Uniform
The school uniform will continue to be stocked by our suppliers, Trutex.
Second hand uniform is available from sales throughout the year and these are published through ParentMail. Our second hand shop relies on generous donations from parents and carers, which can be dropped off at the school reception at any time.
If you claim Free School Meals and are experiencing difficulty financial purchasing school uniform, please get in touch with our Pupil Premium Coordinator via the school office and we will do our best to support you.
Trousers
The policy on trousers is the same for all students; trousers should be plain black, tailored and without decoration. This means that fashion trousers, chinos, jeans or ‘skinny trousers’ and those with decorative buttons on the front, exposed zips and studded pockets, must not be worn.
Shirts, jumpers and cardigans
School shirts are worn by all students; shirts should be plain white, long or short sleeved shirts, with a collar buttoning to the neck and tucked in at all times. Students should not be wearing a non-school uniform sweat shirt, ‘hoodie’ or similar top over their school shirt and tie; only a school cardigan or jumper may be worn over a shirt and tie. Neither cardigans nor jumpers should be tucked into trousers or skirts. Students may wear Larkmead hoodies over their uniform, but they must be removed in all lessons, including PE lessons. Hoods should always be down when in a school building.
Ties
The uniform features a V-neck jumper or cardigan and either may be worn by any student. This brings the school tie into focus and our expectation is that students will wear a tie that has a sensible sized knot, which must be pushed up to the top button, and the top button must be done up.
Optional Alternative Summer Uniform (Term 5 and 6 only)
During Terms 5 and 6, students may wear white Larkmead School polo shirts. These must be worn with the collar down but may be worn outside of trousers or skirts. Alternatively, students may continue to wear their normal school shirt and tie.
Knee-length shorts, which are plain black and tailored, may also be worn. These must not be jeans, fashion or sports shorts.
Footwear
Shoes must be plain black, sturdy and cover the whole foot, so that good protection of the foot is guaranteed in subjects like Design and Technology. Trainers, trainers made to look like school shoes, sandals, pumps or canvas shoes are not permitted. Boots should not be worn. Plain black socks or tights should be worn by all students.
Skirts and Skirt length
The school policy on skirts is that they should be black, knee length and without decoration. For guidance purposes skirts should not be a shorter than four inches or ten centimetres above the knee. Pencil or tube skirts are not permitted.
Coats
Students are free to wear any design of coat, although they may not wear denim jackets or coats with potentially offensive or inappropriate words or images on them. Hoods should always be down when in a school building
Piercings and Jewellery
Students are permitted to wear a pair of simple stud earrings. No other piercings are permitted. Consequently, if any student is contemplating having their nose, lips, eyebrows or tongue pierced, they should only do so if they can be sure that the piercing can be removed before term starts. Plastic retainers are not permitted. The following jewellery may also be worn: a watch, one plain ring and a single St. Christopher and chain or similar. All jewellery must be removed (there should be no taping over piercings or rings) in PE, Dance and Design and Technology lessons, as it is potentially hazardous.
Makeup
The schools’ policy is clear and make up should not be worn. This rule exists in part to save time debating who should be allowed to wear makeup and how much is appropriate. That said, there is a real desire to meet students half way and allow discreet make up. The definition of discreet will be made clear to students both verbally and through pictures, and the decision of what is discreet will be decided on by a student’s Director of Learning and Tutor.
Nails
Acrylic, gel or any type of false nails are not appropriate for school and represent a potential health and safety issue. Therefore, they are not permitted in school. Coloured nail polish is also not permitted.
Eyebrows
Shaving off eyebrows and replacing them with stencilled or false eyebrows is not permitted; please do not allow your child to do this. Where this has happened, we will permit a short period of grace in order for eyebrows to grow back.
P.E Kit
The following PE is required by all students. Please note that there is no difference between boys and girls P.E. kit, except the option of a skort. All students wear full uniform until the end of Year 11. Items marked * must be purchased from Trutex via our uniform shop link below.
Shorts or Skort (black with gold side panels)*
Polo Shirt (black with gold side panels)*
Rugby Shirt (black with gold side panels)* [boys only]
Football/Hockey Socks (black)*
Sports Trainers
Football Boots (Hockey and Football)
Shin Pads (Hockey and Football)
The following PE Kit is optional
Tracksuit Bottoms (plain black with no logos)
Hoodie (plain black with no logos)
Sports Leggings (plain black with Larkmead logo)*
Mouth guard (Hockey and Football)*
If students wish to wear tracksuit bottoms during the winter terms, they may do so, but they must be plain black. A plain black hoodie may be worn for PE lessons only, but not for rugby. Larkmead hoodies may not be worn for PE lessons. Larkmead leggings may also be worn in PE lessons.
In line with recommendations from the Rugby Football Union and the Hockey Association, we encourage students to wear a mouth guard when involved in these sports, both in lessons or competitive games. Mouth guards can be purchased from the P.E. Department.
The P.E. staff can answer any other questions about P.E kit. They will also advise as to when football boots and shin pads will be required. In all cases of doubt, please consult the school before purchase.
Naming Clothes
All clothing, including outdoor coats, bags and P.E. kit, must be clearly and permanently named. It is virtually impossible to trace unnamed items.