To refuse to rebuy five years of primary school uniform

[Schooluniform2018]

Our small primary school has always had a uniform. I have had one child pass through the school into high school and therefore have enough shirts, pinafores and logo cardigans to pass down to my youngest two. Currently in years 1 and 3.

Deputy head was recently promoted to head and promised 6 months ago that the uniform was staying the same with a logo change in the cardigans.

Today they have decided that the colour of the uniform has to change. (Not sure if pinafore/trouser colour is changing yet)

So could we buy new pe kits, jumpers/cardigans and maybe pinafores/trousers !

So I have five years of uniform...enough for my youngest two to wear all their school life, in good condition and they want me to spend a lot of money which I simply do not have to replace the uniform.

Oh and they didn't bother to ask parents opinion, just presented it as a done deal.

AIBU to tell the school that my kids will be still wearing their old uniform colours until they graduate to high school in five years time, as I don't have the money to rebuy new stuff :(

I heard that uniform is optional at primary school, so hoping that will work in my favour.

I am so upset. It is a good school with no reason to change the existing nice uniform, the new one is made by the same uniform shop in the same materials just different colour and logo.

Also wondering why the DP who shoves stuff in the tumble drier wouldn’t be have time to dab a few spots on a jumper.

And no one is smelling my children as thwybare bathed daily and have clean uniform daily.

They aren't sent in witg yesterday's breakfast down their top cos a bit got missed

Because frankly that's gross and my kids wear clean clothes

The conversation about having one jumper was before OP even knew whether it would be possible to have a supermarket jumper. She was saying she couldn’t afford it at all.

They changed the uniform colour at my children's primary school. The Head made it clear that all children can continue to wear the old uniform and pass down to their siblings but that from now on they will only sell the new uniform in the school shop. I think this is a fair thing to do during a transition phase. My children have a few bits of the new uniform but will continue to wear their old logo bits too.

"Why can’t you just buy black trousers for the girls which means it’s only jumpers and shirts you need? And the shirts can be got from Asda."

Because my kids (and any other parents on a limited budget) will be the ONLY girls in black trousers. So I am literally pinning a "kick me I am poor" sign on the back of my girls. As the majority of the school girls will be in the expensive stuff.

I don't think uniform should be separate into different group depending on income.

Uniform is meant to help all kids look alike to reduce bullying and other social issues.

So why are you whingeing about people smelling your children?

"primary school. The Head made it clear that all children can continue to wear the old uniform and pass down to their siblings but that from now on they will only sell the new uniform in the school shop."

Good head. I will add it to my list of to be rejected suggestions.

Uniform is meant to help all kids look alike to reduce bullying and other social issues

Well that was the original principle behind it.

Now it's just become a tool to keep people out or a platform for teachers to pick on kids over and for heads and must waste so much time.

Nothing that costs a significant portion of a months rent can be called a leveller. Especially as it means you pretty much have to buy double the foot wear as a result cos obes left at school and they need stuff for home

I do contribute money to our household. I can not earn more than I do atm, due to childcare costs, and my DH is on rolling call rota at night/weekends therefore, I need to be home for when he is called out.

I can get the supermarket clothes (Though I am annoyed I have to), I can't get the expensive clothes or jumper and I am worried my girls will be bullied as they are wearing the poor girls option.

I was hoping the head would follow suggested guidance that uniform is rolled out slowly starting from reception.

But if you’re THAT tight for money that you can’t afford £2 a week then seriously you need to work more.

Ooooo, you found the work tree? Plenty of jobs on it then?

None of which (evening jobs) you can do if your DH works evening/night shifts and you have small DCs.

Why does any of that matter...

Don't people think that whether or not people can afford it, a uniform like this is outrageous

One supplier
Over priced specific items not available on the high street...

At the rate small kids grow its extremely exoensive. And people very often have more than one child imagine having twins or triplets and having to kit them all out at once.

It's not on.

I have my reasons and I know they are valid. We have a fixed budget and normally we tick along just fine. But when a large (to us) bill arrives unnecessary it is upsetting and in this case I don't want my kids to suffer. It is not their fault.

Our school changed the colour of our Logo'd t'shirts - I wrote to the head letting him know that my children would be using their current t'shirts until they were in an unsuitable condition.

I slowly bought new ones. In all honesty your current uniform is not going to last the next 5 years - but you are not unreasonable to insist you be allowed to wear it whilst it is in good condition.

If it is a church school then contact the Bishop for you Diocese. They should be all over this (but probably won't be

"but you are not unreasonable to insist you be allowed to wear it whilst it is in good condition."
Thank you. That is what I want to do and if I end up having to buy an odd thing in a few years time that is fine. I just don't want to replace the five years of uniform I currently have without wearing it as much as possible.

My issue was not just the money either, I object to throwing away perfectly good school uniform just because someone decides they don't like it anymore.