Our School Uniform

Purpose

At Dulwich International High School Programme Suzhou, students are expected to wear the full school uniform with pride and present themselves in a smart and professional manner. Wearing the correct school uniform throughout the school day is a requirement, and failure to comply with the Uniform Policy will be treated as a breach of the school's Behaviour Policy.

Students who arrive without the correct uniform may receive a verbal reminder, a behaviour sanction, after-school detention and/or parental contact, depending on the circumstances.

If a student has forgotten or temporarily does not have the correct uniform, a replacement item may be borrowed from the Student Affairs Office. Borrowed uniform must be washed and returned promptly. Students are responsible for the cost of repairing or replacing any lost or damaged items.

The school reserves the right to refuse entry to students who are not dressed in accordance with the Uniform Policy.

Students are required to wear the full school uniform from 7:50 am until the end of Co-Curricular Activities (CCA), regardless of whether they are participating in a CCA on that day.

Students who need to purchase replacement uniform items may do so by registering at the School Reception on the ground floor.

 

Uniform Expectations

1. The School expects the following uniform components from all students: 

White sleeved shirt/blouse:

• Fully buttoned to the top of the collar 
• Tucked into the trousers/skirt/shorts/skorts 

DHSZ crested House ties (Ties optional though on certain events and days ties must be worn):

• Boys or Girls - Navy with red stripes, House tie, or solid red 
• Tied to an appropriate length (1 inch above the belt-line) 
• Knot should cover the top button of the collar  
• There are also a number of "specialty" ties

Navy blue crested long-sleeved jumper or hoodie:

• If a student is wearing a hoodie, the school expects the student is wearing a shirt/blouse underneath 

Navy blue crested blazer (for Best Dress occasions) 

Trousers/Shorts/Skirt/Skort:

• BOYS – Grey trousers, skorts or shorts 
• GIRLS –Grey trousers, shorts, skorts or DHSZ tartan skirt 
• Minimum skirt length is to one inch above the knee or longer. At least three-square panels must be visible on the skirt  
• Shorts or Skorts must be of appropriate length, reaching at least to mid-thigh or the fingertips when arms are held at the sides. Shorts or skorts shorter than this will be considered non-compliant with the uniform policy  

Black belt:

• Standard black belt – no patterns or fancy-looking buckle 

Socks:

• Socks for both boys and girls are mandatory, solid colour, no patterns, no logos 
• Sports socks that are cut below the ankle are not allowed, even when pulled up 
• Mini "pop socks" or below-ankle socks are not allowed 
• Girls can wear full-length tights - solid colour, no patterns 
• Tights or socks that are "knee-length" are not appropriate for school 

Black leather school shoes with solid black side soles:

• open toes, flashes, colour, embellishments (fur, studs, etc.) 
• Must be able to polish shoes 

For major events, students are expected to wear the "best dress" uniform. This includes blazers and NO hoodies 

2. All students are expected by the school to wear their IC card with the correct coloured lanyard at all times when on campus. If challenged by a teacher and found to be missing or not worn, disappointments will be given. Students with more than one lanyard, or a lanyard of the wrong colour for their Boarding status, will be dealt with severely. 

• The Photo must never be defaced or covered over 

• Reminder of student lanyard designation: Silver/grey – Day student, Yellow and blue stripes – Weekly boarder, Pink – Termly boarder 

3. DHSZ expects all students to use the school backpack – Students cannot use any other type of backpack 

4. For PE lessons, CCAs, and sports practices, all students must get changed in the designated student changing rooms, and they must be wearing:  

 

• Summer: Students' house PE shirt and shorts (no mixing and matching with other students' uniform), white socks, running shoes, and protective goggles instead of glasses.  
• Winter: Winter tracksuit uniform and house PE shirt and shorts, white socks, running shoes, and protective goggles instead of glasses (black thermal tops and bottoms are optional).  
• For health and safety reasons, jewellery, watches, hoodies and jackets must not be worn during PE lessons. Long hair must be tied back for all students, and the correct footwear must be worn. 
• Students must not leave any valuables in the changing rooms. Any personal items must be put away in lockers.  
• Students should bring full kit on all occasions. If not participating practically, they should be encouraged to participate and perform other roles: coaching, managing, equipment helper, etc. This will give the opportunity for students to explore their own personal learning and participation styles in line with the PE Curriculum. 

5. Hair, Makeup and general appearance 

• Students may wear one pair of simple ear studs, maximum 3mm. No other jewellery is permitted, including rings, bracelets, and necklaces. No other facial or body piercings should be visible.  
• No coloured nail varnish; only clear nail varnish is allowed 
• No noticeable make-up is allowed 
• No tattoos should be visible. 
• Long hair is permitted BUT must be kept clean and tidy (at the discretion of the pastoral team) 
• Students are allowed natural shades of dyed hair, i.e. shades an average person could have from their ethnicity. This is at the discretion of the Pastoral team so please discuss this with your Head of Year before you change your hair colour to identify if the shade you want is acceptable. Students with unacceptable shades will be required to dye their hair back to its natural colour at their own cost 
• Students must not wear extreme hairstyles. Please discuss this with the Pastoral Team before you change your hairstyle to identify if the style you want is acceptable 

 

6. Headphones, ear pods, and other listening devices 

• Allowed in lessons only with direct permission of the teacher 
• Allowed in the library during self-study 
• No other permitted use during school hours: Headphones must be kept in bags/pockets and should never be seen apart from the two locations above. Students should never be in corridors with headphones poking out of collars or pockets – if headphones are seen, they will be confiscated.  
• To be used with permitted devices, i.e., tablets or laptops, NOT mobiles.