Academy Uniform

The Sandwell Academy ‘SA’ Way

At Sandwell Academy, our uniform is more than just clothing – it is a visible symbol of our culture and our shared commitment to The SA Way. It represents our school values of being brave, being kind, and being proud. Our students wear their uniform with pride, knowing they are part of something bigger than themselves: a community that strives for excellence, integrity, and respect.

Be Proud – Wear It Well

  • Uniform should be worn smartly and with pride, including on the way to and from school.
  • A smart appearance reflects pride in the Academy, your House, and yourself.
  • Uniform helps to set an appropriate tone for learning – students arrive looking smart and ready to succeed.

Wearing uniform correctly reflects pride in yourself, your House, and the Academy.

Be Kind – Represent Our Community

  • Students are ambassadors for Sandwell Academy. A smart uniform shows respect for the community and supports a culture of kindness and consideration.
  • Our uniform is inclusive – it helps to promote equality and reduce peer pressure by minimising visible differences in background or circumstance.
  • It fosters respect and unity, removing distractions linked to fashion or status.

Being kind includes being mindful of how your appearance impacts others and the wider community.

Be Brave – Take Responsibility

  • High standards require courage and consistency. Students are expected to take responsibility for meeting uniform expectations daily.
  • If there are any issues, students must speak to a Head of Year or the Welfare Team before Personal Tutor (PT) time – being brave means being honest and proactive.

Being brave means being honest and accountable – even when things aren’t perfect.

Male Uniform

Name badge (provided by the Academy)

Academy tie

White shirt

Academy grey trousers

Academy blazer with Academy logo on breast pocket

Academy sweater (optional)

Black socks

Black plain shoes of a sensible design. Pumps, training shoes, boots, or ankle boots, shoes with deep tread soles or with a logo or reflective design are not allowed (e.g. Kickers). If a student has the incorrect footwear on they will be sent home to get the correct shoes. If this is not possible students will need to wear the Academy pumps.

Suitable carrying bag (Large enough to carry two A4 folders)

Female Uniform

Name badge (provided by the Academy)

Academy tie

White blouse

Academy kilt – below the knee OR Academy grey trousers

Academy blazer with Academy logo on breast pocket

Academy sweater/cardigan (optional) – to be worn in addition to blazer and not in place of

Black knee-length socks or black tights

Black plain shoes of a sensible design with heels no higher than 2 inches, not stiletto or kitten style. Pumps, training shoes, boots, or ankle boots, shoes with deep tread soles or with a logo or reflective design are not allowed (e.g. Kickers). If a student has the incorrect footwear on they will be sent home to get the correct shoes. If this is not possible students will need to wear the Academy pumps.

Suitable carrying bag (Large enough to carry two A4 folders)

Sixth Form Male Uniform

  • Name badge (provided by the Academy). For safeguarding reasons name badges should be worn by students and staff at all times when on the Academy site.
  • Smart business style suit/blazer and trousers.
  • Collared shirt and tie (jumpers should not be worn over shirts).
  • Sensible black shoes with no logo or reflective decoration are permitted. (Pumps, training shoes, shoes and boots with deep tread soles or with a logo or reflective design are not allowed).

Jewellery

Nose studs, ear stretchers, body and tongue piercing and related jewellery are not allowed. However, Sixth Form students may wear jewellery that conforms to Health and Safety regulations, however multiple piercings are not allowed.

Hairstyle

Brightly coloured hair dyes and totally shaved or decorated scalps including shaved lines, are unacceptable for the Academy.

Students are not permitted to wear denim jackets, baseball hats, cropped tops or hooded sweatshirts. Parents are asked to clearly label all items of clothing with the student’s name.

All Sixth Form students are encouraged to take a pride in their personal appearance. The Senior Management reserve the right to take appropriate action to ensure all students dress

appropriately to enhance the reputation and reinforce the ethos of Sandwell Academy.

 
Sixth Form Female Uniform
  • Name badge (provided by the Academy). For safeguarding reasons name badges should be worn by students and staff at all times when on the Academy site.
  • Smart business style suit (matching ie same colour or co-ordinated): Jacket and smart trousers (no leggings, jeggings, chinos etc).

Or

  • Blazer and skirt (knee length).
  • Blouse or shirt (not low cut and no T Shirts).
  • Smart sensible shoes (Heels no higher than 5 cm and not of a kitten or stiletto style, pumps, training shoes, shoes and boots with deep tread soles or with a logo or reflective design are not allowed).

