Aibu to send my son to school in non uniform

Our local charity shop refused a donation of barely worn uniform the other day. Really frustrating.

If OP's son was coincidentally going to that school, I have the full lot she can have.

Usually there is a pre-loved uniform sale prior to or around the time school starts

Our local (state) secondary when DS started there was loads of 2nd hand uniform- blazers jumpers mandatory PE kit items

Please don’t send him in non-uniform as this will mark him out from the very first day

Look on your local Facebook groups for parents who have children starting at the school, there is so much 2nd hand uniform around!

Also do you have any family who can help - parents, siblings etc

Speak to your local Citizens Advice, as they may be aware of local charities and can help you with a grant application to them - they should also be able to help you with income maximisation and get you on cheaper social tariffs for utilities if you aren't already on them, which could free up some money for you (I volunteer with Cit A and our area certainly does this, so I'm hoping yours will too). Some local authorities offer hardship grants as well, so it might be worth having a look at your local Council's website.

I wouldn’t worry too much about a jumper for now, September is likely to still be warm.

Make a list of the absolute essentials he will need for September (tie, shoes etc) and focus on that. Get a food bank referral and use what would you have spent on the food on the school essentials.

Post on Facebook etc as others have said. You say your working son helps out when he can - can you come to a bit more of an agreed amount with him e.g 20% of earnings?

Another place to ask could be the local church. They might know who coordinates the 2nd hand uniform collections in your area.

Have you checked the school's website to see whether the school have a scheme to help low income families with uniform costs?

It’s outrageous that a state school demands such high priced uniforms and doesn’t have a well run second hand option that new parents are informed of before term starts back. I’d be livid.

You cannot send him in with no uniform! Can you imagine how he would feel?

Looking at your posts here, I think it's really important your son gets a decent education - please prioritise it.

It shouldn’t cost that much as they aren’t allowed to have lots of branded items. Buy plain stuff as much as you can. Try speaking to the school directly because they may have second hand items or funds to help struggling families. Some food banks/charity groups do uniform sales also. You could also ask on school facebook and PTA groups if anyone has things to sell or pass on.

Absolutely this. I advertised on our local FB page and got the branded PE kit needed for school (DC has outgrown old ones). I also have smaller sweatshirts I'm giving away which I've posted on there. If no one wants them, I'll take them to the charity shop in the precinct near the school.

I can't afford to buy new uniform and by being organised and posting about it early, usually manage to get some either free or very low cost (£1 per sweatshirt) from the charity shop.

But yes, the inset day is a good idea too. There will be stuff in lost property and even one set will avoid him being in trouble on his first day. Be very blunt and honest with them about your financial situation because there may well be other help available to support you. Our school doesn't give out free uniform unfortunately. Not all schools are that good.

Also I don’t think it will be anything like £200, so try not to worry. Secondary Schools can only have 4 branded items (and that includes the tie).

have you been on their website and looked at their criteria for helping families with low income ? May give a name of the member of staff you need to talk to.

@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroadscross posted - great minds think alike!

Contact the school OP. In my school, we will provide the entire uniform, including shoes, bag, pencil case, stationary and coat if a parent needs it - all free of charge.

Ring them, also email. Although emails aren’t routinely checked over the holidays the head teacher and safeguarding team will be in on the 19th/20th August for certain.

Edited to say it may also help to let them know you’re a struggling family. It doesn’t get widely shared, but for instance, our struggling families we will send food hampers home over the holidays, provide vouchers and Christmas presents, arrange for free tuition of core subjects and provide areas where technology can be used if internet or screens aren’t accessible at home.

Our local charity shop has a special rail of shirts, trousers, jumpers & ties, ie requisite uniform items for the 2 schools in our town. All are very reasonably priced & of course the money goes to a good cause. Might there be charity shops near you doing likewise?

Our local charity shops tend to sell school uniform very cheap at this time of year. Obvs, this is dependent on the donations they receive.

This ^ and it should have been done in the summer so he was kitted out ready to start in September.

Have a look to see if there is a school uniform bank near you UK School Uniform Bank Directory | Pre-Loved Uniform Resources

What else do you need for his uniform because it sounds like you’re almost there. I take it he needs a school tie and school shoes, is any of the uniform needing a logo or a blazer? I’d post on the schools Facebook group - there are usually parents looking to pass on uniform that is outgrown.

In terms of will he be in trouble, it depends on the schools attitude, my DS school would pass on any essential kit from lost property etc and would expect it to be worn.