Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To refuse to rebuy five years of primary school uniform

534 replies

Schooluniform2018 · 18/04/2018 09:34

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.

OP posts:
Qwertytypewriter · 19/04/2018 18:26

Uniforms change. You just have to accept it.
Its not a law of physics, there no actual need for this (and its a fairly new phenomenon, no uniform changes through my whole time at primary, or at secondary school..).
Its just different head teachers, wanting to stamp their mark on the place, and IMO its not fair on less well of parent, and is generally wasteful.

Qwertytypewriter · 19/04/2018 18:30

Sorry but I think you are being unreasonable. I’ve always bought my kids new uniform every year, from when they were 3 (they’re 15 & 16 now). Couldn’t imagine sending them in hand me downs...
Well you've clearly lived a very fortunate life, and don't really grasp what it is to be short of money then, eh Hmm?
If there is a choice of some presents at Xmas, and new uniform, discarding a perfectly good set that a sibling outgrew, I think most DCs would rather get something nice that they could enjoy.

Bloke267580 · 19/04/2018 18:39

Can't you persuade the kids that old uniforms are retro and vintage and therefore SICK? Show them some pics of Kate Moss in an old biker jacket.

ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo · 19/04/2018 18:39

So many princesses on this thread! You’re very lucky you can afford new uniforms every year for every child and fresh sets every day. Can’t imagine how your precious sensibilities would cope if your finances suddenly took a hit.

Bloke267580 · 19/04/2018 18:42

We should all be mindful of the environmental message about the need for clothes to be recycled. Stella McCartney has been banging on about it in the papers www.theguardian.com/fashion/2018/apr/18/stella-mccartney-designer-ethical-fashion-interview

Dobby1sAFreeElf · 19/04/2018 19:21

Uniforms change.
For a good decade before I went, and for the far too many decades since I left my infants still have the same uniform with the exception of a logo jumper which also hasn't changed since it was introduced. Nor has my senior.

PeachyPeachTrees · 19/04/2018 19:22

YANBU
The Primary school where I send my boys changed their uniform.
First they gave everyone 2 options, one had blazers, logo 'proper' shirts, ties. The other was more similar to what it was already but changed plain polo shirts to logo polo shirts. The cheaper version was the winner. The other change was instead of all PE kit from supermarket, they brought in a logo white t-shirt, logo zip up fleece and logo pe bag. That was annoying, expensive and unnecessary. Polo went from £7 for pack of 3 to £8 each. Jumpers are same colour but new suppliers are more expensive.
They had one transitional year where we could wear old or new, then from Sept 2018 it was new only.

Pinktruffles · 19/04/2018 19:23

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Bexterfish · 19/04/2018 19:28

My school did that. There was a switch over period where by you could wear either. But it does make you look a bit cheap if your the only one in obvious hand downs

PeachyPeachTrees · 19/04/2018 19:30

Another school in my area had low ofsted and not good reputation. About 5 years ago, they got a new head and then REBRANDED! They changed the name of the school and it's logo. They completely changed their uniform. Changed from plain polo shirt and logo sweater to 'proper' shirt, tie, NEW colour sweater with new logo and a blazer. What an absolute PITA. They were definitely trying to look like a posh private school and weed out the poor as new uniform is clearly a lot more expensive. The new colour is also not a colour you can find in supermarkets.

oblada · 19/04/2018 19:32

Pinktruffles - I think the finances of the OP isn't necessarily the most important point. For me it is ridiculously wasteful to have to buy new uniforms when current ones are perfectly fine. We are relatively well off and yet I would oppose something like that from the school. As it is completely wasteful and ludicrous. In this day and age schools should promote good ecological practices, not waste money and clothes because of some new head wanting to make his mark.

Cismyfatarse1 · 19/04/2018 19:37

Ask them about how they can justify the environmental impact of the waste?

I am sure you could find online the "cost" to the environment of a new item of clothing.

heateallthebuns · 19/04/2018 19:40

Reduce the size of your family so you can afford new uniforms?Hmmseems a bit extreme!

My kids school has no uniforms. I had one. I always thought it was good to instill rules etc. I was worried about having no uniform but since my kids have started school I LOVE that there's no uniform. No rows, it's cheaper so I can buy them nicer real clothes that can be worn all the time, they can wear what's comfy and what they like. The behavior is just as good (better) than in lots of schools with uniforms.

wooo69 · 19/04/2018 19:50

There was a change of uniform at our school, current pupils were allowed to wear what they had until it needed replacing, new pupils had to have the new uniform from the outset, there was really only one year where there was pupils wearing both uniforms

HelenaDove · 19/04/2018 20:00

And then in the next breath schools are moaning about cuts and shortage of funds and want parents to be more understanding.

