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Original poster

Wearing PE kit to school

202 replies

DappledThings · 17/12/2025 08:31

Our primary school (DC are 8 and 9 in years 3 and 5) have decided that from next term they will be doing what I know a lot of other schools do and spending all day in PE kit on PE days.

I hate this for multiple reasons so if you already do this and you don't hate it please can you explain why as I can't see past the extra hassle it is for me and I'm fairly pissed off with it.

1 - I have had to order extra kit. If they are wearing it all day they will get food down it and it will need to be washed every day so I now need duplicate kit for when one set is in the wash. Previously it just came home on Fridays so easy to wash at the weekend

2 - I have to remember every day who is wearing what and tell DC. Minor but just another thing to remember in the morning rush I could do without

3 - Both have a sports based after school club once a week on non-PE days. This used to not matter because they just changed into the kit that was already on their pegs. Now it's a day they have to go in uniform and remember their kit that I've had to give an additional wash to. So three different routines in one week.

4 - they will just look scruffy 2 days a week in a mishmash of blue and black joggers and hoodies and whatever else vaguely PE related people.chose to send their children in wearing.

It just seems like a massive hassle the school are putting on us to save themselves a few minutes of chivvying the class into changing quicker.

OP posts:
Sillysaussicon · 17/12/2025 12:47

Possibly slightly annoying for you, I get that.

But big picture, it really makes the school day go more smoothly for DC when they're there. They get more out of lessions as less time spent changing, and all/any stress that might come with that for your child (maybe they're shy, dyspraxic, whatever).

Original poster
DappledThings · 17/12/2025 12:48

Also you seem v worried about them looking smart. Looking smart for who? Why does that matter at primary?
Not worried no. A preference is all. They look better in their proper uniform. It is, to me, a minor disappointment that they will look scruffy in joggers and hoodies for 40% of the school week.

Mine will rarely keep a jumper on unless it's about 5 degrees so it is their white PE tops that will get lunchtime pasta and yoghurt stains on and need washing every day. Hence I've ordered an extra one for each of them so we can get through each week without having to do a mid-week whites wash. I only have enough whites for a half-load at the end of the week as it is.

OP posts:
Ladyluck22 · 17/12/2025 12:49

Probably because they don’t have separate changing rooms for girls and boys, which they do in secondary. My daughter much preferred not having to change in front of the boys when she got to a certain age.

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AttackCat · 17/12/2025 12:50

itsgettingweird · 17/12/2025 12:23

Personally i think we should just have a simple form of tracksuit and a school T shirt everyday and let kids be kids.

Gone are the days of arguing a uniform improves learning when they then decide in our hot summers and PE days that sports kits is fine!

Exactly, just ditch excessive uniforms at primary school and the problem solves itself!

My children do at least as much running climbing and jumping about in the playground as they do in PE so why make them wear shirts and ties for it?

Original poster
DappledThings · 17/12/2025 12:51

It's actually less washing surely? If they were wearing PE kit and their uniform on PE days you'd have double the washing to do!
No, because when they wear their PE kit for an hour for a specific activity not involving food it doesn't need washing every time. It isn't additional washing in total, but it does require the purchasing of additional kit for the second day of the week they are wearing it all day in lieu of proper uniform whereas until now one set was plenty.

OP posts:
Illbefinejustbloodyfine · 17/12/2025 12:53

I like it. My DC are 8 and 10 and know which days they have PE. It means less uniform needed and they wear the same pe kit for the two days. They might have a clean t shirt, but same joggers and hoodie.

vickylou78 · 17/12/2025 12:53

DappledThings · 17/12/2025 12:51

It's actually less washing surely? If they were wearing PE kit and their uniform on PE days you'd have double the washing to do!
No, because when they wear their PE kit for an hour for a specific activity not involving food it doesn't need washing every time. It isn't additional washing in total, but it does require the purchasing of additional kit for the second day of the week they are wearing it all day in lieu of proper uniform whereas until now one set was plenty.

But aren't you needing to buy less normal uniform?

And washing definitely less if they only wear one type of uniform a day instead of two!

