Just read the bloody uniform policy!!!

They'll be the ones sad facing it that their kid has been told that they need to wear closed toe and covered shoes, not sandals because it's against their human rights not to wear flip flops/ it's body shaming and sexualising their daughter by expecting her to follow the reasonable expectations that ALL students that their stomachs covered.

No the rule was closed top shoes not closed toe. Don't think teenagers wear sandals - that's more for oldies like me! The rule for closed top shoes pretty much rules out any form of slip on. Strangely, 2 of the styles of approved Clarks shoes at my strict grammar school would have been forbidden at this school! Well they all would because they were brown.

😂😂😂😂😂😂. Get a grip love.

Why on earth would someone waste £100 on WV shoes for school? Ballet shoe style is totally impractical for school and imo why would you spend £100 on a pair of shoes for a child when their feet are still growing.
No sympathy for punishments by a school in these circumstances.

It's right there in the article under other:

• No dental retainers, even clear ones

I don’t see that in the policy. I do see (in the context of jewellery) that clear piercing retainers cannot be worn. But nothing to do with dental retainers.

Using cost of living crisis as an excuse when they’re referring to extremely expensive designer shoes is ludicrous. The VW shoes are £100, if you have £100 to spend on one child’s school shoes you are NOT struggling financially.

I agree re uniform policy as well, so many parents flout the rules then whinge when their precious child is told off.

They prevent poorer kids being picked on for not wearing the designer shoes, skirts etc. its an excellent way to anonomise wealth and poverty.

Only really possible if you don't know where your classmates live or you don't see them out of school.

Oulu
I'd happily teach somewhere with or without a uniform.

I'd take either a uniform or non-uniform school with dress code.

What would be the deal-breaker for me is whether the school had consistent policies and standards so I could teach.

I suspect that you'd get a lot of parents who don't like uniform, would prefer non-uniform but are sensible, reasonable types to send their children to the non-uniform school. I would too for my DC.

I also suspect you'd get a lot of silly/weak/permissive parents opting for the non-uniform school who would be as ridiculous and childish as they are when their children are in a uniform school. The sorts of parents who are apparently incapable of following simple uniform expectations are also the parents who'll be the first to moan that their child's being picked on because they can't wear (insert item of clothing here that is outside the dress code). They'll be the ones sad facing it that their kid has been told that they need to wear closed toe and covered shoes, not sandals because it's against their human rights not to wear flip flops/ it's body shaming and sexualising their daughter by expecting her to follow the reasonable expectations that ALL students that their stomachs covered .

Unfortunately there's a large minority of parents who either lack the maturity to function in adult life and are stuck in petulant teenager mode, or they're weak parents who will give in to whatever their child pesters over.

It also provides a wonderful label for stalkers and pedophiles to help track their targets.

What i think is ridiculous is parents that can't read a policy and adhere to it at a school they have chosen for their kids.

My kids school is incredibly strict on everything, including uniform, no one fights it because we all picked the school on the basis of these high standards.

I cannot understands why parents are so bloody stupid and then moan to the media like a pair of shoes is more important than their kids education.

(PS - those shoes were so shit, both the NIKE and VW - money doesn't buy taste at all.)

This is so not true.

A secondary teacher who says girls dress like hookers? Your post is so disgusting.

Also what do you think happens in countries like France/Spain/Italy/Netherlands... As someone who has been a pupil and a teacher in non uniform schools (in Spain and then Colombia) - I can't say I was blown away by the sudden change of academic standards brought about by uniform when I moved to the UK 🤣

I've also never worked with a teacher who accused their pupils of dressing like hookers though!

Parents aren't entering into a contract with the school. They often don't even have a choice about which school the DC can go to, much less a non uniform one. And lastly, uniforms do not in practice function as protection for many poor DC because for some reason we allow schools to specify badged uniform from a particular stockist.

It would be interesting to see what would happen if the law changed so that at least 50% of the school places in any given area had to be in schools without uniforms. Then the mythical choice that people on this thread keep referring to might actually become fact, and when parents can vote with their feet the results could be very telling. We could also watch teachers vote with their feet and aim at the schools where they can spend their time teaching instead of enforcing pointless uniform rules.

No, there is no contract between parents and state schools, @Solonge.

As has been pointed out numerous times on this thread, uniform doesn't prevent anyone from being picked on. With or without it, children can work out extremely easily who is well off and who isn't.

You also cannot know anything about the English school system if you really believe people can easily choose to move their child to a non-uniform school.

Sorry that was in response to Ladybirds post!

Totally agree with this! Sensible rules I totally support the school with, rules that seem to be stuck to just because...no. Its been upwards of 27 degrees this week here and no relaxation of uniform apart from pupils can 'carry blazers ' instead of wearing them. Head teacher finally sent a message out yesterday to say they can leave them at home... Her message was truly so passive aggressive and referred to parents 'negativity' regarding uniform wearing in the heat, I was gobsmacked. No common sense shown, just dogged determination to not back down despite the sweltering heat. I normally tell my dds to get on with it but have really sympathised with them the last few days!

When a parent chooses a school they are entering into a contract and thereby agree to abide by the rules. School uniforms are a form of protection. They prevent poorer kids being picked on for not wearing the designer shoes, skirts etc. its an excellent way to anonomise wealth and poverty. If you dont accept the uniform policy im sure you could choose another school. The mother who was complaining about her daughters VW shoes said her daughter had worn the shoes for 2 years at her primary school without a problem. A. I doubt if any child at 9 years of age can fit in the same shoes at 11 and B. The secondary school clearly has a different uniform policy to the primary school. Isnt education the most important priority? It was for me with my kids.

No child thinks and plans about what they will wear at school. In practice at schools without uniform rules, they wander in wearing jeans and hoodies or T shirts.

Completely agree.
Entitled Parenting....the rules are just for the masses surely not for their little darlings.

If the word "entitled" had been so much in vogue 120 years ago, you can bet that spluttering men would have been writing to the papers moaning about entitled women protesting against the rules against universal suffrage and saying that for them "the rules are just for the masses surely not for their little darling selves and their little darling friends."

Personally I think children are entitled' to sensible rules, made for justifiable reasons relating to safety/attainment. Not rules controlling all aspects of their appearance, based on the personal preference of a particular head teacher!

Another thread where the word 'entitled' appears to be grossly mis/overused.

Completely agree.
Entitled Parenting....the rules are just for the masses surely not for their little darlings.

Seriously I feel sorry for the kids as they've been singled out due to naff parenting skills...
Either they

1. Can't say no or
2. Want their kids to feel 'better' than others

1. Is sad 2. is worse.

I didn't say those rules where right I said we survived. I went to a school in a wealthy part of North London it was very mixed competing with girls whose parents could afford endless outfit changes would have been much more damaging to the soul. Going to their parties was stressful enough, thank god for vintage shops! Much easier to put on a uniform no need to think or plan. Plus you could always roll your skirt up wear an oversize jumper or change up yr tie knot as soon as you left the school grounds.

You must live in a utopian paradise. I have had both situations non uniform school children divide into groups, constant arguments about what is suitable for school some children turning up in new clothes every week its a head wreaker. Your children sound extremely mature and incredibly sensible amazeballa