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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder if any other Secondary School does this?

83 replies

RhinoKey · 04/10/2011 08:24

Have received all the details of the Secondary School that we hope DS will attend.

In the prospectus is a uniform list. Not just a bog standard list I expected, but much more specific - listing the shops that are acceptable to buy from, and even the actual trousers that can be purchased (with item codes).

Last night we went to the open evening and we were told firmly that only these pairs of trousers would be accepted. Also the Head said that the school had the toughest uniform he had come across and he was very proud of it.

AIBU to think that telling me which trousers I can buy for my DS (beyond colour) is a bit much??

OP posts:
WynkenBlynkenandNod · 04/10/2011 08:30

I don't think any of the schools I've looked round recently does but I wouldn't mind if they did. One of them has black skirt or trousers for the girls and sone of them were taking the mickey. Think it is much easier to enforce if there's a list.

The school I'm keen on had a bad reputation but is turning round. They have revamped the uniform and are strict on behaviour which is a plus point for me. Don't think schools can win, people will moan if they are too strict on uniform or not strict enough.

cantspel · 04/10/2011 08:32

No my youngest school does the same but without giving codes.
It stops some boys coming to school in chino style trousers and girls from wearing anything to tight or trendy.

minimisschief · 04/10/2011 08:33

when i was in secondary school there was a shop that stocked the uniforms of the nearest secondary schools. not sure if it was compulsory but it sure was handy.

CustardCake · 04/10/2011 08:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ScarahStratton · 04/10/2011 08:43

DD's both go to state schools. You can only buy the uniform from the schools, there's a uniform shop. They do look very neat though, both the schools are seriously hot on uniform.

I like it. Saves arguements.

BatsUpMeNightie · 04/10/2011 08:44

If you don't like the uniform policy - well here's an idea to try to get your head around - don't send him to that school!

mummytime · 04/10/2011 08:45

My kids school doesn't specify boys trousers (although if boys tried to come in anything except acceptable styles, definitely not chinos they would), they do have specific skirts (2 styles and 1 style of girls trousers), other schools I know have a specific skirt and you can only buy it via the school. Also very specific blouses for girls is very common.

Lancelottie · 04/10/2011 08:47

That's such an easy thing to say, Bats, but round here, the schools (or LEA) do the deciding on who goes where, not the parents or pupils. 'Dislike the trousers' doesn't count for much when trying to argue the case for a non-catchment school, I would think?

emmam25 · 04/10/2011 08:47

The school I work at does this but my last school didn't and the range of "smart black trousers" that were worn was huge! It makes life easier for everyone if the school are specific about what is and isn't acceptable. I can't count the number of VERY difficult arguments conversations I have had with parents over uniform. Shoes ate the worst though... "when does a shoe become a trainer?" is regularly discussed in Tutor Meetings at school. Confused

emmam25 · 04/10/2011 08:48

*are Blush

valiumredhead · 04/10/2011 08:50

Ds's school does the same - very hot on correct uniform. Next school trousers are NOT acceptable because they are ever so slightly cut like jeans.

slavetofilofax · 04/10/2011 09:03

YABU.

If you don't like it, choose a different school.

If you like other things about the school, and want your chid to go there, then you have to go along with it in a positive way. You can't just pick and choose the bits you like.

My ds goes to a school with strict uniform, but then they are strict about most things. It's probably a big reason why they are such a good, oversubscribed school that consistently achieves excellent results.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 04/10/2011 09:05

Uniform this year at the secondary DS attends has been tightened up in terms of appearance but to my mind its a bit like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted. The students have all been given a uniform card which they must keep on their person throughout the day.

Re the only style of school skirt acceptable to the school (i.e black plain and knee length) I think parents have complained that this type of skirt is not readily available to buy in shops. Trousers for both boys and girls have to be both black and plain (no skinny or bootcut type items are acceptable).

It was not helpful of this school to state that they would have a list of acceptable suppliers of same then not actually provide one!. At least the secondary school that Rhino refers to tried a bit harder.