Illbefinejustbloodyfine · 17/12/2025 12:54

Also, DC have plenty of blue/black joggers/hoodies so no need to buy more?

Original poster
DappledThings · 17/12/2025 12:57

But aren't you needing to buy less normal uniform
Far in the future yes. Neither of mine have grown so fast that they need new uniform after less than about two years so DC1 already has enough to get him to the end of primary. DC2 has trousers and skirts that are already on their tightest setting and the trousers have a good 5cm turn up I had to sew in so probably at least another two years away from needing more too.

OP posts:
TricNorthCarolina · 17/12/2025 12:58

My DC did this at Infants school but they dont do it at juniors. Its an absolute ball ache now he's at juniors & I wish he could just wear it in on his pe days - life is SO much easier when they can.

First off, I only washed the pe kit mid-week if its dirty & then its just on a quick wash. It doesn't take long to dry at all (1 hour tops on the radiator) then it goes straight back into the pe kit bag so I know where it is at all time.

It saved me money as I only had to buy 3 sets of uniform as he didn't need to wear it on 2 days a week.

It stops his school uniform being lost/left behind every time he got changed at school for pe (so far this year jumper, pe shorts & coat has got walking after pe lessons). This never happened when he was an Infants & went to school in his pe kit instead.

Also, as kids get older they get more sensitive about getting changed in front of other kids, especially those of the opposite sex. This stops this issue as they stay fully dressed all day.

It also means they lose less lesson time as they are not spending 10 minutes twice a day on pe days getting changed and then re-changed.

I regards to remembering what days they have pe - after a week or two it will be second nature - yours are older than my DC so should be able to help you remember too. The class whatsapp group is also good for reminding you what days they are.

Im actually going to be emailing my DCs current school to ask them to implement pe kit wearing all day on pe days as it is so much easier and better.

123456abcdef · 17/12/2025 13:00

Mine wear PE kit twice a week. Different days. I just write a note and put it on the fridge which days.

yes I have 2 PE kits but I only need 3 days of uniform.

it saves washing because I just have 1 set of clothes a day ie 5 days not 5 days uniform and a PE kit. Plus they have school shoes and PE trainers. If one is wet/missing I just send them in the ‘wrong’ ones if needed.

LaBelleDameSansPatience · 17/12/2025 13:00

It's not children's job not to 'look scruffy'. What is important is that they enjoy scho and are comfortable.
Most chdren enjoy PE - wearing kit to school means longer lessons!

NorthenAdventure · 17/12/2025 13:02

We like it. More comfortable for the kids.

BerriesPineCones · 17/12/2025 13:05

NiceCupOfChai · 17/12/2025 08:42

We’ve been doing it since Covid. It’s fine. You’re over thinking it. We buy less usual uniform and an extra PE top. I put their PE days into my phone calendar as a recurring event for the year but to be honest after the first week or two they knew better than I when they were doing PE.

Yes that's true. Less normal uniform to buy

BerriesPineCones · 17/12/2025 13:09

DappledThings · 17/12/2025 12:57

But aren't you needing to buy less normal uniform
Far in the future yes. Neither of mine have grown so fast that they need new uniform after less than about two years so DC1 already has enough to get him to the end of primary. DC2 has trousers and skirts that are already on their tightest setting and the trousers have a good 5cm turn up I had to sew in so probably at least another two years away from needing more too.

I hope you are able to save up for new PE kit

FlatWhiteExtraHot · 17/12/2025 13:11

LargeJugs · 17/12/2025 12:03

I wish the school just allowed PE kit everyday. It’s cheap, easy to wash and comfortable for the kids.

Exactly. If it’s ok to wear joggers and a hoodie to school two days a week then why not all five days? I’ve always thought it totally pointless putting “smart” uniform on small children.

Keepoffmyartichokes · 17/12/2025 13:11

TheNightingalesStarling · 17/12/2025 09:52

It gets rid of the issue of boys and girls needing separate changing areas, and supervision of changing.

