School Uniforms?

I had this 20-25 years ago at high school and always felt guilty! It was never me, I was fairly good but I guess they were preaching to the converted about this!

As for the debate about uniform, whilst I disagree with the unaffordable cost of it all. I do have to say that I am old school and like a uniform. It gives a sense of belonging, for most it sets a standard and gives kids motivation to learn etc etc. I’m a teacher, and less strict about what the children wear in my classroom, I’m honestly happy if they are in school, I’d rather see them on their seats, than not at all because they can’t afford the uniform costs, but there are elements of wearing it that make it a necessity for me. They stop wearing uniform, and respect goes. I don’t wear a uniform, but often don’t wear my teaching fatigues anywhere other than my classroom, so it’s a uniform of sorts.

Im sorry but lack of uniform and you are lurching into a lack of respect territory and there has been enough of that from children and teenagers in the UK this summer!!

I agree. I totally understand and get uniform but many schools manage to be relaxed about it and some are just fascist about it

I always found my uniform perfectly comfy. I used to take my blazer off when I got home because it's a sort of hybrid inside/outside item and I didn't need it at home but never bothered changing anything else until bedtime. Never realised till years later on threads like these I was meant to have found it uncomfortable and be throwing it off the second I stepped through the door.

@FloralGums "comfy" ?
😂😂😂😂😂😂
I'm sorry but I've yet to find a formal shirt, tie and blazer that's comfy in my life.
Obviously if it's the polo shirt, sweatshirt and trackies combo that would be reasonably be ok but the vast majority of secondary schools it's blazer and tie and many primaries are doing that now too.

Secondary school uniform should be polo shirts like primary. Those white shirts need ironing (by me) and DC don't like wearing them.
I hardly ever wear shirts for this reason!

Uniform is comfy and cheap. It can be bought secondhand and many schools give it free to those in need.
I am a TA and all my kids uniform is second hand. It’s in great condition. They keep it on when they come out of school as it’s comfy.

What have you spent a fortune on? Did your DC not have clothes for non school days then?

My two went to a non-uniform 6th form. They knew that money was a limited resource, and have known from when they were very young that additcion to brands basically makes you a sheep. They got an allowance and spent it sensible on good second hand clothing that they really liked, augmented with some special things they saved up for. It isn't rocket science to raise a child that doesn't slavishly follow trends.

If you look at Western Europe, the UK is an oddity.

Elsewhere in the world, you get uniform either in former UK colonies (African countries, NZ, Australia) or in countries where conformity is valued above all else (China, Japan, Korea). Uniform is not the norm in the countries which are most like the UK.

@Flyhigher what have you had to buy for college? (I assume you are meaning a 16+ college).
My daughter is going into Year 12 at her non uniform SEN school which includes a bit of doing some classes at a local college.
I've bought her some new stationary for this year. That's it. And technically I didn't have to buy that because she has loads already but she wanted some new bits and I was happy to buy it.
I've not needed to buy any new clothes because she will be wearing the same clothes she's been wearing all year (t-shirts and trackies). She's stopped growing so only needs new clothes when they fall apart.
So what have you had to buy? Why can't she wear the clothes she already owns now there's no uniform?

The majority of the western world countries don’t have school uniforms. The uk wastes teaching time policing antiquated uniform policies.

Why have you found it more expensive? DT’s were non uniform from 4-18 and then Uni - I saved a fortune compared with the costs of school uniform in the local schools. Didn’t buy much new for Uni as they already had casual clothes from their school days.

My DCs primary school is quite relaxed about uniform but over the last few years has been gradually moving more towards their "pe uniform" (non-branded joggers, tshirt and hoodie) being worn more and more often. I really hope this is part of a longer term plan to make this their only uniform. It still looks smart but is far more comfortable, flexible and affordable. AND would mean the girls finally get to wear shoes (trainers) every day that they can run about in and keep their feet dry!

Disagree. My DD is going to college and I've spent a fortune already.
School uniform is much cheaper and better.

The UK is not even close to being the only country in the world that has school uniforms as it's norm so I have no idea why you appear to be acting like it is.

I was so annoyed about girls shoes having "holes" in them in every shop. Bloody wall-to-wall dolly shoes with impractical straps exposing half the foot. We walk to school. She needs her feet covered.
I got these from ASDA in the end but they had to be ordered online. The supermarket itself was just full of the impractical "pretty" ones. I don't want to have to order online, I need to know they fit!

