Sixth Form Dress Code

General guidance on dress code Monday - Thursday

All items on the list below may be worn by DGSB Sixth Form students:

  • Smart trousers 
  • Smart skirt that reaches no higher than just above the knee 
  • Smart dress that reaches no higher than just above the knee 
  • Smart shirt with collar 
  • Smart polo shirt (without excessive detailing, pattern or overly large logos) 
  • Smart blouse 
  • Smart jumper 
  • Smart cardigan
  • Smart leather or suede shoes (or shoes of leather/suede appearance) 
  • Smart jacket or blazer 
  • Smart shoes 
  • Formal items, such as waistcoats and ties, are optional 

The following items are not permitted:

  • Halter neck, off the shoulder, strapless or crop tops are not permitted
  • Strapless tops, or tops with spaghetti straps are not permitted
  • Jogging bottoms or sports shorts (unless taking part in a school sporting activity)
  • Tops, skirts, dresses or trousers through which underwear can been seen
  • Skirts, dresses etc. that are shorter than just above the knee
  • Cropped/micro shorts
  • Cropped tops exposing midriff/T Shirts tied up to reveal midriff
  • Hooded tops and tops (or clothing of any sort) that display large logos or motifs
  • Clothes with significant rips or holes

Please also be aware of the following:

  • As a general rule, shoulders should not be visible
  • Dresses or skirts should be made of non-stretch fabric
  • Coats may be worn but are to be removed once inside classrooms/study areas
  • A single piercing in each ear is permitted
  • Hair should be of a natural colour
  • Tattoos should not be visible

Guidance on Friday dress code

Students can wear their own clothes on Friday, but it is important to note that students remain in a formal, learning environment, therefore, some items of clothing remain inappropriate. This includes any top cut with a crop at the stomach, tops that leave the back exposed, strapless tops or tops with spaghetti straps. Again, as a general rule, shoulders should not be visible. Equally, as is the case Monday-Thursday, skirt and short length should reach no higher than just above the knee. 

Guidance on dress code when attending trips

Whilst students in the Sixth Form are typically allowed to wear their own clothes when attending school trips, it is important to remember that they are representing the school and therefore the same expectations for appropriate dress that apply to Friday’s dress code, will also apply to school trips. 

Summer Uniform

Sixth Form students are now allowed to wear ‘smart’ shorts that reach no higher than just above the as well as polo shirts all year round as part of the standard uniform policy. They may also wear smart ‘deck’ or ‘boat’ shoes.  

Shorts: Shorts should be a tailored ‘chino’ style (this excludes denim). We consider an ‘appropriate length’ to be approximately just above the thigh.  

Shoes: ‘Boat’ or ‘deck’ shoes are permitted alongside other formal footwear. Trainers, flip flops and croc ‘style’ shoes are still not permitted. 

Guidance for dress code when attending work experience placement

It is essential that students check the dress code at their work experience placements before they start. Some places of work have strict guidelines dictating what employees can and cannot wear. We do not want any of our students left feeling uncomfortable or being sent home because of their choice of clothing.  

In summary, it is important to note that the guiding principle informing our uniform expectations and dress code is the recognition that school is a formal learning environment. Our intention is to allow our students to feel different from the rest of the school, to feel comfortable, but also to become familiar with the expectations of the working environments they will move into in the future. 

The judgement of the Senior Leadership Group and KS5 Team will be final on all matters relating to the Sixth Form Dress Code. No correspondence on these matters will be entered into. 

Students failing to meet the dress code standards will be given a warning and will be expected to change (clothing that meets the dress code standards will be made available to students). Appropriate clothing will be provided for students to change into. Students choosing not to change, if in non-compliant clothing will be dealt with according to our behaviour policy - their actions will be treated as defiance.