No trainer style boys shoes are allowed at this school but again this can cause problems (the vast majority of shoes on offer seem only to be trainer style boys shoes).

borderslass · 04/10/2011 09:08

School my DD's went to brought 'A strict uniform' in 2 years ago really worked well skirts to knees, school logo jumpers and ties still see kids going with belts instead of skirts when DD1 started none of the girls wore skirts only trousers.Before it was dress code of dark skirt/trousers and dark or light top, FWIW this school is the only one in 8 miles so no other choice.

bruffin · 04/10/2011 09:12

DCs are quite strict ie only one style of pleated skirt for girls and no trousers

Boys trousers just need to be black or grey uniform style

No trainers or canvas shoes at all

Dancergirl · 04/10/2011 09:12

YABU

Schools are entitled to dictate their uniform policy. If you don't like it, don't send your child there.

I like a strict uniform policy; the children look smarter.

BoulevardOfBrokenSleep · 04/10/2011 09:20

If the specified trousers are £5 from Tesco, then YABU to be annoyed.

If, however, they're £50 from a Fothergill & Smythe Esq type shop, then YANBU.

More details?

forrestgump · 04/10/2011 09:25

Another approver of strict uniform policy, as others have said, if you don't like it, choose another school.

Original poster
RhinoKey · 04/10/2011 09:25

The trousers can be from the local uniform shop (£18 a pair), John Lewis (£20 a pair) or M&S (£13 a pair).

OP posts:
Original poster
RhinoKey · 04/10/2011 09:27

Oh and there is no other school in our area.

OP posts:
whoneedssleepanyway · 04/10/2011 09:27

If they just specified trousers of a particular colour they would get a whole range of different permutations and IMO it would look a bit of a mess to have them all dressing differently.

They have given you a choice and a wide price range so I don't think that is too unreasonable...

paranoidandroidwreckmyownlife · 04/10/2011 09:31

I agree with a strict uniform guide...but they should at least look at cheaper styles from Tesco, Asda etc. You can normally get 2 pairs for that price at tesco.

bonkers20 · 04/10/2011 09:36

YANBU to think it's a bit much, but when you look at the wider picture you can see why schools do this.

I felt the same as you when my DS started Secondary. Having been happy using M&S standard (with Teflon!) grey trousers through Primary I was a bit put out to be "told" that if we didn't get the trousers from the official uniform shop they HAD to be the exact shade of grey. However, it's proved to be so easy. We just go along to the shop and they have everything we need. They're generally really good at knowing what size you need and the cost is similar to M&S. The girls wear kilts so they have to get them from the uniform shop.

This is a State school.

Himalaya · 04/10/2011 09:36

Shock at all the people saying 'if you don't like that don't go there' -- as if secondary school admissions were just a matter of picking the one you like best and enrolling.

I see where the school is coming from in trying to limit the uniform to 'uniform' style trousers and skirts.

But government guidance is that "When deciding on a uniform policy, all schools are expected to give high priority to cost considerations. No school uniform should be so expensive as to leave pupils or their families feeling excluded.

The cost of a uniform should not stop parents from sending their child to the school of their choice. Governing bodies should consult parents for their views and concerns before changing or deciding on a new uniform policy.

Schools can help limit the expense of uniforms by choosing a colour scheme rather than a full uniform or by ensuring that the uniform chosen is widely available in high street shops rather than a sole supplier."

This is is in the Admissions Code, which is statutory on schools to comply.

"Governing bodies should help limit the expense of uniforms so that parents on low incomes do not feel that the prospective cost of the uniform means that they cannot apply for their preferred school. Governing bodies should ensure that the uniform chosen is widely available in high street shops and other retail outlets, and internet suppliers rather than from an expensive sole supplier."

...so they are BU and quite possibly illegal.

GnomeDePlume · 04/10/2011 09:40

I'm not a fan of school uniform (the rest of Europe does tend to think it is one of the weird things about Britain!) however if a school is going to insist on uniform then the old adage 'Uniform isnt uniform unless it is uniform' should be applied. This means strict code for supplier, style etc.

YABU unless the trousers are ridiculously expensive.