupils to wear our school uniform. A school uniform and an appropriate appearance are important for the following reasons:
- school uniforms look smart
- wearing a uniform shows we belong to the Pentland Field School Community, and that we are proud to belong.
We have deliberately designed the uniform at Pentland Field with practicality, affordability and progression in mind. This means:
- Practical – pupils who are learning to do things for themselves are asked to wear clothes that allow them to dress and undress with relative ease
- Affordable – belonging does not need to mean the most expensive, branded clothing. Children grow! Sometimes, in the process of learning independence, they lose things. We never want uniform to be an unnecessary burden for families
- Progression – an important part of maturing and growing is a sense of newness and change. Wearing different clothing at different ages helps to mark those changes for pupils as they move through the school.
Ordering school uniform
We have made some changes to improve the system for supplying school uniform, so you can now order and pay for school uniform online via the School Trends website.
There are no minimum order quantities and your uniform will be delivered directly to your chosen address.
As well as our approved decorated school uniform, you are also able to order plain items such as trousers, skirts and shirts.
School uniform requirements
Pupils in Early Years and Primary (Reception – Year 6) should wear:
- white unbranded polo shirt, or, for those that wish to, an orange polo shirt with school badge
- navy blue sweatshirt or a navy blue cardigan (school badge optional)
- black or grey trousers/skirt/shorts/leggings/tracksuit trousers (non-branded/no logos).
Optional items include:
- fleece jacket with school logo
- backpack with school logo.
Pupils in Secondary (Year 7-11) should wear:
- green polo shirt (with school badge) or white unbranded polo shirt
- navy blue sweatshirt or navy blue cardigan (school badge optional)
- black or grey trousers/skirt/shorts/leggings/tracksuit trousers (non-branded/no logos).
Optional items include:
- fleece jacket with school logo
Pupils in Sixth Form (Year 12-14) should wear:
- 6th Form polo shirt with school logo
- 6th Form zippy with school logo
- black or grey trousers/skirt/shorts/leggings/tracksuit trousers (non-branded/no logos)
In line with their curriculum, in which 6th formers actively practice preparing for adulthood, we recognise that 6th formers who are practising making independent decisions may want to deviate from this. There is space for those pupils to do that, but clothing decisions should be appropriate, reflect the 6th form as a place of work, and should role model positive examples to younger pupils. Staff will actively teach 6th form pupils about this.
PE (Whole School)
Clothing must be suitable and safe for students to participate in exercise. The school recommends:
- plain PE t shirts
- plain sports shorts/ leggings/tracksuit bottoms
- plimsoles or trainers that fit well, and that pupils are able to put on and take off themselves.
General Expectations
- Secondary students who choose to wear makeup must ensure it is discreet and subtle
- nails (both natural or false) should not exceed fingertips
- in hot weather, shorts and skirts should be no shorter than knee length
- open-toe footwear is not permitted
- hats, caps and other headwear is not permitted to be worn indoors with the exception of heritage head wraps, religious headwear or where medically advisable (should staff or students wish to discuss headwear which doesn’t fall into the categories above, they are advised to speak to a senior member of staff who will advise on the best course of action)
- outdoor coats are not permitted to be worn indoors.
Our school champions the right of staff and students to embrace all Afro-hairstyles. We acknowledge that Afro-textured hair is an important part of our Black staff and students’ racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious identities, and requires specific styling for hair health and maintenance.
We welcome Afro-textured hair worn in all styles including, but not limited to, afros, locs, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, hair straightened through the application of heat or chemicals, weaves, wigs, headscarves, and wraps.
At this school, we recognise and celebrate our staff and students’ identities. We are a community built on an ethos of equality and respect where hair texture and style have no bearing on anyone’s ability to succeed.
Find out more about the Halo Code for Schools here.