Introduction
At Uppingham a high standard of personal appearance is expected. The dress code is an essential part of this.
Our aim is for all pupils to feel comfortable in their uniform. We have a sensitive and inclusive approach, and pupils should wear the uniform that feels right for them. Pupils have a choice of Uniform One or Uniform Two, but they cannot be mixed.
Adherence to the dress code is an area in which School and parents can usefully co-operate. Please insist on the regulation dress code, without variations. Please do not put a Housemaster/mistress into the awkward position of being asked to allow rule breaking on the grounds that money has already been spent on some deviation from the specified dress code. In case of doubt please ask first.
School uniform (which includes current school sports kit) must be worn throughout the school day. This is a requirement even if a pupil has a study period in Period 1. The formal school day is defined as:
• Monday to Friday: 08:00 – 18:00
• Saturday: 08:00 – 12:00, and during sport commitments.
Blazers: School blazers to be worn at all times except when ‘summer dress’ is allowed.
Coats: Navy or black long overcoat, to be worn over a School blazer or suit.
Shirts: Shirts must be tucked in.
Ties: A school tie to be worn at all times except when 'summer dress' is allowed (Sixth Form uniform list two - Sundays only).
Jumpers: Lower/Middle School: only School jumpers permitted.
Sixth Form: no obvious logo or branding, which includes no logo or motif or brand icon on the front right or left breast.
Belts: Plain black, brown or House belt.
Shoes: Black, formal, polishable leather shoes.
School Bag: Only official School backpack to be used by Lower/Middle School.
Hair: Pupils should not have any form of hair cut or style which draws unnecessary attention to themselves. All pupils should have tidy, neatly brushed hair and must not dye their hair conspicuously. Hair clippers are not allowed in school.
Make-up:
Lower School: no make-up, nail varnish or acrylic nails.
Middle School: minimal make-up. No nail varnish or acrylic nails. Sixth Form: minimal make-up. Nail varnish in subtle colours but no acrylic nails.
Jewellery - Uniform One
Lower School: no jewellery may be worn.
Middle School: no jewellery may be worn.
Sixth Form: one simple necklace, bracelet and ring may be worn but no earrings.
Jewellery - Uniform Two
Lower School: no jewellery may be worn.
Middle School: one pair of stud earrings.
Sixth Form: one simple necklace, bracelet and ring, two pairs of smart stud earrings (no small hoops, large hoops or dangly earrings).
Home clothes: Home clothes are non-school uniform clothes. Monday to Friday, home clothes can be worn after the end of the school day, after sports commitments on a Saturday or after Chapel on Sunday. On Evensong Sundays, home clothes may be worn until Chapel at 19.00. Home clothes and school uniform should not be worn together.
Summer Dress: In warm weather the Senior Deputy Head will advise pupils when they can wear 'summer dress'. This term means no jacket/blazer, no tie, shirts are worn either rolled up neatly to the elbow or buttoned at the cuff. Shirts must also remain tucked in. Pupils are not permitted to wear a mix of summer dress and normal uniform.
Uniform Fittings
All new pupils require a uniform fitting which takes place at Uppingham School Shop, 14 High Street West, LE15 9QD. We encourage all new starters to visit us as early as possible.
Available fitting weeks: May/June: contact School Shop directly schoolshop@uppingham.co.uk
Online bookings: https://www.uppingham.co.uk/admissions/school-shop
• w/c 29 June 2026
• w/c 6 July 2026
• w/c 18 August 2026: Middle School and Sixth Form only
• w/c 25 August 2026: Middle School and Sixth Form only w/c 1 September 2026: reserved for international pupils
Please use your child’s name (preferred name as per admission documents) when booking the appointment.
Naming of uniform for new pupils:
Official name tapes and name stickers are automatically ordered for each pupil. All clothes must be named with the pupil’s name and House – parents should note that naming items is an important safeguard against loss.
We offer a uniform naming service where uniform will be sent to boarding houses for the start of term. Once named, items are not refundable. Naming is not available for appointments on Saturday 5 September 2026.
