Affordable Uniform Policy

A correctly worn uniform encourages a sense of pride and unity within the school community. It promotes equality and cohesion, protecting students from social pressures to dress in a particular way. It also sets a suitable tone for learning. We expect all students to wear uniform correctly at school, on day trips and when travelling to and from school. This presents the school in a positive manner within our local and wider community.

As part of our response to the new guidance on affordability of uniforms, we have made some changes to our requirements to reduce costs for parents and carers. At the bottom of this policy are prices for the items available through the school shop and some comparisons from other providers.

We have a very effective Pre-loved uniform shop offering clean, good quality clothing to increase our sustainability measures and reduce costs for families.

All students should hire a locker which is available for a small cost of £50. Students must use the AHS provided combination lock and other locks may be removed without prior notice.

Please clearly mark all uniform items with the owner’s name/initials in indelible ink or a name tape; as lost uniform can only be returned to the rightful owner if this is the case. Lost property is stored for a short period of time in School Reception and students/parents/carers should claim this as soon as possible. At the end of each term unnamed, unclaimed lost property will be placed into our preloved store or recycled through charity shops or clothes banks. The guidance below makes it clear which items are required.


The AHS Jacket

A tailored jacket with the school logo can only be bought through our uniform supplier, SWI Schoolwear – please see their guide to Online Ordering. Once you have set up an account, you will be taken to the AHS section. Jackets need to be worn at all times, except when students are given permission not to wear them in hot weather. Sleeves should be fully rolled down.

SWI offer the correct style shirt, jumper and skirt / trousers, but these can be purchased from other suppliers as long as they match the description given.

 


Shirt/Blouse

A long or short sleeve open ‘Revere’ neck white blouse.

 

 

 


Jumper (optional)

A navy blue V-neck, close knit jumper with no patterns, stripes or logos. Other colours and styles of jumpers are not allowed. Sweatshirts/hoodies may not be worn. The jumper must be worn under, not instead of, the jacket.

 


Skirt

Plain navy blue, tailored skirts are available from the school supplier or from local suppliers. Skirt length must be close to the knee i.e. 5cm either side of the centre of the knee and not rolled at the waist. (As a guide the skirt should fall comfortably below the student’s fingertips when their arms are held straight against their sides). Tight, stretchy skirts are not allowed.

 


Trousers

Tailored trousers are available from the school supplier which coordinates with the jacket. Plain navy trousers are available from local suppliers but must be tailored and not close fitting/leggings.

 

 

 


Tights or socks

If worn, tights should be plain and either navy, black or flesh-coloured. Socks should be worn below the knee and should be plain black, navy or white, without visible logos.


Shoes

Must be leather or plant based leather (not canvas or fabric) and of a single colour (either black or navy) with separate heel no higher than 5cms in height. Trainers, narrow heels or extreme styles (such as platform soles) are not permitted. As boots are not permitted, the shoe should extend no higher than the ankle bone.


Jewellery

We discourage the wearing of jewellery. It is unsuitable, frequently unsafe and its loss can cause distress.
Necklaces, rings and bracelets are not allowed. The only exception is a small religious symbol on a chain worn for reasons of faith, not fashion. This must be worn underneath school uniform and should not be visible. Students will need to remove these for swimming for their own and other students’ safety.
Ear and nose piercings are allowed, but only small, round, plain studs. Studs must not be coloured or sparkly. Rings are not allowed. Studs must be removed if requested by a member of staff on grounds of safety, eg for PE lessons. For this reason, the best time to have a piercing is the start of the summer holidays. If a piercing can’t be removed, it will have to be taped over for PE. If your child is due to swim that term, please consider the timing of the piercing. If this is not possible, please purchase a hat large enough to cover the ears which will also need to be taped.


Hair, Makeup and Nails

Hair accessories should be unobtrusive, plain and in either neutral or AHS colours (blue, white or grey). Unnatural hair colouring and extreme haircuts are not allowed. Braids should also be of natural colours (no blue, purple, burgundy or bright red braids please) and any beads used should be plain wooden or in school colours (blues, white or grey).

