Uniform

Meols Cop students must adhere to our professional dress code and our equipment expectations. We are proud of the high standards we expect; our professional standards prepare students for the expectation, challenges and demands of their future careers. We recently held a parent survey about our uniform and have made a couple of adaptations following the feedback and suggestions made. These changes will take place from September 2025.

 

You said…

We did…

Comfort and practicality are important – students want to feel at ease throughout the school day.

 

There should be more flexibility in what students can wear, especially in warmer weather.

PE kit on non-PE days:

Students will now be allowed to wear their PE kit on non-PE days if they prefer. This helps with comfort, cost, and practicality.

Blazers remain a staple of the Meols Cop uniform and we expect that the majority of our students will choose to wear their full school uniform in the colder months.

Tailored shorts:

Students may now wear tailored grey shorts as part of the full school uniform.

 

 New quarter-zip tops:

In September 2024 we introduced the new non-PE quarter-zip tops. They are available to purchase at Whittakers for use during colder months, offering a practical and comfortable alternative.

The cost the branded PE kit is not reflected in the quality of some PE items, particularly PE track pants and leggings.

Plain black leggings:

Plain black unbranded leggings are

included as part of the PE kit. This gives families more affordable and accessible options. 

 

Improving quality:

We are speaking directly with our uniform

suppliers to address concerns about the quality and durability of items like PE track pants, skorts and leggings.

 

Uniform swap shop & support:

We will be holding regular uniform swap shop days and additional communications to promote the uniform bank at Compassion Acts to support families and reduce waste.

 

Students should have more say in what they wear.

Increased student voice:

We are committed to involving students more in uniform decisions. Look out for opportunities for students to share their views in the coming months.

 

 

FAQs

Thank you for your positive responses to our uniform policy changes. We are extremely hopeful that this trial will be successful. The following questions have been raised:

When will my child have to wear a blazer?

Blazers are a required item of the Meols Cop uniform. Students will be expected to wear full uniform, including ties, blazers, shirts and trousers or skirts, to certain events in the school calendar. Examples of this includes school trips, rewards evenings, school performances, scholar’s events and student/class photo days.

Students will not be required to wear a blazer with their PE kits but may choose to do so.

Will the school allow for unbranded jogging bottoms, trackpants or shorts?

Unbranded, plain jogging bottoms, trackpants or shorts should not be worn to school.

Following your feedback on the trackpants durability and quality, Mrs Ford has been working with Whittakers and they will be bringing in samples of updated trackpants that should prove to be more durable, especially around the knee. As Whittakers are able to improve the quality of these, we are keeping the branded trackpants as a staple offer for the PE kit, alongside the Meols Cop shorts.

As a school, we worked closely with Whittakers on the design of the leggings and they agreed that there wasn’t a way of improving the quality of the design to help it fit our student’s better or to be more durable. Due to this, we introduced the ability to wear plain black, unbranded leggings.

 

Uniform: 

  • A black blazer with school badge  
  • Mid-grey tailored trousers/shorts (no fashion trousers) in plain material OR
  • Mid-grey skirt (of knee length) or mid-grey pinafore in plain material  
  • White, plain collared blouse or shirt, short or long sleeves  
  • School tie: 
    • Year 7 - Gold Stripe
    • Year 8 - Pale Blue Stripe 
    • Year 9 - Dark Blue Stripe
    • Year 10 - Red Stripe 
    • Year 11 - Green Stripe  
  • Plain knit mid-grey jumper, V-necked without decoration (optional)  
  • MCHS Branded Sweater (optional)
  • Black polished school shoes (no pumps, platforms, heels, boots or trainers)  
  • Plain black tights or grey socks only  
  • Black polished school shoes, with no logos or motifs. Shoes must be flat. Boots and trainers are not acceptable. If a student is wearing the wrong footwear, parents / cares will be contacted and a sanction will be issued.  
  • A dance or drama hooded jumper on days where the student has dance or drama lessons 

Key Uniform addition: MCHS Branded Sweater Quarter Zip (Optional) 

Students are now able to purchase a thicker and warmer Meols Cop branded quarter zip sweatshirt from Whittakers. Students may wear this on uniform and /
or PE days. It does not replace the existing sports quarter zip which may be worn for PE only, or the existing grey wool jumper or cardigan.

