Aibu to send my son to school in non uniform

That's really kind of you.
X

Oh piss off. where's your empathy?

@FastMintSheep send me a PM with your contact details, size and a link to the blazer and I will send it to you.

[I know the usual MN warning but I am not concerned about being scammed over £40.]

Why be nasty?! Kicking people when they're already down isn't very mature of you.

Check if there's FB or other platforms with parents groups from the school. We had one - it gave away/sold Preloved items all the time.

Also email the school admin / reception desk again, but also give them a call or drop in if possible. They're really helpful with all sorts.

Why are you talking to the OP like that? She has been through a terrible time. You're another one mistaking bluntness for intelligence.

ETA What do you think the OP is doing by starting this thread? Providing clothes for her child so what's your point?

there has been a tremendous amount of damage done to myself and my children which

ex husband was a tyrant the damage he has caused to all of us is extreme

A minimum of parenting is to provide clothing for your child. You want him to be successful in life I assume, so you need to set him off to a good start in school.

Also work in a school. Email the DSL today & "Admin@school" and "finance@school". DSL will be monitoring emails. Finance may work most of the summer. Admin and heads of dept/Y11 (who may then be the Head of Y7 in Sept) will be in. Weds/Thurs this week is A level results and Weds/Thurs next week is GSCE results day. Emailing all these will mean your message will be read.

Explain your situation and what you need. Ask if they have anything your son could borrow for a few weeks if they are unable to provide things permanently. Ask for the PTA/Second hand uniform shop details so you can source things from there going forward. Plus if there is a FB/WA group for the same,

My DD put on a bit of weight in the 2 months between me buying her Y7 skirt and starting. We realised 4 days before the start of term. School supplier was out of stock! I emailed the school and a lovely receptionist picked up the email, got in touch with the PTA, rummaged in the second hand uniform stock in the basement and came up trumps for us. I just had to turn up at the school the next day to pick it up. They could not have been more helpful (super posh ex-grammar school, but no judgement from the school - all they cared about was DD was not uncomfortable on her start on the first day).

They will have stock. They will be able to help you.

And, if you are not already registered for Free School Meals through the council. get registered. Even if your DS is unlikely to eat the meals, being FSM registered means it is "easier" paperwork wise/authorisation wise to help you. (Govt fault, not the schools)

Sorry you’re in this situation OP. I am just wondering if you and your son were given any sort of new starters pack - perhaps when he went for an induction/taster day in summer term? If so, this might be worth a look as it may have suggestions on how to access second hand uniform, and who to contact if you have any problems.

A PPs suggestion of going to the school on the teachers inset day might be very useful, and someone else mentioned emailing ahead of this. This is also a very good idea as staff will likely be in dealing with exam results. The school website will also be worth a look if you have access to a computer (if not, libraries often have public access computers). If you can find information on pupil support at the school, you might pick up some useful contact details.

Wishing your son a very positive start to his secondary education, and sending you strength.

Contact your local women's aid and let them know you've recently fled abuse. They'll have funds to help women and families in your situation, they will be able to provide you with other support too.
You're a good mum and obviously doing your very best to provide for your children.

Contact school and explain. They wi provide what is needed. Ring council to locate uniform bank. Ask older children to chip in.

I am SLT at a secondary school. If a parent contacted us in this situation we would absolutely provide uniform.

Beg, borrow, steal before you do that.

Wtf?

Brilliant advice! Outstanding. 🙄

People like that poster mistake bluntness for intelligence and think they're superior. I doubt they would speak to anyone like that in real life, imagine just how unpopular they would be.

Have you googled school uniform exchange for where you live. Where i am (large city in the North) theres a school uniform exchange based in the city centre. They do lots of outreach events too. It's all completely free donated uniform. No questions asked, anyone can take as much as they need

If you are in Scotland @FastMintSheep please have a look at the Scottish Welfare Fund website, you may be able to access grants to help you as you are on a low income and are within one of the criteria of escaping domestic violence. You apply through your local council. Hopefully you get something sorted with a bit of Mumsnet support, there are some genuinely kind people here once you've sifted through the truly awful advice and attitudes of a few. 💐

It feels like you haven't really read the OP.
Your post makes it sound like she's just not trying hard enough. Not what someone who has left an abusive relationship with her children and has less than £100 left a month.

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/shrewsbury/shrewsbury-charity-helping-families-buy-kids-school-uniforms-gets-ps60000-boost-8844688

https://www.littlestarscharity.org/what-we-do/cool-for-school/

https://next.shropshire.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-forums-trusts-and-finance/education-trusts/

Not got time to read all the posts. Contact school on results day. Search for a school parents group on facebook, often second hand uniform there. Also charity shops, 2 near me accept uniform from local schools.

Apart from anything else, other posters have stated that the situation in the rest of the UK is similar to Scotland in that schools will try their utmost to help a family in this position.

The OP has come on here looking for advice; she doesn't deserve to deal with some of the nonsense that has been spouted by a tiny minority.

If you’ve already got trousers and shirts you probably only need a blazer. Poor kid. Ask around and get him a blazer. It’s a heatwave you can buy a winter coast in a couple of months but get the poor kid a blazer a tie and a pe polo shirt if he needs one.

YABU. You have to make this a priority and find a way. You cannot let him start high school with no uniform. It's cruel, he will get into trouble, and the other children will always remember it.

He will be nervous enough starting, don't let him stand out like this as well.

There has to be something you can cut back on, or something you can sell, to get him the bare minimum. Even if you download a few survey apps on your phone, you will probably be able to save up a decent amount for the uniform over the next month.

Buy the absolute minimum and build it up. A cheap set of shirts, one pair of trousers, a tie, a blazer.. the least amount possible you can get away with for his PE kit.

Find parent groups online, or even local community groups, and put a post on explaining your situation and ask whether anyone has uniform their child has grown out of.

But don't let him go to school without it. Beg, borrow, steal before you do that.

He might qualify as pupil premium in which case the school can help out. However its not as if you havent known about him going into Year 7 and you really should have thought of this before now. Bottom line is he cannot go in without the proper kit and that includes PE kit because he will get in trouble and think of the embarassment for him. He will stick out like a sore thumb and this could lead to all sorts of issues. Admin office are often in over holidays so you should be able to get hold of someone. You are just going to have to find the money for the basics.

Charity Shops often have uniform too.

Do you feel good about yourself for the 2nd half of your post? You shouldn't; you should feel ashamed.