Help me with this response to school about uniform....

[nevernotstruggling]

So my dds primary school are doing a parent consultation about uniform. It pretty much reads xxxx is the uniform, even better if?

There's a little essay the head has written with it saying that the kids need to get ready for blazers and then uniforms for working life. This statement makes me want to pull my eyes out.....

Help me with a suitable response

I am ok with primary school children wearing warm, practical, cheap uniform - trousers / skirts / pinafores / shorts in a darkish colour available from every supermarket, T-shirt or polo shirt that can be easily taken on and off for PE, warm coloured sweatshirt or fleece, practical flat shoes that are flexible and breathe.

Cheap, washable, not precious, no decisions, can be varied according to the weather, reasonable leveller (ie nobody is interested in what you wear), easily identified on trips, and easy to have a large stock of in school to dress anyone who gets wet / mucky / joins the school / needs their clothes washed by school staff because parents don't. Easy to run and climb in, easily made gender neutral or culturally adapted. Can be worn baggy or tighter, so easy to buy for growth. Entirely suitable for sitting on the floor, haring round the playground, or looking smart in a performance.

Blazers / shirts / ties ... no. not for primary school.

One of our big decisions in finding a primary school was how strict the school uniform policy was. Children don’t need a fussy uniform policy to learn, they need to be comfortable and able to move.

Luckily the one we have chosen as long as it’s school colours (they prefer you buy a logo jumper for school pics - they have been known to lend children them) they don’t give a shiny shit. White polo shirt, grey trousers/skirt/shorts, black shoes and school colour jumper that’s it.

This is a primary school in a very affluent area and I’m amazed at how scruffy some of the kids look, but the head teacher has said as long as they are learning does it matter if their polo shirt has a stain 🤷‍♀️ I guess he’s right. This school has amazing sat results.

All parents do make an effort for the school photos.

I’d go bananas if I’d had to send my dc in a sodding blazer.

If I was feeling brave I'd consider asking if they honestly felt that there was no other improvements that could be made in teaching standards, dealing with bullying, SN intervention, behaviour etc because if all they are giving thought to is uniform.i presume they are an Ofsted outstanding school and not a single child failed the phonics test, is above target for their year group and every single piece of homework has been marked and documented?

And this is the response I will send x

My very conservative workplace has just relaxed the dress code to casual if no client meetings. I now go to work in jeans and trainers. And earn more than primary heads so it’s not holding me/work back!

Blazers are the most pointless garment ever invented. Neither, warm, waterproof or comfortable and really not designed to have a waterproof over the top.

If the head wants a uniform waterproof, I could accept that, outer jackets are red, or something.

I don't have an issue with uniforms, provided they are practical and easy to obtain. It makes life easy, avoids arguments, keeps good things good for weekends. It also avoids schools becoming fashion shows, and even more pressure on parents to buy designer gear that others can't afford / would rather not buy.

Towards the end of my high school years uniform wasn't enforced, few were wearing it. And it was all.chat on who had what trainers, etc