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.

Uniforms work well at our school.
Black- so dead easy to find cheap clothing.

Totally non sexist too.

This is why schools should have uniform shops (or at least folate a list of acceptable items from various retailers.)

The school 'official' trousers aren't very different quality wise at all.

£16 is a lot to a single parent on a low income.......i can't imagine how parents on very low incomes manage.

My dd was put in isolation with 200 others (yup, oxymoron I know) for her skirt being 2cm too short. In June. Made national press and head sacked following year. Having said that schools do need to enforce their uniform policies.

I think as long as it is senior leaders who are doing the chasing it could be ok. Our school (used) to have a policy that learning and teaching time should not be wasted dealing with clothing. Concerns should be passed up the line and dealt with once rather than a child being spoken to by multiple teachers a day.

I also think that encouraging children to understand the difference between fairness and equity and get away from many of the issues of "but he's wearing them". If kids know that actually, we all have different circumstances and embrace that rather than imagine that a blazer makes us all the same.

I don't think there is a one size fits all answer to this actually and I know many of my colleagues would love a much more hard line approach to uniform. Each school has to try to find its own approach but for it to work it has to be supported by the vast majority of the parents

I'm a teacher at a state secondary school - we are very strict about uniform and it can only be bought from one shop because it is all branded. However it will no doubt please moaning parents to learn that as staff we are also subject to a very strict dress code! I've known colleagues be made to change their hair colour/style, remove piercings etc. So as well as being told when we can go on holiday and what time we are allowed to eat/drink/go to the loo, we are also told what we can/can't wear. Just like the kids! However, working there is a choice so I accept all of it. Parents would do well to remember the same... if you don't like the rules, go to another school!

bonfireheart Really really skinny

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

The problem is that while this is the cause of some ridiculous uniform rules, it's not the cause of all of them. Some schools just come up with stupid shit for apparently the head's own amusement. It is a lot more difficult to accept when there's no reason for it.

I always wonder how much of a financial kickback the schools get for making kids go to a certain shop or supplier.

@asauvignonaday I saw it as a parent quoted in the I online - the school in houghton. The article came from the Sunderland echo I think. I thought it was very odd and couldn't see how it would be workable. What occurred to me other than a parent misunderstanding was a member of staff struggling to cope with angry and upset parents

bonfireheart: Trousers that are so tight that they look like paint that has been sprayed on.

Parents would do well to remember the same... if you don't like the rules, go to another school!

If only all parents had a choice about whether to send their DC to schools with batshit uniform policies.

Mumtomaxwell: I could not agree with you more

And £15/6 is a load of money in one go for some families. There are families at my school buying school uniform from catalogues because they can pay it off at pennies a time

TuckingFaxman You cannot truly think that a Headteacher would make silly uniform rules for their own enjoyment? The policies have to be passed by the Governors and take a lot to implement. No Teacher or Head would go through all the pain of enforcing these policies for fun.

Do you live near me OP. Parents up in arms about the local high school forcing girls to wear tights rather than socks?

I tend to agree that the uniform is the uniform and you wear it BUT in the case of the school I mentioned they have said girls must wear tights as they have had issues with boys taking photos / looking up the girls skirts as they walk up and down the open plan staircase. Seems victim blaming to me to make the girls cover up more instead of managing the boys behvaviour.

'£16 doesn't seem expensive for something the child will wear so frequently.'

Haahaahaa! I have to pay this for specialist trousers for DS as he has ASD (no inside seam, all elastic waist, cotton, charcoal grey). I bought 2 pairs once and a month later, he'd grown out of them. Children grow.

I dont mind the idea of uniforms but its clear certain headteachers and boards of governors are now fetishizing them and its really creepy.

Trousers instead of leggings are fine but the hint of a curve of a thigh causes paroxysms that are akin to orgasm. Saying leather shoes but not defining what type of leather and isolating children for the wrong type of leather seems to be the reaction of someone denied a masturbatory fantasy. Or the kick backs from the sole supplier of branded clothing can only be used for illicit purposes given the reaction when a sock is one pantone colour out from the desired requirement.

Its all very creepy.

I love uniform as long as it is done sensibly. Primary schools here are great. Lots of options for the kids. Appropriate choices for both hot and cold weather. As long as the uniform is roughly right the teachers are happy. Even the school Iogo is good value and the uniform shop are extremely helpful.

Secondary seems to be a different ball game. Massive hike in price which I can almost understand for logo stuff but to say that pupils should not be wearing supermarket stuff for generic things like trousers is just petty. Don't get me started on the wearing of blazers at all times madness.

For those querying, my DC have plenty of cheap supermarket uniform and it does last very well.

It also doesn't please me to hear teachers are subject to the same ridiculous rules, no. I work in a job which demands a uniform but at least that is supplied to me for free!

I do agree that uniform is too expensive. I am not sure why the allowed trousers could not be supplied by Asda or Lidl.