Our uniform and PE kit is ordered from SWI (Schoolwear International) and can be done in the following ways:
Online – visit the website www.swischoolwear.co.uk (Banner) and order via PARENTS ONLINE.
By telephone – call the SWI team on 01928 752 610.
There is a dedicated Web Helpdesk. If you are having difficulty with your online account or logging in please contact the Team on 01928 752610.
Ties
Year 7 and 8 students wear the maroon ties, Year 9 – 11 wear navy house ties. These can be purchased online from SWI on from school via ParentPay.
Delivery Information:
Orders over £70 are delivered to your home free of charge. Orders under £70 incur a £4 delivery charge. Orders can be delivered to the school free of charge but unfortunately we are unable to accept deliveries during the summer holidays.
Returns Procedure:
In every dispatch there is a form with full details of how to send items back for a refund using a pre-paid returns label. There is a 30 day returns policy. Full terms and conditions can be found on the SWI website. Returns or exchanges must be made with SWI and not the school.
Basic uniform requirements are set out below. Uniform should be clean, smart and worn in a traditional way, which avoids adornments and extremes of fashion (see Uniform Code).
In line with other clothing retailers, school uniform items are advertised in relation to gender. At Biddenham it is entirely the choice of the student which items of clothing they select.
Compulsory Uniform:
Navy blue blazer with gold trim and school badge
School tie with white shirt
and either:
Traditional black trousers or black skirt (maximum 2″ or 5cm above the knee)
Black shoes (heel no more than 2″ or 5cm). No leather trainers e.g. Nike Airforce
Navy blue shalwar kamiz worn with or without plain navy blue hijab
Compulsory PE & Dance Uniform
Navy blue polo shirt with school badge and sports logo
Choose either: Trackpants or shorts or skort or PE Sports leggings with school badge and sports logo
Burgundy long socks
Optional Uniform
School navy blue V neck sweater with gold trim and school badge
PE fleece with school badge and sports logo
Non marking trainers
Optional – Astro turf boots and studded boots
All PE kit should be clearly labelled with the student’s name.
Second hand uniform is available in school please do not hesitate to telephone or email us for more details.
Minimum equipment requirements for all students:
School bag (handbags/man bags not appropriate)
Planner
Reading book
School books for the day
Charged Chromebook
Pencil case containing: selection of writing pens, pencils, rubber, ruler, compass, protractor, pencil crayons, pencil sharpener, scientific calculator.
Other Uniform Items:
Outdoor coats should be plain and dark in colour and not worn in classrooms or the dining room.
Scarves and hats should be plain and dark in colour.
Jewellery/make-up – Students are requested to avoid excessive jewellery and make-up. A wrist watch, one bracelet, a neck chain (worn under shirt), one simple stud earring in each pierced ear are acceptable. The school advises against all other forms of body piercing because of health and safety implications i.e. all jewellery must be removed for PE/Games activities and, where appropriate, other lessons.
If used makeup should be applied naturally and subtly so as to be barely noticeable.
Hair should be of a natural colour.
Uniform Code: (Revised by the Governors in September 2003 following Sports College designation)
In a diverse school like ours, ways of unifying the community are very important, and at Biddenham uniform is a key factor. So that this impacts positively on self image, we have adopted a “feel smart-think smart” blazer based uniform, and therefore a strict uniform code.
As a general guidline, uniform should be worn in a way that would be acceptable in an adult working environment where people come into contact with members of the public. Uniform should be worn correctly from leaving home to returning home in the evening and in school at all times unless directed otherwise.
Supplement to the Biddenham International School Uniform Code:
This supplement aims to explain the code in more detail for students or parents and carers who seek greater clarification.
In all cases, uniform carrying school logos or badges should be of standard colour and issue, and purchased from our recognised supplier.
By ‘clean and smart’ we mean that uniform should be regularly washed, ironed, in good order (not holed or frayed) and not stained or marked, etc.
By ‘worn in a traditional way’ we mean that shirt buttons should be done up to the top; ties should be worn done up to the neck and down to the waist; shirts should be tucked in; shoes should be clean and well maintained.
By ‘adornments and non-school logos’ we mean studs, chains, picture and text logos and slogans, etc.
By ‘extremes of fashion’ we mean styles of clothing, footwear, hair and make-up that in the view of the Headteacher are not in keeping with the ethos and values of the school and the idea of a traditional school uniform. By ‘trousers’ we mean traditional trousers worn in a traditional way by girls and boys not denim, skin tight and not leggings.
There are no conditions under which it is acceptable to wear boots or trainers in school (other than for PE activities).
By ‘optional V neck sweater’ we mean that it is not compulsory, but if a sweater is to be worn it must be of the school design; it should not be worn as a substitute for a school blazer and should therefore be worn ‘with’ rather than ‘instead’ of one. (PE and sports tops are not to be worn instead of regulation school sweaters)
By ‘shirt and tie or hijab’ we mean that girls who wear a kamiz/jalbaab and ‘fixed’ hijab need not wear a shirt and tie; if however, it is removed at school then a shirt and tie should be worn.
By non-marking trainers we mean sports footwear that does not leave black scuff marks on gym and sports hall floors.
By ‘astro turf boots and studded boots’ we mean specially ribbed boots for use on an all-weather playing surface (Astro turf) or football/rugby boots.
By ‘outdoor coats should be plain and dark in colour’ we mean to exclude denim and leather, and garments carrying logos or badges other than the school badge; the coat should be big enough to be worn to school over the blazer rather than instead of it, and should not be worn in classrooms or the dining room.
By scarves and hats ‘should be plain and dark in colour’ we mean to exclude baseball caps and football scarves.
Other body piercings are not permitted on health and safety grounds. If they were bumped in a busy and compact school environment they could cause serious tissue damage and scarring (however, students with piercings will be permitted to wear a small sleeper device).
Makeup: by natural we mean no heavy foundation, eye makeup or lip colour.
Hair must be of a natural colour.
Interpretation of all aspects of the Uniform Code rests with the Principal and Head of School and their decision is final.
‘Endorsed by the Governors’ means that this document has been considered both in a full Governors’ meeting and a Governors’ committee, where student representatives were present on both occasions.
Students, parents or carers who seek further clarification on these matters should not hesitate to contact the Head of School.
