New Term Arrangements – Be School Ready!
13 Aug 2025
LETTER July 2025 Current Y7-11
The new term begins on Tuesday 2nd September 2025, however , we will only be open to the Year 7 and Year 11 students on that first day to enable a more focused and supportive induction for those 2 year groups. Years 8, 9 and 10 will the start back on Wednesday 3rd September 2025. The relevant start times and instructions for each year group appear below.
Please can I also draw your attention to the information below regarding the school’s uniform guidelines for the coming year.
Arrangements for the start of the new academic year for students:
Monday 1st September 2025: INSET Day (Staff only)
Tuesday 2nd September 2025: Year 7 and Year 11 only in school from 8:30am
Wednesday 3rd September 2025: All year groups in school from 8:30am
Uniform Expectations
All students at Park Vale Academy, from Year 7 to Year 11, wear uniform. The wearing of a uniform makes an important contribution to the tone and reputation of the academy. We like students to come here looking smart and business-like and ready to work. Students without the correct uniform will be offered substitute items in order for them to remain in lessons.
Official skirts, trousers, ties, blazers, school badges and colours are available from Just Schoolwear or Schoolwear Solutions. Just Schoolwear can be found at 12 High Street, Arnold, Nottingham, NG5 7DZ Their contact number is 0115 9652869. Items can also be ordered online from www.just-schoolwear.co.uk. Schoolwear Solutions are based at Morleys, 116-118 Bramcote Avenue, Chilwell, Nottingham, NG9 4DR. Their contact number is 01159 258046.
All other uniform items should be plain with no logos or decoration.
Daily Uniform
Blazer: Navy school blazer with school logo and House colour pin badge.
Trousers: Official grey school trousers branded with the school logo.
Skirt: Official grey school skirt branded with the school logo.
Shirt: Plain white with a collar and top button appropriate for use with a school tie. Soft collared sports shirts are not acceptable, i.e. polo shirts. No t‑shirts are to be worn. There should be no badges or motifs on shirts. Shirts must be tucked in at all times.
School Tie: All students in Years 7 to 11 are required to wear a clip-on school tie. School ties need to be in immaculate condition. If your son/daughter’s tie has threads pulled or ink marks on it then this will need to be replaced in time for the start of the new term.
Jumper: Only the official school jumper/cardigan may be worn (grey, with the school logo). The school jumper is an optional uniform item but advisable during the colder months of the year.
Socks/Tights: Plain black.
Shoes: Plain black shoes. The wearing of fashion shoes, particularly those
without backs or with high/stiletto heels is not permitted. Boots, canvas-style pumps, trainers or trainer-like shoes should not be worn. This includes Nike Air Force 1 trainers or similar.
School Coat: Students should wear plain water-resistant coats or jackets. Hoodies, tracksuit tops, bomber jackets or sports coats with large logos are not allowed. Fashion coats such as leather/denim jackets or body-warmers are also not permitted.
Jewellery: Jewellery can be a safety hazard; it gets lost easily. Students may wear one pair of small studs in the lower earlobe and a single small nose-stud only. Any other visible piercing is not permitted. Students are also not allowed to wear rings, bracelets or necklaces in school.
Hairstyles: We expect hair styles to be neat and tidy and not extreme in any way. This includes tramlines, shaved images, brightly-coloured decoration/ braiding or the use of unnatural shades of hair dye. In the interest of student safety, long hair must be tied back in PE lessons.
Headwear: Headwear of any kind is banned inside the school buildings except that which is worn for religious reasons and which be plain black. Students are free to wear appropriate head-coverings outside during inclement weather. Baseball caps are banned entirely on school premises.
Make-Up/Nail Varnish: Make-Up, false nails and nail varnish are not allowed.
PE Kit: Academy PE top with Academy logo. Black bottoms should also be worn (leggings must not be see-through and preferably made of sports material). Shorts must be mid-thigh length or longer. Students in years 7-9 should also have the jumper with the Academy logo: all items can be purchased from our uniform suppliers. Plain black sports socks. Footwear should include appropriate trainers for indoor and outdoor activities, football boots are required for some activities. Converse and Nike Air Force trainers are not considered appropriate footwear for PE. Optional items include shin pads, gum shield and a thin rain coat.
If you are unclear regarding any of these expectations, please contact your child’s Head of House for further information.