This optional jumper can be purchased from Whittakers.

Performing arts students may also wear their Performing Arts jumpers in the same way. The performing arts quarter zip may be worn on any day. This needs to
be ordered via Miss McNally.

Students may continue to wear a grey knitted jumper or cardigan on any day they wish.

Hoodies are not allowed under any circumstance. 

Hair:

  • Hair must be natural, and appropriate to a place of work. Hair styles must adhere to health and safety requirements, and hair must be tied back where requested by a member of staff.
  • Hair must be worn in a style that ensures communication is possible; long hair should not be worn over the face in a way that obstructs eye contact.
  • Unusual colours, shavings or patterns are not allowed. Hair must have a natural hairline with no undercutting or ‘fashion’ styles (such as ‘lines’, patterns or ‘cat scratches’). Hair must be of a natural colour.

Meols Cop students must not wear:

  • Trainers other than for PE / dance.  
  • Shoes that cannot be polished  
  • Hooded or branded jumpers other than on days when students have dance / drama, where they may wear their Meols Cop branded jumpers  
  • No hats and scarves while inside the building  
  • Coats must not be worn in lessons
  • Unnatural hair colours or styles  
  • Make up that is excessive / obvious  
  • False nails / nail varnish / false eyelashes / hair extensions  
  • Jewellery other than a single pain stud in each ear. Students are permitted to wear one pair of plain studs in each ear lobe only. Students must be able to remove the earring during PE lessons when requested.  
  • Other than one clear, plastic facial piercing, all other facial jewellery and any other visible body-piercings are not permitted.

 Main School Uniform Suppliers:

  • Whittakers, Hoghton Street, Southport
  • Zips & Snips, King Street, Southport.

Donated Uniform

We have a selection of donated uniform available in school, and also at Compassion Acts in Southport. Please email enquiries@meolscop.co.uk for more information.

 Additional points for all students:

  • Hair should be of a natural looking colour, reasonable length and a style suitable for school, e.g. no patterns  
  • Jewellery – students are allowed one pair of plain studs in each ear lobe only. Students must be able to remove the earring during PE lessons when requested. Make up, false nails or nail varnish is not permitted

Sportswear

Students will be required to have the full PE kit which we have developed in consultation with our current students.  The new kit is more affordable, the fabrics are more breathable, easier to wash and take very little time to dry.  They also offer students a greater range of PE kit to see them through the winter and summer months.  Kit is available from Whittakers and Zips & Snips. Plain black leggings will be permitted on PE days- these are not to be branded items. 

Meols Cop High School - Obligatory PE KIT

Equipment

Ensuring that all pupils have the necessary equipment both prepares students with the organisational skills they need for success, and ensures that all time in lessons is focused on learning. In order to ensure all time in lessons is focused on learning, our equipment expectations are not negotiable.

Each day, students must bring to school:

  • School bag: students must bring a bag to school that is large enough for the equipment they need each day (handbags are not appropriate); a school bag should be large enough to contain two a4 folder.
  • Pencil case: this is non-negotiable, keeping all stationery in a pencil case aids organisation and minimises damage to equipment. The pencil case should contain:
    • Black/blue pen (a spare would also be helpful)
    • Purple/red pen
    • Pencil
    • Ruler
    • Highlighter
  • Practical lessons will expect students to have:
    • PE kit
    • Dance kit
    • Drama kit

Learning support will offer students two opportunities each week to purchase extra equipment; students must take responsibility for their equipment. Learning tutors will sanction students for failing to have the correct equipment.

Reasonable adjustments:

Mobile phones & devices:

  • Mobile phones, smart watches or other electronic devices should not be brought to school. Students must not use devices in school, If these items are brought into school the school will not be held responsible for any loss or damage.  
  • If a student needs to call home, Progress Leaders and the year group team will support this where a call home is deemed necessary.