Students are not permitted to wear make-up at all in Years 7 to 9; discreet make-up in natural shades is accepted in Years 10 and 11 as a privilege.

Nail polish, extensions and false nails are not allowed. False eyelashes are not allowed. Eyebrow ‘slits’ are not allowed.


Coats and Hats

Coats should be plain, not patterned. Denim, leather and suede jackets or coats are not permitted. Coats and hats should not be worn in classrooms unless respiratory hygiene measures make this acceptable, and this will be by permission of the Headteacher only.


Headscarves

These should be in plain fabric and in navy blue, black or white. The face must be
entirely visible at all times.


Kameez/tunic

A white tunic may be worn instead of a school blouse, but the normal school jacket, with or without a jumper, should be worn on top in cold weather. The tunic should be plain white and should only reach to the mid thigh.


Trousers with Kameez/Tunic

We would ask students to wear the regulation school uniform trousers. A loose fitting style of the same navy blue colour may be purchased and worn with a Kameez if the parent desires – please let Mrs Forster, Headteacher, know if you wish to do this (hosgerby@ahs.bucks.sch.uk).


Enforcement of the uniform expectations

It is the responsibility of parents/carers to ensure that their child comes to school in the correct uniform and they are expected to buy uniform that complies with the school’s policy.

All staff are responsible for ensuring that students are correctly dressed in class and elsewhere on the school site. All staff may address any incorrect uniform and impose a uniform behaviour mark (recorded on SIMS). If it is not addressed for the next school day then the student will be referred to the Head of Year. In the event of repeated uniform infringements parents will be contacted.

The Headteacher is the final arbiter in all matters of uniform and dress. Parents in doubt about the suitability of an article of clothing or footwear are advised, therefore, to check with the School before purchasing items which may be unacceptable.


PE/Sports Kit (ordered through the school website)

Correct PE kit is important as it is both functional and represents the school in a positive manner in our wider community when playing fixtures. We have avoided expensive brands to reduce the financial burden on families and to encourage inclusion. Synthetic fabrics have been chosen as this technical fabric has better wicking properties, dries quicker when washed and is more colour-fast and hard-wearing. All items are available form our uniform shop and where non-branded items are suitable, they are indicated.

Please note that all students that are playing in school fixtures will need to have the branded item or will need to borrow this for the fixture from the school.

Compulsory Items:

  • Short sleeve navy blue AHS training top, available from SWI Schoolwear
  • AHS Training Shorts (synthetic) in navy blue. Plain navy blue shorts are acceptable and we recommend synthetic materials, rather than cotton. Note: shorts or a skort are required, not both items.
  • Long navy blue sports socks (suitable for use with shin pads) Plain navy blue long sports socks are acceptable
  • AHS PE Hoodie available from SWI Schoolwear
  • AHS Leggings in navy blue available from SWI Schoolwear

Optional items:

  • AHS Skort (synthetic) in navy blue. Note: shorts or a skort are required, not both items.
  • Training pants/tracksuit bottoms in navy blue with white piping.

Other PE items required and not available through the school shop:

  • A pair of non-marking trainers,
  • Shin pads,
  • a pair of football boots,
  • a plain swimming cap,
  • a towel,
  • a plain swimming costume.
  • A gum shield is highly recommended for hockey.
  • Blue base layers and navy blue ‘swackets’ (water resistant fleece jackets) are optional items and available from most good retailers
  • Students may bring their own named hockey sticks and racquets etc. if they wish to do so.

Equipment for lessons:

All students are expected to provide:

  • Ink pen/ball point pen/rollerball pen
  • Range of pencils e.g. 2H, 2B and HB
  • Coloured pencils or felt-tip pens
  • Ruler (metric 20cm at least)
  • Protractor
  • Set Square
  • Pair of compasses
  • Scientific Calculator (Casio fx-991EX Classwiz preferred)
  • Glue Stick
  • A Mini whiteboard and dry wipe marker

Note: We do not allow correcting fluid in school.


Total savings on non-branded items: £30 approximately (depending on sizes, blouse choice and optional items purchased)