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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed at the school for changing the uniform...again

65 replies

Meandyouandyouandme · 10/05/2015 21:23

DD2 is in y9, when she started at her school they changed the uniform from polo shirts and jumpers to blazers and ties, so fine I had to buy her uniform anyway, but my DS was going into y11, and I had to buy him new blazer, tie and trousers, that he wore for about 9 months. So I was a bit annoyed at that, but accepted the schools reasoning that they wanted everyone to change together.
The school has a lower and upper school, so currently the year 7&8s wear a navy blazer and 9,10&11 wear black, they also wear their own ties in upper school. So in September my DD started wearing a black blazer, so now I have bought two blazers, and about 6 ties as we thought they were for three years. Now the school have decided that the upper school have to go back to the blue blazers, as they look smarter and have more wearability apparently. I don't know about that as my DD hadn't worn her black one long enough for it to wear out yet, or I have a magic washing machine Hmm
I wrote to the school to complain about the waste of money and resources, and that my DDs uniform fits fine and isn't worn, and why can't they phase the change in gradually. The reply was the usual uniform helps learning and there was a consultation., blah blah.
AIBU in being really pissed off at buying a third blazer in as many years because the school can't make it's mind up, and to have had two different blazers in the first place?

OP posts:
Original poster
Meandyouandyouandme · 10/05/2015 23:18

Thanks icimoi, in the letter I received it did go on about the fact that the school has a uniform shop, so is supposedly cheaper than going to the supplier direct, but it's still making another change, I don't care how cheap it is, I just think it's a waste.

OP posts:
FeelingSmurfy · 11/05/2015 00:25

My high school changed uniform completely but only year 7 (first year) were required to have it for the first year, most people had swapped over after a year as they had grown or uniform wore out, those who had the old uniform when most were in new were offered help by the school to get the new uniform

noblegiraffe · 11/05/2015 00:38

That's outrageous. When my school introduced a new uniform it was phased in so that you didn't get Y11s wearing a new uniform for a few months.

Do they think you are made of money? I hope they are providing free uniform for the pupil premium kids.

Icimoi · 11/05/2015 07:59

I agree that it doesn't matter how cheap the new uniform is, the fact that they are making you waste money by throwing away perfectly wearable current uniform is unacceptable and must in practice breach the DfE guidance quoted above.

The academy will have a funding agreement with the Department for Education. It might therefore be worth taking this up with them (as well as the governors) as they are sensitive to bad publicity around academies. Make sure you write to the Academies department.

Original poster
Meandyouandyouandme · 11/05/2015 08:13

Yes there is a hardship fund for parents struggling. I just think they should have phased it in, like all other schools seem to be able to.

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Original poster
Meandyouandyouandme · 11/05/2015 08:20

Thanks, I will be writing to the governors today and the department of education. Last week, just after we got the order form, we had a random email with two pictures attached of the new pleated skirt and trousers for the girls, so I assume there must have been other parents querying the new items. Thanks for everyone's help and ideas. My DD is now refusing to wear the new uniform anyway, and wants to move to another school Hmm I haven't made a fuss in front of her, as I didn't want her to react, I think some of friends have said the same thing.

OP posts:
Original poster
Meandyouandyouandme · 11/05/2015 08:22

Obviously she won't be moving, she's 14 and is melodramatic.

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Whatthebobbins · 11/05/2015 08:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Meandyouandyouandme · 11/05/2015 09:03

Yes it is daft, they've obviously just realised that! There are two separate buildings about 100 yards apart for the lower and upper schools, but the children in lower go to upper for some lessons such as pe or swimming, so beats me why they thought it was a good idea in the first place.

OP posts:
ScorpioMermaid · 11/05/2015 09:06

YANBU

LittleIda · 11/05/2015 09:10

Yanbu. When my old school changed the uniform they phased it in by only getting the year 7s to wear it and then only when those year 7s were in year 11 was the whole school wearing it. Much better

mummytime · 11/05/2015 09:11

My DCs school always gives a "honeymoon period" for uniform changes - so new year 7s have to have the new stuff, everyone else has at least 1 year to still use the old uniform.

But new Heads do seem to love changing Uniform. Fortunately DCs school new head had been acting Head for 2 years, so just kept the changes she'd already made.

elderflowergin · 11/05/2015 10:10

Hi meandyou, I think our dc are maybe at the same school! I have just bought two new skirts for my dd as the ones I bought in June last year are so short they are indecent, especially with them being straight skirts. It cost me £32 but I thought I could sell the two that she has out gown, obviously now I can't as no one wants them, so I will have 4 skirts that can't be worn in sept, and will have to buy two new ones. I have to say that I am glad that they are pleated as they will be much more practical, and less likely to show lots of leg and thigh! I am v annoyed though as it's another £32 I have to find by June 11th.
If it's the same school, I am also slightly annoyed about having to write in a certain pen, which only last two minutes before it runs out and I have to keep replacing, AND having to pay for a sports day in a big nearby city when they have perfectly good sports facilities on site.
They worst but of all is that if they were going to change it, why why couldn't they have changed it to navy and navy or black and black, because black skirts and navy Blazers give me a rage !!

