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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think £200.00 on a school uniform is shocking

180 replies

Racheyg · 14/08/2017 17:37

DC1 starts school in September he has just turned 4.
the only uniform that can be purchased from the non school uniform shop is shirt and trousers. He even has to wear a tie.

The rest even pe kit is branded with their logo. Its all come in at nearly £200.00. I only ordered 1 pe kit fingers crossed he doesn't lose them :)
Im guessing its only going to get more expensive. as next year he needs to wear a blazer. I think I will be wrestling him to get him dressed every morning :)

OP posts:
NancyJoan · 14/08/2017 18:36

What sort of school, OP? Not just a standard state primary, surely?

Lowdoorinthewal1 · 14/08/2017 18:37

Is it an Academy?

They seem to have decided that trying to ape Independent school uniforms will somehow make everything better.. surely everyone knows wearing blazers make kids clever and well mannered.

Soubriquet · 14/08/2017 18:38

Feeling very lucky my local state school allows supermarket own brands

Spent about £50 so far on a pinafore, two polo shirts, 5 pack of white t-shirts for pe kit, school shoes and plimsolls.

Just got to get cardigans

Original poster
Racheyg · 14/08/2017 18:43

It's a new academy school (opened 3 years ago) - that's interesting that these new schools are so strict with uniform.

For m&s I brought 4 trousers, 4 shirts 1 pair black plimsols and the uniform shop 3 jumpers, 2 ties, 1 book bag, 1 pe jumper, 1 pe polo shirt, 1 pe joggers.

I think I brought 2 pairs of uniform shorts as well.

Writing it down doesn't seem that bad quantity wise. I'm glad we already have a black coat.

I hope the allow coloured pants and socks otherwise I'm screwed Grin

OP posts:
AwaywiththePixies27 · 14/08/2017 18:44

YNBU but just wait until you get to secondary school. Just been having a massive debate with the ex today because he didn't believe the prices when I told him! Confused

Original poster
Racheyg · 14/08/2017 18:44

The shorts would have been from m&s

OP posts:
MrsHathaway · 14/08/2017 18:46

I'm sure pants are fine Grin but you'll likely need smart socks eg plain black or navy. But you can get them in Primark or the supermarket!

AwaywiththePixies27 · 14/08/2017 18:46

It's a new academy school (opened 3 years ago

That's a good thing though. The new academy that opened here about ten years ago is now the school everyone tries to avoid.

The one that was in special measures, then turned over into new hands, new academy and got VERY strict, now has a good Ofsted rating and people fight to get their kids in there.

Argeles · 14/08/2017 18:50

When I was going to a state secondary school in 1997, they were super strict about where the uniform came from, and my Mum nearly fainted when the bill came to around £160. I am therefore disgusted that it's cost you £200 op, but not shocked. It's a total rip off. I hope the quality is far superior to that of my uniform - it was atrocious.

Argeles · 14/08/2017 18:51

I should have said that the cost did not include shoes or a coat.

JsOtherHalf · 14/08/2017 18:54

Logoed sweatshirt £10.
Everything else you can buy where you like.
In our case, usually sainsburys.

ArcheryAnnie · 14/08/2017 19:01

Really expensive uniform - both at primary level and at secondary - is increasingly being used as a way for some schools to get parents to self-select themselves out of having their kids there without having to be overt about it. It's a nasty way of ensuring a mostly middle-class intake.

Free schools are especially prone to this, and I especially hate it when primary schools do it, as the kids grow so fast at that age, and are more likely to lose or tear their uniforms.

Primary schools which have expensive uniforms, and an established link with a good local secondary, have my especial displeasure, because they weed poorer families out of being in a good position to get their kids into that secondary school years before they even hit year 6, as their kids won't be on that established track.

Original poster
Racheyg · 14/08/2017 19:03

I'm hoping he becomes a medical consultant with this uniform so he can look after me in my old ageGrin

OP posts:
treaclesoda · 14/08/2017 19:06

I remember at secondary school it was compulsory to have the entire branded sports kit plus loads of equipment like hockey stick, tennis racquet etc. I think in my 7 years at the school I was only allowed to set foot on the tennis courts about twice but I still was supposed to have a tennis racquet Hmm

Brittbugs80 · 14/08/2017 19:13

That is extortionate for Primary, I thought it would be secondary which I expect to be more.

We are in state school, not an academy and our school branded t shirts are £5.50 each but you can wear plain ones, school jumper is £12, pe t-shirts are £4 so I've spent £30 on uniform as we already had the school t shirt and pe t shirt as they were big and still fit.

That £30 though means he has 10 days worth of uniform.

grannytomine · 14/08/2017 19:15

Well you did get quite alot, from your OP I didn't think you would be getting multiple sets so I think it isn't cheap but not as bad as it sounded.

XiCi · 14/08/2017 19:26

Ah OK, so you got alot there then, £200 is normal for all that. You could probably have cut costs by buying at a supermarket rather than marks and Spencer

LocalMummyPerson · 14/08/2017 19:31

^^Just seconding what Archery Annie said.

Though free schools are free to be overtly selective on intake- the staff and governors at the ones which impose a costly multiply- logoed uniform must be aware of the obvious consequence of an expensive uniform policy. Sad it seems pretty overt as a choice really.

BitchQueen90 · 14/08/2017 19:33

Same here soubriquet I picked up a load of supermarket jumpers from Asda for £2 each. Most expensive item for me will be school shoes.

Violetcharlotte · 14/08/2017 19:33

It's a huge amount to pay out all in one go. When you work it out cost per wear it's actually ok, but that does little to ease the blow of forking out all that in one go!

I think it's ridiculous primary schools insist on branded uniform though.

mistlethrush · 14/08/2017 19:37

The thing that got me when mine was this age was his ability to get through (the toes and the size) three pairs of shoes in a school year.

PutTheBunnyBackInTheBox · 14/08/2017 19:37

That's shocking for a 4 year old!

I've just bought dd (13) a school skirt, blazer, jumper and scarf and it was £136. I've still got blouses, tights and shoes to go. And I haven't even started on ds yet Sad

Primary was always a Tesco job!

ArgyMargy · 14/08/2017 19:39

Perhaps it's a good school and he will learn that if you buy something, you have bought it. Not brought it.

OwlinaTree · 14/08/2017 19:48

Are you pleased you got that in argy?

LtGreggs · 14/08/2017 19:54

OP I think you have bought too much. If tags are still on, return some:

  • 2 pairs trousers + 1 pair shorts will usually cover a week without washing, or easily cover if you wash once midweek. Or you might find he'll wear the shorts year round and you need no trousers (many younger boys at our school choose this - we are in central belt Scotland)
  • Shirts won't get very dirty if he usually wears a jumper on top - 2 will usually do the week
  • You don't need multiple PE kit. It gets worn for max an hour at a time, and at our school comes home once a term to be washed.

3 jumpers probably a good investment, especially if a messy eater! But, does your school have a Facebook group? If so, post asking for anyone with hand-me-downs...