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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

About school uniform?

79 replies

headisintheshed · 11/08/2012 16:48

DD1 is off to Reception in September. The uniform list says a red jumper/cardigan with the school logo. The jumpers are £14 each and the cardis are £12 each and I really can't afford them with all the other things to get.

WIBBU to send her in a plain red jumper or cardigan ? Does it have to be the logoed one? I don't want her to get into trouble but I've even searched for second hand and can't find any yet have lots of plain red from nursery that still fit well.

OP posts:
NCForNow · 11/08/2012 17:40

I only buy one jumper and one logoed pe shirt....most schools have a selection of 2nd hand on offer. Ask the office when you go back in September.

I bet your DD wont' be the only one with plain on.

Bubbless · 11/08/2012 17:41

my mum could never afford to put us in the right uniform, but she went into the school- head held high and asked for help.
the lovely reception lady kept an eye out in lost property and within a few weeks me and my brother had the right school jumpers and t-shirts, with a good wash they were pretty much as good as new

talk to the school- you wont be the only one in that boat!

headisintheshed · 11/08/2012 17:42

The school uniform grant is available for Year 7 only here :(

I'm hoping the office sells second hand uniforms. I have no ideas where I can get the logo to dew on myself.

OP posts:
keepingupwiththejoneses · 11/08/2012 17:44

TBH I would get the jumper ad get a generic p.e bag and book bag.

NCForNow · 11/08/2012 17:45

Our school keeps lost property for a couple of weeks...then it all goes on a rail in the reception area. If you have lost an item, you can check there...or if you want to buy a piece of it, it is 50p.

I buy jumpers from it if they are in good condition and nobody has claimed them...they never have name tags. Some people have money to burn!

NCForNow · 11/08/2012 17:47

No....don't worry! You WILL NOT be the only one without a logo...people will be FAR too intersted in their little darling's first day at school to notice who has a logo!

Go to the office or phone and ask about 2nd hand.

Once you get to know people, you will find even the richest are not above handing down and recieving other kids uniform.

A nice Dad has given me three good jumpers that his older DD has outgrown...and this same man has had bigger ones from another Mum with a yet older DD>

It's not important really.

headisintheshed · 11/08/2012 17:57

I'm just about sucking up the courage to get her to the school gates that first day. For two weeks they alternate mornings and afternoons but on the third week she's in from 9am until 3:15pm and while I have DD2 to think about its already feeling like I'm missing a limb. It's only now that I've actually even started buying things like P.E kit and uniform. Luckily she still fits into her school shoes from nursery and some grey good quality pinafore dresses so it's not the whole lot but just going to Asda and picking up crisp white socks and looking for a winter coat is making me a bit sad.

OP posts:
DorisIsWaiting · 11/08/2012 18:21

Do you know anyone with older children in the school? Our uniform list says logoed sweatshirt but about 50% wear a plain jumper /cardigan. It may be worth asking.

DorisIsWaiting · 11/08/2012 18:22

Or maybe post in the primary section here (with a nc) asking if there are any other parents with dc already at that school.

headisintheshed · 11/08/2012 18:24

Thanks I'll do that in a few days when everyone forgets this thread so won't attribute it to me.

OP posts:
supermummamia · 11/08/2012 18:28

I buy my children plain jumpers and get them embriodered. There must be a place near you that does that. Also, ask the school about second hand uniform. Ours has loads from lost property that they sell cheaper.

mrsscoob · 11/08/2012 19:31

I don't like paying extra for logos I feel ripped off and think theya are a waste of money as they get stained very quickly. However I would always buy the logo ones as that is the schools uniform and I would not want my child to feel awkward or different especially on their first day Sad surely you could go without something and pay the extra fiver? Or could you not borrow it/ sell some old clothes on ebay or something?

pinkappleby · 11/08/2012 20:10

Our school says logo jumper/cardigan and has a mixed catchment, and every child has one. I guess some have 5 and some have 1 but I have never seen a child without one and I would not want my child to be the only one. Did you get a look when you had taster days?

There is no second hand shop but the head teacher told me once that lost property goes to the people that need it.

I do wonder when people moan about primary school uniform costs - polos and school trousers/skirts are loads cheaper then 'weekend' clothes and logo jumpers cost about the same as a normal jumper, school uniform saves me money.

