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Original poster

Blazers

26 replies

Mumteedum · 28/08/2022 10:37

DS is about to start y7 and has to wear a blazer. I think most kids don't seem to bother with a coat as well but there's no way I'm going to be happy letting him walk for half an hour in the rain and get soaked.

But I can't see how coats fit over the top unless you upsize? Plus he has sensory issues so he won't be happy if it feels funny.

What do you do with blazers? Lightweight pack a macs? Umbrella...but probably boys won't do this?

There's no lockers either so they have to carry their stuff all day

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 28/08/2022 10:42

Many secondary kids don't bother and get soaked.
A lot of girls are happy with a small umbrella, but I have rarely seen boys with one.
A plain black pack-a-mac upsized to fit over the blazer is probably your best bet.

MaryJoLisa · 28/08/2022 10:46

At dd's school there were 2 types of kid: those who got soaked or those whose mum made them wear a coat. The second group is very small. In addition, dd's blazer in y7 was so massive, there was not a coat big enough to go over it.

Original poster
Mumteedum · 28/08/2022 10:49

Uniform is stupid. Angry

Thank you for responding. It's as I thought. I don't want to make him different, but I don't want him soaked either!

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x2boys · 28/08/2022 10:51

My son is going into year 11 now ,he has a thin waterproof jacket, for when the weather is terrible .

Original poster
Mumteedum · 28/08/2022 10:53

And are they not freezing in winter? Urgh. It seems far more complicated than when I was a kid. Bluddy phones and apps and uniform rules.

Sorry for moaning...thanks for advice..keep it coming. Lone parenting is ..well lonely!

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toomuchlaundry · 28/08/2022 10:53

I put a pac a Mac type coat in the bottom of DS’s school rucksack (had a waterproof section at the bottom of the bag for such items) and there it stayed for 5 years!

MulberryMoon · 28/08/2022 11:02

I bought a coat that fitted over their blazer. They needed one anyway for days out at the weekend etc. A lot of girls do wear a coat at their secondary.

LockAqua · 28/08/2022 11:08

Most schools have the rule that blazers need to be worn ‘door to door’- so from when DC leave home in the morning until they get home in the evening.

At the DCs’ school, they are only allowed to remove them in lessons at the invitation of the teacher if it is exceptionally warm. Jumpers are also compulsory in winter term.

Coats therefore aren’t really necessary unless there is heavy rain ime.

lisers · 28/08/2022 11:10

Only buy a coat if he'll actually wear one.
Otherwise it's a complete waste of money (voice of experience)

TeenDivided · 28/08/2022 11:25

The boys at our local secondary do wear coats in winter if they walk/cycle to school.

I think as parents it is our duty to provide something, then it is up to them if they choose to wear it or not.

LockAqua · 28/08/2022 11:30

If you are going to buy a coat, I would also check the uniform requirements as some schools are quite prescriptive.

At the DCs’ school, only the official school logoed coat is allowed.

yikesanotherbooboo · 28/08/2022 11:31

My older DC didn't wear coats and just got wet.
Younger one was less driven by peer pressure and had a thin waterproof coat , I think it was a sailing one, that was big enough to go over the top.He had a long walk and quite a bit of walking around at school. Annoyingly it was forever getting 'borrowed' from his peg as most of the boys didn't have a similar garment.It worked well and lasted several years.

TeenDivided · 28/08/2022 11:35

My DDs had proper coats (and lockers) but also a pack a mac permanently in their rucksack for if they had gone coatless but it was tipping down at 3pm.

Original poster
Mumteedum · 28/08/2022 11:37

Thanks. I'll get a pac a Mac. The only rule on coats is they to be taken off indoors and as there are no lockers, they have to carry them around

OP posts:
MintJulia · 28/08/2022 11:54

My ds will only wear a blazer, no coat, unless it is snowing or heavy frost. Then he puts a ski coat over the top.

He seems unbothered by rain.

Toddlerteaplease · 28/08/2022 11:56

We all wore full winter coats over our blazers when I was at school. I never remember it being an issue.

cherrypiepie · 28/08/2022 12:54

Blazer in bag and coat on way to school. Then swap at school finding -one to fit in the bag is key. Also get that can go also over the blazer for when it's cold.

Some of the year 7s I teach carry far too much stuff so ensure you DS bag is not too heavy. (I know as I occasionally have to lift bags to move them).

Lots of kids do have coats but don't wear them. Year 7 and 11 are the best coat wearers.

It's a really strange thing.

Chewbecca · 28/08/2022 12:56

As well as a very thin coat to go over the top for (very) wet weather (that was stuffable in the rucksack once at school), DS also occasionally would wear gloves and hat when it was very cold.

Original poster
Mumteedum · 28/08/2022 14:28

cherrypiepie · 28/08/2022 12:54

Blazer in bag and coat on way to school. Then swap at school finding -one to fit in the bag is key. Also get that can go also over the blazer for when it's cold.

Some of the year 7s I teach carry far too much stuff so ensure you DS bag is not too heavy. (I know as I occasionally have to lift bags to move them).

Lots of kids do have coats but don't wear them. Year 7 and 11 are the best coat wearers.

It's a really strange thing.

The bag has to fit in Google Chromebook and charger, reading book, pencil case, packed lunch, water bottle and pe kit. DS is only just 11 and the second shortest kid when in you. The chances of an actual warm coat fitting in and slim to none I think. PAC a Mac might. He'll just have to carry a coat if it's v cold.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mumteedum · 28/08/2022 14:29

In y6*

OP posts:
LockAqua · 28/08/2022 14:31

@cherrypiepie

The DCs’ school would issue detentions if a DC was seen walking to school without their blazer on.

The rule is that blazers must be worn at all times to, from and in school.

Original poster
Mumteedum · 28/08/2022 14:36

LockAqua · 28/08/2022 14:31

@cherrypiepie

The DCs’ school would issue detentions if a DC was seen walking to school without their blazer on.

The rule is that blazers must be worn at all times to, from and in school.

Schools are crazy. Wish it was Europe. Why we insist in making girls wear ties and all kids dressing like mini business people I don't know. But that's me. I will comply and not say anything in front of Ds. 🫣

OP posts:
miserablecat · 28/08/2022 14:38

I have 1 about to go into year 8 and 1 about to go into year 12. year 8 DS has no idea what's nerdy or cool, and wears a coat when it's cold. DD definitely cares what people think but has always worn a coat. When covid happened and they had to be outside all lunchtime whatever the weather, most of them succumbed and wore coats.

cherrypiepie · 28/08/2022 16:10

Yep it's ridiculous. We just bought a no outdoor coats inside rule.

Are they not allowed to wear coats over blazers - honestly that's crackers.

The other option is a light down style jacket that he could wear under the blazer and that would stuff down into the back.

I have a light down gilet for this to go under a smart coat on cold days . Not financially sensible to buy a down gilet for a 12 year old.

LockAqua · 28/08/2022 16:43

@Mumteedum

Tbh I’m actually a supporter of schools having strict and smart uniforms. I think it contributes to a really strong ethos and high standards.

It also stops any sort of competition with outfits- even coats and bags have to be school logoed versions at the DCs’ school, so there is no designer products.