Uniform

At Gillingham School we place great value on school uniform as means of fostering a sense of community and pride.

The uniform applies to Year 7-11, with a separate code for the Sixth Form.

It is an integral part of our school and reflects our values and culture.

Wearing Gillingham School uniform is central to:

  • Communicating our high expectations and ambition for our students, which includes taking pride in the uniform
  • Creating a sense of identity and belonging in school, which is vital to student well being
  • Allowing the focus to be on learning by removing the pressure of deciding what to wear  

A key finding of the 2021 study on school uniform by the EEF stated that pupils attire should ‘reflect the value and culture of the school’ which is the overriding objective of our policy.

Uniform must be appropriate for a place of work.

  • Jewellery must be simple and not present a health and safety risk. All jewellery and earrings must be removed for PE lessons. No facial jewellery.
  • Makeup, hair colour and style should be something that is within the bounds of what is expected, or reasonable. 

If a member of staff considers a student’s clothing to be inappropriate, it will be addressed in a sensitive manner.

This is also applicable to Sixth Form.

Take a look at our expected Gillingham School Uniform
What to wear for my PE lessons.
What shall I wear to Sixth Form at Gillingham School.

Gillingham School Uniform

All pupils must have

  • School tie
  • Blue formal shirt with collar
  • Navy blue jumper or cardigan with the embroidered school crest
  • Black tailored school trousers or navy blue pleated skirt worn knee-length*
  • Dark charcoal or black socks or tights
  • Plain black footwear with no logos

*In periods of particularly hot weather, tailored black shorts will be permitted,    decided by the school based on the weather conditions with parents notified)

Optional from September 2025:

  • Navy blue blazer for any year group

Exclusions to our uniform policy, which are not acceptable

  • Jeans, chinos, cargo, cropped skinny-fit trousers, leggings, tracksuit bottoms
  • Mini or tight fitting skirts
  • Hoodies or hooded garments
  • Canvas, open-toed, high or wedged heel shoes
  • Trainers
  • Socks white or coloured

Uniform suppliers

Our school uniform is of a standard colour. Shirts, trousers, skirts, socks and footwear are available to purchase from a variety of retailers and supermarkets.

Gillingham School ties, jumpers, cardigans and blazers can be purchased from:

National School Wear Centre Yeovil, Somerset.
Squires Shaftesbury, Dorset.
Earth Uniform Navigate to ‘Find my School’ Gillingham School, Dorset or use the QR code to the left.

Ties and badges for blazers can be purchased from the school library. In cases of financial hardship, please contact the relevant Head of Year

PE Kit

It is essential that all students wear the correct kit for the activity they are taking part in.

Compulsory kit

  • Boots – for rugby / football but can also be used for cross country (due to facilities girls will be taught football and rugby on the Astro so boots will not be required)
  • Shinpads/gum shield
  • Plain red sweatshirt or hoodie or reversible rugby top
  • Plain navy tracksuit bottoms/plain navy leggings
  • Trainers
  • White polo or T shirt
  • Plain navy shorts/skort
  • Long red socks
  • Short white socks

Optional

Hat and gloves for cold weather

Base layers

Exclusions to PE uniform

Kit is to be plain in colour as stated, and have no logos, stripes or branding. We want to reduce the pressure and cost of wearing branded garments.

Health & Safety in PE

Students should wear appropriate attire, remove jewellery, tie back long hair, and ensure footwear provides adequate support.

Sixth Form dress code

The standard of dress is an important part of the culture of our Sixth Form and we hope that students set an example to the lower years. We expect all Sixth Form students to wear their lanyard daily.

Sixth Form students should dress smartly and appropriately for a working environment.

  • Tailored Jackets and or suits
  • Trousers or Jeans with no rips
  • Dresses and skirts of appropriate length
  • Shorts of an appropriate length
  • Jumpers, cardigans, sweatshirts and hoodies (Hoodies must not be worn up in or around school)
  • Shoes leather, canvas, trainers
  • Jewellery, Ear and nose piercings only

Students who attend school in inappropriate and unsuitable fashion attire may be requested to return home to change, with the above clear guidelines that should not be necessary.

An example of attire not to be worn:

  • Tops – halter, backless, off shoulder, tube, cropped or where a students mid-section is exposed.
  • Mini skirts, hot pants, short skirts and shorts.
  • Outside of your PE lessons you should not wear tracksuit bottoms or sports shorts
  • Clothing should not be transparent, sheer or see-through
  • No loungewear, onesies or pyjamas
  • Logos or print should not be worn if it could be considered offensive or inappropriate.
  • Footwear no open toe, flip flops, crocs or beach style footwear
  • Extreme piercings – no unusual facial or visible body piercings other than the permitted ear and nose.