I actually think Primary schools should just ditch the formal stuff and just have a uniform of shorts/leggings/joggers with tshirt/sweater in the school colour.

Edited

The primary school local to me have just done that. Their uniform has changed to black joggers, leggings or shorts and a red t and hoody

Unorganisedchaos2 · 17/12/2025 13:12

DD's school do this and I don't mind, I just buy two sets as PE is two days in a row and at 6 she's still coming out with lunch all down herself most days as she has beans 🙄Its also means less to iron as the joggers and jumpers just tumble/line dry

I do wonder how many children struggle to get changed though, DD has only just mastered tights and apparently the nativity was a nightmare for getting everyone in their costumes.

MannersAreAll · 17/12/2025 13:13

But at the moment I don't need to remember to take it at all. It lives at school in the week, comes home on Fridays when it is washed and out straight back in the PE kit bags which live right by the school shoes so can't be forgotten on Monday.

I think that's where maybe you've been a bit spoilt (for want of a better word) so far - none of my kids (3 now adult, 2 at primary school) have ever been able to leave their PE kit in school all week. Of all the schools I worked in over 20 years only 2 allowed/had space for the kids to leave their kits in.

Remembering which days it's needed is the norm for most people.

CoffeeTeaCheese · 17/12/2025 13:13

TheNightingalesStarling · 17/12/2025 09:52

It gets rid of the issue of boys and girls needing separate changing areas, and supervision of changing.

I actually think Primary schools should just ditch the formal stuff and just have a uniform of shorts/leggings/joggers with tshirt/sweater in the school colour.

Edited

This is what the primary we went to in Australia did. No idea why it hasn't caught on, it's brilliant. School logo polo t shirt then the kids chose from a range of shorts/skorts/joggers/trousers and hoodies/sweaters. Trainers every day.

Deadringer · 17/12/2025 13:19

The schools where i live have always done this and I have never considered it a faff. Maybe my dc weren't that messy but if they spilled food on their top and I didn't get a chance to wash it i would just sponge it off. You could get a second kit to keep in a bag for the after school activities to make things easier but mine only ever had one set. Remembering pe days is hardly that big a deal is it, just put it on the calendar.

Deadringer · 17/12/2025 13:21

And in the younger classes they wear a tracksuit every day, much more comfortable and practical imo.

u3ername · 17/12/2025 13:27

I love sending dc in PE clothes two days a week. It actually helps my washing - I wash his uniform on the day they are not being worn and they are ready for the next day. That means I can get away with buying less school clothes overall.
I also think joggers, pe cotton tshirt, school logo jumper and trainers is much more comfortable for them and wish it was their actual uniform, rather than the polo T-shirts and Teflon trousers…

Whoknowshere · 17/12/2025 13:32

So your kids have one PE kit that they use 3 times a week and 5 uniforms? I would change the PE kit every time, but assume it does not get wet or muddy and they don’t sweat so probably ok
you will then need 3 uniforms and 2 PE kits, you could probably reuse for the day the one they used for after school.
after a few weeks they will know which days to go in PE kit and the day to bring it in a bag for after school.
your washing will be easier as one kit less and also PE kit is easier to wash and iron.
I think you will like it more once you get used to it

Unicornsandprincesses · 17/12/2025 13:42

We do it and we like it. Two days a week. It’s on the calendar but the days are cemented in my brain. Set a phone reminder for 7.30am recurring on the PE days for each kid so you don’t forget.

I just put her in black leggings, of which we have umpteen pairs for weekends/holidays anyway. I pop on her PE shirt if it’s clean or her normal white polo she wears on the other days if it’s not (we’re allowed to do that). I have just bought another PE shirt through, but luckily it was not £3 so I didn’t mind.

i have got a navy zip up sports top but on the rare occasion that’s not clean/dry, i just shove on her normal plain blue sweater.

as you can tell, our school is pretty relaxed anyway.

it’s never been a problem. It also means that come September, you’ll only buy 3x school uniform and 2x PE kit. So it’s not all that different to buying 3-5 sets of uniform (depending on your preference) and 1x PE kit on top.