Uniform & Equipment

TBCC School uniform items can be purchased from Monkhouse:

https://www.monkhouse.com
Parents can order on-line and arrange home delivery or visit the Sussex Uniforms shop in Horsham.

The address is:
8 Bishopric,
Horsham,
RH12 1QR 
Telephone number: 01403 330218
Email address:

If you have any queries about the uniform, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Thomas Bennett Community College
Uniform and Appearance Expectations

A strong sense of belonging and shared pride in our school community is central to everything we do at Thomas Bennett Community College. First impressions matter; our school is judged not only by how our students behave but also by how they present themselves within the wider Crawley community.

Our uniform plays a key role in promoting safety and equality. It is designed to be fully inclusive, supporting all students to feel comfortable, respected, and valued for who they are.

We believe that wearing the TBCC uniform makes a powerful statement about unity, shared ambition, and our collective commitment to our values. It helps students take pride in themselves, their achievements, and their school. Looking smart creates a purposeful environment that supports focused thinking and effective learning.

Our Commitment to Value and Inclusion

In developing our uniform, we have carefully considered what is required practically for classroom lessons or for sport, safeguarding, and health and safety considerations. We have strictly aligned our policies with our obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and have taken into account the wishes of parents and pupils.

We are highly mindful of the cost implications for families. To ensure best value, we have:

  • Minimised branded items and limited single-supplier contracts so parents have a choice of where to shop for affordable, plain alternatives (following DFE guidance 2026).

  • Committed to avoiding frequent uniform changes so that clothes can be easily passed down to siblings.

Upholding Our Standards

We expect all students to look smart and wear the Thomas Bennett Community College uniform with pride every day.

  • Uniform Adjustments: If a student does not meet our uniform expectations, staff will direct them to adjust or correct their appearance immediately.
  • Non-Uniform Items: Non-uniform items will be confiscated and returned at the end of the student’s school day
  • Parental Support: The school maintains a clear and consistent approach to uniform. We ask all parents and carers to support this by ensuring their child leaves home in the correct uniform each day. In the case of challenges with uniform parents should make contact with the school, please see below, ‘we are here to help’.
  • Resolving Issues: Following Department for Education guidance, the Headteacher reserves the right to request a student return home briefly to remedy a uniform breach. In these instances, students will be expected to correct their dress and return to school promptly to resume their learning. In this instance the parent will be contacted before the child leaves the school, and the schools safeguarding team will be consulted. 
  • Persistent Breaches: Students who consistently choose not to meet our expectations for appearance and alignment with school policies will face formal behavior sanctions in line with our standard behavior framework.

We Are Here to Help

We understand that uniform can sometimes present unexpected challenges. If you experience any financial or practical difficulties providing the correct uniform for your child, please contact their Form Tutor or Head of Year as a first step. We are fully committed to working with our families to resolve any uniform-related problems discreetly and supportively.

Year 7 to 11 Uniform 

Items purchased from Monkhouse 

  • TBCC blazer or TBCC logo jumper (compulsory). Students may wear both. 
  • TBCC tie with stripe in house colour (compulsory)
  • TBCC school skirt (if your preference is a skirt over trousers)

Items that can be purchased from any supplier:

  • Simple white shirts (collared and plain). Shirts must be worn tucked in.
  • Formal black school trousers (tailored fit with pockets)
  • Tailored shorts in plain black (all year round)
  • Solid black footwear (shoes or trainers) free from obvious branding or colour
  • Plain black or white socks
  • Additional items worn for recognised religious observance for example hijabs should be black or navy.
  • Socks or tights in neutral, navy, or black. 
  • Leggings that are plain black with no visible branding, pattern, or stitching etc can be worn under a TBCC skirt if preferred. The skirt must still be of an appropriate length.

The following are not permitted: 

  • Visible patterned or non-white tops worn beneath collared shirts
  • Outerwear such as hoodies, sweatshirts, jumpers, or cardigans without school branding
  • Denim, cargo styles, flared leggings, or restrictive fits like jeggings, and "skinny" trousers
  • Open-toed footwear, sandals, crocs, or boots
  • Tights or socks with patterns or non-neutral colours
  • Gloves, outdoor scarves, or hats used within school buildings (excluding religious attire)
  • Excessive cosmetics, not suitable for a child in the school environment, staff judgement on this is final. 

PE Kit

Items purchased from GR Teamwear shop

  • TBCC branded T Shirt (compulsory)
  • Quarter Zip jumper
  • Sweatshirt
  • Track trousers 
  • shorts 

Items that can be purchased from any supplier:

  • Shorts (plain blue)
  • Track Trousers (trousers should not be a jogging material)
  • Leggings 
  • Sweatshirt (plain blue)
  • White socks
  • Quarter Zip jumper

Uniform and Safeguarding

Our uniform is intended to create a strong school identity of standards and expectations to create equality between students and to develop students' pride in their learning environment as well as to teach them about standards beyond school to prepare them for their future. Where the policy states staff judgement is final, the decision is measured against the rationale for our uniform.  

Uniforms should be worn in a way that supports safeguarding of students, this applies particularly to skirt length, and how trousers are worn for example trousers should be worn with the waistband at the waist. Skirt length should be appropriate for a child in a school environment taking into account them being safe on school site, and to and from school. Where the policy states this is final, this is a result of assessing this rationale. 

Equipment

Students must attend school each day with the equipment below, so that they can properly engage with their learning.

This is a non-negotiable list:

  • School bag (large enough to carry A4 books)
  • Pencil case
  • Black pen and a spare black pen. 
  • Green pen
  • Pencil
  • Ruler
  • Rubber and a sharpener
  • Geometry set
  • Scientific calculator
  • Reading book