Drives me mad, it's so sexist.

direct.asda.com/george/school/girls-school-shoes-trainers/black-patent-butterfly-light-up-cupsole-school-shoes/GEM1118144,default,pd.html?cgid=D10M20G1C3

The British have a strange fetish for style over substance. They believe that for a child to grow into a functioning adult in the workplace, the child must wear ridiculous, uncomfortable clothes for the entirety of their school years. If this doesn't happen, the world as we know it will come to an end. Uniform, according to the British, has mythical, magical properties: it prevents bullying, improves educational achievement and saves a ton of money.

This means that there are two possible conclusions to be drawn:

1. British kids are fundamentally different from kids in countries where there is no uniform. They are so stupid that they need 12 years to learn that when you go into work, you need to dress appropriately for that particular workplace.
2. It's all bullshit.

I've seen nothing so far to suggest that option 1 is in any way plausible.

Yet they consistently say that they’re preparing them for the ‘real world’ and giving them independent life skills….

I'm unsure which option to vote for as I agree with your concerns but not your method of solving them.

I think uniform is a good thing. It's good for work mindset, a sense of belonging and pride and it's a great leveller. As a child who grew up in extreme poverty, I dreaded mufti days. Having to go to school in my own clothes every day would have been my idea of Hell.

Uniform needs to be affordable (whilst bearing in mind that parents are having to buy less "normal" clothes while their children wear uniform) and easily obtained.

I was SHOCKED to see someone say on a different thread that a blazer for a 7 year old was costing £140. That is completely unacceptable when I got mine for an 11 year old for £38.

I am also unsure what these "uniform shops" people on mumsnet talk about are. There's nothing like that round here. All our schools just have the compulsory logoed bits you order through their website 365 days of the year and then you just buy the generic bits from supermarkets or wherever. These uniform shops sounds really impractical.

So I would say fix the uniforms and uniform buying process, not eliminate uniforms

Ours are allowed to wear plain matt lace up or zip up boots, like kicker boots. No heels, no patterns or decorations. Girls school shoes in particular are not great in winter as don't cover whole foot. Boys shoes do tend to cover whole foot but they can wear similar to girls - a matt plain lace up boot

Ah yes the crazy blazer rule is a relative newcomer - in the 80's we were judged to be responsible enough to determine how hot we were - kids these days don't have the skills, they definitely need a teacher to tell them - poor buggers - when will they learn the basics.

Absolutely agree! My daughter got a detention for taking off her blazer when she was feeling hot… as they’re only allowed to take them off when the teacher gives them permission in hot weather. Baffling that the teacher knows how my daughter feels better than my daughter does isn’t it!!

The other weird thing - for such a wet country - they aren't allowed to wear boots - even the boys weren't allowed to wear ankle boots under their trousers - it's bloody bonkers - no doubt things will change but schools are slow to progress, all that education doesn't always mean they are progressive. They dig their heels in and resist change - tradition till the end - regardless of reason. I often find that both baffling and worrying.

I remember being grateful for having school uniforms in this country as it meant I didn't have to worry about being 'caught' wearing the same few 'outfits' over and over again! It also meant non-uniform days were a novelty, but even then I remember one of my friends saying "could've guessed what you were going to wear today".

It's so much easier to have uniform than thinking what to wear each day. But it should be non specific as far as possible.
My daughter in infants has to wear a grey dress or skirt, grey socks or tights, a white polo shirt and a royal blue jumper. And royal blue tracksuit/shorts with a royal blue t shirt and jumper. Can be plain or school logo. Without logo's can get it all for under £40. Juniors are same but have to wear a white shirt with tie which is £6.

Another thing I would add, is that people often say the uniform thing is to reduce bullying. So they all look the same. But has it really done that?? Because in my experience, you can still tell at school who has the ‘best’ clothes and trainers etc. by the school shoes they wear, bag they carry, coat if the school allows one, the trainers for PE, what they wear on non uniform days etc. If anything, I think it’s even more obvious. At school in my home country, the kids just wear comfy clothes. They’re pretty much all in jeans, leggings t shirts and hoodies. There is definitely more individuality on show, but that’s almost celebrated. Rather than have all children lining the same, we have them all looking different and being themselves. I don’t think there is any less / more bullying from not wearing uniform.