School wants to change the uniform!

[tinytalker]

I am after some thoughts and advice please.
Our First and Middle school is amalgamating and will now be called a Primary school with just 1 head teacher instead of the previous 2. The name of the school will remain the same but the school management want to change the school logo as previously there were 2 (one for First school and one for the Middle).
No problems so far.
Well on Friday the kids came out of school all excited that they were going to have a whole new school uniform in a completely different colour scheme and that they had been surveyed to ask which colour they preferred.
This is the first that the parents had heard about this and most people I have spoken to are not happy.
The school is 75yrs old and has always had the same uniform, we are proud of our smart colour scheme and 'proper' shirts, ties and jumpers. The school wants to introduce generic sweatshirts in a colour that 4 other schools in the borough have! We are one of only 2 schools that have bottle green and gold colour scheme.
Our PTA has a shed load of second hand uniform which we sell for school funds and to help lower income families. If the uniform changes this will all have to be chucked!
Can the school do this without consulting the parents?
Is there anything we can do about it?

[IndigoBell]

I believe it's the school governors who decide / approve the uniform policy.

[scurryfunge]

Most schools introduce new uniform for those who are new to the school and let the old uniform wearers fade out gradually as they leave.

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

It happened here when the ds's schools became a Primary. TBH I wasn't that bothered. I know there is a cost implication which can hit some harder than others but my ds's need new sweaters most years anyway.

I wouldn't have minded a choice in the colour, their's went from a fairly practical red to pale blue which shows all the marks!

All their old sweaters were collected and sent off to some charity.

[lovecheese]

When you think about it tinytalker, from a financial point of view all that you will have to buy different are jumpers or cardigans and as doyouthinktheysaurus says most kids will need new each year anyway.

[IndigoBell]

And the generic sweatshirts are much much cheaper. You can often buy them for £2 or £3 from asda etc, so the lower income families will be the one who benefit the most....

[katiestar]

I can understand you being upset.The uniform is obviously a long tradition ( although I have to admit I am very surprised that a state primary would have had a uniform 70 years ago) and it is something that makes the school special.
YANBU

[PoppetUK]

I'd be a bit upset as I've got three kiddies and I've forked out on quiet a few uniforms so they can be passed down the kids. Obviously the more I have the less worn they look at the end of the year and as they are dark blue they look pretty good so far. Fleece just to used in winter and DD takes it on PE days as she finds it quicker for dressing. I also confess that I found some really good M&S trousers in the donations box for DS. They look great and due to shortages in the stores from us arriving and starting in October I was very pleased. I'm glad ours don't wear shirts and ties.

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

DS's school amalgamated the year before he started and changed the uniform. From talking to mums with older children at the school there was much wailing about the colour of the sweatshirts/change in general (the children voted on the colour). Now though things to have settled down.

I'm so glad we don't have shirts & ties though, too formal for primary I think...

[pozzled]

I know of a school that gave every child in the school a new sweatshirt when they changed the uniform. Hopefully the school will come up with some ways of helping with the cost, especially for those on a lower income.

I think a new uniform is actually a nice way of marking the occasion for the children, it's a very clear way of saying that this is a new school they are all joining.

I also do think that children should be in sweatshirts and fleeces rather than shirts and ties, they're so much more comfortable.

[Panelmember]

The DCSF (as was) issued guidance on school uniform - there's a summary here. There seem to be lots of points in the guidance - consultation, thinking about costs to parents, thinking about timescales for introducing new uniform - that your school hasn't followed.

To be frank, I don't think you can argue that because the uniform was appropriate in 1935 it's appropriate now or that it can never, ever change. Many parents are likely to prefer the convenience of sweatshirts and polo shirts. But you can, I think, insist that the school goes about things in the right way. Write to the governors - or perhaps better still, encourage the PTA to write to the governors - to say that you expect the DCSF guidance on consultation to be followed. (When it comes to considering the new uniform, by the way, there is also guidance from the Office of Fair Trading (I'm sure you can find it by googling) that says that schools should not set up monopolies with sole suppliers).

[crazymum53]

All existing pupils at my dds primary school were given a free sweatshirt when the infant and junior schools amalgamated.
There was also the option of buying sew-on badges with the new logo to adapt existing sweatshirts as they kept the same colour scheme!

[ChippyMinton]

I'm with you OP. Your uniform sounds very similar to ours and I love it. DC do not have an issue with wearing shirts and ties and everyone looks smart without any effort. It reflects the school's ethos tbh.

What colour have they chosen?

