AIBU to think that parents should buy the correct uniform and stop moaning

[Loveluck7]

I am getting increasingly irritated by people on FB moaning that their child's human rights have been violated because they were put into isolation for having the wrong uniform.

I understand that some rules can seem ridiculous but unfortunately some bad parents who have let their child wear spray on trousers and tiny skirts, have necessitated schools stipulating the exact items they need to wear.

Isolation does seem a harsh punishment when it is the parent's fault but how else can schools enforce the rules when some parent's think rules do not apply to them? The child cannot attend class without trousers and parent's would be angry if the child was sent home.

You also often find that it is these parent's who also complain when a school is no good at discipline, yet will not follow the rules themselves.

YABU uniform should be practical and affordable for all.

A lot of schools think by changing the name (of the previously shit) school and by bringing in a new uniform that it is going to improve the ethos and results of the school. They also think that the wider community will forget how rubbish the school once was!

Putting a secondary aged student in a glossy uniform, who hates rules, hates teachers, hates learning and school is not going to make them.suddenly want to be at school and knuckle down and work!

If school's must go for logo uniform then it should be at cost price. Not £18 for a crap wishy washy biege polo shirt that my four year old DD is required to wear. Or £32 for one skirt for DD1 .

The school uniform.shop where I am.supplies all of the local primary, independent schools and most of the secondary schools and a making a huge profit, as are the individual schools. Money, which would be better spent on resources to educate our children!

wannabe I agree it comes from above and if it was the staff of old I'd have a word but the school has been in SM since new year and has now been taken over by an academy chain who are doing their due diligence with a view to taking over permanently so the new rules have come from there.

I definitely didn't send them in huaraches they were plain black polishable shoes with no logos etc just as the rules stated. It just bothered me that some stranger took it for granted that me or anyone else can just drop everything and go running on their whim

Maisy, people get pissed off with schools because they encounter the attitude from teachers that if they don't like it they van go elsewhere. Mostly they can't though. Lots of parents get assigned a school and that's that
In our area they can go elsewhere. That's why it's our line (across the board, not just uniform).
I think our policy is right. We have a simple uniform that can be affordably bought. We expect people to follow it. We have simple common sense rules and expect people to follow them.

Don't want to follow it? Go to another local school where you'll be told to spend £200 on a uniform.

A lot of schools think by changing the name (of the previously shit) school and by bringing in a new uniform that it is going to improve the ethos and results of the school. They also think that the wider community will forget how rubbish the school once was!
Agree. I've worked in one.

But equally, turning a school like that around when you have a community who have limited interest in supporting the school to improve is a challenge. New name and new uniform doesn't solve the problems, but insiting on whatever uniform/rules are in place being followed meticulously is reasonable.

Maisy. I have no choice. I cannot go elsewhere.

I cannot afford the uniform.

What would you suggest I do?

Distractotron the logo on the skirt should sit squarely on the knee cap itself apparently so it should be immediately obvious that its too short because their knees will be showing.

Work uniform is usually provided by the employer so absolutely irrelevant to this argument. Are there any employers who force an employee to wear a uniform that they have to pay for out of their own pocket? I don't know of any even notorious low paying, profit driven supermarkets/retailers provide staff uniform.

Depends whether the uniform itself is reasonable maisy.

Only read the first page so sorry if this has moved on but what stood out was

Spray on trouserss
Short skirts
Spaghettie strap tops

Apparently uniform sanctions only seem to be aimed at girls

My son was put in isolation today because the black leather shoes he wore last term with the tab that is 2mm long is against the rules this term.
I did not by him new shoes as i am skint, they still fit and were ok 8 weeks ago.
He will so I am told stay in isolation until i buy him new shoes.

My son should not be denied an education because I am poor.

Work uniform is usually provided by the employer so absolutely irrelevant to this argument. Are there any employers who force an employee to wear a uniform that they have to pay for out of their own pocket? I don't know of any even notorious low paying, profit driven supermarkets/retailers provide staff uniform.

Exactly

I've heard of some construction firms who expect workers to provide their own kit but it's not the norm I don't think

tucking
I think some are ridiculous and over the top.

They could have a simple uniform and enforce the shit out of it (which is what we do).
But, if you have 2/3 school who are pushing it all over then it's a pain to clamp down on so it is a tricky one.

