to think £92 for PE kit is extortionate?!?!

[seeitoldyou]

My DD will be starting at a top grammar school in Sept. Up until now she has been at a below average state primary (which just got slated by ofsted). I am giving you this background to emphasise just how unfair it is that the parents of intelligent kids from poor or normal (us- 2 parents working, own home) backgrounds are essentially penalised for wanting our children to attend a grammar school. We, as a family, are so pleased for DD to attend this school as I think it will be the right place for her. But I can't help but feel annoyed that the school is charging so much for essential items. By the way, I have checked if I can buy some of the kit elsewhere and have been informed that I cannot as all the kit has the school logo on it! Don't even get me started on the actual school uniform........

Eh? What's with the 'stuck up grammer schools' Charleneanne?
Nothing stuck up about me I'm pleased to say.Like most parents, I wanted the best for my children and for them to attend schools which suited their needs.
Must be tiring carrying that huge chip on your shoulder.

Yellostone- point taken. Of course the RR crowd have a right to be there. But I can't help but think that their right to be there is heaviliy influenced by years of expensive prepping. Which is not exactly in keeping with the 'inclusive' ethos.

Parents who want the best for the children often choose local state schools, and spend a fair bit of money on the uniforms, trips, events and materials.

"Normal secondary school kit does not require anything other than white t shirt"

Do you know all the normal secondary schools then?

I had 7. They didn't all go to the grammar. They each went to schools which suited their needs and where they would reach their full potential.

" Normal secondary school kit does not require anything other than white t shirt "

What a load of ill-informed drivel.

seeitoldyou my DD4 is at the local primary where she's taught in one small room with one teacher teaching Years 3,4 5 and 6 all together. The brighter kids are often asked to help less bright kids as it's thought to be very beneficial to the latter as well. Standard practice really.

I'm not quite sure why the type of school your DD was at is relevant either.

Marjoriew- I totally agree. I have 4 and only 1 has shown natural (without prepping or coaching) grammar school potential. The others will be going to the state comp. No issues there.

Yellowstone- helping less bright kids is ok some of the time. But to not have work that is pitched at a challenging level for years and years can be mind-numbingly boring!

seetoldyou I have legal responsibility for one of my grandchildren since he was 2. He's 12 now and I have home educated him since he was 6.
No uniform issues at all for me now:)

seeitoldyou your point about tutoring taken too.

Again, our school is adamant that people may tutor but those who do create sometimes unfair expectation in the child, add unnecessary pressure and almost always waste their money.

I'm not sure.

Marjoriew-wow, that's great. I don't think I have the patience to home ed. Wish I did

'Years and years'? An obvious question, but was there no option to move her? (I'm being a bit laissez faire with DD4 beause she's DC8 and I like the walking to and from school village option ).

Son was never tutored. I didn't believe the headmaster when he woke me up at 3 am to tell me that my son had got into The Royal Grammar. He was such a quiet little lad. I used to look at him and think 'Is there anybody there.':)
6ft 3 now and an officer in the army and he still gets free uniform:)

Yellowstone- I don't think they waste money as their kids get in much more than those from schools like my DD's! I even know of several parents of prep school kids (fees 10,000 per year) who pay for private tuition on top of the practice papers that the prep school make the kids do from the age of 7!!! Makes me

Yellowstone- I have 3 other kids there who are happy at the school. Plus it is our local school and she walks there with her brothers.

seeitoldyou - I think a lot of parents mistakenly assume that all prep schools are going to give a child an advantage when it comes to passing the 11+. They won't.

I work in a prep in a grammar school area. We don't coach, tutor for or practice the 11+ because it does not fit into the education system we are in. Our children are taught to Common Entrance exam requirements with a view to changing school at 13 not 11.

A few leave at 11 for grammar. But they are either naturally academic or have been coached outside.

In a primary school they may have been prepared for the 11+ for free.

People! Please! Generating a lot more heat than light. For what it's worth, some of us send our kids to grammars for reasons like good pastoral care, etc. We certainly had no love of the grammar system. (Never called 'the secondary modern system', is it?) Those saying these schools, and some academies, are operating social cleansing, are absolutely correct. The Sutton Trust, eg, has shown this. Expensive uniforms are one way of achieving this. Dd's uniform has cost over £200, 50% paid by governors on application. School trip next term = £150. We're on benefits as I'm disabled. Those saying 'you knew the cost, why moan now?' Because they are State schools. We've already paid for them, like hospitals and incapacity benefit. Isn't that why we pay tax? While working, if able, or when buying in VAT. Often the same people put great emphasis on 'merit' - like passing 11+? This 'put up and shut up' idea wouldn't get us far, would it? Votes for women? Kids up chimneys? Just because dd gets the so-called benefit of a grammar school doesn't mean I've lost the ability to see beyond my own immediate self-interest.

It is expensive but YABU.
You picked a grammar school you should expect grammar school price uniforms.

I have just had to pay out over £200 for my DS's uniform, he starts school in September and the school requires they wear a set uniform, bought from them.
The trousers alone are £35, which is a lot for a four year old who goes through a pair of school trousers a month at nursery.

But I accept the uniform price tag because I wanted him to go to a good school.

Oh, forgot to mention that all the expensive uniforms for all the dozens of schools are available from only two shops.

By your argument, since we chose to live here and have a child atschool, we have nothing to complain about. Apart from a spot of nepotism.

Tracksuit bottoms £25
Tracksuit top £30
Girls white PE shirt £17.50
Girls hockey shirt £17.50
Navy crested hoodie £27
Navy swim t shirt £6
Navy base layer £20.50
White base layer £20.50
Crested skort £20
Cycling shorts £12
Swimming costume £15
Crested swim hat £6
Sports socks £6.50
Games socks £8
Crested swim bag £6.50
Crested PE duffel bag £18

That £256!!!! Now, this is an independent school, but a city one. And this is prep school, not senior. But we are not wealthy and prioritise school fees above a nice car, holidays, etc.

On top of that I have hockey boots, white trainers, PE pumps and a gum guard.

And that's just the PE kit...

(Luckily, we have second hand at our school and I can do it for a fraction)

thats standard price around here for the comps .

yellowstone People on a low income will not have £7 a month to put aside for PE kit. For many, the money simply isn't there.

Agree with Alicelidell - many people living in grammar school areas in effect have a 'secondary modern system'. Whatever the in's and outs of grammar schools/academies etc/comprehensives etc. etc. most people have a choice of 2 or 3 schools and have to make the best of it.

To those who think the OP should lump it as she chose a grammer school, what is the thought process supposed to be?

"That school really suits my child, but I'm not one of those posh types who can pay for Rugby boots, we know our place, we'll go somewhere else?"