Uniform Upper School Guidelines 2021-22
Our school uniform plays a valuable role in contributing to our sense of community and to the ethos and mission of our School. It also sets the appropriate tone for learning. The uniform is designed to allow students to participate fully in all school activities and to move freely and comfortably without the need for adjustments. We ask all of our students to show their readiness to learn by following our uniform guidelines on a daily basis.
The uniform guidelines support parents in partnering with the School to ensure that our students are prepared and ready for the learning opportunities that each day will present. We are grateful for the parental support needed to ensure that our uniform guidelines are adhered to. Any questions concerning dress should be directed to your child’s class advisor in the first instance, otherwise the Upper School Dean of Students. Any exchanges/returns for uniform purchases should be left at Security, not at the Upper School office.
All Upper School students, out of respect for themselves and the TASIS England community, are expected to dress according to the uniform guidelines. The uniform must be worn during the academic day, from 8:10 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. Boarding students are to come to breakfast dressed in uniform or ready for their first period class. Hybrid Learners who attend lessons virtually are expected to be in TASIS uniform during class time. This reasonably applies to any part of the body visible on a computer screen.
Students are required to purchase all TASIS-crested clothing/items from the designated TASIS vendor or used uniform sale. Trousers and skirts can be purchased from other vendors, provided that they comply with the length, color, and style guidelines. Skirts can also be purchased from the TASIS uniform vendor.
The uniform requirements (as set out in the TASIS Behavioral Policies and Guidelines) apply equally to all students, irrespective of their sex, gender reassignment, race, disability, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, or religion or belief or special educational needs, subject to considerations of safety and welfare. However, the School will consider reasonable requests to alter the school uniform, for example, for genuine religious requirements and reasonable adjustments for disabled children.
Uniform Guidelines
Fall Uniform: First day of school to last day of school before October Break
Winter Uniform: First day after October Break to the last day of school before Spring Break
Spring Uniform: First day after Spring Break to the last day of exams
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Fall/Spring |
Winter |
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For official TASIS clothing, you can order online here: www.tasisuniforms.co.uk
Item-specific Guidelines
- Trousers: can be purchased from any vendor. Must be khaki or navy in color and must be full-length, measuring waist to ankle. Must be tailored in style and made of a fabric such as cotton, cotton/polyester, or wool. Trousers made of fabrics such as denim, corduroy, leather, velvet, etc. are not acceptable as uniform wear; please note that this is not an exhaustive list.
- Skirts: can be purchased from the TASIS uniform vendor or any vendor. Must be khaki or navy in color and must be half-length, measuring waist to knee. Please note: skirts should not be more than 3 inches above the knee. Must be A-line style and made of a fabric such as cotton, cotton/polyester, or wool. Skirts made of fabrics such as denim, corduroy, leather, velvet, etc. are not acceptable as uniform wear; please note that this is not an exhaustive list.
- You need to be in proper dress code underneath coats. Coats should be neat and clean and fit in the following guidelines:
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Acceptable |
Not Acceptable |
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- Hats and Headbands: Please note that non-religious headwear may not be worn in any school building. Headbands should be used to keep hair out of the face and should be the same as or similar to the hair color.
- Shoes: Plain black, brown, or navy dress shoes must be worn. Students are permitted to wear TOMS shoes, on condition that they are black or dark blue. Shoe heels must not be more than 5 cm (2in). See the shoes guidance poster for visual examples.
- Boots: During the winter only, black, brown, or navy boots may be worn. The heel must be less than 2 inches and the boot must fall below the knee. UGG-style boots are not permitted.
- Socks: May only be plain black, navy, or gray that rise above the ankle but no higher than the knee.
- Tights: May only be plain black, navy, or gray.
- Belts: A black or brown dress belt inside of the belt loops should be worn with trousers. Students wearing a skirt, if they choose to wear a belt, must wear a black or brown dress belt inside of the belt loops.
- Ties: Should reflect the general uniform guidelines and must not include words or images that may cause offence.
- Tattoos: Permanent tattoos are not supported by TASIS.
- Suits and Formal Wear: Suits, formal dresses, or traditional dress are expected to be worn for special occasions and formal school functions such as Homecoming, Prom, Graduation, and for the boarding Community Meal.
- Jewelry: Ostentatious jewelry and fashion accessories are not permitted. Face-piercing jewelry, including tongue piercings, is not permitted. Body piercing is strongly discouraged, and all body jewelry must be removed during participation in required P.E. classes or during after-school sports/activities.
- Hair: Ostentatious hairstyles and hair colors (i.e., outside of the “natural” color range) are not permitted. Students should be clean-shaven, although neatly trimmed moustaches and beards are permitted for eleventh and twelfth grade students. Sideburns are not to extend beyond ear length.
- Symbols of Faith: Certain items of jewelry, such as the Kara bangle worn by Sikhs,
and certain items of headwear, such as the turban and headscarves, may be worn by
students when doing so is genuinely based on manifesting religious or racial beliefs
or identity. This is subject to considerations of safety and welfare and the School’s
existing school uniform policy principles (in regards to, for example, the school
colors). Where there is uncertainty as to whether an item may be worn under this
section, the issue must be referred by the student or his/her parents to the Head of
Upper School and Dean of Students.
Clarification of Common Uniform Misinterpretations
While this guide aims for clarity, some students do misinterpret the uniform guidelines. Please see here for common misinterpretations to avoid.
A sweater/jumper must be worn with a shirt underneath it. This shirt should be a TASIS-crested polo or dress shirt depending on the season.
Skirts should be no shorter than 3 inches above the knee and should not be rolled at the top.
Socks should be worn. They should be black, navy, or gray and should be plain in style. Wearing no socks, other colors, or patterns are not in keeping with the uniform guidelines.
TASIS-crested sweaters/jumpers are required. Any other dark sweater/jumper is not in keeping with the TASIS Uniform Guidelines.
These are not part of the TASIS uniform, even if they are leather. Shoes should be in keeping with the shoe guidelines. See the poster for visual examples of acceptable footwear.