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Original poster

Can a school really make you buy a specific pair of shorts on their website??

47 replies

User5757385737 · 27/07/2022 07:33

I don't want to be the parent refusing to buy something specific for uniform but hear me out.

Ds is starting secondary. They can wear any trousers from any shop if they meet their guidelines, the girls can also wear any skirt as long as it's within their guidelines.

Ds likes wearing shorts. He has asd and won't wear trousers.

the boys can wear shorts but only if it's from a certain school uniform shop (the same place you get the jumpers). They are literally
plain black shorts, the same you'd get anywhere else (no Logo as far as I'm aware). Plus they are £20 for one pair of shirts !! Not affordable at all in comparison to other shops!!

why are trousers or skiers allowed to buy bought anywhere but not shorts??

as above Ds is autistic, I'm not expecting special treatment but I usually buy him ones that have some elasticated waist on them (he has a bit of a tummy). The shorts on the website look rigid and stuff, they have a button which he can't do - but can do a hook and loop.

can they really stop you from buying a pair of black shorts say from M&S or next, Asda or whatever that look exactly the same but half the price??

plus the sizes are off. They only do uo to 11-12 in kids, which will be too tight. Then they jump to adult sizes which will be too long on him, they would look like 3/4 lengths on him (he is only 140cm tall) which would look ridiculous but getting him say 12-13 or 13-14 from somewhere else will be a much more suitable length for him!!

OP posts:
alwksn · 27/07/2022 07:41

I'd just speak to the school, we have children with uniform adjustments for various reasons including ASD and it isn't a big problem.

Hellocatshome · 27/07/2022 07:43

Just contact the school and explain what you have done here, I'm sure it will be fine.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 27/07/2022 07:46

We used to have to buy all uniform from the uniform shop and the PE kit alone was £90. I'd be whooping with joy if we'd only had specific shorts BUT I think you have a valid point about the hook and eye and I would think that amounts to reasonable adjustments,the same as in a work place. Good luck.

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fudfootedfannybangle · 27/07/2022 07:47

This is EXACTLY the sort of stuff I kick off about. “You tell them to phone mummy if they moan about your socks/shoes/Asda school shirts”.

… I’m still waiting for that phone all and it’s been 5 years now.

I really am not “one of those parents” but this is an issue I’m prepared to get scrappy about.

one of my children is autistic and frankly they’re lucky he doesn’t roll up wearing nothing but a pair of flippers!

caveat - I’m in Scotland and uniform is something they’re generally less anal about.

Original poster
User5757385737 · 27/07/2022 07:49

Thanks both. Are they usually understanding of these type of things? I have emailed just hope it will get seen before September. Are they really going to be going round checking what shorts come form where though when they don't look any different? 😅

I just don't get that shorts and trousers are fine from anywhere but shorts have to be specific?

if I send him in the specific shorts they will be down past his knees in adult sizes which will look silly anyway!

Ive found 2 pairs in 13/14 from M&S for £12. £20 for one pair from the website is ridiculous given that everyone is struggling. More expensive than the jumpers!!

OP posts:
Original poster
User5757385737 · 27/07/2022 07:52

fudfootedfannybangle · 27/07/2022 07:47

This is EXACTLY the sort of stuff I kick off about. “You tell them to phone mummy if they moan about your socks/shoes/Asda school shirts”.

… I’m still waiting for that phone all and it’s been 5 years now.

I really am not “one of those parents” but this is an issue I’m prepared to get scrappy about.

one of my children is autistic and frankly they’re lucky he doesn’t roll up wearing nothing but a pair of flippers!

caveat - I’m in Scotland and uniform is something they’re generally less anal about.

I hear you!! If they make a fuss, I'll just tell them they are lucky he's in school! We've had a hellish year 6, in the terms of school refusal. Not sure what secondary has in store but uniform will be the least of their worries!!

I don't want to spend a fortune either because I'm not certain if he'll be staying at the school. I feel that we may be looking into something more specialist in the near future!

OP posts:
BadPhotographer · 27/07/2022 07:52

I'm sure they'd understand - he wouldn't be the first person to have this problem.

Original poster
User5757385737 · 27/07/2022 07:53

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 27/07/2022 07:46

We used to have to buy all uniform from the uniform shop and the PE kit alone was £90. I'd be whooping with joy if we'd only had specific shorts BUT I think you have a valid point about the hook and eye and I would think that amounts to reasonable adjustments,the same as in a work place. Good luck.

Crikey. They have to buy a Pe top for £15. Ihe ordered one, I probably should order another though. They can wear any pe type shorts thankfully! They also need an outer PE top but a friend said she has an outgrown one I can have, hopefully it'll fit!!

OP posts:
redskyatnight · 27/07/2022 07:55

Check with the school/other parents. Our school has a similar rule, but they brought it in to prevent students stretching the bounds of acceptability. If you have a rule that says "shorts must be from xyz shop" and a student is clearly wearing shorts that are fashion statements and not remotely uniform then you can pull them up on this rule. If you just say "black shorts" then students will try to get away with murder.

Or your school might just be trying to dissuade students from wearing shorts by making it difficult.

Workinghardeveryday · 27/07/2022 07:57

It’s not on is it.

I have twins starting secondary in September.

we have to have logos on everything, even sport socks. Have to buy football boots, shin pads.

it is costing us around £500 for their uniforms. It’s a disgrace.

SummerLobelia · 27/07/2022 07:59

I would definitely speak to the school. My ASD child has sensory issues and I have had to make adjustments to some things. The school just appreciated the heads up that this is what we were adapting and why.

