Hide Search Bar
Menu
BMAT Logoclose

Outstanding Education

Supporting primary and secondary schools across Essex and North & East London, BMAT is a growing multi-academy trust with a singular vision: schools, teachers and pupils freed to succeed.

Visit BMAT

Academy Dress Code

Year 10 and 11 Dress Code

Dress code 2

At BMAT STEM Academy, we believe that the way students present themselves reflects their commitment to learning and personal pride. Our uniform and dress expectations are designed to promote professionalism, equality, and readiness for life beyond school.

This approach begins in Key Stage 4 with a structured uniform and continues into the Sixth Form with a smart-casual dress code that mirrors modern workplace standards.

We operate a professional, gender neutral dress code across the academy. As we regularly welcome sponsors, employers, and other important visitors, we emphasise that first impressions matter, and how our students dress plays a key role in creating a positive and lasting impression.

Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11) Uniform Policy

Students in Years 10 and 11 are expected to wear:

  • A plain white or black formal shirt, tucked into trousers or skirt.
  • Black trousers – formal/regular, straight leg, worn on the waist. (No leggings, jeggings, jeans, stretch fabric, denim styles, or zipped pockets allowed).
  • A pleated black skirt at knee length, no other skirt is permitted (available from Top Form).
  • Black opaque tights (no patterns allowed).
  • Plain black polishable leather or leather-look school shoes*
  • No hats, caps, or hoodies.
  • A plain black v-neck or crew neck jumper with no logos (optional)
  • The STEM long-sleeve quarter-zip PE top (optional).  No other quarter-zip tops are allowed and it must be worn with a black or white shirt.
  • A black blazer (optional).
  • A tie of their choice (optional).

* Shoes must be plain, smart, and business-like. They must not resemble trainers and should not have any coloured stitching or embellishments. The school reserves the right to make the final decision on whether footwear complies with the uniform policy.

Outdoor clothing (e.g. coats or hoodies) must be removed once inside the Academy reception.

Expectations for Haircuts
The school maintains high standards regarding pupil appearance while fostering an inclusive and respectful environment. To support a focused and distraction-free learning atmosphere, the following expectations apply to hairstyles:

  • Hair should be of a single, natural colour. Styles involving artificial colouring, such as dip-dyeing, are not permitted.
  • The school fully respects hairstyles worn for cultural, religious, or disability-related reasons. In such cases, we ask that parents or carers discuss these with school leaders to ensure clarity and mutual understanding.
  • Long hair must be tied back with a hairband when required, such as during work in DT workshops and science labs.

Jewellery and Makeup

  • No more than two studs in each ear
  • No other facial piercings.
  • Subtle, natural makeup may be worn.
  • False or acrylic nails are not permitted due to the risk of injury in workshop environments. Natural-coloured nail varnish may be worn.

Physical Education

Our PE lessons will take place offsite at Harlow Leisure Zone.  Students will be walked to the site by members of the BMAT STEM Academy staff.

All students are required to have a STEM polo shirt, shorts and we encourage although it is not required to purchase the socks. A tracksuit top and trousers are also available as optional items. Samples are available in store for students to try on to check sizing. Students are not allowed to wear other branded sportswear. Students should wear their PE kit all day on the day they have PE on Fridays.

PE Dress Code (Years 10 and 11)

On PE days, students attend in PE kit all day.

 

  • All students are expected to have the STEM branded long sleeve quarter zip PE top.
  • All students are expected to wear black or white sports socks with trainers.
  • Students should wear the STEM branded short sleeve PE top or a plain black t-shirt. On their lower half, students have a choice of wearing:
    • STEM branded shorts
    • STEM branded full-length trousers.
    • STEM branded plain black sports leggings

 

All uniform items are available from: Create Identitee – BMAT STEM Academy.

Pleated knee length skirt available from Top Form Schoolwear (www.top-form.co.uk)

 

School website by Cleverbox