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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

804 replies

Puzzledconfusedandbewildered · 06/09/2016 16:49

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?

OP posts:
Arseicle · 09/09/2016 11:48

And rich enough to buy lots of it in whatever combination currently required, probably, being a grammar school Hmm

JudyCoolibar · 09/09/2016 11:50

a7, how do you know how much time is spent on uniform in your child's school? No matter how supportive a parent is, that does not stop the child rolling up her skirt waistband or opening her top buttons as soon as she gets through the front door.

Idratherbeaunicorn · 09/09/2016 11:50

YANBU

This really winds me up. I sound like such an old biddy, but how hard is it to not wear a skin tight skirt, to wear sensible black shoes and not trainers etc.
The uniform is as the uniform is - the parents know what is and isnt suitable and should buy things accordingly. I've seen the pictures in the news of the kids that were sent home and I agree that their uniforms aren't appropriate.
When I went to school I looked like a right loser, but everyone did - it was the uniform! School isn't a fashion show!

LineyReborn · 09/09/2016 11:51

There's a local academy near me, part of a chain, where they have massive versions ghastly exhortation signs all over the walls - things like 'Work Hard' and 'No Excuses' - which remind of re-education camps under certain undemocratic regimes.

Balletgirlmum · 09/09/2016 11:51

That's absolutely fine (& is indeed the case at my children's schools) but both schools have very clear & on the whole quite sensible policies.

Induction days & meetings are used as an opportunity to make the expectations clear & temporary problems/issues whether they be a supply issue, a almost item or a medical need, are accommodated.

WankersHacksandThieves · 09/09/2016 11:53

We have a uniform policy, I don't mind either way. It's not as strict as some, it's not religiously enforced. The pupils comply in the main, some alternative items are worn but if they look like they are wearing uniform then it's fine. They have a couple of crack downs a year which take the format of a random check at registration and anything too far gone will be raised with the child and or parents. I really only know of one instance and support was given by the school to purchase the items. No one was excluded or sent home. They can have whatever colour hair they want or style. Offensive or dangerous items are banned as are football strips.

It's really not hard, the pupils behave well and do brilliantly academically. It's really not hard.

citybushisland · 09/09/2016 12:48

I bet all the Police were in the correct uniform...that is the life lesson. Yes, that adhering to petty rules to the letter won't get you far! I hope my children aspirations are a little higher than that.

I actually don't mind if a school is uniform or not, and I do understand they are trying to keep order. However, forcing people into a one size fits all is not working, we need educated citizens, not robots. I buy the correct uniform for my kids, I fully assume that like their parents before them they will attempt to subvert the rules in some way. I'd be worried if they didn't.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 09/09/2016 12:52

And rich enough to buy lots of it in whatever combination currently required, probably, being a grammar school

Careful, arsicle - your prejudice is showing Smile

I see it's been reported that a few parents have removed their kids from the school, and can't help wondering if this particular HT is only too glad to see them go?

SenecaFalls · 09/09/2016 13:20

However, the schools round here all have policies about removing Blazers when temperatures are forecast to be over a specified temperature.

Why are pupils not allowed to make their own decisions about removing blazers?

MadisonAvenue · 09/09/2016 13:36

However, the schools round here all have policies about removing Blazers when temperatures are forecast to be over a specified temperature.

Same here with the school that my youngest has just left. It was always blazers on with ties and top buttons fastened on shirts unless the temperature reached a rare high.

MissHooliesCardigan · 09/09/2016 14:04

Seneca That's a bit radical! Careful, now, think where that could lead.
DD reliably informs me (and I don't doubt her knowing the school as I do) that the Academy she attended for a while never allowed Blazers to be removed. And July in London was pretty hot.

SenecaFalls · 09/09/2016 14:28

Oh, lord, yes MissHoolies. It might lead them to thinking for themselves. In a school, no less. While being educated for the big wide world. What was I thinking?

LineyReborn · 09/09/2016 15:52

Dear God, imagine teaching children to apply common sense, to learn to adapt to conditions appropriately, and to think independently. Anarchy will ensue.

Ans according to the logic of some pp, it would mean we don't give a fuck about our children.

JudyCoolibar · 09/09/2016 15:56

Why are pupils not allowed to make their own decisions about removing blazers?

Because they like to see serried rows of near clones. If you have some children wearing blazers and some not, it just looks messy, and that would never do. It is so much more important that they look tidy than that they should be comfortable and able to learn.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 09/09/2016 16:52

why are pupils not allowed to make their own decisions about removing blazers?

It is a massive control thing. You will be uncomfortable because I say so.

What kind of person thinks it is okay to behave like that to child? Only a nasty person on a massive power trip.

Kenduskeag · 09/09/2016 17:11

I've not seen one newspaper sad-faced kid in anything that would have passed muster at my own bog-standard comp 15 years ago.

Nike Air Max trainers? Little cotton lace-ups in the syle of Vans and Converse? Flimsy ballet pumps? Go home.

Skin-tight leggings? Go home.

Shaved head? Shaved head with ludicrous rectangle left on? Go home.

If one kid sits there in scruffy trainers and a bizarre shaved haircut, all the others will want to shed standards too. Shirts out, any old random shoes, and they end up like looking like The Bash Street Kids.

Just put the damn uniform on, buy sensible shoes, and dress in your own 'unique' way in your free time.

LineyReborn · 09/09/2016 17:19

I rather adore the St Trinian's look.

CecilyP · 09/09/2016 17:26

I think ballet pumps would probably have been accepted if they were black leather or black leather-like plastic. Are you sure the girl in the Clarks black brogues wouldn't have passed muster in your school?

yorkshapudding · 09/09/2016 17:44

My Facebook feed this week has been full of parents who are "fuming with the school" because their special snowflake has been made to remove their earrings, told off for wearing trainers etc etc.
As long as the uniform policy is clear, made available to parents and enforced in a non discriminatory way then I don't see how they have any right to complain.

HelenaDove · 09/09/2016 18:16

Wonder what this schools anti bullying policy is like and if its enforced as vigorously as their uniform policy.

user1471510836 · 09/09/2016 19:01

Camden Girls' School which is one of the highest performing state schools in the country and is sending 15 students to Oxbridge this year does not have uniform.

MissMargie · 09/09/2016 19:40

Some schools are huge - these teens are let loose onto the streets at the end of the school day. I'd rather have gangs of teenagers go by in uniform than not, then if there is bad behaviour it's much easier to nail them

Balletgirlmum · 09/09/2016 21:06

How funny.

I asked dd what she did in English today. And it seems they spent the lesson having a lively debate about this issue and discussing the school that sent lots of pupils home.

Tapandgo · 09/09/2016 22:37

I agree with Buzzardbird
If you want to change the way things are done get elected on to the Governing Body and do it right - all these rules have been hammered out by the staff and governors. Hanging around agitating at the school gates is not the way to change things.......and is a distraction to learning.

Nibledbyducks · 09/09/2016 22:46

My kids school let the students take blazers off during a heat wave, the day after 5 people got sent to matron with heat exhaustion.....