SCHOOL UNIFORM AND APPEARANCE

Our school uniform is important to us. It is one way in which we identify ourselves as a school family 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 it enhances security, assisting the school to identify individual pupils in order to maintain good order, and to more easily spot those who shouldn’t be on the school site.

Smartness and high standards of appearance are expected at all times.

The school believes that a school uniform is important because it:

• looks smart
• wears well
• is cost effective
• contributes to a sense of belonging
• gives a common purpose
• fosters a feeling of pride
• reduces ‘fashion competition’ between children
• prepares students well for similar demands in the workplace in future years

All children should wear the uniform and we encourage them to maintain an acceptable standard of clean and tidy dress in school. It reflects the needs of the cultural traditions represented at Northallerton School & Sixth Form College.

Official supplier:

(Branded / logo uniform items – blazers, ties, PE tops) can be purchased online from the following

retailer: 

Michael Sehgal and Sons Ltd
Telephone: 0191 230 2320

https://www.michaelsehgal.co.uk/schools/northallerton/

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 10am-4:30pm
Email: sales@michaelsehgal.co.uk

If you just need a replacement tie we keep a stock of each colour in school.  To purchase one please visit

https://app.parentpay.com/ParentPayShop/Uniform/Default.aspx?shopid=11138 

Our finance team will process the payment and leave the tie ready for collection at Arbor reception.

The uniform listed below is compulsory from September 2025

*Compulsory school branded items with school logos must be purchased from our official school uniform supplier (www.michaelsehgal.co.uk). Parents can buy “generic” uniform items e.g. those items which do not include an academy logo – shirts, socks, trousers/skirts, from any retailer e.g. supermarkets.

Tie colours stay with students throughout their 5 years in main school so they do not have to be replaced yearly.  The tie colours for each year group are:

September 2024

• Year 7 – purple
• Year 8 – mid blue;
• Year 9 – yellow/gold;
• Year 10 – red;
• Year 11 – green;

September 2025

• Year 7 – green
• Year 8 – purple;
• Year 9 – mid blue;
• Year 10 – yellow/gold;
• Year 11 – red;

FOOTWEAR  Whilst in school, sensible plain black polishable school shoes. No boots, shoes containing a bubble in the heel, sandals or heels may be worn. There should not be any sizeable logos, any colour or any extravagant adornments on the shoes such as large bows and sequins for example, small, black bows and small black tassels are acceptable. In very poor weather conditions (heavy snow or heavy rain), students may come to school in ankle boots.

In addition:

• Jewellery is not permitted. No piercings, including any facial piercings are allowed. The wearing of piercing retainers is not permitted.
• Hair should be of a single, natural tone. Two-tone hairstyles are not acceptable. Extreme hairstyles are not permitted.
• Light make-up is acceptable. Acrylic nails, nail varnish and false eyelashes are not permitted.
• Sweatshirts, hoodies worn over/under blazers and baseball caps are not allowed, woollen hats and outdoor coats can only be worn outside.
• Full uniform should be worn on the way to school and on the way home from school.

In all cases, the school reserves the right to determine what is and what is not acceptable in terms of uniform.

PE KIT 

Like our school uniform, the PE kit is supplied by Michael Sehgal.

*Compulsory school branded items with school logos must be purchased from our official school uniform supplier (www.michaelsehgal.co.uk). Parents can buy “generic” PE items such as black shorts, black tracksuit bottoms/joggers, black skort or a black sweatshirt (but no hoodies) which do not include an academy logo from any retailer e.g. supermarkets.

In addition to the PE kit shown above all students require:

• Plain long black socks
• Plain white ankle socks (indoor)
• Sports trainers (astroturf training shoes) – not plimsolls
• Boots for hockey, football and rugby
• Shin pads
• Towel
• Gum shield strongly advisable for hockey and rugby
• Hair fastening, if required

For Health and safety reasons we also ask that all jewellery is removed for PE lessons, as well as hair to be tied back.

The expectations listed above are in place to support students to participate in PE lessons that are as safe and enjoyable as possible. The health and safety of our students is of paramount importance. Whilst it is an expectation that all students arrive at their PE lessons with the correct kit, if students are unable to provide this, there are always plentiful supplies of extra kit that can be borrowed. We encourage all students/ parents to inform the PE department if they are experiencing any such problem.

All students are expected to participate in PE lessons on a regular basis with the appropriate school PE kit. If your child is excused from participating physically in a PE lesson due to an injury or illness, then we do require a note. However they should still come equipped with their PE kit in order to change (if injury allows) and participate in another role within the lesson such as umpiring.

Please ensure all uniform and PE kit is clearly named.

EQUIPMENT

Every student is expected to provide the following basic items of equipment for every lesson:

• Sturdy school bag
• Pencil case
• Two black pens
• Two green pens
• Red pen
• Scientific calculator
• 2 pencil 
• Pencil sharpener
• Ruler
• Pencil eraser

Children also need to bring in a water bottle as cups are not given out at school. 

Additional equipment may be required in certain lessons and should be bought when requested. Wherever possible, more expensive textbooks and specialised equipment will be issued on loan. Students will be required to pay for any loss or damage to school property.

Uniform FAQs

Does the school make any money from sales of school uniform?

No, all money from the sale of uniform goes directly to the supplier/manufacturer.

What does the Department for Education guidance say in relation to school uniform?

The Department for Education guidance clearly states that ‘it is for the governing body of a school to decide whether there should be a school uniform policy and if so what that should be’. The DfE recommends that value for money is considered. 

Are you allowed to have a single supplier for uniform?

Yes, the DfE guidance states that this is acceptable and recommends that schools regularly review that the supplier is providing value for money comparatively. Northallerton School & Sixth Form College is committed to reviewing the supplier and/or costs regularly.

What if I have difficulty affording school uniform?

Any child receiving free school meals can receive automatic support with the initial cost of uniform starting in Year 7. We may also be able help other families in need of financial assistance, please get in touch and just let us know your circumstances.