[Hulababy]

DD's school changed aspects of its uniform in the last year or two. We had a two year change over period where either uniform items could be used. They did keep key aspects like the colour, the ties, the badge and the school coats/hats though. Our school did it due to supplier issues andit has resulted in lower costs for uniform items overall. There are some aspects of the new uniform I am not keen on, but others are good changes.

IMO schools can do this without consulting parents. But they do need to give a decent amount of change over time to make it fair.

[Hulababy]

Pixie - DD manages to do all school activities in a full uniform including a tie, including painting, science experiments, drama sessions, music and singing, outdoor activities, cookery, woodwork, etc. She also happily plays outside at skippingm using the climbing wall, running around, etc. All wearing a tie. It certainly does not hinder any of her schoola ctivities at all. Likewise I had a tie when I went to school - was more common back then - and it never hindered my play or learning either. DD doesn't find her tie uncomfortable at all and has worn it from 4y with no complaints in the slightest. They don't have it in the summer, so in terms of getting too hot, etc. there are no concerns there.

[glasscompletelybroken]

My kids school changed uniform and asked the kids what colour they wanted. They have ended up with a navy sweatshirt, royal blue polo shirt and black skirts/trousers. It looks ridiculous and scruffy. it's OK asking the kids but someone has to take charge of the final decision or you end up with something awful.

I would feel like you do tinytalker as I hate it when traditions are made to give way for the latest trendy idea. Also it does seem silly to pick a colour so many other schools are already using.

If you think a lot of parents feel the same you could gather support and write to the Governing body about it.

[pointythings]

Any school that made primary age children wear a shirt and tie would have to be gold-plated, diamond-encrusted marvellous for me even to consider it. Even then I'd probably go elsewhere. Why should anyone want to turn their children into little office clones when they're still so young?
Why can't schools just have a dress code - x colour sweater, x colour polo shirt or shirt, black/grey/navy trousers or skirt, sensible shoes? Logos should be limited to one item of school clothing only, probably the sweater, not plastered over everything - children are not billboards for free advertising.
Most of all, schools should not be allowed to profiteer from parents with expensive sole supplier deals.
Other countries all over Europe manage without uniforms and do better than the UK in the international league tables. Uniform - meh. Go on, flame me.

[IAmReallyFabNow]

I wish our school would change the uniform as shops that used to sell the jumpers no longer do so. It is only the school uniform shop that sells them at ££££.

[birthdaychick]

They're changing at my dd's school. It's going to cost a fortune. From polo shirt, navy skirt, navy sweatshirt, navy tights to grey skirt, £15 jumper (colour to be decided), grey tights, tie and proper shirts. So basically the whole lot. PITA. Am very opposed to this idea!

[tinytalker]

I think uniform is what makes British schools stand out from those in the US and Europe. I know it doesn't mean the school is any better but it does on fact make all children equal no matter what their family income. It means we don't waste time choosing clothes for school and falling prey to peer pressure on the latest trends and there can be no bullying on the grounds of fashion. That is why American schools have this culture of Jocks, geeks and fashion victims, because the kids can be easily pigeon holed and bullied according tho what they choose to wear.

Our current school uniform is a lovely bottle green, it is very practical. They want to change it to either Royal blue or bright red (samples shown have been very bright gaudy colours)!
I find sweatshirts and polo shirts don't wash well, fade quickly and lose their shape.
Don't you wonder why the top schools in the country don't wear polo shirts and sweatshirts? I really don't think a £4 BHS sweatshirt will last very long!
My view is that the change of colour scheme is unnecessary and I would rather the school spent the money they will spend on rebranding the curriculum. They will need new stationary, book bags, hats, signage, PE kit etc.
There is no problem or issue with the old uniform, if it 'aint broken, don't fix it'!!
I am also cross that the school has just presented us with the decision without asking for our input, we are the ones who will be forking out for it.
Thanks panelmember for the link, that is very helpful.

[IAmReallyFabNow]

Change for changes sake is ridiculous. Spend the money on more necessary things.

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

I'm presuming you pay for your DCs education? If you aren't happy, vote with your feet.
I think that your argument regarding 'traditional' schools not wearing sweatshirts is ridiculous. My DH is a teacher and taught at an Eton Harrow equivalent. The uniform was laughable and impractical and I know that most of the boys would have chopped an arm off to wear a less formal uniform.

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

And, I would kill for my DD to wear a uniform. The competition surrounding clothing is fierce, even aged 9

[ChippyMinton]

Think it's a state school, kreecher.
Most of the local primaries here wear shirt and tie or at least a polo shirt with a proper jumper.

[fedupwithdeployment]

My DS (6) wears a shirt and tie and it looks great AND he loves it. State school. We are moving and the (good) local schools only have "sweatshirt" uniform. doesn't look anywhere near as good imo.