Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not buy 'regulation' school uniform

237 replies

Edenviolet · 27/08/2014 15:10

Because firstly it is much more expensive (1 school logo polo top for £7.50 when I can get two plain ones for £5).
Secondly the list states "only shirts (l/s or s/s) with ties. NO open neck blouses for girls. Dd2 hates tight things near her neck or feeling restricted thread hated the shirt tie combo even with top button undone so I have got her blouses with an open neck as she will be comfier.

Db was horrified (his daughter is also starting school at the same time) and he said I am wrong to deliberately get the 'wrong' uniform

OP posts:
JanineStHubbins · 27/08/2014 15:19

Does your Dd1 go to the same school?

DoctorDonnaNoble · 27/08/2014 15:19

I'm sure they would have done that after a consultation process. Usually when parents are asked about this they ask for smarter uniforms - eg. shirt and tie, rather than polo shirts.
Has it recently become an academy - there is often a uniform change then.
It will be significantly more expensive at secondary school - particularly when all the sports kit is factored in.

Original poster
Edenviolet · 27/08/2014 15:21

While its warm the pools would be ok I suppose but when its colder she will need the long sleeve blouse.

I just want her to be comfortable it wasn't to deliberately 'break the rules'

Parents were consulted about colour of polo tops and skirts/pinafores and whether dcs should be allowed to wear earrings. Not one question about allowing blouses on the questionnaire.

OP posts:
Original poster
Edenviolet · 27/08/2014 15:22

Dd1 is at secondary. Ds1 is there. He too has plain pools but he is happy to wear a tie.

OP posts:
LadyLuck10 · 27/08/2014 15:22

So why didn't you ask about it then?

hollie84 · 27/08/2014 15:22

Why does she need a long sleeve blouse? If she's cold isn't there a jumper or cardigan in the uniform?

TantrumsAndBalloons · 27/08/2014 15:23

What is the issue with ditching the shirt/tie option and just going with the polo shirt option? Is it the cost of the logo polo shirts?

Original poster
Edenviolet · 27/08/2014 15:24

My dcs always really feel the cold and have always needed long sleeves plus the jumper/cardigan as well for late oct onwards most years and dd2 gets unwell if she gets too cold

OP posts:
Original poster
Edenviolet · 27/08/2014 15:25

Cost is one issue and comfort /warmth in winter the other

OP posts:
JanineStHubbins · 27/08/2014 15:25

Could you not get her a long-sleeved thermal vest to wear inside the polo shirt for the cold months? And avoid the shirt/tie issue altogether?

treaclesoda · 27/08/2014 15:25

are they allowed to wear the polo shirt in winter? My DD's school only have short sleeve polos with a sweatshirt and they are fine in winter, she has never felt cold. Polos might be ok?

treaclesoda · 27/08/2014 15:26

sorry, cross posted.

long sleeves underneath maybe?

Gileswithachainsaw · 27/08/2014 15:26

How old is your dd?

We were told when dd was in reception (by her teacher) that although the uniform was shirts they didn't say anything if a kid wore polo shirts.

Ironically within the first term we all received a letter asking us to get out children to practice getting dressed/undressed quickly as they were taking to long for/after PE.

Gee, four and five ur olds finding buttons fiddly. Who'd have thought Hmm

Polo shirts would have been much easier

DoctorDonnaNoble · 27/08/2014 15:27

We have a student who has severe eczema and is very self-conscious about it. He is allowed to wear a little turtle neck underneath his shirt which makes it much more comfortable (and warmer). Worth a shot?

Suefla62 · 27/08/2014 15:27

But you are deliberately breaking the rules. I can see in a few years you're going to be the sad looking Mum in the Dailymail, pouting because your precious has been sent home for wearing the wrong uniform, because she should be able to do what she wants and be "comfortable".

Bunbaker · 27/08/2014 15:27

Sorry but your DB is right. If unlogod polo shirts are OK then get those. If the rules say NO open necked bloused then why on earth did you buy some?

a) You will be known in the staff room as one of those parents
b) You will be giving your DD the wrong message - that it is OK to ignore the rules.

Original poster
Edenviolet · 27/08/2014 15:27

The younger years can wear polos all year if they want to but the junior school have to have shirts and ties after oct half term. I wouldn't want to put her in a long sleeve thermal vest. Blouses are better as thinner and if she got warm could take her cardigan off and just have the blouse whereas with a l s thermal vest if she gets too warm she couldn't easily take it off and would get too hot which also causes her some issues.

OP posts:
tippytap · 27/08/2014 15:28

Why bother to post in aibu if you don't think you are?

Personally, I think you're wrong. You should've gotten the logoed polo shirts. It's your dd who will get in trouble at school and you who will have to fork out more money.

I can understand a genuine mistake, but to deliberately get something you were specifically told not to, boggles the mind!

gymboywalton · 27/08/2014 15:28

believe me -your child will not be cold in a classroom in the winter. they are generally ROASTING!

butterflyroom · 27/08/2014 15:28

School uniforms (certainly state primaries) are not compulsory and cannot be enforced although they are strongly suggested. Saying that, I like uniforms and the values they instil. Could you talk about your concerns with the teacher and see if there's flexibility, in the meantime buying a minimal amount of uniform?

tippytap · 27/08/2014 15:28

X posts!

hollie84 · 27/08/2014 15:29

Have you spoken to the school about her medical issues? Can you not come to an agreement with them about her special clothing needs?

LadyLuck10 · 27/08/2014 15:29

I think you're being precious about her being 'uncomfortable'. Most children are initially uncomfortable but they get over it.

Bunbaker · 27/08/2014 15:31

By the time she is in juniors she will be a little more mature and my not have issues with a shirt and tie. Although it beats me why shirt and ties are deemed necessary for primary school in the first place.

At secondary school it is very likely that your daughter will have to wear a shirt and tie. At DD's school you get detention for not doing so.

TantrumsAndBalloons · 27/08/2014 15:31

Classrooms are generally quite warm all year round. Could you go with polo shirts for now and then re asses the situation in winter, rather than sending her in the wrong type of shirt straight away? You may find a polo and sweatshirt will be fine in winter