Summer v winter uniform

[TooTweeOrNotTooTwee]

Apologies, didn't grow up in the UK:

Are there set dates for when summer or winter uniform is worn? Or is it a case of seeing what the weather is like? Do schools issue guidance on the subject?

DD is starting in reception this year and most of all I just want to avoid sending her in in clothes that are different from everyone else's!

If wearing summer dress, do they always wear a cardigan too going in in the morning?

So many questions!!

[MrsJoeyMaynard]

The guidelines in our school is that summer uniform is compulsory after half term in the summer term, and optional until the first half term of the autumn and summer terms.

But this may vary from school to school, so best to check guidelines at your school - maybe try the school website if you don't know other parents at the school yet?

[BackforGood]

Can only speak for state schools myself, but no restrictions - just go on the weather.
Normally, yes, it's not so warm first thing that you would go without a cardigan, but, hey hoy we are about due another heatwave, so we can live in hope

[Foxsox]

I'd say check with your school.
Dd's school don't have a rule but I prefer winter uniform from Oct half term to Easter an the summer dresses easter right through to Ovt half term.
Cardys are worn if it's not HOT and I'll add tights as it gets closer to Oct and perhaps the the start of the summer term if it's not quite warm enough.
Hope that helps

[CrazyDuchess]

Summer uniform can be worn in the second half of spring term untill the first half term of autumn but nor compulsory.

Summer uniform cannot he worn outside of these times.. but that's just my dds school

[VerbenaGirl]

At my younger DDs Primary there are no guidelines and we just go with the weather. There is usually a mixture, although from what I remember most new September starters are in the winter variation. At my elder DDs Senior School they stipulate down to sock length - but are very good at communicating what's what.

[LittleBearPad]

I wouldn't bother getting summer uniform for her to start reception in Seotember. She'll get very little use from it and will likely have grown out of it by the time she needs it next summer.

[noramum]

It depends on the school. DD's school is not bothered. You can see girls wearing Summer dresses all Summer term until October half term and the same amount wears skirts and shirts.

They normally take a cardigan and loose it at morning play time.

You can also spot the ones with older siblings, they may wear Summer dresses when starting school while the really new children wear winter uniform because it rains.

DD started in winter uniform, swapped to a Summer dress beginning of October due to a mini heat wave.

My friend's DCs go to a school where the head insists on Summer uniform when Spring term starts. One year the parents revolted because they were still wearing padded winter coats instead of a thin rain coat.

[Dungandbother]

DS can in theory wear his shorts all year round if he so desires. And his tank top. Mine always wear short sleeves, both DD and DS because it's so hot in school.

Absolutely weather dependent.

[TooTweeOrNotTooTwee]

Thank you.

I have a second hand summer dress in DD's current size so she has that in case that's what everyone wears in September. I might need to get another one actually as she's quite messy!

I'll try to find out from the school. She's both anxious and excited about starting and doesn't know anyone at the school so want to make those first few days as easy as possible for her.

[ShelaghTurner]

Yes check with the school. We're very strict 1 May to 1 October for summer uniform.

[AndNowItsSeven]

Please don't send her in summer uniform in September even if it's boiling hot, it's not against the rules but especially in reception she will be the only one.

[BackforGood]

I think that must be school dependent andnowitssevn, as I've seen plenty of Reception dc in Summer dresses in the Autumn

[AndNowItsSeven]

Must be area dependant , kind of like all the middle class kids wearing mismatching Boden at the sats strikes.

[AndNowItsSeven]

If you typed middle class kids wearing good quality but mismatching clothes into google images this is what you would see.

[ReallyTired]

Wait and see what the weather is like. Most first borns wear winter uniform, but if we do have a heat wave then you can buy a summer dress or two by ordering online if necessary.

If the school has a nursery class then there will be more children in summer uniform.

[hels71]

In DD s school they can wear whatever uniform they like all year....there are a couple of girls who wear their dresses even in December. When she started lots of the girls had summer dresses in reception...

[Yokohamajojo]

In our small school, the change over to summer uniform is after the Easter Break with a couple of weeks optional winter/summer uniform depending on weather

[NotCitrus]

They can wear summer dresses whenever at our school, but at the start of Reception the only ones who would would have been in the school nursery or have older sisters. People buying new uniform don't get summer stuff until the summer.

[SecretSpy]

Our school sends a letter out sayicanyou can ummersummer uniform from now (generally the May /June holiday) until end of summer term. But I let mine wear it in Sept too if it's hot. It's school uniform and clean /tidy so I'm not bothered if it's 'not allowed'

DS won't wear shorts for school, he doesn't do change.

[SecretSpy]

Oops sorry my phone seems to be a bit drunk. Damn autocarrot

[attheendoftheday]

At our school it's flexible, you wear it when you want.

I agree most reception kids will go straight into winter clothes.

Do you know any parents with kids already at school to ask?

[Arkwright]

Primary school no rules.
Secondary school after Easter to end of July.

[EarthboundMisfit]

Check with school. Ours doesn't care and there's always a mix.

[onemouseplace]

Our school doesn't have a rule - there was a mix of girls starting in summer uniform when DD started, but mainly ones who had either been in the school nursery class, or had older siblings. DD started in winter uniform and so did plenty of the other girls.

[HeadDreamer]

Ours don't have a rule either. I see plenty still wearing winter uniform now. It's just a skirt + polo so essentially it's good all year round. Many starts wearing summer uniform after easter. I'd not buy a new summer dress now unless you have second hand ones given to you. They'll be in a bigger size by Easter.