The labelling of home clothes, bedding and equipment is the responsibility of parents (name stickers can be used for this).
Should parents wish to label uniform themselves as well as home clothes, please ensure a supply of spare name tapes and stickers is given to Matron for use on items purchased throughout the year.
For pupils awaiting GCSE results, uniform can be held in the Shop until results day and then be sent for naming.
Positioning of official name tapes:
All items need to be named on the inside collar or waistband except for socks/ tights/underwear , which do not need to be labelled, and which go in a named laundry bag.
Sports bags and backpacks should be named on the outside for easy identification.
Useful Information
House names and abbreviations:
Brooklands: B
Constables: C
Fairfield: Fd
Farleigh: Fgh
Fircroft: F
Highfield: Hf
Johnson’s: J
Li Kwok Po House: LKP
The Lodge: L
Lorne House (Lower School): LH*
Meadhurst: M
New House: NH
Samworths’: Sa
School House: SH
West Bank: WB
West Deyne: WD
* Name tapes for pupils attending Lorne House will not have the abbreviation on them. A blank space is left in order that the abbreviation for their future House (Fourth Form onwards) can be added.
Second-hand uniform
The School Shop has a popular second-hand department. However, it is sustained through donations, therefore we cannot guarantee particular items or sizes. These items cannot be reserved and are non refundable.
Every effort is made to reuse uniform within School. However, where this is not possible we work with a charity to recycle and send it to schools in Ghana.
Lower/Middle School Uniform
Uniform List 1
If worn, an overcoat must be navy or black and fit over the Uppingham blazer.
Uniform List 2
*Navy, tailored, full length suit trousers may be substituted for the kilt (not available from School Shop).
Tights should be well-presented, without holes or ladders.
If worn, an overcoat must be navy or black and fit over the Uppingham blazer.
Sixth Form School Uniform
Uniform List 1
If worn, an overcoat must be navy or black and fit over a suit.
All shirts must be able to be tucked in to adhere to the uniform code.
Regulation shirt pastel colour examples
Permitted jumper colours
Pale Blue
Light Blue Dark Blue
Pale Lilac Pale Pink Pale Yellow White
Light Grey Charcoal
Uniform List 2
shirt (choice of pastel colours)
jumper/sleeveless jumper (v-neck only, no 1/4 zip or round neck jumpers)
*Navy, tailored, full length suit trousers may be substituted for the skirt (not available from School Shop).
Tights should be well-presented, without holes or ladders.
If worn, an overcoat must be navy or black and fit over the Uppingham tweed blazer.
Shirts must be cotton or polycotton, not linen. All shirts must be able to be tucked in to adhere to the uniform code.
Regulation shirt pastel colour examples
Pale Blue
Light Blue
Dark Blue
Permitted jumper colours
Charcoal Light Grey
Pale Lilac Pale Pink Pale Yellow White
Core Sports Uniform
Under Armour or Kukri uniform can be mixed but no Canterbury or vintage Kukri items are to be worn.
Fourth Form: rugby, hockey and netball are compulsory, relevant equipment required
Lower Fifth/Upper Fifth/Sixth Form: sports options chosen on a termly basis
Representative kit
If a pupil is selected to represent the School as part of a 1st team, the bespoke strip will be provided by the Sports Department and recharged where applicable.
Tour kit
Official kit produced for sports tours may be worn during games sessions but not for matches or PE lessons.
Additional Sports Uniform
Compulsory items provided by the School Shop:
Name tapes/stickers for uniform and home clothes/equipment.
School approved laundry net/bra bags.
Other essentials
Bedding set (single size duvet, mattress topper, pillow), advised to preorder
Bed linen set (single size duvet cover, fitted sheet, pillowcase), advised to preorder
Towel set (2 x bath towels, 1 x hand towel, 1 x face cloth), advised to preorder
Underwear (including for sport)
Personal hygiene kit
Home clothes (must not be an excessive amount)
Casual shoes
School shoes
Smart casual clothes for trips (Sixth Form only)
Formal black tie evening wear (Sixth Form only)
Please note there is limited luggage storage in Houses so soft suitcases/bags should be used where possible.