To think it's not hard to adhere to uniform rules

[Puzzledconfusedandbewildered]

Yet again in the fail a school has had protests from parents (and police presence) due to 50 students being turned away on day 1 for breaching the uniform rules

Aibu to think the rules are the rules and if you want your child to attend that school you adhere to them?

Is this a grade A school?

Are they complying with all the curriculum?

How were tent graded by Ofstead?

We're any teachers reined away for mistakes in their work?

Teacher here, and I had to send half my class into isolation today. Wrong shoes, wrong bags, mini skirts, no jumper, no tie. Yes, it seems anal but I can't ask one student to adhere to a dress code and let another one off. If you let everything go, things just get worse until by Christmas assembly looks like Aintree Races

It's not hard. Shoe exceptions should be made if there is a medical reason but children should be taught to follow rules.

Some schools go OTT with the rules, and I think generally a slightly more relaxed approach is better.

Ds has to wear trainer type shoes and school have no issue with that. Just the same as they generally have a no trainer rule for indoor pe (primary school) but happily let him wear them.

What effect do different coloured socks have on learning? I'd hazard a guess at very little.

This happened at a nearby school last year, papers had a field day. Head ended up leaving, it was truly bonkers. Even the staff barely knew what was what, kids turned away on day 2 having been wearing things on day 1 etc etc.

Uniform is by and large an example of attempting to wield power and coerce kids into 'uniformity'...an unnecessary waste of time IMO. Pick your battles for the important stuff and lessen the risk of embattled kids kicking back against the big stuff because they have been forced into the little stuff.

I was in my classroom last night marking and one of the cleaners was talking to another cleaner about her daughter, who goes to school at my school, having been isolated because she wouldn't remove false nails. I couldn't believe how angry she got. Just don't let your daughter but a set of false nails the day before school starts and you won't have a problem. The policy is crystal clear on it.

If the school has a sensible uniform policy and the kids and parents comply with it then all the teachers can get on with the job of teaching instead of micromanaging where the line lies between a sensible interpretation of the rules or all out flouting or disregard.

Just send the kids in what is listed on the policy. It isn't bloody difficult.

Uniform is by and large an example of attempting to wield power and coerce kids into 'uniformity'...

I disagree.

A uniform puts all kids on a level plain. No drama over who has what trainers or what branded tshirts or whether a kid is fashionable or not.

It's not about effect on learning it's about following the rules and not following the rules DOES affect learning

I would prefer the school to get on with educating the children and get over the footwear. I doesn't seem a battle worth fighting.

I must admit I don't understand why schools won't allow plain black trainers. They're much better for arch support than ballet flats or the heeled Kickers we used to wear.

Otherwise though the trousers or jumper or tie should all be present and correct.

It's not difficult, the school publishes it's uniform requirements, you buy your child the correct uniform, they wear it. End of. If you don't like the uniform or don't want your child to wear it then maybe it's not the right school for you/them.
Interestingly, reading the comments on the Sun website (have just bathed in disinfectant), there seems to be a correlation between supporting or attacking the school and punctuation, grammar and spelling...........

It's very annoying when schools don't enforce their own rules but on random days decide that they will start doing so.

Our secondary school rules said that canvas shoes weren't allowed but kids wore them. One arbitrary day they decide to enforce the rule so I have to replace £40 brand new Vans which he won't wear at weekends.

Personally I think that schools should allow black trainers. They last longer than leather school shoes,more comfy and better for your feet. School shoes come in a range of prices so I don't agree that it reduces peer pressure for brands.

It's funny how, at uni doing postgraduate study, I can learn fine without a uniform, but 15 years ago, I wasn't able to think without one

To be fair, when I was teaching at a high school I was lax about uniform. I wouldn't expect the kids to sit in a freezing room without their coats on, a boiling room with their jumpers, blazers & ties on etc. A girl who had terrible acne would speak up in lessons when she wasn't marched to take her make up off with cheap baby wipes beforehand.

But unfortunately other teachers were so anal about uniform, I ended up getting it in the neck from form tutors, heads of years, the SLT.

But I agree; the world of work you may or may not require a uniform, but a lot of jobs have a dress code to follow.

Maybe Dickon by the time you were at uni you were mature enough to know how to dress appropriately and "who is wearing what" was a decade behind you.

Uniform isn't usually sensible tho - shirts, ties, blazers, shoes not trainers. All totally stupid for children.

Should be in comfy, cheap, easily washable and clothes suitable for a range of temps eg jumper and short sleeved polo shirt.

DD's school stipulates 'shoes that can be polished' so leather Vans or Converse (and similar non-branded) are presently accepted, which are far better than flimsy ballet style flats.

I work in a primary school and while we do have a uniform, it's very relaxed. We think it is more important for the children to be there than what shoes they are wearing. As long as they are sensible and comfortable, that's fine.

Meh think it's ridiculous. If uniform equalised better results or discipline then fine but there's no evidence that's true. Britain is obsessed by school uniforms and it's an old class hang over.

Bragging and advertising the school the kids attend by the uniform.

On teacher training days most kids wear jeans/trainers/leggings etc far more sensible than vile Blazers that no adult would be seen dead in and girls rolling up their school skirts.

Let teachers teach and discipline over what's really important not have to obsess over what teenagers wear.

What's happened to this country we were the greatest nation ever, people used to get on ships and just set sail who knows where, explore and live great lives but now we are raising fucking sheep who have to follow every petty rule dreamt up. The wrong socks ffs. My DDs school came down hard on the shoe rule, never mind year 11 didn't have a proper art teacher all year and everyone's failed their exam

but a little flexibility sometimes would make common sense.

Instead today my daughter (first day at secondary school) had to sit in the heat in her school blazer (polyester) and school jumper (polyester) - she slow roasted.... hardly conducive to learning... (and so very very stinky)

This is One of the reasons why uniforms should be free from the school.

YANBU - and I always laugh at the parents who want their precious little darlings to be 'individual' but all end up wearing the same skinny jeans, pastel hair and nose piercings .

But some people just love to think they are 'cool' and 'different' - I work in an environment where the 'dress code' is very relaxed ........... anything really apart from smelly, ripped jeans and dirty clothes and still people can't get it right. . Who really thinks it is appropriate to wear dirtty, faded joggers that show half your backside and a T-shirt with an incredibly vulgar slogan on it?

yabu It just gets more and more ridiculous and petty, I would get rid of uniforms altogether personally.

Should be in comfy, cheap, easily washable and clothes suitable for a range of temps eg jumper and short sleeved polo shirt.

^^ I agree, and this is the sort of uniform worn at my DS's school - no expensive, branded stuff - bog standard trousers that can be bought from any supermarket but children still break the rules.

And regardless of what people say, kids can see the difference even between different uniforms. So the 'equality' line doesn't hold.

A sensible uniform says "blue jumper/cardi, white shirt/polo, black trousers or skirt." All this faff about trouser style, sock colour etc...allow them a little choice within guidelines, much like the adult world. I have never had to wear a uniform as a grown up...especially not one that specifies my sock colour.

Schools are primarily there to facilitate learning, not drill any autonomy out of kids. Thank heavens for home ed.