Jewellery

Nose studs, body and tongue piercing and related jewellery are not allowed. However, Sixth Form students may wear jewellery that conforms to Health and Safety regulations, however large hoop earrings and multiple piercings are not allowed.

Hairstyle

Brightly coloured hair dyes and totally shaved or decorated scalps are unacceptable for the Academy. Hair accessories must be sensible.

Students are not permitted to wear denim jackets, baseball hats, cropped tops or hooded sweatshirts. Parents are asked to clearly label all items of clothing with the student’s name.

All Sixth Form students are encouraged to take a pride in their personal appearance. The Senior Management reserve the right to take appropriate action to ensure all students dress

appropriately to enhance the reputation and reinforce the ethos of Sandwell Academy.

PE Kit for All Students

  • Academy Polo shirt with badge
  • Academy Shorts or Gym Skirt
  • Academy Sport Socks
  • White Sports Socks
  • Academy Tracksuit with badge
  • Academy Sweatshirt with badge
  • Non marking soled shoes – ie suitable trainers for physical activity which provide support and protection to feet
  • Towel
  • Suitable carrying bag
  • We recommend that for hockey, students should use shin pads and a mouth guard to comply with Health and Safety advice. These are available from most sports shops
  • Students involved in physical activities are required to wear Academy PE clothing
  • Optional Items for PE sessions and fixtures
  • Sandwell Academy Hat
  • Sandwell Academy Gloves

KS4/KS5 Performing Arts Students

  • Sandwell Academy Performing Arts T shirt and sweatshirt
  • Black Tracksuit Bottoms or Jazz Pants
  • Jazz Shoes

Expectations

Staff will closely monitor students to ensure they are consistently meeting the Academy’s uniform and equipment expectations.

Students are expected to resolve any uniform issues as they arrive at school, before attending their first session, by visiting the Standards Station if needed. If a student arrives at their first session with incorrect uniform or missing equipment, this will be logged on Class Charts, parents and carers can view this event. The student will be asked to resolve the issue or hand in any prohibited items. Any prohibited uniform item will be placed in a confiscation envelope, and taken by the class teacher to the Welfare Hub, where it will be stored securely in the Academy safe.

Where a uniform issue cannot be resolved immediately, the class teacher will notify the Welfare Team via Class Charts. A Pastoral Manager will support in addressing the issue. If resolved, the student will return to session. If the issue cannot be rectified, the Welfare Team will contact parents directly.

Failure to comply with reasonable instructions to correct uniform or appearance will be treated as a behaviour issue and dealt with in line with the Academy’s Behaviour Regulation and Relationships Policy.

Confiscated items will be returned at the end of each week. They will be securely stored in the Academy safe and made available for collection at 3:20pm on Fridays from the member of the Welfare Team on duty in the restaurant.

Persistent or repeated breaches of the uniform policy will be managed by the student’s Head of Year and/or the Deputy Head responsible for Uniform.

Where financial hardship is suspected as a barrier to meeting expectations, staff will take a compassionate and supportive approach. Our aim is to work collaboratively with families to remove any barriers and ensure all students are able to comply with the policy with dignity.

To ensure families have access to high-quality, affordable uniform, Sandwell Academy works with two approved uniform suppliers. These suppliers stock all items required for the full Academy uniform, including the official Academy rucksacks launching in September 2025. Sandwell Academy uniform is stocked locally by:

Gogna School Wear & Sports
Unit 1B Demuth Way, Oldbury B69 4LT.

Tel: 0121 523 5572

https://www.gogna.me/schools/sandwell-academy-schoolwear/

Clive Mark School Wear
4-5 Three Shires Oak Road, Warley, B67 5AX

Tel: 0121 429 4244
https://clivemark.co.uk/

Uniform Unity Initiative

As part of our commitment to maintaining high standards and supporting all families, we run the Uniform Unity initiative – a student-led group that oversees the collection, organisation, and distribution of second-hand uniform. This stock is primarily used to supply our Standards Station, where students can purchase essential uniform items to quickly resolve any uniform issues they have before attending their first session, ensuring they are ready for learning. A small charge is applied to items to support the running of the initiative. While we aim to keep a range of sizes available, stock can be limited and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. If families require support or wish to enquire about available second-hand uniform, they are encouraged to contact the Academy directly.