School uniforms

BlueBelle, absolutely agree, DGD started secondary school this week, When she left junior school there was a leavers disco and a photo and that was that. Many of the children are all going to the same secondary school, most with their friendship group, so they are all continuing together anyway.

FGD and her friends all live close to the same route to school. 18 months ago they organised themselves a walk to school that meant that each joined the group as the journey progressed, thankfully they all got into the same school. They arrive at school in a group of 7. All in their smart (and expensive) school uniforms and after the nervousness of the first day, with happiness and confidence.

My uniform had to be purchased from one specific shop, green blazer, navy skirt, plain green tie, bottle green jumper for 1st 3 years. Pale green summer dresses but these could be home made to a specific pattern. Bottle green cardigans.

4th/5th/6th form uniform changed to navy blazer, grey skirt & jumper, striped tie. Summer uniform was blue/pink or tan dresses. We could wear proper open necked blouses (no ties), girls only which was a bit unfair on the boys

When DD went to Secondary School the uniform had changed to black blazer (bought through School but reasonably priced), school tie, white shirts, black jumper, black skirt or proper trousers (no jeans or leggings). My problem was finding shirts in her size when she was 15/16 (needed adult sizes).

DGS1 is at a Primary School which has sweatshirt with logo, these can be purchased anywhere & logo stitched on by arrangement with the School, white polo shirts & black trousers. I think I'd better get saving for his Secondary School uniform.

I do like a uniform for School but they should be affordable not ridiculous prices & logos aren't required on everything.

Sorry but I think nursery graduations are ridiculous and futile, none of my grandkids schools thankfully have ever had one, it really is so daft

pollyperkins I had that same feeling about ‘graduation from Nursery School’ until I attended my grandson’s big day in the Nursery garden. Each child who would be leaving at the end of term wore a nursery-made black cloak and a sugar paper mortar board they had helped to make. Parents and grandparents were there feasting on cake and other goodies, the weather was perfect and the children were so excited. My grandson when his name was called galloped up with a huge grin to accept his little scroll. Silly I know but such fun and he was really proud.

Our local news had an item the other day about local charities who've organised uniform exchanges where parents can get donated clothes for free. The YMCA is running it in our town, and their spokesman said they couldn't give numbers of the items donated or given out, as no sooner did someone bring in a bagful than it was gone. Most of the local schools are signed up to the schemes, and they must be a huge help, especially to larger families.

Though I must say both my DGSs' sweatshirts and polo shirts were only fit for the recycling after their first year at school. They really will have to devise an alternative to those whiteboard markers!

I actually agree with that Nvella. If they are behaving and getting on with work in class, why start a confrontation about the colour of their socks? It used to annoy me.

I also agree Iam64- my sons went right through their school days without wearing uniforms and they were fine. Also having worked in a school with a strict uniform policy I got very irritated with the staff constantly nagging teenagers on the length of their ties or not wearing their blazer in a heatwave. It seemed to set up unnecessary confrontation.

And don't get me started on 'graduation ' outfits from nursery , primary school etc!

although it is not funny - it's just ridiculous.

During the last Labour government all state schools were sent guidelines on keeping down the costs of uniform and not making them too prescriptive.

That is why I find it odd that some Welsh schools are becoming more prescriptive about expensive uniform - at the same time the Labour Welsh Assembly is cutting the amount of money available to help poorer families with the costs.

All the schools I've taught at (state comprehensives) have had a uniform but many items such as trousers, socks, shirts etc could be bought at lowish cost from supermarkets, m&s etc and only items with the school logo (jumpers, blazers, ties and sports shirts ) had to be bought from the school. There was always a well attended second hand shop for those too. The school did not make any money out of this, items were sold at cost price. Of course that may have changed now so many are privately run academies.
By the way, 3 year olds can be very stubborn about what they will or will nof wear. This is not unusual. I think having uniforms at nursery school is ridiculous. And don't get me started on 'graduation ' outfits from nursery , primary school etc!

I volunteer with a local charity which helps people in need in our area. A huge proportion of the calls we get during July and August are for help with school uniform - the three local secondary schools all require uniform to be bought from a local school outfitters, and most items come with logos. The PE kit alone for one school was over £150, and you can imagine how quickly some of those items will be lost, others will remain unworn in the bottom of the kit bag. The schools do have second hand uniform sales, but you have to be lucky to get the right item in the right size. At one school the girls wear kilts and the stripes are different colours depending on which house the child is in! And don’t get me started on the cost of shoes, which may only last a term. Parents on benefits or low incomes can not possibly afford to provide all these items, but of course they still want to do their best for their children. Surely skirts or trousers with shirts or polo shirts and sweatshirts with a school logo is sufficient and affordable? Even well off parents would welcome saving their hard earned money in this way. When visiting my DD in Australia I saw a charity scheme advertised to sponsor a child from a poor home, sponsorship would provide uniform and support for homework clubs etc. Maybe we should try this in the U.K.?

Good idea, Greenfinch. I gave my lot a clothing allowance when they were around the ages of yours, but didn't include the school uniform. I missed a trick there!

Though to be fair, their high school uniforms were reasonably priced. The white shirts and black skirts, trousers, jumpers and cardigans could be bought anywhere and the blazers, ties and sports kits were sold by the school on what must have been a non-profit basis. It's so sad to hear that the days of rip-off, overpriced uniforms are back. During the last Labour government all state schools were sent guidelines on keeping down the costs of uniform and not making them too prescriptive.

