To ask what UK parents really think of school uniform

[longtimelurker101]

Relating to the thread on school uniform and hair dying. What do parents really think? Do you support the idea or would you prefer that schools across the U.K went non-uniform and had no rules regarding appearance?

I may have been an exceptionally stinky teen , but am I the only one who hated wearing a blazer because they couldn't be washed and after the first half-term permanently stank? The skirts were washable on my school uniform but the blazers weren't. Parents didn't have the money for regular dry cleaning.

On balance, I'm against it - I had a uniform-free primary school and a ridiculously restrictive uniform in secondary. It was expensive - single supplier, twenty miles from where we lived - nasty polyester and acrylic, and hideous. And we weren't allowed to wear trousers. I still feel annoyed about that twenty years later! I haven't worn a skirt to work once in fifteen years (and I have a role where I have to dress very formally - suits every day).

I love school uniform. I dread to think of the faff we'd have if my two had to pick their own clothes every morning. It's bad enough waiting for DS1 to do his hair!

I wore school uniform until I left sixth form at 18 and although I lived non uniform days, the ease of just sticking on school uniform and rolling the skirt up, trying to get away with wearing make up, etc was great.

So it looks like although there are some reasonable cases against the majority are for it.

Interesting!

I love the dc having a school uniform.

Waste of money. There are better ways to stop problems like competitiveness, consumeriosm and one upmanship IMO such as talking to people.

I dislike school uniform intensely but think a dress code/guidelines are important.

I don't think school children should dye their hair or wear make up. I do think they should be very clean and tidy.

I haven't counted but it looks balanced to me OP

I love it. When my oldest son started at secondary school they had to wear black trousers, white shirt, tie and a light grey marl sweatshirt which looked washed out right from the start, plus ties were knotted in any old way. New head came in and introduced a stricter uniform, which the students voted on - black trousers, white shirt, clip on tie so that they all look the same, optional black v necked jumper and a black blazer with red trim. The blazer is the only logo'ed item (apart from PE kit) and there's only one stockist for that so it's quite expensive.

Now there's another new head and he's tightened things up even further. He's strict on which shoes can be worn, boys can't have hair any shorter than a grade 2, no hair dye, no hoodies to be worn in the school grounds (some would wear them over blazers)...and 6th form now have to wear office wear everyday rather than just on the weekly 'Formal Fridays' when the old head was there.

I dislike uniform and would love to see it disappear. I believe, like nooka, that comparing the angst of a mufti day with wearing own stuff every day is not sensible - the angst likely would fade when it was the same every day. And the idea that it saves money is just odd - in what world is it cheaper to buy two separate wardrobes, potentially including shoes, for a child that is still growing? Ds's uniform isn't too expensive except for the PE kit, but it still cost a good £100 plus in one go to kit him out. God help those with twins.

Uniform rules are crazy at DS 's school, eg have to wear a shirt, tie, jumper and blazer at all times. How can being hot and uncomfortable help with education? And don't get me started on disciplinary sanctions for not having your bloody blazer - totally pointless sheep like inducing attitude.

I don't think school children should dye their hair or wear make up.

Why?

I'd like them in civilian clothes. Having said that, for me as aparent uniform is easier. It is cheaper than other clothes and I can prepare a week's worth on Sunday and no faff and picking in the mornings.

Because they mostly make a right hash of hair dye and make up and look really trashy/tatty.

Why should your opinion of what looks good affect what someone else can wear? Don't like it don't wear it.

Tadlow my secondary school weren't especially strict on uniform but girls were strictly forbidden from wearing trousers. We used to campaign constantly through the class school council rep but it was always turned down. Quite odd when you think that girls could wear blue or black skirts, white or blue shirts, a burgundy jumper or cardigan and ties were optional. By the time I was in my last year (84-85) I was wearing a short black skirt and white t shirt.

Then a couple of years after leaving I got a shop job and spent the next 10 years having to wear a skirt for work!

A lot of PP are saying that they think uniform is cheaper than having non uniform.

Having my kids at non uniform school and then going to uniform high school, I found having uniform more expensive. I still had to buy jeans, tracksuit and other casual clothes, but they hardly got worn and they grew out of them.

Non uniform was so easy, and cheaper.

I prefer uniform, but when it is done sensibly, not ridiculously strictly.

You have your whole life to trash your hair and put slap on your face, why do you need to do it at school?

I am in general pro uniform. However, I am so against it costing so much with lots of schools still making their uniforms exclusively available from one expensive supplier and having colours you can't buy cheaper elsewhere/demands for logo'd tops/jumpers. I am also against it being anything other than basic and reasonably smart. They are there to learn and so making it uncomfortable defeats that object. DH would never leave his suit jacket on in a meeting as he finds it uncomfortable so why should a child be forced to wear a blazer when sitting at a desk working?

So a polo shirt or shirt in secondary in white so easily available, grey or black trouser/skirt and a jumper you can get from a supermarket in the correct colour I think is perfectly reasonable.

Our local primary that DS will go to has blazer, tie and collared shirt (no polos allowed) from reception. I think that is ridiculous. Expensive, uncomfortable and on p.e days I doubt they will do anything other than struggle with their shirt buttons all afternoon. I also think it's really bad that the colour you can't get from tesco/m&s and has to be logo'd which is exclusively from one expensive supplier.

So a quick count shows that 57 votes are for and 28 are against.

That's an overwhelming response for uniform IMO.

Its interesting to say the least.

I think it's helpful for schoolchildren to be held to a high standard of cleanliness and neatness in appearance - it's one of those things they need to learn to get ahead in life.

I think in secondary it should be polo shirts instead of dress shirts. School shirts never fited on me, and irritated me. Always changed as soon as I got home. Hated the fact that in tesco our department had badly fitted logo shirts, but the other department (stock) got lovely comfy cotton tees. When I cleaned we had big bag cloth tobards, and anything we wanted underneath. That was great.

I love school uniform, but think some schools have lost the plot.

It is supposed to be cheapish so that everyone can afford it and the dc all look the same.
There are state schools near us that have really expensive P.E kits that cost more than the whole cost of dd uniform at private school.

How can this be inclusive.

I'm a supporter, but as others have said, only for the simple trouser/dress/skirt, shirt and jumper/cardigan part. Doesn't need to have a blazer and tie to be smart. Also don't agree with making people buy from one expensive supplier.
I agree the pressure to wear brands is massive for kids. Non-uniform is fine for parents who have the cash to splash on brands and 'cool clothes'. A great way to make your kids part of the in crowd and show off to other mums how fashionable/rich you are. Not so good if you have to buy the cheap stuff. Or worse, if you don't have the money but don't want to look poor so spend it anyway. Kids got bullied for wearing the wrong brand/design of trainers at my school.

*baggy