Uniform

We are committed to fostering a culture of high expectation, equity and pride in our academy. We believe that school uniform supports a sense of belonging and a positive learning environment.

Our approach follows Department of Education guidance and is designed to be fair, inclusive and affordable. We respect religious, cultural, medical and disability related needs, and reasonable adjustments will always be considered.

Equally, we value the support of parents and carers in ensuring that pupils arrive appropriately dressed and ready to learn each day.

Uniform supplier

We are pleased to advise that our uniform supplier is Schoolwear Solutions.

Items can be purchased from their website using the following link:

https://www.schoolwearsolutions.com/our-schools/the-holgate-academy/

Please note when ordering online, you can choose free delivery to The Holgate Academy, making it easy to collect your items from school. Alternatively, you can pay to have items delivered directly to your home.

Items can also be purchased from the Schoolwear Solutions store. The address is as follows:

116–118 Bramcote Avenue
Chilwell
Nottinghamshire
NG9 4DR

Uniform policy

Students may continue to wear previously purchased Holgate-branded blazers, jumpers, and PE polo shirts in the 2026/2027 academic year.

  • Students must wear either a Holgate‑branded blazer or a Holgate‑branded jumper
  • Trousers: These are to be formal black bootleg or straight leg.
    Please note that Schoolwear Solutions is our recommended supplier of all uniform including trousers.
    The following styles are not permitted:
    • Leggings
    • Jeggings
    • Jeans
    • Cropped trousers
    • Additional zips or other embellishments.
  • Black shorts – Students may wear black tailored school shorts.
    The following types of shorts are not permitted:
    – Sports shorts
    – Cycling shorts
    – Jean shorts
    – Chino shorts
    – Cargo shorts (with side pockets)

The academy reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of shorts worn.

  • Black skirt (should be of a formal style). Additional zips or other embellishments are not permitted. Please note: the academy has the discretion to determine whether a skirt is too short for a formal, educational setting.
  • White shirt (plain white shirt with a formal collar should be worn. All shirts should be able to fasten the top button. V-necked blouses are not acceptable. No coloured T shirts should be worn underneath the white shirt or be visible at the neck and waist).
  • Holgate tie – a clip on school tie should be worn correctly up to the top button and under the collar.
  • The Holgate Academy leavers hoodies: Year 11 students ONLY are permitted to wear the official The Holgate Academy leavers’ hoodie in replacement of the academy blazer on return from the academy’s Easter break.
  • Footwear – plain black formal shoes that are fully polishable should be worn daily. Shoes should have no coloured logos, patterns or coloured laces. Toeless, backless, trainers, canvas or mesh footwear, fashion boots, high heels or plimsolls are not acceptable.
  • Plain black socks or tights should be worn.
  • Coats – suitable outdoor coats will be required. Sports tops, hoodies, track suit tops or cardigans are not acceptable within the academy.
  • Head scarf – The Holgate Academy respects the right of students to wear a head scarf on religious grounds. However, in keeping with a uniform code, we restrict the colours to black, grey or white. The scarf must be of a single colour: no logos or patterns.

Students who present in items that are deemed to be not part of the uniform code will be sent to student services. If students do not meet our uniform requirements, items will be loaned until the end of the academy day. Parent/carers may be contacted to request that the correct item is brought to the academy. Students will be expected to borrow items from student services whilst the situation is resolved to minimise missed learning. Failure to comply will result in placement in isolation and other sanctions as deemed necessary.

PE kit

BoysGirls
Holgate branded PE T shirtHolgate branded PE T shirt
Optional Holgate-branded mid layer sports top - no personal jumpers allowedOptional Holgate-branded mid layer sports top - no personal jumpers allowed
Plain black base layer (optional)Plain black base layer (optional)
Plain black shorts/sports leggings/tracksuit bottoms/joggers (no flare leggings)Plain black shorts/sports leggings/tracksuit bottoms/joggers (no flare leggings)
TrainersTrainers
Football boots (when necesary)Football boots (when necessary)
Football socks (when necessary)Football socks (when necessary)
Shin pads (optional)Shin pads (optional)
Socks (not school socks)Socks (not school socks)
Water bottle Water bottle
Hair bobble Hair bobble

Please note that no tights are to be worn.