I'm a fan of the uniform system though, having worked in a school in a very deprived area. Non-uniform day and end of term discos used to be a challenge for many families. We used to kit out a lot of children for free from our second-hand store, and in uniform they were no different to everyone else. If any teacher, let alone one in a senior position, is spending 40% of his time checking uniform, that school's leadership needs looking at!

I was a boarder at a Scottish private school and we not only had school uniform but a boarding house uniform as well. This included a Harris tweed overcoat (25 guineas in the 1950's!), and have you any idea what a kilt cost? Parents had to provide bedding, cutlery, coat hangers, table napkins and ring, shoe cleaning kit etc., all named, so stop moaning!

To digress a bit: my children's uniform had to be purchased at Jackson's in Reading and the boys had to wear suits.I used to save up my family allowance for this and every August the whole lot used to be spent on uniform.When they were 15,13 and 11 I decided to give them the allowance to spend on uniform or any other clothes they wanted/needed.Thus they each got the allowance which was about £20 ,once every three weeks.It was amazing how they economised on uniform by not scuffing their shoes and getting another year out of their suits so that they could buy the latest trainers or football kit.

Schools in the UK have become very corporate
There are no academies in Wales but some schools are introducing a strict uniform policy.
At the same time, the Assembly has cut the funding to help poorer families with purchase of uniforms.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-43647152

One good point about children having to wear school uniform is that they need fewer items of other clothing - so it is swings and roundabouts.

I went to a private school in Scotland and the uniform could only be purchased from Forsyth's in Edinburgh. My uniform was so large that it drowned me but 5 years later it was still being worn although a tad tight! Even the grey knickers were uniform! We wore a kilt, white blouse, tie and a tweed jacket on a Sunday.It cost my parents a fortune.

Schools in the UK have become very corporate and uniforms have become a big cash cow. Many of the privatised academies don't allow supermarket uniform items and everything has to be branded with the academy logo - even PE socks.

I don't think strict uniforms actually prevent fashion bullying as the kids look to different subjects such as makes of shoes, brands of school bags, hairstyling and make of mobile phone etc.

My children attended non- uniform schools in Sweden and to be honest I don't think it made any difference to behaviour. If anything clothing was simpler, inexpensive and more practical.

Had ment to thank and agree with easybee and Greenfinch

Nothing new here. I went to a grammar school in the 1950's, the uniform could only be purchased at George Henry Lee (now John Lewis). My parents bought me a blazer that was too big but it lasted until the 5th form!! Had to have a new one for Upper and Lower 6th though. We were in gymslips and white blouses, school tie, lace up shoes, Clark's sandals were essential and gabardine macintosh. In the 6th form we were allowed to wear a skirt instead of a gymslip.

Things weren't so bad 10+ years ago - most schools only requiring a few specific school items, eg tie, blazer, sweatshirt, etc but since the rise of the academy system - with its focus on raising money for their Trusts - uniform supply has provided them with a splendid income!

Granny23 that made me laugh. My grandson has just moved on to school from a wonderful Nursery and quickly observed that jokey conversations with the staff are not for school, nor are funny tee-shirts or the bead necklaces he likes to wear. From 3 to 4 children are finding their feet in the world and being outspoken and outrageous is all part of the fun of growing up. We have spent the last month reminding my GS that he will have to curb the silliness and some of the language (I don’t mean swearing?, leave his necklaces at home and not look for excuses to delay reacting to instructions. He nods wisely and reminds us that we have already told him that countless times.

As for the uniform policy that really is outrageous to need to buy uniform socks and have school logo on everything. My daughter bought one of each item that needed to display the school logo to use on first day of term and assembly day, school trips etc. and two more generic items from the supermarket. Trousers could be dark grey or black so supermarket again.

My parents had to buy my school uniform from Harrods with much grumbling but it was their choice to send me to a snooty convent school which I hated so they deserved it,

I completely agree with easybee about Academies. I mentioned stationery. My grandchildren go to an ordinary state comprehensive and have to provide everything except paper.The pencils have to be HB as well.

Excellent reasons for dumping school uniform and not succumbing to the Academies' rip-offs!

As regards the morning hassle of what to wear - lay it out the night before. Saves lots of time. I’ve always done it myself because I'm not a morning person. When in work I could bath, wash my hair and get dressed and be out the door in 20 minutes! True I have fine hair and it dries quickly!

I was so pleased to read the small child's “back chat”. Why shouldn't she speak her mind? Or should she always kowtow to the “grownups”?

To return to the topic. I was a teacher before I retired I asked the member of the senior staff who was responsible for checking school uniform how much time he spent on this each week. He thought a bit and then replied that he thought it was around 40% of his time. Do the Math – 40% of a senior teacher's salary equals a whole junior teacher. Now how many people still think school uniform is a good idea??

At a school here the school badge on Blazers etc has to be changed depending what year you are in, so effectively a costly change every year.

In the comps where I have taught (Midlands, the non-uniform days always had the lowest attendance as the 'poorer' students had nothing 'suitable' to wear and took the day off.

Don't knock uniform. All the schools I knew 'arranged' to 'help' the students who could not afford it and kept unclaimed lost property items for this purpose.