to think school can't really dictate when students can wear coats to school?

[freddiefrog]

Was out with a friend today. One of her children go to the high school we've applied for our eldest DD to attend last year.

Chatting about the school and she mentioned that school tell parents when the students can wear coats to and from school.

I wasn't sure if I had the right end of the stick or not so questioned what she meant and she showed me a text she received from school stating 'students are permitted to wear coats to and from school from the 10th December'

Now, we've had some very wet and fairly cold weather, so surely it's not on for school to insist students have to attend in just a shirt and thin crappy blazer, especially when it's pissing down

We have to provide a very expensive school uniform coat, so surely it should be up to the students to decide whether they're cold or not

Is this kind of thing usual in high school now?

Someone has a teenager who wears a coat to school? A teen who wants to wear coat to school?

DS has a lightweight rainproof that does the job, with hood, folds up & crams nicely into bottom of bag, no one need know it's there. Far more manageable than bulky coat.

Mine wear coats. DD2 at 15 tends to do so grudgingly but dd1 at 17 has always liked to keep warm!

Regarding the asking permission to take off jumpers etc. There are some schools now which insist that teachers do not take their jackets off ever, whatever the temperature, except in the staffroom. Now THAT is bonkers.

I wouldn't mind so much about the school DD1 attends being so strict about them appearing smart, not wearing coats, etc if they gave two hoots about anything else around the school.

The place is full of flaking paint, buckets in classrooms to catch rainwater, broken heating, graffitti, damp which makes rooms smell, weeds, broken flagstones, etc. All except to beautiful new suite of air conditioned offices with a conference room and lovely modern kitchen for the senior management team.

Whatever happened to meeting children's basic needs so they are ready to learn? They may look smarter without coats but they are going to struggle to concentrate which they are cold and wet.

I think they are probably talking about non uniform coats. If not bring it up with the head.

No, it's definately all coats. They're not allowed non-uniform coats full stop, uniform coats is from when they give permission. The kids all have lockers each so while I agree, they don't want to cart coats around all day, they can be stored out the way until needed at the end of school

We've already applied for the place. DD is due to start September 2013 and our application deadline was the end of October.

From what my friend said, there has been a lot of complaints about this and it's ongoing to hopefully it'll be addressed soon.

Agree Gold, the fact that the school dds go to is so obviously well cared for was a definite plus point, only secondary school I've been in with no graffiti anywhere.

My 2 eldest are at a High School (called a college!) and wear blazers - also a newish thing - neither wear coats which makes me mad. When I said to wear a coat they said they couldn't because with their pe kits there's no extra space in their lockers. Youngest DD goes to a middle school and just wears a jumper (blazer not compulsory until Year 7) so she wears a coat quite happily. I know some kids think it's uncool to wear a coat but if kids want a coat they should be allowed them at any time. Unless a child is wearing something completely unsuitable I'd understand but if it looks nice then I don't see how a school can make this rule and think it's ok.

DD's school has a uniform policy but isn't totally anal about it. Coats are not mentioned. However, DD (yr 8) would not be seen dead in a coat. The nearest she gets is a sleeveless anorak type thingy with a parka type fluffy edged hood. To keep warm she adds a fleecy jacket underneath. Umbrella fine, but she will not wear a coat. I've decided not to fight this battle and will buy the coat when she asks for it.