Uniform
At Valley Park, we believe that excellent uniform is part of setting high academic standards.
As a result, students will be expected to adhere to our uniform requirements at all times. This means that uniform must be worn correctly both in and out of school.
The Department for Education has issued new guidance around school uniforms, with a particular focus on keeping costs down for families and limiting the number of compulsory branded items.
In response to this, and to ensure consistency across all Valley Invicta Academies Trust (VIAT) secondary schools, we will be making some changes to the Valley Park School uniform from September 2026.
We understand that any change to uniform is significant, but we believe these adjustments will benefit students and families in the long term. Consistent uniform across our schools helps to build pride in our community and ensures that all students feel part of something meaningful.
Under the new guidelines, from September 2026, there will only be four compulsory branded items:
- Blazer (no change to existing item)
- Grey skirt/trousers (no change to existing item)
- PE top (no change to existing item)
- Tie (new style)
The following items will no longer be branded:
- Open-neck shirt
- Jumper
- PE skort/shorts
- PE leggings
- PE sweatshirt
Students will wear either a collared, white shirt with a tie, or an open neck (revere) white shirt with no tie (this replaces the grey striped open-neck shirt). The current green knitted V-neck jumper will change to a grey knitted V-neck jumper (V-neck). None of these items (except the tie) need to be purchased from an official uniform supplier.
All items of PE kit, other than the PE top (as above), will be unbranded and do not need to be purchased from an official uniform supplier. We ask that you do not buy designer items for PE kit.
As a result, this will mean that overall uniform costs will reduce, as families will have more flexibility in where they purchase non-branded items.
We also want to reassure you that:
- Students in Year 8 and above (from September 2026) will only need to purchase new uniform items as and when required, and may continue to wear their current uniform until they outgrow it.
- The new Year 7 cohort in September 2026 will be the first to wear the full new uniform from the start of the school year.
Our current official school uniform suppliers are Pages Schoolwear and Monkhouse, who both offer competitively priced uniform bundles.
A full list of uniform can be found in the table below.
Should you be experiencing financial difficulties and require support with the purchase of uniform or wish to enquire about our second hand uniform please see the page section below or contact the school office.
If you have any comments regarding the changes to uniform from September 2026, please contact the school office by 19 December 2025.
|
Uniform Item |
Branded items (to be purchased from official uniform supplier) |
Unbranded items (can be purchased from any retailer) |
|
Blazer |
x |
|
|
Grey knee-length skirt or trousers (with logo) |
x |
|
|
White, collared shirt (with top button) to be worn with tie OR white, open-neck (revere) shirt (no tie required) |
|
x |
|
Clip-on tie (to be worn with white, collared shirt) |
x |
|
|
Grey knitted V-neck jumper |
|
x |
|
Black tights (to be worn with skirt), 30 denier or higher |
|
x |
|
Black ankle socks (to be worn with trousers year-round, and skirt during summer term) |
|
x |
|
Black shoes (see uniform information for acceptable styles) |
|
x |
|
PE top |
x |
|
|
Black mid-thigh PE skort/shorts |
|
x |
|
Black PE tracksuit bottoms/leggings |
|
x |
|
Black PE sweatshirt/fleece, no hood |
|
x |
|
Black hockey/football socks |
|
x |
|
Black PE ankle socks |
|
x |
|
Shin pads |
|
x |
|
White trainers, non-marking soles |
|
x |
|
Black football boots, moulded studs |
|
x |
PE Kit
- Valley Park School shorts or skort;
- Valley Park School polo shirt;
- Football boots (moulded studs, no metal studs or blades);
- Trainers with non-marking soles;
- Plain black football socks;
- Black PE bag;
- Shin pads;
- Gum shield.
School Bag
An appropriate, waterproof and sealable bag should be purchased for the protection of all school items. Because students carry items of a reasonable weight in the bag, drawstring bags are not acceptable. Bags should be dark in colour and logos should be discreet. Fashion bags, carrier bags and handbags are not acceptable. Our preferred style of bag is a satchel or a rucksack.
Guidelines
- Belts must be black, narrow and of a traditional style;
- Coats and scarves must be appropriate, weatherproof, and dark in colour. Any logos must be discreet;
- It is expected that students wear their uniform with pride. This means;
- Top button fastened at all times;
- Shirt tucked in at all times;
- Skirts should be worn on the knee;
- Blazers to be worn at all times unless a teacher allows removal in the classroom;
- Tights should be black, 40 denier for winter and 7 denier for summer.
- No jewellery except ONE small plain stud in the lobe of each ear. No other piercings are allowed;
- A smart business environment appropriate hair style. Hair must not be worn as a fashion statement. Cropped or shaved styles are not acceptable;
- Hair Accessories – small, discreet, plain hair bands/clasps (grey or black). No bows, scarfs or scrunchies.
- Make up and nail polish are not allowed unless neutral and discreet. False nails are not permitted;
- No visible tattoos are permitted.
Hair, Jewellery and Make-up
- No jewellery except one small plain stud in the lobe of each ear. No other piercings are allowed.
- A smart business environment appropriate hair style. Hair must not be worn as a fashion statement. Cropped or shaved styles are not acceptable. Hair should be of a natural colour.
- Make up is not allowed unless discreet.
- Nail polish and false nails are not permitted.
- No visible tattoos are permitted.
SHUSH (Second Hand Uniform Shop)
Click here if you're available to help
We always need good condition donations for our Second Hand Uniform Shop (SHUSH).
Bring your items to reception during opening hours (9am-4pm).
Below is a list of uniform items we accept. Please note that socks and tights are not included, although PE kit is gratefully received.
- Blazer
- Skirt/trousers (with logo)
- Shirt (white and must have a top button, to be worn with tie) OR
- Open neck revere blouse (grey and white pin stripe, no tie required)
- Tartan tie (to be worn with white shirt)
- Jumper (with logo)
- PE top
- PE skort/football shorts
- PE leggings
- PE tracksuit bottoms
- PE fleece
- PE socks, black, hockey/football
- PE socks, white, short
- Shin pads
- Trainers, non-marking soles
- Football boots, moulded studs
- Shoes, black
Money raised from donations will go towards establishing a fund to support those facing hardship in our Valley Park community.
Previous Uniform Information
|