Original poster
User5757385737 · 27/07/2022 08:01

Workinghardeveryday · 27/07/2022 07:57

It’s not on is it.

I have twins starting secondary in September.

we have to have logos on everything, even sport socks. Have to buy football boots, shin pads.

it is costing us around £500 for their uniforms. It’s a disgrace.

Oh my!! The worse thing is the shorts in question do not have a logo on.

the only Lego is the jumper and pe tops!! So it's not as bad. Also a blazer but that's not compulsory anymore.

I get about looking smart etc but it's not cool when so many people are struggling financially!

OP posts:
cansu · 27/07/2022 08:01

I am sure if you explain they will allow the shirts you want. As an aside though I have never seen secondary school age boys wearing shorts. I know they are common in primary but they are quite unusual on secondary.

cansu · 27/07/2022 08:01

Unless you are talking about just for pe.

SummerLobelia · 27/07/2022 08:02

But yes agree the cost of uniforms is horrifying. Our school has 3 separate PE kits (not including cricket gear). They have one set of kit for games. One set for PE. One set for rugby that amounts to a different t-shirt and shorts. Then cricket gear. year 7 kitting out cost me £500. Then on sports day they were supposed to wear house colours which I then had to buy as well.

OneWildNightWithJBJ · 27/07/2022 08:07

My autistic son wears his PE kit all the time. Seeing as he is barely able to go to school then anything to get him in... I think it was their idea anyway.

It’s not special treatment as such, more like reasonable adjustments. Sometimes we have to treat people differently to be able to include them.

MyneighbourisTotoro · 27/07/2022 08:12

I refuse to spend money on unnecessary branded uniform and will always fight it.
My DD is going up in Sept and I’m only buying the blazer, tie and fleece.
Everything else will be from other cheaper sources.

grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 27/07/2022 08:12

They are literally plain black shorts, the same you'd get anywhere else

Then I'm sure the school wouldn't notice? I don't think school would check his labels to make sure you bought it from the uniform shop.

Original poster
User5757385737 · 27/07/2022 08:16

cansu · 27/07/2022 08:01

I am sure if you explain they will allow the shirts you want. As an aside though I have never seen secondary school age boys wearing shorts. I know they are common in primary but they are quite unusual on secondary.

i thought the same but it seems like some do, we live on the coast and it seems common for some boys to wear shorts all year round. I think a few of the boys in his class are going to be wearing shorts! He may change his mind but he's adamant on shorts at the minute as he's so used to wearing tjem.

I have a massive problem finding him trousers too. They are always dragging on the floor as he needs bigger around the waist but sizing down height wise!! Total nightmare man

OP posts:
gogohmm · 27/07/2022 08:21

With shorts the issue has been boys trying to wear cargo shorts rather than school shorts- very casual so I expect that's the original reason. In your circumstances speak to them and explain

MargaretThursday · 27/07/2022 08:26

Ds is going into year 11 and wears shorts all year round.

The question to me would be how would your Ds cope if a teacher pulled him up on it?
If he'd be able to explain and not get upset then get them. If it will throw him then get permission and give him a note to hand over explaining it.

Fir what it's worth his school has what they call a shadow logo on the uniform. That's because a shop opened in town selling "uniform trousers and skirts" that clearly weren't. Think black jeans with studs on level of not.
Basically if what they're wearing looks reasonable then no one says anything.

I'm sure they'd be fine with your Ds.

Original poster
User5757385737 · 27/07/2022 08:26

gogohmm · 27/07/2022 08:21

With shorts the issue has been boys trying to wear cargo shorts rather than school shorts- very casual so I expect that's the original reason. In your circumstances speak to them and explain

Thank you. Yeah I get that. I would only buy ones that look V similar to the ones on the website and not cargo.

The uniform website sell the exact same shorts for every school they provide uniform for and not specific to the school at all. They really are generic and probably making a huge profit for them for the price!

theu also sell skirts on the uniform website but they can wear any other skirt too as long as it's suitable. But skirts are much more varied in style so I don't get the hate they have on shorts 😅

OP posts:
Quia · 27/07/2022 08:27

Workinghardeveryday · 27/07/2022 07:57

It’s not on is it.

I have twins starting secondary in September.

we have to have logos on everything, even sport socks. Have to buy football boots, shin pads.

it is costing us around £500 for their uniforms. It’s a disgrace.

You should refer the school to this - www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms/cost-of-school-uniforms. It's statutory guidance, which basically means it's not optional, and it makes it clear that schools should not have silly uniform requirements like this.

balalake · 27/07/2022 08:27

Sole supplier I thought was not supported by guidelines (from government or devolved administrations)?

Original poster
User5757385737 · 27/07/2022 08:29

MargaretThursday · 27/07/2022 08:26

Ds is going into year 11 and wears shorts all year round.

The question to me would be how would your Ds cope if a teacher pulled him up on it?
If he'd be able to explain and not get upset then get them. If it will throw him then get permission and give him a note to hand over explaining it.

Fir what it's worth his school has what they call a shadow logo on the uniform. That's because a shop opened in town selling "uniform trousers and skirts" that clearly weren't. Think black jeans with studs on level of not.
Basically if what they're wearing looks reasonable then no one says anything.

I'm sure they'd be fine with your Ds.

Thank you. Yeah he wouldn't like being called up on it. But I would let the school know and tell them they can speak to me instead of they have a problem. But I don't feel they could tell unless they actually looked for a tag as the shorts aren't specific at all and don't look any different. I wouldn't buy anything that would stand out or look different!

I just don't get how trousers and skirts can be slightly varied. They also have a choice between jumper or blazer so there's a real mix but shorts all have to be the same! 😅

OP posts: