Uniform, Kit & Equipment

School uniform is available to order online, directly from our supplier, SWI Schoolwear Ltd. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the school on 0118 901 5800 or finance@highdown.reading.sch.uk.

The uniform outlined below is the required uniform for the full academic year. Branded items can be purchased from SWI Schoolwear Ltd. (Details below for how to order branded items.)

• Blazers with the Highdown logo are compulsory and should be worn at all times unless invited to remove them.
• Shirts or blouses should be plain white.  T-shirts and polo shirts are not permitted.
• Jumpers and cardigans are not compulsory but if a student chooses to wear one, it should be plain black with the Highdown logo.
• Trousers and shorts should be formal, tailored and plain black.  Shorts can be worn in September and Terms 5 and 6 only. The following is illustrative of type of short permitted:

• Skirts should be formal, tailored, plain black, pleated and knee-length (this item can be obtained from SWI or from high street stores). The following are illustrative of the style of skirt required:

• Socks should be plain grey, black or white.  Tights should be plain black or neutral coloured.
• Shoes should be plain black and polishable.  Trainers (including Nike Air -type footwear) are not permitted. The following are illustrative of permitted/non-permitted shoes:

Additional information:

• Hijab, if worn, should be a dark colour, ideally black.  Non-religious head-coverings are not permitted.
• Outdoor coats should be plain and worn over the jumper and blazer.  Coats are to be removed in lessons.
• Hairstyles should be simple and not attention-seeking. Only natural hair colours are permitted and long hair should be tied back. Shaved patterns are not permitted. 
• Jewellery is not permitted except watches and single studs (no more than one per ear) and facial piercings are not permitted.  Students who breach this code will be asked to remove items, hand to a pastoral leader for safe-keeping and collect them at the end of the week.  All jewellery must be removed for P.E. lessons.
• Make-up (including fingernails) should be inconspicuous. 
• Please ensure that EVERYTHING is named clearly.
• Hats/caps may not be worn inside school buildings.

Second-hand uniform can be obtained from the Highdown School PTA who regularly advertise their stock in parent newsletters, website and on social media.  Please contact office@highdown.reading.sch.uk for more information. The school has a stock of second-hand uniform which can be loaned to students.  Support is given to disadvantaged families in the purchase of items with the Highdown logo.

 

Prohibited items:

The following list is not exhaustive but illustrative of items that are prohibited at Highdown School. Under Department for Education guidance, we have the authority to conduct searches where we suspect a student may be in possession of a prohibited item in school. Any such items brought to school will be confiscated and, where appropriate, the Police will be notified.

• Vapes, vaping fluid, cigarettes, tobacco, cigarette papers 

• Matches or lighters   

• Alcohol 

• Illegal drugs and/or drug-related paraphernalia, including edibles 

• Nitrous oxide or helium canisters 

• Water balloons/water pistols 

• Painkillers 

• Medication (unless stored in First Aid) 

• Scissors not of safety scissor type 

• Weapons (or replicas) or anything that could be used to cause injury or an offence, e.g. bladed items 

• Pornographic material 

• Fireworks, poppers 

• E-scooters, scooters, skateboards, rollerblades 

• Stolen items 

• Glass bottles, including perfume bottles 

• High energy (caffeinated) drinks

• Tippex or other solvents  

• Non-standard uniform, e.g. bandanas