Expensive School Uniform

[Verbena37]

I know uniform threads have been done but I've just ordered DS new yr 7 uniform and dd another skirt in a bigger size.

I'm shocked as to why we need to buy so many logo items!
Last year, the school became an academy and decided that it would replace its manky looking uniform. It did look manky.

However, rather than replace with simple to wear, smart but cheap to purchase stuff, they've opted to make it really expensive. We can afford it but for families on low incomes, buying uniform (especially with more than one child there) it must be a nightmare.

So without the skort, the price for DS alone, not including trousers and shirts, which I will buy separately from Next, it costs:

Blazer- £24.99
PE Mesh Tshirt- £10.75
PE rugby top- £17.74
Sport Shorts- £9.25
PE socks- £4.00

So that's £66.73 plus £3.95 pp.

The sizing is also rubbish so it means I have to buy a blazer that fits him now rather than a size bigger and will have to buy another one in probably about six months. The bigger size looks ridiculous and drowned him.

I really like kids to wear a smart uniform but logo everything is getting stupid!

[Arkwright]

That's really cheap compared to our school.

[Verbena37]

I assume your school is also a state secondary Arkwright?

[MaQueen]

To be honest I think that's pretty cheap, too.

[Arkwright]

Yes in quite a deprived area.

Logo blazer
Logo jumpers
Patterned summer blouses
Logo pe shorts
Logo pe top
Logo tracksuit bottoms
Logo pe jumper
Patterned hockey socks

[EndoplasmicReticulum]

I just bought - logo blazer
2x logo trousers (why? does anyone even check?)
masses of logo PE kit - only one of each but there were shorts, rugby shirt, short sleeved shirt and hoody and socks.
Oh and tie (plus a spare for when he loses it).

£150.

State school. It's a big difference from primary where the only logo was on the sweatshirt and everything else was just basic (and very cheap) uniform which you could get anywhere.

[Verbena37]

Really?
That's terrible!!
I think it's terrible making families pay that much for one child's uniform....especially when they grow out of it so quickly.

[TheHobbitMum]

I'd love your bill! Each child costs us £400 to kit out to start with Nothing from a supermarket or high street :(

[Verbena37]

That has to be private school surely?
No state school child needs that amount spending on uniform.

[Paulat2112]

Our kids blazers are £60 a pop! They are 4&7! Yours is cheap lol

[Verbena37]

Who stated in government that schools can make parents pay so much for logo stuff? It's bonkers!

I'm pretty sure there'll be some legislation somewhere that says state schools cannot make parents pay for logo stuff and that there should be a choice. I'm sure I've read it somewhere?

[TeenAndTween]

I just spent £82 on all uniform except normal shirts, trousers and skirts.
DD1's lasted her the full 5 years so if DD2's lasts too I'll think I had a bargain.
However I suspect DD2's will need replacing as, unlike her sister, she hasn't really done her growth spurt yet.

[DianaMitford]

Consider yourself lucky. £800 for my eldest DD uniform (boarding school, admittedly) and £500 for younger DD at her prep school. Crazy prices but what can you do? No other items acceptable and very little in the way of secondhand.

[MaQueen]

It cost us roughly £700 each to kit our DDs out. That includes their uniform, PE kit and equipment, coat, shoes and bag.

They're at a state grammar.

[Pooka]

State school.

£32 for skirt/Kilt
£22 for 2 open neck blouses
£20 for jumper/cardigan
PE kit was £45 - shorts/t shirt/joggers/fleece.

Realistically you need at least a couple of jumpers/skirts. Was expensive. But... Dd just finishing year 8 and haven't had to replace anything. She's shot up, but kilt still fits and is not too short. Adjustable waist, as she's grown her waist has narrowed. Cardigans are fine. All good quality.

[Orangetoffee]

State secondary, uniform prices are about the same as yours but we also have to buy logod skirts/trousers for girls (boys can buy non logo trousers). No p&p as can collect from shop.

[StillRabbit]

DS is at local state comp...DD went to state grammar. DS uniform way more expensive than DDs. Only item I can buy from 'ordinary' fo DS are shirts and underwear, EVERYTHING else has to gave the logo. DDs only school specific item were the jumper and PE shirts with logo; everything else was generic and I just bought the iron on blazer badge from the school office. Fortunately the total for DS at the beginning of year 7 was only about £300.... this summer I am hoping to get away with a new blazer £32.99 and two new pairs of trousers £19.99 each.

[Acopyofacopy]

Local comp, ds kit for Y7 was £200 in the uniform shop (blazer, ties, PE and rugby kit, jumper), plus "normal" trousers, shirts, shoes, football boots, art pack, iPad (yes, they all need their own!). That was a bloody expensive summer.

[LockedOutOfMN]

OP, can you buy the school logo and sew it onto unbranded items from another, less expensive shop?

Our school sells the logos separately so we can sew them onto plain polo shirts, jumpers and blazers (as well as selling eye-wateringly pricey ones with the logos on already). This means we just need to buy the - also pricey - skirt for girls, plus the P.E. kit, from the uniform shop. Boys' trousers, shoes, trainers and socks can come from cheaper shops.

[Balletgirlmum]

That's really cheAp.

All the schools in my area (I've got nephews & neices at different schools to my children) require one specific skirt or trousers with a logo on the wAistband. They cost about £20 each.

Blazers are about £30-35. Then there are logo PE skirt/shorts & tracksuit & polo shirt.

This is in a fAirly deprived city.

[Verbena37]

Whilst our u inform seems cheaper than most, I still don't believe state school children should be made to wear such expensive uniforms.
We can afford it but it's the principle.

The whole point of a state education is that it's free for all and I think expecting people to buy unnecessary logo kit is beyond reasonable.

[forkhandles4candles]

That is why I love our liberal London no uniform borough.

[Hockeydude]

Then hand on your uniform when your dc have finished with it to someone less rich than yourself.

Your bill isn't unreasonable at all.

[SpaceKablooie]

OP, I agree with you - parents shouldn't be expected to spend a lot on school uniforms. I think that logos that you can sew on yourself should be available.

[apple1992]

Is it compulsory? Ours are similar, but the items that are only actually compulsory are blazer and tie. Everything else can come for tesco or asda.

[OhTheRoses]

DD state comp 2009

Blazer 92.50
Blouses £60 for 4
Skirt £27
Jumper £27
Sweatshirt £27
Embroidered PE hoodie 32.50
Socks, shorts, aertex £20
Leotard £20

Plus of course shoes, trainers, plain coat, bag.