Hoodies for Schools: Staff Kit, PE Teams and PTA Fundraising
By The Velocity Wear Team
Leavers get all the attention, but schools buy hoodies all year. Staff want something warm and smart for playground duty. Sports teams want to look like a team at away fixtures. Residential trips want everyone identifiable in a crowd. And PTAs want a fundraiser that isn't another cake sale.
Staff hoodies
Staff on the gate, playground or field in January deserve a decent hoodie. A mid to heavy weight in navy or charcoal with an embroidered school crest on the left chest looks professional. Some schools add STAFF on the back, which helps visitors and children identify an adult quickly on trips or sports days.
Sports team hoodies
Team hoodies in school colours with the sport and team name on the back work well for away fixtures and tournaments. Consider sizing: a Year 7 and a Year 11 are very different shapes. Order a spread of kids' and adult sizes in the same design.
Trip hoodies
For residentials and trips abroad, a bright hoodie makes it far easier to count heads in an airport or theme park. Put the school name on the back. Think carefully about safeguarding before adding individual names. Children's first names printed on the outside can be read by strangers, so many schools avoid it for trips.
PTA fundraising hoodies
PTA hoodies are popular with parents as well as pupils. A design featuring the school's name, maybe illustrated by the children, sells well at Christmas fairs and summer fêtes.
- Run a pre-order so the PTA doesn't hold stock.
- Offer both kids' and adult sizes.
- Be open about the fundraising margin added to each hoodie.
- Children's artwork competitions make a great design and a great story.
Taking payment
Use the school's parent payment system if it allows it. Cash in envelopes leads to lost money and awkward conversations. Set a clear deadline and don't order for anyone who hasn't paid.
Check the crest and colours
Most schools are happy for official kit to use the crest, but ask the head or business manager first, especially for anything sold to parents. Supply the crest as a high-quality file so it embroiders cleanly. Old crests copied from a newsletter tend to be low resolution.
Sports days and school events
On sports days and summer fairs, staff in matching hoodies or tees are easy for children and parents to find. A bright colour with STAFF on the back works well for busy events on the school field.
Keeping records for next year
PTAs change members every year. Save design files, supplier details, pricing and size totals in a shared folder. Next year's committee can reorder in minutes rather than starting again.
Governors and volunteers
School governors, reading volunteers and parent helpers can be included in staff hoodie orders. A matching hoodie helps children recognise trusted adults at events and on trips.
Budgets and quantities
Our minimum is 20 per design, with sizes mixed, including children's and adult sizes. Price per piece drops at 50 and 100, which a whole-school PTA order often reaches. We can invoice schools in pounds. Use the pricing calculator for an estimate.
Allow 10 to 15 working days after artwork approval, plus delivery. For a Christmas fair, approve the design by early November. See our leavers hoodie timeline for Year 11 and Year 13, or browse custom hoodies.
