The Post-16 Dress Code is centred around ‘an appropriate dress for work ethos’. Maintaining a professional appearance is important, as Post-16 students act as role models for younger students in our academies.  We also want students to take responsibility for how they dress and understand that first impressions are very important when they are applying for jobs in the future. We want students to use good judgement, show courtesy and pride in their appearance, ensuring that they are presentable and safe for the environment they are working in. 

The details below are designed to illustrate what does/doesn’t fall into our general Post-16 dress code. While we have a relaxed dress code, it is still an expectation to dress in an office-appropriate manner. 

Examples of what would meet our standards

• Business casual/smart casual
• Traditional dress 
• Blazers and suit jackets are recommended but can be substituted for a cardigan or jumper, apart from on ‘Formal Days’ when a blazer or suit jacket is required
• Trousers, suit trousers, suit
• Skirt and dress length should be no higher than two inches above the knee 
• Shirt and blouses with and without a collar 
• Tie or bow tie to be worn with a shirt that has a collar

Exclusions to the dress code:

• Caps/hats/bonnets/durags
• Hoodies or hooded jumpers/tops
• Football/rugby/sports shirts
• Halter-neck, strapless & spaghetti-strapped tops and dresses
• Lycra, or any tight clingy materials
• Denim jeans or tops
• Sportswear – unless it’s the Three Spires Sixth Form Practical Kit
• Beachwear
• Any T-shirt with a slogan or political message
• Any clothing that exposes your back, chest, stomach or underwear

Shoes

Appropriate	Not Appropriate
Leather polishable shoes	Flip Flops
Boots – no higher than the top of the ankle	Sliders
Loafers	Crocs
Deck Shoes	Open-toed shoe/sandal
All-black leather polishable trainers (not on formal days)	Open-back shoe/sandal
	Multicoloured shoe or *sports trainer
	Fabric trainers

*Sports trainers can be worn with a practical Three Spires Sixth Form kit.

Standard expectations of all students 

• Lanyards must be worn 
• Well-groomed, clean and neat appearance with a good standard of hygiene 
• Any piercings should be inconspicuous (use a retainer), non-offensive and covered in practical activities
• Any tattoos should be inconspicuous, non-offensive and covered, whenever possible 
• Hair, beards and moustaches should be kept neat and tidy 
• No obvious logos, writing or political message on any item of clothing

Role of ‘Formal’ Days 

It is common practice in the Post-18 environment that students are smartly dressed for certain occasions, i.e. interviews, weddings, family occasions etc. With this in mind, we have several ‘Formal days’ for students. Examples of formal days are: interview practise, open evenings, photography days, guest speakers etc. It is expected that, on these days, students rise to the occasion and pick a more formal outfit, such as a full suit, blazer, blouse, shirt and tie.  

The details outlined above have been written to illustrate what does and does not fall into our general Post-16 dress code. While we have a more relaxed dress code, there is still an expectation to dress in an office-appropriate manner. 

 

For all students who are in any of the following subjects and academies, a practical kit must be worn for all practical activities. 

• CTEC Sport 
• BTEC Sport 
• Performing Arts 
• Basketball Academy 
• Cricket Academy 
• Rugby Academy 
• Esports Academy 

 

Kit can be purchased directly from here: https://three-spires-academy-trust.surridgesport.com/en 

Students should only wear the practical kit to theory lessons when given express permission by staff.