Even though it might seem a little way off, now is the time to think about the exciting next steps some of your students will be making when they leave you. After the formalities of exams and transitions, comes something equally meaningful: celebrating their journey. Increasingly, schools across the UK are marking this milestone with leavers’ hoodies—a simple yet powerful keepsake that students treasure long after they’ve left the classroom behind.

Here are three compelling reasons why offering leavers’ hoodies to your older students is well worth considering.

1. They Create a Strong Sense of Belonging and Pride

School is a formative time, and for many students, their school community becomes a significant part of their identity. Leavers’ hoodies act as a visual reminder of the friendships, achievements, and shared experiences built over the years.

Wearing the same hoodie gives students a sense of unity—even after they’ve moved on to secondary school, college, apprenticeships or the workforce. It’s a physical symbol of “we did this together,” which is especially important for pupils navigating major transitions. Many schools have found that offering leavers’ hoodies strengthens community spirit, boosts morale, and helps students feel recognised at a pivotal moment in their lives.

2. They’re a Meaningful, Long‑lasting Keepsake

Long after prom tickets are discarded and exam timetables forgotten, leavers’ hoodies remain one of the most loved and enduring mementos of school life. Customisable with the school crest, back print with students’ names, and possibly their nicknames, each hoodie is completely unique.

Many former students keep their hoodie for years—they’re not only practical and comfortable but also sentimental. Even students who don’t normally wear school-branded clothing often make an exception for leavers’ hoodies because they feel personalised in a way that uniform doesn’t.

For staff and parents, they also provide a simple but thoughtful way to celebrate a cohort’s achievements without the cost or complexity of larger events.

3. They Help Build a Positive School Culture

Leavers’ hoodies aren’t just keepsakes—they are powerful tools for building school culture. When pupils see older students proudly wearing them, it creates a sense of aspiration and excitement for future year groups. Younger students see that one day their own Leavers’ Day will come, fostering motivation and a sense of progression.

For schools, the process of organising hoodies can also strengthen communication between staff and students, as year groups enjoy choosing colours, designs or nicknames, helping them feel involved and valued at a crucial stage of their education.

Offering leavers’ hoodies also reinforces your school’s ethos of celebrating achievement, promoting belonging, and recognising the importance of emotional as well as academic development.

A Simple Idea with a Big Impact

Whether your school has hundreds of students or just a small year group, leavers’ hoodies offer a cost‑effective and memorable way to mark the end of an era. They capture the pride, excitement and nostalgia of leaving school—­whether it’s primary or secondary—and help students carry those memories into the next chapter of their lives.

If your school hasn’t offered them before, this year might be the perfect time to start.

Hoodies