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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think it is too cold for mandatory summer school uniform

82 replies

Yeesss · 27/04/2015 15:51

It was 5 degrees this morning and DD was freezing in her summer dress, cardigan and long socks pulled up. Boys were in shorts. Wearing summer uniform became mandatory from this morning.

AIBU to think that small children (DD is 4) should not have to be cold at school? Or am I a big southern softie and do I need to toughen her up?

OP posts:
Original poster
Yeesss · 27/04/2015 18:11

They have to wear socks rather than tights. And a regulation coat that is not particularly long.

I might just put her PE tracksuit bottoms on under the dress and leave them to take them off her if they feel they need. But her teacher / PA are both lovely ladies who love my DD and I doubt they would upset her that way just to satisfy the headmaster.

OP posts:
nocoolnamesleft · 27/04/2015 20:22

YANBU - we just had a hail storm.

Husbanddoestheironing · 27/04/2015 20:27

Ridiculous, I would be annoyed if I was paying for it too....though when I was at primary school boys wore shorts all year round, with long grey socks in the winter. I think they all survived. Ironically all the secondary school kids round here (in the North of England) won't wear coats at all, regardless of weather, temperature or time of year. 'Not cool' apparently Hmm

Sapeke · 27/04/2015 20:38

Our new headteacher chose the first paragraph of the first newsletter to remind us it's summer uniform now...heartsink moment as DD likes to wear boys trousers and sturdy boys shoes. There was something about the school's proud record on diversity too - obviously needs to be the right kind of diversity!

fleecyjumper · 27/04/2015 20:47

Summer uniform from beginning of May but optional from after Easter hols until then. The girls wear summer dresses like on neighbours, even the 16 year olds! State school.

TheBookofRuth · 27/04/2015 20:49

Out of curiosity, what would happen if you sent them in their winter uniform with a note saying "sorry, it's still too cold"? Because I can't imagine letting my children go cold on the whim of another adult, even a head teacher, but they're not at school yet, so maybe it's more difficult than that?

Bursarymum · 27/04/2015 20:51

I put 6 year old dd in summer because she has grown out of her winter stuff! (State school) they all seem to be wearing it now but I always put a vest on underneath.

My 11 year old goes to a private school but there, the rules say they have to be in summer by 1st May. But they are all in summer now anyway.

zipzap · 27/04/2015 21:05

I had the opposite problem when I was at school - we weren't allowed to wear summer uniform until it had been hot enough for long enough, as deemed by our house mistress - was at boarding school.

The rest of the school was in summer dresses - we were sweltering in our winter uniform (back in the days when we had woolen tweed skirts so hot and itchy in the summer!). She never looked at the weather for the day and said - it's going to be unexpectedly hot today, like we had nice weather last week. It could be 80 degrees but if it hadn't been over 70 degrees for at least a week then tough, winter uniform it was. Even if it was 80 degrees for 5 days she wouldn't give in AngryHmm - no idea why she was so fixated on this and not what was sensible to wear on the actual day itself.

Thank goodness she retired half way through my time there and the next house mistress was much more sensible and once it was summer term let us wear summer uniform if we wanted to.

QueenInTheNorth · 27/04/2015 21:08

It was 0 degrees here this morning (NE England) so YADNBU!

TheIronGnome · 27/04/2015 21:31

Flesh coloured tights??

I'd be tempted to send her in in suitable clothes and/or complain hugely. Ridiculous uniform policies.

whois · 27/04/2015 22:34

Yes it's stupid but very common!

Warm vest under the dress and thick white tights if allowed. Thickest possible allowed cardi and a warm coat.

whois · 27/04/2015 22:37

Oh just seen not allowed to wear thick tights. In that case I'd go for a pair of normal thin flesh coloured tights which at least provide some protection plus socks.

So. So. Stupid.

ScorpioMermaid · 28/04/2015 00:30

I'm in the Midlands and my 6year old dd has been begging me since Easter to wear her summer dress for school. To be fair it has been roasting here for nearly a month so I have let her but if it was the usual naf spring weather then she wouldn't be. I don't think it should be mandatory though, that's a bit much.

sashh · 28/04/2015 06:10

Yes - I went to a school like that in the 70s. We used to wear our crimpilene elasticated waist trousers and whip them off at school. A substantial vest was essential.

We would be disciplined if we did not travel to and from school in 'correct uniform' so skirt and socks (only allowed tights in 5th year) in the snow.

SunshineAndShadows · 28/04/2015 06:17

Just put her in sensible clothes and send a note. What's the worst that will happen? I expect the headmasters decision was made before Easter When the weather was lovely. It's not now!

UseHerName · 28/04/2015 06:27

It was hailing yesterday here in belfast-I would be sending them in in whatever kept them warm!! You can bet your bottom dollar that the head isn't freezing in no tights/shorts combo!! Summer uniform indeed Grin pah!!

fulltothebrim · 28/04/2015 06:36

Luckily my kids go to a common state school- and we have a great uniform policy.
Mo seasonal changes, and kids can wear whatever they like from a long list of approved clothes, including trousers, shirt and school ties, skirts, blazers, boots, cardigans, hoodies, sweaters, school polo shirts.

Kids can wear what they like from the list, boys or girls are not held to certain clothes for one gender.

I wouldn't send my kids to school cold, especially I I was paying for the priviledge.

fatlazymummy · 28/04/2015 06:54

I wouldn't send my kids to a school with such a stupid uniform policy in the first place, especially not one where girls aren't allowed to wear trousers.

RoboticSealpup · 28/04/2015 07:07

YANBU, but I suspect a lot of people think YABU. I've noticed that a lot of British people break out the shorts and flipflops as soon as March has passed, completely irrespective of the actual temperature. I'm usually in my winter coat until May, because, you know. It's fucking cold.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 28/04/2015 07:14

YANBU, our girls are allowed into gingham dresses after Easter, but can wear tights with them or stay in winter uniform all summer long if they wish, a lot do especially as they get to years 5 and 6. It should be up to the individual, some people feel the cold more than others.

NurseRoscoe · 28/04/2015 07:17

I'm an adult and still wearing a coat to work. Some people feel the cold more than others. No one should have to be uncomfortable for the sake of appearance! Especially not a child

meglet · 28/04/2015 07:19

Yanbu.

At our state school the kids (boys and girls) can wear shorts or trousers all year round. None of this silly summer uniform nonsense.

HamishBamish · 28/04/2015 07:20

A strict uniform policy is part of the deal with most private schools. Most don't base the change to summer uniform on the weather at the time, but change at the start of the summer term.

As DS's school boys wear short all year round. It's how it's been done for decades and it's part of the tradition of the school. If you send your child there you accept that and stick to the rules. If you don't like it you can vote with your feet and go elsewhere.

I imagine if you send your child to school wearing inappropriate uniform then she would be sent home OP.

Minisoksmakehardwork · 28/04/2015 07:21

Ne'er cast a clout 'til May is out.

Yanbu. My dd1 is in her summer dresses because she wants to wear them and we're relatively warm here at the moment. But she has long socks, vest and thick cardi plus coat on colder days. I prefer to put her in summer uniform after the May holiday when it is definitely warmer.

Our school is another one with a dose of common sense. As long as it's school colours they don't mind what the kids wear.

TheBookofRuth · 28/04/2015 07:46

An " inappropriate uniform" would be one that doesn't keep keep warm enough Hamish!