Students are expected to bring their PE kit to every practical lesson. If a student forgets to bring their kit, they will be expected to change into spare, clean, borrowed kit and participate as normal. If they refuse to borrow then we will follow the consequence pathway.

Students being excused from the lesson due to illness will need to give their PE teacher a letter from their parents/carers but will still be expected to change into kit (unless unable to dress e.g in a cast or on crutches etc) and then take on an alternative role in the lesson.

If a student persistently fails to adhere to the PE kit policy, then they will be subjected to the PE faculty’s disciplinary procedure. Uniform can be purchased from Schoolwear Solutions.

Pre-loved uniform

To support families and to also help the environment, The Holgate Academy has established a swap shop. Should a student or parents/carers wish to access this, they should contact the academy via Weduc or email: info@holgate-ac.org.uk

Please note, we do not charge for these items.

There is also a group on Facebook called Hucknall Uniforms Buy/Sell/Swap.

If you would like to donate any laundered pre-loved items, then please drop off at the main reception.

Labelling belongings

Make sure you label your belongings in case they go missing. If they do, lost property is located in student services.

Hairstyles

To complement our uniform, we wish to promote a business‐like approach. The following are NOT allowed:

  • Shaved patterns, lines or sculptured hairstyles.
  • Bright hair dyes (subtle and natural hair colourings only).

The academy will notify students and parents of any breaches in regulations.

The Halo Code

As an academy, we are proud to adopt the Halo Code. This code focuses on hair textures and styles most commonly associated with the Black community. The term Black has historically been used as a racial and political label. Here, we use it to refer to people of the African Diaspora,
including those with mixed heritage who, as a result of their ancestry, have Afro-textured hair.

We welcome Afro-textured hair worn in all styles including, but not limited to, afros, locs, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, hair straightened through the application of heat or chemicals, weaves, wigs, headscarves and wraps.

In order to embody the sprit of the Halo Code, we will encourage staff to familiarise themselves with different Afro-textured hairstyles and their cultural significance, and to avoid labelling Afro textured hair with terms such as messy, unprofessional, or inappropriate.

In line with the Halo Code, students should ensure:
• that head wraps and scarves reflect the academy uniform policy and are plain black in
colour;
• that hair is tied up for health and safety reasons where required;
• that hair colour is reflective of the wider uniform policy – subtle and natural colours only.

Nails and nail varnish

We want to cultivate pride in appearance by wearing uniform correctly and being suitably formal. However, to recognise the growing maturity of secondary school students, they will be permitted to wear a single plain nail varnish colour.

We strongly recommend that false nails and/or nail extensions are not worn, specifically because they can pose a risk during practical activities. The academy has the discretion to to isolate students or restrict their access to certain practical subjects where such items are deemed a risk.

Makeup

We understand the importance of developing self‐esteem and self‐image for our students, therefore:

  • Subtle make‐up can be worn by students.
  • Foundation/blusher, if worn, should be of the natural skin colour range and lightly applied.
  • Eye makeup and lipstick must be in the natural muted, nude range of shades.

If the academy deems the makeup too obvious, then students will be expected to remove it.

Jewellery

In the interests of safety and security, we strongly recommend that jewellery is not worn at the academy.

Piercings must be limited to small stud earrings and a single, small nose stud. All jewellery must be removed for PE. The academy accepts no responsibility for loss, damage or injury caused should our recommendations not be followed.

Should the academy deem any jewellery inappropriate, excessive or dangerous, students will be asked to remove items and these may be confiscated. The academy also has the discretion to isolate students or restrict their access to certain practical subjects where such items are deemed a risk.

Warm and extreme weather

As we move into the summer term, we monitor the temperature and, on those days where the temperature is high, we will advise students that blazers/jumpers may be removed. This means that students will not be required to wear their blazer or school jumper. However, they cannot wear a coat in place of the blazer or jumper. If a student feels cold, they wear their blazer or school jumper. Unless specifically stated by the academy, students should assume that the blazer/jumper will be required on the next day.

During warm and extreme weather periods, please keep an eye on your Weduc messages for updates regarding uniform.

Equipment

Students are expected to have the following equipment:

  • Black pen
  • Pencil
  • Ruler
  • Toilet visit card

Additional equipment that students may wish to bring includes:

  • Sharpener
  • Rubber
  • Spare pens
  • Calculator
  • Highlighter