School uniform

[Bunty55]

What are people's thoughts on this please ?

A friend of mine has a child starting reception class at a primary school in September. She has just told me this evening that she is expected to buy all the uniform from the school which includes the sweatshirt (with logo) polo shirts (with logo) the trousers and the shorts (it's a boy) and the PE kit from the school approved shop.

It all seems very expensive.
I approve of the top with the logo and but as for the rest - to me it seems excessive.

What would you do under these circumstances if it were you. The uniform is costing £70 and that does not include the PE kit or the book bag and only one polo shirt

I'd speak to the school about them supporting more budget options for parents. My child's school has jumpers with logos etc but is also happy for you to get everything at the local ASDA if it is the right colour.

She could also see if there are any local second hand uniform shops or organisations to help.

I would only get a couple of the sweatshirts and polos with the logo, and the book bag. Everything else can be plain coloured items from supermarkets (e.g. Sainsbury's/ Asda etc). We did this and nobody said a thing.

If second hand uniform is not an issue, normally the Parents' association or the school itself will have a huge number of items, often hardly used, at a fraction of the price. It's sustainable, saves a lot of money and raises money for the school also.

Just buy it. Surely she knew the uniform of her chosen schools?

If the uniform is £70 and mandatory I'd expect there to be a thriving second hand market.

It's worth checking that when the school says logoed items are compulsory whether that is actually stuck to in practice (ask a parent with children at the school; post on local FB group; or simply hang around outside at school finishing time ...)

Are the trousers and shorts really different to those sold in Asda?

Our school PTA runs a second uniform sale, or there’s probably a Facebook group for second hand uniform.
I would say the bottoms could come from a supermarket and logo tops would need to come from the school shop.

Iss there anything special about the trousers that mean the ones from Tesco will stand out?
I kitted out my 2, within 2 weeks of landing in the UK and being offered a place, from ASDA. I put 2 logoed sweatshirts on order from the ofgicial supplier. They stared in ASDA stuff, and we use stuck with it (except for trousers that we upgraded to M&S for the better length).
I'd be very surprised if any state primary enforced the logo stiff give the recent government stance of uniform costs.