aibu about school uniform

[lisylisylou]

The school my kids go to is relaxed about school uniform but do insist on wearing the basic school colours and we are allowed to buy our dc's uniform from the superstores. Financially, this is a big help but I have just spent £60.00 on school fleeces and 1 school jumper for each dc for school visits etc.. However, I have had a big falling out with my husband as I said to him that last term I saw one particular mother allowing her daughter every day to wear jeans and smart tops (not school tops though!) and today her son was wearing jeans as well and I was fed up about it. I know the family fairly well and have good jobs so I don't really understand what the reason is. I know it sounds petty and is not on the same scale of a country facing famine but when you go through having to buy the stuff and make sure it's always looking good for the next day it does grate a bit. My husband told me it was nothing to do with me and I argued that the school uniform is there for each kid to look the same so each kid gets treated the same. AIBU?

Yes, you are being UN and a bit ridiculous if I'm honest.

Possibly irrelevant but it costs approx €370 to send the average 5 year old to school in September here in Ireland so I don't really get the moaning in the UK when you don't have to pay for books etc

Does the 'uniform' code say no jeans? If not, NOYB.

Unless a school operates a strict uniform, with identical clothing right down to shoes, shirts etc, there will always be differences. If there is only a colour code as yours has, there will be an obvious difference between Asda and John Lewis outfits. TBH, even with strict uniform they manage to differentiate themselves with stuff like their bags, hairbands.. (I've got girls, can you tell )

£370 Barbie?!

YANBU to be irked by it, but it needs to be pointed out to the school really. Either there is a policy or there isn't.

Euros imperial but yep - books alone just on €100 and they're workbooks so can't be used again for younger siblings.

op I really don't get why you care I just worry about my own dc's uniform

i prefer uniform, saves the hassel of setting clothes out every night and having DS saying i am not wear this that. Uniform is not really that expensive when bought from a supermarket.

no point having a uniform policy if it isn't adhered to though is it?

Just as an aside my youngest started secondary today and for two boys (1 full uniform each with no extras) cost me £677.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really do wonder how the poor cope in Ireland, my mother couldn't have afforded bills like that for my Education, and would probably have gone without food to pay. I think it's similar in France.
However school Uniform can be expensive in the UK, and a back door way to discriminate, poorer families might send kids to schools with cheaper uniform.

If the school doesn't ban Jeans, then I see no problem, my very lax school did in the 70s, the only thing it did really enforce.

I think it's harder to enforce a school uniform policy when your kids can see their friends wearing day to day clothes. Just really wanted to know your thoughts really

Swings and roundabouts, we've got a partial full uniform, partial code. The blazer and jersey are official only, and only available from the school, they are expensive and the jersey in particular is made of crap which disintegrates if washed over 30, unravels if you accidentally put it with anything with a zip, and cannot be tumble dried. The rest can come from anywhere, so they all refuse to wear the nice solid wellmade things from M&S or JLP, it's got to be spray on from New Look, and dear god don't let me start on the subject of Clarks Shoes vs foot-destroying black ballet pumps from Primark.
Ireland - is there no support at all for families truly on their uppers?

How old are they? Uniform is not enforcable in English state primary schools!

ds is 8 and dd is 7. I had no idea that uniform is not enforceable in England. I think I need to have a good look at the school website and see what it says. I don't normally get riled about this type of stuff and usually walk the kids into school, say goodbyes and dash off to work. I'm now feeling a bit confused by it all but thanks for all of your advice

I don't understand what your problem is.

You choose to buy school sweatshirts, and the other DCs mum chooses to send hers in non-uniform.

No one makes you do anything. The other mum could easily come on and do and AIBU about how you are crushing your children's spirit and individuality

I get the point OP is making and I don't think YABU. Our secondary school has recently tightened up a great deal on uniform. It does irk when you've spent money on proper school trousers to find out that some pupils are getting away with wearing black skinny jeans and as a consequence your DC don't want to wear the school trousers any more. I'm happy to buy the uniform as long as the policy is enforced by the school and I don't end up with items of uniform going unworn and wasted. Skinny jeans can be worn after school.

The problem OP has is that the uniform policy isn't strict enough, so makes the whole thing rather pointless.

But that policy can only apply in secondary education. Unfortunately unifrom for primary can only be recommendation, not compulsory.

Your children need to learn that some people don't play by the rules, but that they should regardless. It's a good lesson for life [smug]