From September 2026, the Government has put new rules in place to support families by lowering the cost of uniforms for new Year 7 students. To support all families, we are intending for all students to be able to follow the changes.
Our compulsory branded items will include:
• Tie (we actually gift this to all new students);
• Blazer;
• Skirt or brown trousers;
• Tracksuit.
Students can continue to purchase and wear the gold and black PE kit, however if families would prefer an alternative they can purchase completely plain, unbranded black t-shirts and knee-length black shorts. No branded t-shirts or shorts can be worn instead of the gold and black PE kit (as that defeats the purpose of having a more economical choice). Students are not allowed to wear cycling shorts or hotpants.
Students have always been allowed to wear plain black (no logo) leggings for their actual PE lesson.
Students representing school in competitions can be loaned kit for matches.
The rugby shirt is now optional, however if students play rugby, they are strongly recommended to have a spare as they will get muddy!!
The brown jumper will remain branded, but this has always been an optional piece of uniform.
Polo shirts which are worn all year round for Year 11 students and from Easter for all other students, have had an unbranded option for two years now anyway.
Another change from September 2026 will be for all students who wear skirts, will have to wear black tights underneath them. The uniform looks more professional with black tights and is something that other schools have already moved to. We will monitor this during the summer term, as it will be slightly warmer.
Uniform
Compulsory – Wearing Trousers
- Brown Blazer with school crest
- Brown trouser
- Plain white shirt
- School tie
- White or black socks
- Black or brown shoes – formal style (lace up or slip on)
Compulsory – Wearing Kilt
- Brown blazer with school crest.
- Brown checked kilt (knee length)
- Plain white shirt
- School tie
- Black or brown tights (40 denier and above)
- Black or brown shoes – formal style (lace up or slip on)
Optional Items
- Baines brown V-neck pullover (highly recommended).
- Baines summer polo shirt (Easter onwards). Students can wear an unbranded plain white polo shirt (Easter onwards).
Year 11 have the option to wear a polo shirt all year round. However, Year 11 students attending formal functions on behalf of the school would be required to wear a shirt and tie.
Hoodies or gilets are not be worn as coats.
Games Kit
The Baines branded tracksuit is to be worn to school on days where pupils have P.E. lessons. Students should wear their P.E. kit underneath.
Compulsory – Option A
- 1 Baines tracksuit.
- Shin pads and gum shield.
- 1 pair of black socks – black.
- 1 pair of training shoes (not basketball boots)
- Optional – Black/gold polo shirt with school crest and one pair of Baines 2 in 1 shorts.
Compulsory – Option B
- 1 Baines tracksuit.
- 1 pair of football boots (with safety studs holding “kite” mark).
- Shin pads and gum shield.
- 1 pair of Baines P.E. shorts
- 1 pair of training shoes (not basketball boots).
- Optional B – 1 black/gold reversible rugby shirt / 1 black/gold polo shirt with school crest.
Optional Items
- Tennis racket
- Hockey stick
- Spare set of underclothes
- Towel
- Baines shorts
Guidance on Appearance
BLAZERS must be worn at all times Years 7 – 11. Students wishing to remove them, just ask their teacher in lesson
HATS/CAPS are not to be worn inside the school buildings.
OUTDOOR COATS are not to be worn inside classrooms. Gilets and hoodies (except the Leaver’s Hoodie) are not to be worn as coats.
SHIRT/TIE Plain white shirts are to be tucked in, top buttons fastened.
SKIRTS must be of an appropriate length, no shorter than knee length and not rolled over at the waistband. If skirts are deemed too short, students will wear black tights until a longer skirt is purchased as a short stop gap.
TROUSERS Baines design to match the blazer
JUMPERS Baines School design only – this is an optional item.
SHOES are to be BLACK OR DARK BROWN ONLY of a formal style either lace-up or slip-on. Branded trainers, even if black, are not acceptable.
TIGHTS Girls wear either dark brown or black (40 denier as above).
NAIL VARNISH For safety reasons nails should be short and well-manicured without colour or glitter. False and acrylic nails must not be worn.
JEWELLERY One pair of small plain stud earrings worn in the lower lobe of the ear is acceptable, in the first hole only. Pupils are encouraged to wear a wristwatch as their only other item of jewellery. No additional items of jewellery such as bracelets, rings or necklaces are to be worn. Nose studs, facial and other piercings are not permitted, and neither are clear retainers. Any piercings that contravene the rules will need to be removed immediately and plasters covering piercings are not allowed. Clear retainers are not allowed.
TATTOOS are not allowed in school. The Tattooing of Minors Act 1969 makes it illegal for anyone to tattoo a young person under the age of 18. Henna tattoos and/or other temporary tattoos are not allowed in school. The only exception is a henna tattoo in celebration of a religious festival, for example Eid, if arranged with the school in advance.
HAIR should be of smart appearance. No excessive styles, shaven heads or shaved lines. No severely coloured hair/streaks. Students are not to come to school with sections of their eyebrows shaven.
MAKEUP Appearance at all times must be appropriate to the school environment for which make-up does not need to be worn and false eyelashes or LVL lash lifts or similar are not allowed – natural lashes and eyebrows only. Mascara must be of a minimum, and students should not be wearing dark lip liner and lipstick.
Students failing to meet the standards in uniform will be dealt with in accordance with all other breaches of School Rules. The school reserves the right to confiscate items that do not conform to the uniform code. These items will be stored safely and will be returned to the individual at an appropriate time by a designated member of staff. If a student has an item confiscated that is of significant value, then the school will return it to the parent/carer on request. For security reasons the parent/carer must collect it personally, for which proof of identity will be required.
Students failing to meet the standards in uniform will be dealt with in accordance with all other breaches of School rules. The school reserves the right to confiscate items that do not conform to the uniform code. These items will be stored safely and will be returned to the individual at an appropriate time by a designated member of staff. If a student has an item confiscated that is of significant value, then the school will return it to the parent / carer on request. For security reasons the parent / carer must collect it personally, for which proof of identity will be required.
Guidance for Sports Equipment & Clothing
Recommendations about safety equipment are made by the PE teacher leading the session. These recommendations range from shin pads to gum shields to rugby shirts.
Outside of the curriculum we provide a variety of more competitive sporting opportunites to students across the school, examples of which are Intra and Inter school matches where the need for correct safety equipment / clothing is compulsory due to the competitive nature of these events.
Gum shields are available form all sports retailers and from the PE department directly.
Please note that these recommendations, and where appropriate compulsory requirements, are taken from the Governing Bodies for each of the sports. Having the correct equipment / clothing will also make your child feel more confident and will enhance the teaching that is taking place. Finally, students representing the school teams will only participate if they have all the necessary items listed above.
Please feel free to contact the PE department if you need any further advice.
Purchasing Uniform
Below are the details for where you can purchase uniform :
Opening Hours for Uniform & Leisurewear
Monday – Friday 9.30am – 4.30pm
Saturday 9.30am – 3pm
Closed Sunday’s and Bank Holiday’s
Baines School Uniform Donations
Clothing donations can be brought into school and given to the front office, where you can donate uniform items, your child no longer needs or has outgrown.
Request Items of Uniform
If you require uniform, you can contact us by email at wellbeing@baines.lancs.sch.uk , which gets checked each week. Alternatively, if you need uniform more urgently, please telephone the front office on 01253 883019.
Last updated June 2026