School Uniform Statement 2024 - 2025

The Governors are determined that the appearance of the students should be of the highest standard and ALL those in Years 7 to 11 must wear the school uniform, as listed below:

• Top coats must not be worn inside school at any time and must be stored in students’ lockers.
• Cords, denim jeans and jackets, leather coats and tracksuit tops, hoodies and shorts are not included in the school uniform. If a belt is worn, it must be plain black.
• Uniform can be purchased from the online uniform shop. Pre-loved school uniform is available to ALL students and can be accessed via our Pre-Loved Uniform Page.
• All clothing and equipment must be marked with the owner’s name.
• Jewellery (including clothing accessories and non-school issued badges) must not be worn in school but students with pierced ears may wear one stud in each ear, in the lower lobe.
• Excessive make-up is unnecessary and inappropriate for school and must not be worn; this includes false eyelashes and fake tan.
• Nail polish, acrylic/shellac/gel nails and nail extensions should not be worn for school.
• Hairstyles must be suitable for school. (Extreme hairstyles including patterns, lines or indentations shaved or sculptured onto the hair are not acceptable. Other examples include ‘Mohicans’, ‘Skinheads’ and inappropriate use of natural coloured dye to create clashing and/or extreme hair colour patterns. Non-natural colours are not acceptable.)
• The school’s Senior Leadership Team will define what is deemed acceptable under all of the guidelines contained in the school uniform statement.

**Girls socks should be of a length whereby they are unable to wear them above the knee. Knee high socks turned down are not deemed acceptable

School Shoes - Guidance

The school uniform policy statement requires that shoes should be:

Girls – Sturdy plain black shoes (no open toes, heels, trainers, hybrid versions, boots, demi-boots, canvas or footwear with any logos)
Boys – Plain black shoes (no trainers, hybrid versions, boots, demi-boots, canvas or footwear with any logos)

In the modern world of fashion, it is now ‘debatable’ as to what is defined as a shoe and what is not. For general guidance on what Culcheth High School believes suitable footwear is, we have put together some basic guidelines to help. Shoes should be footwear that would be worn in a ‘formal’ work environment that are smart and will be comfortable and protective for students to wear all day in school. There are a number of students who have been attending school wearing black trainers believing that they are appropriate school shoes. Black trainers or sports shoes do not conform to the school uniform rules including footwear with logos. Covering logos with tape or marker pens is not acceptable.

Below are just a few examples of trainers/sports shoes that students have been wearing for school as school shoes. They are classed as trainers. The common themes include single panelled sole with sport grip, common sports brand logo/name on side and rear of trainer (Reebok, Adidas, Lonsdale, Lacoste, Fred Perry, Converse, Vans etc.). These are sold in sports shops as trainers and are not school shoes. It is exemplified that those students who wear them for school also wear them for PE meaning that they see them as sportswear rather than school wear. Black canvas plimsoll shoes are also not appropriate (Toms etc.). School uniform at Culcheth High School is not meant to be a vehicle for students to indulge in expensive fashion labels and brands, it is there to ensure a consistent approach to standards at Culcheth High School for every student.

The shoes that are required at Culcheth High School should constitute a more traditional style shoe that students are comfortable in and will suit the daily activities in classrooms, laboratories, technology rooms and other day-to-day activities. This by no means is an exhaustive list (below) but should give you a good idea of what we expect at the school. Should you have any further queries, then don’t hesitate to contact your son/daughter’s form tutor or Progress Leader.

Any student who is wearing non-regulation footwear will be expected to comply with the dress code by ensuring appropriate shoes are worn. Parents/carers will be contacted to inform them of any issues. We hope that this is clear so that the wasted expense of purchasing inappropriate school footwear for the new school year is avoided. Please don’t hesitate to contact the relevant Progress Leader prior to purchasing any school shoes if you should require any further clarification