To think that school uniform policies can be a little ott?

[anditwasallyellow]

Probably in the minority here.

I agree with the principle of a uniform but I think sometimes they are a little impractical and uncomfortable. Cannot see the point in blazers, blazer and work style trousers you are basically in a suit which is hardly the most comfortable thing to wear all day. And ties, especially for small children, ds new school has a tie policy even for the reception kids, it's on a bit of string!

My school had a great uniform a school tracksuit which consisted of a sweatshirt with the school logo, polo shirt underneath and sweatshirt trousers, looked awful but we were all the same and it was comfy and practical. Summer uniform was summer dresses for the girls and polo shirt and sweatshirt style shorts for the boys.

Probably just me I would happily live in my pyjamas most of the time and my style is quite hippyish/boho it is a real struggle for me to dress 'smart' for work.

Don't like it - send them to a more bohemian school.

To me a school uniform of a tracksuit sounds awful.

I never had an issue with a blazer at school personally - was handy to have all the pockets to store crap in.

Ties for little ones doesn't make much sense, polo shirt and trousers/skirt makes more sense but when its on elastic its not really a problem either.

No I like strict uniform rules.

I don't like it when I see school girls with very short skirts. Or girls wearing UGGS with their school trousers [urgh]

I understand people don't like them for smaller children but if you start early the principal will be instilled by their teens and they would be less likely to rebel.

I would have rather worn a straight jacket to school than a tracksuit.

Trousers, a shirt and tie is not really uncomfortable is it. A blazer can be removed during lessons.

If it bothers you that much, don't send your children to that school

I like a smarter uniform. My school uniform was very smart and they were very strict on it.

Blazers can be removed, and in all seriousness, dress trousers are not more uncomfortable than jeans, which most teens wear.

I agree in principle with no ties at primary age. DC's school has a dress code rather than a uniform per se, which sounds (and is, on the whole) better but it does seem to require several pages of reminders every term of exactly what is and isn't acceptable.

It's interesting you say about wearing tracksuits. Our pupils(secondary) were polled for changes in the uniform. Currently they wear trousers/skirt with White polo shirt and a black logo jumper. The vast majority opted for trousers, shirt, blazer and tie. They want to look smart! but what a pain for the teachers to police!

Blazers are truly vile. I very much hope DD1's secondary will not adopt them. It's bad enough moving to uniform at all. I suspect I will not be one of the more rigorous Enforcers.

"If it bothers you that much, don't send your children to that school"

Not really helpful, when you consider the proportion if parents who have Hobsons "choice" over school places, or get none of their preferences at all.

They go into blazers and ties here at middle school, so that's year 5 onwards

My school were v v v strict on uniform- easily recognised throughout town with our ankle length grey pleated skirts. Wool blazers and jumpers (if you were chilly), tights all year round for older girls. The blazer isn't so bad, it's just used as a coat really and taken off during class. It's not like they're made to keep it on like some kind of endurance test.

I liked the skirt though, like having a blanket round your legs. And according to the catholic boys school down the round it gave us girls an "air of mystery". From the description I've given it sounds like I went to school in the arctic.

Ties and smart shirts have just been brought in this year at our school.
DS in yr 6 has a clip on tie. Year 6 have their own striped clip on tie which they have to wear as it sets them apart.
Dd in reception has a plain tie on a bit of elastic which I honestly don't think is going to prove to a problem. She'll probably forget its there.

They look exceptionally smart and I like it. I prefer strict uniform rules.

Doesn't bother me enough not to send my child to a school and anyway most schools have similiar uniforms.

Just find it all a bit anal and know that blazers and suit trousers are not the most comfortable for practical work or running around at playtime.

Doesn't mean I like seeing tiny skirts, ugg boots and big hoops earrings either.

Just think the whole dressing smartly thing doesn't really prove anything you are not what you wear.

Oh the school tracksuits were really hideous but the kids and parents loved them. And it was a really good school. Although perhaps my school tracksuit can be blamed for me now not being a snappy dresser...

My dd loves her tie and they look really smart but it is optional.

She used to have a blazer too as she used to be private and loved that too strange kid

Somewhere in between blazer and tracksuit is ideal I think.

Jumper, shirt, trousers or skirt, sensible shoes.

What I find very dull is the number of black-and-white uniforms (black trousers/skirt/jumper, white shirt). They look dingy and miserable.

Several posts have said that blazers are just like a coat, you can take it off in class, but our secondary makes a big deal of having to keep the blazer ON at all times, only in exceptionally hot weather will they be given special permission to remove it.

I think it is because otherwise they take them off in the first lesson of the day and leave them behind.

Also my DS is very put out that they can't wear shorts in Y7, as he "likes to feel the breeze around his privates"

I've always wondered why a a schools pick the colours they do? Blue, green, red, purple...is it code or something?

Our local new secondary has a bright purple tracksuit and its awful.

Interestingly the rest of Europe apparently thinks the British are mad for insisting their DCs wear a uniform at school. We lived in NL for several years and did not notice primary school children running riot as a result of not wearing a blazer.

The blazer is the most useless of garments being made of foam sponge lined with a plastic bag. It absorbs rainwater (and drips it out during first lesson). In most weather conditions the blazer is sweaty and uncomfortable. The exception is winter when the blazer is draughty and uncomfortable.

I can understand for secondary school that a dress code is a good idea but does it need to be so prescriptive?

My children first went to an infant school with shirts and ties. Even the receptipn kids soon got used to doing buttons up. Year 3 children upwards had proper ties, the younger pupils had elaticated ties.

When we moved, the children went to a school with polo shirts and sweatshirts. One of the biggest differences I noticed was that in the first school, most children could tie shoelaces by the end of year 3. In the second, it was not uncommon for year 5 ( and some year 6) still needing help. I put the difference down to the first school's pupils having greater finger dexterity due to doing up buttons.

I love school uniforms, and hate them looking casual and informal.

VolauVent - "Jumper, shirt, trousers or skirt, sensible shoes." pretty much sums up my DC's school dress code. There are restrictions, but lots of scope for personal preference as well.

Yanbu. I dont see a reason for uniforms at all. But if we must have them
Then they should be comfy, practical and easy to wash. Kids look stupid in tiny suits too!