Well that little rant was a bit cathartic anyway....off to find some stuff to sell on eBay now to try to raise some funds !

latebreakfast · 11/05/2015 11:00

uniform helps learning

The rest of Europe (where uniforms are rare) must have a real problem with learning then.

YANBU

LittleIda · 11/05/2015 11:01

Navy blazers with black skirts would offend my eyes too.

LittleIda · 11/05/2015 11:02

I bet the school has a set of templated for replies to parent complaints. eg. All complaints about uniform get "Uniform helps learning /there was a consultation. "

cozietoesie · 11/05/2015 11:09

When you're writing to the Governors, maybe drop in a query about whether these uniforms are being sold at cost? (Many schools actually take profits from them for their own funds - and while I'm not saying that this is any sort of reason for your school to do as they've done, it might do no harm to make them aware that you're alert to these issues. Wink)

Original poster
Meandyouandyouandme · 11/05/2015 12:33

Hi elderflowergin, yes the pen and sports day sound like the same school. I'm supposed to have sent the money in today with my order. Don't know if I'm the only one who hasn't as yet. Though have just remembered one of my DDs friend's parents is a governor. I wonder what they said about this, though don't want to put them in an awkward position.
Apparently the school has absorbed any increases in the cost of the uniform into it's staffing budget.

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Original poster
Meandyouandyouandme · 11/05/2015 12:40

Yes littleIda, the reply was very patronising, and I agree navy and black does not go!

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muminhants · 11/05/2015 13:08

I'm not sure, but I don't think primary schools can insist on the wearing of a uniform (secondary schools can). So if they change the uniform it is entirely reasonable for parents to say they are not buying a new one until they need to (or not at all if their kids are in year 5 or 6).

With secondary schools, they should ensure a decent transition period AND ensure that most items of uniform are available from ordinary shops like M&S or the supermarkets. Are they really saying that they will not allow your child to be educated because you can't afford new uniform? If they are wearing the old one they ARE in suitable clothing. I don't agree with schools sending children home for not wearing proper uniform, it's punishing the child for the parent's "crime" and where that crime is not being able to afford the new uniform it's completely unacceptable. Detention? Absolutely wrong wrong wrong. Unless the kid is breaking the rules themselves eg hoiking their skirt up or suchlike.

I'd refuse, write to the governors and say you'll be taking it further (local press, Nicky Morgan etc) if they don't compromise. My son's school has a new head and I am just waiting for the "consultation" on new uniform to come out. New heads always seem to want a new uniform. The only thing is our head was the deputy head, so he might not see the need as he's not new to the school. Here's hoping.

When I was at secondary school the uniform changed a couple of years before I started. Those starting at the school needed the new uniform, the older years were able to keep the old one. When I started, what would now be Y7-9 had the new uniform, 10 & 11 had both. I don't think it had any bearing at all on the results of the school. The school still has the same uniform now.

SistersofPercy · 11/05/2015 13:45

YANBU and in the 2 schools I have connections with both have dealt with this sensibly.

(DD's old school) School 1 changed the school crest and tie when DD was in year 10. Years 7,8 and 9 were required to make the change, years 10 and 11 were allowed to finish in their existing uniform so the new one slowly phased in.

(my workplace) School 2 (academy) had a radical change to purple blazers and ties. The first set of uniform was offered free. Each child throughout the school was given a new blazer and tie. Subsequent clothing needed to be purchased.

If you want to make sweeping changes to uniform it needs to be done with the assistance of the parents, not alienating them. Not everyone can afford the changes.

Original poster
Meandyouandyouandme · 11/05/2015 15:30

Thanks for everyone's replies, I don't want to say what I've done for fear of outing myself. My DD would be mortified if I went to the press, so will probably end up buying it, and having to swallow my frustration!

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TheJiminyConjecture · 11/05/2015 15:41

As an aside the best way to roll up a pleated skirt is to undo the top button and make each roll the width of the button Wink

Seriously though, I think it's ridiculous that so many changes have been pushed through in such little time

Original poster
Meandyouandyouandme · 11/05/2015 15:47

Thanks Jiminy, yes I am sure the girls will work it out Wink just like we did Grin

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ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 11/05/2015 15:50

My DS's school (private) have always phased in changes over 12-18months so people can swap over when a replacement would be needed anyway.