SauvignonBlanche · 11/08/2012 20:14

Uniform cannot be compulsory at primary school.

noisytoys · 11/08/2012 20:28

School uniform only saves money if you buy expensive weekend clothes. I weekend clothes are from supermarkets or primark then school uniform is expensive in comparison

NCForNow · 11/08/2012 21:08

pinkappleby You say a logoed jumper costs about the same as a normal one...er...no it does not!

Not if your child is in mainly hand-me-downs and new ones are not possible they don't!

Plus...my child's school jumpers are £12.00. I buy jumpers for my DC from shops where they're about 7 pounds! not 12. Or they have things from older cousins and friends.

And when you are counting pennies to get by, that is a BIG difference. Don't post things like that on threads like this.

You come across as naive at best and mean at worst.

NCForNow · 11/08/2012 21:09

Oh and OP...don't feel sad about school! It's a great time for most kids...they get so much out of it! Your DD will not be the only one without a logo jumper and if she hasn't one on the 1st day and you'd rather she got one...then I just bet the office will have 2nd hand ones.

dixiechick1975 · 11/08/2012 21:55

Just a thought op - lots of girls wear their summer dresses in September as the weather is nice. If your school has that option then maybe just send her in a dress or a pinnafore and polo top for the first week or two.

The less she has on will be easier for her to manage aswell eg for PE.

Then you can suss out whether logo is essential and speak to school re second hand.

JumpingThroughHoops · 11/08/2012 22:02

Right - wy dont any of you google and actually find legal sites?

Directgov - the governmentsite:

www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Schoolslearninganddevelopment/SchoolLife/DG_4016078

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.

In England some local authorities provide discretionary grants to help with buying school uniforms. Local authorities that offer these grants set their own criteria for eligibility.

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.

Breaching uniform policy

If your child breaks the rules when it comes to school uniform, they could be punished by the headteacher. More serious punishments like suspension or expulsion from the school are only considered acceptable if the pupil's disregard of uniform policy is persistent and defiant.

Schools should be considerate if a pupil does not keep to the uniform policy, and try to find out why it is happening. If a family is having financial difficulties, the school should allow for this and give the parents time to buy the right items.

Pupils should not be made to feel uncomfortable, nor discriminated against, because their parents cannot provide them with the right school uniform

JumpingThroughHoops · 11/08/2012 22:05

Dept of Education

www.education.gov.uk/schools/leadership/schoolethos/b0014144/schooluniform

There is no legislation that deals specifically with school uniform or other aspects of appearance such as hair colour and style, and the wearing of jewellery and make-up, and this is non-statutory guidance.

It is for the governing body of a school to decide whether there should be a school uniform and other rules relating to appearance, and if so what they should be. This flows from the duties placed upon the governing body by statute to conduct the school1 and to ensure that school policies promote good behaviour and discipline amongst the pupil body.2

It is also for the governing body to decide how the uniform should be sourced. The governing body should be able to demonstrate to parents how best value has been achieved and keep the cost of supplying the uniform under review.

4boyzmum · 11/08/2012 22:10

Is there not a school uniform outfitter in your town? If i was to order through the school then it costs more than if we go into town and buy jumpers from this shop that sells ALL the uniforms for ALL the schools in the area. I've never ordered thru school cos of this. And the jumpers do sound expensive. I pay £8 for my DC's school jumper. And the polo shirts don't have to be logo'd either. Its up to you, but logo ones cost more. I just buy plain ones from Matalan.

DamnBamboo · 11/08/2012 22:25

Uniform not compulsory in England.
Send her in in supermarket gear, nobody will give a shit.

NCForNow · 11/08/2012 22:32

I think OP is more concerned about her LO not standing out rather than knowing she's "in the right" legally to be honest.

NCForNow · 11/08/2012 22:33

Dixie gives good advice...a pinafore and shirt is more than enough in September...you might find a plain cardigan stands out less as "different" too.

Mrbojangles1 · 11/08/2012 22:37

Sorry but yabu ithink six weeks is plently to save £14 thats about £2.50 per week to save

He will have one and then another 6 weeks you could by another

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