To aka what you think to this change of school uniform??

Sure, a mix of options is fine, but the user I quoted is specifically anti-shorts, and I think pro skirts-only (hence my apology for slight derail, as the OP isn't). Presumably that means no cycling shorts under skirts either - just pants.

"Thank God some schools still have a traditional uniform for girls! Who wears shorts as uniform? My DDs didn’t except for pe. Why cannot girls wear skirts and dresses? My DDs didn’t want to look like female footballers every day"

Oops. Only read the original post

Our school has all the options of skirts, pinafores, trousers, shorts, summer gingham dresses and those gingham playsuits. The latter being not official uniform but never been a problem.

The majority of girls choose skirts and dresses and some of them choose to wear cycling shorts under the summer dresses. Nearly all of them spend their break times cartwheeling and swinging on the bars upside down whenever they can. Unhindered by their skirts.

Choice is important. I don't see why skirts need to be banned as long as shorts and trousers are also an option

I’ve never had a polo shirt last a whole school year, let alone be in good enough condition for it to be passed down - especially a white one!

@ZanzibarIsland joggers are also on the revised uniform list

Sounds like a sensible uniform for primary age kids, I’ve always thought comfort and ease of movement should be top priority. Never mind “looking smart” I’d rather they can run around. Girls do seem to wear shorts under dresses so why not cut out the extra layer.

The bit I would question is them wearing PE kit all day. Once they hit year 5/6 some of them will be getting sweaty and their kit will smell and be quite uncomfortable if they don’t change.

As to the uniform change process, schools generally have a transition period of at least a year where both old and new uniforms are allowed. Hopefully your school is doing this?

I like the idea of more practical clothes, although I'd prefer something looser than leggings. Eg. Joggers. Should phase it in though

I think you're missing the point. Your girls didn't like active play - but why restrict all other girls' options? An active uniform creates opportunities for continuous activity during the school day, it doesn't restrict it to certain hours like a dance class/PE.

Only 47.8% of children are taking part in the recommended average of 60 minutes or more of sport and physical activity every day. (https://www.sportengland.org/news-and-inspiration/childrens-activity-levels-remain-stable-significant-and-sustained-action). This is even lower for kids from disadvantage socio-economic backgrounds.

Why wouldn't we remove barriers?

(@HappyDaze1997 sorry for the slight derail)

@ShesTheAlbatross retailers pick the colours of the uniforms they sell that are relevant to their area - but they do need to know about a year in advance of any major changes from a school.
@HappyDaze1997 do other schools in the area wear royal blue?
Can this colour be bought easily?
If not that can be a good argument for a phased crossover and the Headteacher needs to contact the managers of the local supermarkets/M+S/Matalan etc and inform them so they can adapt their orders for next year.

I think this sounds brilliant, just poorly executed ito timing.

And I LOVE that skirts aren't part of the kit. I know lots of parents and girls want skirts, but that's because of what they've been socialised to think is normal. Skirts are not practical at school, especially not at primary where they're all running around. And as someone said, often the girls wear shorts underneath anyway. So just wear the shorts! I'd love to ban leggings too but that's probably going to cause a riot. God forbid girls should wear joggers.

Royal blue polos? Are those easy to buy cheaply in supermarkets? I’m not sure I’ve seen them but I’ve never specifically looked.

They should have announced it earlier and also had a transition period for people to use the uniform they already have that still fits. And if royal blue polos are hard to find (and have to be bought from their supplier..), they shouldn’t pick those.

I’d send my DD in a white one if it still fit her. Ditto if her school shoes still fit, she’d wear those before I went and bought black trainers.

Plus the PFA at pur school make a decent amount of money on secondhand uniform that goes back to the school.

Introduce additional "comfy" items if they must but as extra options, not replacing the existing uniform.

The issue with the change is many families will pass uniform down. Not necessarily to their own kids but to other families the kid down the street or whoever.

Uniform changes need to be phased in. Its fine to change it or say both blue and white polo's are acceptable.
White are probably cheaper and easier to find even if they do get grubby.

Maybe so, dd never mentioned it being difficult. I suppose if you have a jumper on top it makes it a bit more awkward but she tended to wear them on sunny days when jumper not needed.

I’d have thought this was the perfect time to implement the change - at the end of the school year.
sound like the biggest change is the colour of polo shirt, so even if a parents had already picked up a packet I’m sure the shops would honour an exchange.

And do you think this smarter uniform helps you children learn in a more productive way? Or do you think they probably learn in either the exact same way or even a better way due to being more comfortable.

Our school found attendance increased when they switched to being able to wear school pe kit any day you want. So surely that's a great thing?

@Michele09 are they a bit of nightmare for going to the toilet, factoring in the grimness of school toilets!

Our school you have a choice of "formal uniform" or "pe kit" every day. Most kids now wear pe kit uniform of polo shirts with shorts or leggings. The kids are comfy, they can sit and learn well with being so comfortable.

In my dd's school girls often wore gingham play suits which allowed for play and gymnastics.

Not all girls are sporty. Not all boys are either. However, all children should be active in whatever way they can be, for the sake of their health and getting into good habits for the future. The clothes they are made to wear should facilitate that.

I think it sounds great ! I’m sure they will allow school pinafores, summer dresses but just making you aware it is a lot less formal!

@TizerorFizz a large number of girls will be doing gymnastics, cartwheels etc on the school fields during the warmer months.

A lot of classes are now built with pegs etc in the classroom so there isn't a segregated cloakroom where children can go and change. Not a problem with KS1 but a bigger issue with Y5 and Y6 children, with boys and girls changing in the same space. Not all schools will have 2 classes doing PE at the same time, so again can't use one classroom for girls and another for boys. Also the peg area is usually quite small, so gets horrendously messy with bags all over the floor

@AgapornisMy DDs did plenty of activities. Just didn’t want to hang upside down at school! They did dance and sports wearing the pe and dance kit. I’m fed up with people always assuming that girls want to do these knicker showing activities! My DDs didn’t want to and liked skirts. Why do we keep thinking all girls are tomboys?!

Lack of transition period is not good. Perhaps it can be suggested. Primary children should be wearing clothese they can run, jump and climb in.