Maisy why won't you answer the points I am making directly to you?

DS3 back at school today. Spent the day along with around 70 others 'learning away from the classroom environment' for not having the correct school trousers.
This is despite me ordering them from the school's official suppliers website along with his blazer and PE top.
Apparently the trousers should have a small label on the outside so they are easily indentifiable. For some reason they sent two pairs of the same trousers but without the small label. I'm quite angry.

Are there any employers who force an employee to wear a uniform that they have to pay for out of their own pocket? .

DS2 works at Wetherspoons while he's at uni. He we had to buy his uniform when he started but it's a black shirt, black trousers, black tie and black shoes. We got it all in Primark apart from the shoes which are from Next. He was promoted to team leader and we had to buy a red tie.

My friend recently suggested a perfect solution to this in a comment on a Facebook article - a national school uniform. A basic white shirt and black trousers (for example), widely and cheaply available . No issues around 'have I bought the right thing?' because School Trousers become a brand like PG Tips or Hovis. The same uniform is used for bottom of the league table comps or top level public schools. If the point is genuinely to make everyone equal, this would do it.

Of course, it will never happen - because 'cracking down on uniform' is a quick and easy way for school staff, particularly new Heads, to look like they're doing something of use.

Are there any employers who force an employee to wear a uniform that they have to pay for out of their own pocket?

I've worked at a few places. Pubs and factories all expected you to buy your own uniform although a golf club I worked at took the money out of your wages monthly to pay for your uniform but refunded it in full once you reached 12 months employment.

I don't have an iPhone or get my nails done, does that entitle me to complain about stupid uniform rules?

Expemsiveuniform
Speak to school directly, some schools near me provide full sets of uniform for students who can't afford it (much as I think their uniform is daft, they do make sure studenys can get it).
Ask the PTA if they have 2nd hand ones.
Look into the clothing grant (if it still exists. Im not an expert) - i know people who got uniform through the LA but not sure if it still exists.

All else fails, you may be able to challenge it if the supply is only one supplier because I think it breaks DfE rules on fair contracting.

I'm American and it's true most schools don't have uniforms, but they do have a dress code, which addresses things like skirt length, spaghetti straps, t-shirts with offensive sayings, etc. Administering the dress code is an issue at pretty much all high schools, and kids do get sent home or suspended for violations. I find it much easier to just have a uniform.

Also US here. They've been thinking pretty hard about dress codes around here recently, and most of the high schools have realised that there isn't much point as it has zero effect on things like behaviour, graduation rates, etc.

Having sent children to school with uniform and without, I so much prefer without.

pingu

How on earth do they justify that I mean presumably you have receipts that show you ordered what was required

It's unbelievable that a school would enforce a supplier who fails to deliver then parents have to go out but something to use in the meantime and be punished for someone else's cock up.

And people defend this crap "rules are rules" etc

Of course, it will never happen - because 'cracking down on uniform' is a quick and easy way for school staff, particularly new Heads, to look like they're doing something of use.

Simple solution to a simple problem......it will never happen.

I spent over £100 on 1 childs uniform and I have 4 to kit out.
I try my best to meet the requirements.
I thought the shoes that were ok 8 weeks ago would be ok now.
Apparently not.
My 13 yo will be in isolation until I buy new ones. I do not get paid until next Thursday. I feel like shit.

My eldest son had to pay a fiver for his tops when he worked at the coop. My younger son has worked 3 jobs with uniform, they have been supplied free of charge every time.
When I say uniform, I mean a logoed polo shirt, worn with his own trousers and comfortable shoes. Funny how everyone manages to be hard working and productive in such a simple uniform.

School don't provide uniform.

I already said I wasn't eligible for the grant, nor the second hand charity free swap - I donate to that

And I already said no school second hand shop.

There are 3 uniform shops but the brands are all the same - blazer is distinctive and skirts are only 2 brands, same with trousers and jumpers.

Also the grant for the full secondary school uniform including sports kit is £73. It wouldn't even buy a blazer.

I don't know how they can justify it Giles.
I've printed out the dispatch email of the ordered items and written a letter saying I expect him back in usual lessons tomorrow.
I'll probably phone as well. It's just absolutely crazy!