Shame it isnt reciprocated when it comes to uniform changes.

lalalalyra · 19/04/2018 20:03

There is absolutely no need for a new head to change the uniform. No school is so perfect that the only way a new head can make their mark is to hit parents in the pocket.

Walkingdeadfangirl · 19/04/2018 20:20

To turnaround a failing/struggling school sometimes a new head might need to make a change to the culture, perception, stigma and links to the past. A new uniform is one part of this jigsaw.

What if a new head makes changes to the curriculum, should parents have a veto to change based on having bought books that specifically support the old curriculum. Of course not.

Idontdowindows · 19/04/2018 20:21

Maybe you should have thought about stopping at 2 children.

Yeah, maybe people whose financial circumstances change after having children should just shoot a few so they can manage again eh...

Original poster
Schooluniform2018 · 19/04/2018 20:25

My plan is to try and get the school to rethink there crazy strict limited new uniform policy and I expect to fail.

Then I will have to seriously consider what to do.

  1. Stick with old uniform and wait until September 2018 and see if they really make an issue or if they will let it slide. This is my preference.
  1. Buy each girl two summer dresses and an eBay mock cardigan which I found that is nothing like their expensive one but similar colouring and only £5. They can wear them all year...which a couple of kids do now with the old summer uniform. This avoids the tartan v black problem and the new shirts and the problem.
  1. Move to other better ofsted school and spend 2 x £5 on new cardies and use all current uniform. But they will have further to walk and have to make new friends. However they will keep their old friends and probably do better academically at the other school. So swings and roundabouts.
OP posts:
celticprincess · 19/04/2018 20:25

The school is being unreasonable expecting quick changes. They should phase it out with new uniform for reception and anyone else who wants to buy it but allowing older children to stay in old. I can’t imagine y6 parents buying new at this stage in the year.

I also hand down uniform. Only have 2 children but the youngest mostly has clothes for school handed down. The odd ones have been binned due to stains and holes but mostly excellent condition. After that they got to a local school clothing bank who collects from all schools in the area and distributed to anyone who wants second hand for free. This is a great idea.

I’d definitely look into supermarket plain versions. Hopefully the pinafores and polls won’t change. Most school go with grey and/or black and you could get away with either as they both vary in shades. Our school allows blue or white polos. My children have 1 logo cardigan and the rest plain supermarket. I’ve tried to save PE tops to pass down but my eldest’s went missing in September. They’re green logo and so far this year I’ve kept her in a plain white top. Some kids don’t even bother with pe uniform so left it for now.!

noeffingidea · 19/04/2018 20:33

Pinktruffles it's not a FREE school, is it. Education is paid for by taxation. And the OP could afford school uniform for all her children, as she saved all their clothes to hand down, until the head teacher decided to change the uniform for no apparent reason.
Agree with you, OP.

Queenio24 · 19/04/2018 20:36

Moving schools (further away) due to uniform is the worst possible reason I can imagine. I'm completely with you on the wastefulness issue, but moving is just a no-goer for me.

ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo · 19/04/2018 21:24

Don’t move your kids school. Just tell the head you simply cannot afford the new uniform and ask them what they can do. They’ve already offered you 2 free jumpers so take them.

GinghamStyle · 19/04/2018 21:32

At my son's school they have a uniform which is changing at the moment to be shirt & tie and v neck jumper rather than polo jumper and round neck jumper. The children were able to wear the ties from this September but I forgot all about it over summer holidays and now plan to get him shirts and v neck jumpers for next year when they're compulsory.

I only ever buy supermarket uniform. The kids seem to tell jumpers apart by smell rather than looks anyway!

I hope you manage to get everything worked out at the meeting tomorrow, or at least have your questions answered.

Ifeelsuchafool · 19/04/2018 23:23

How times change. I remember my school changing their uniform from dark brown to grey in the late 60s when we had blazers, gymslips and even school socks in addition to the shirts and ties! Mothers of boys got away with the fact that they were already in grey shorts (no long trousers allowed in primary schools in those days) but had to shell out for grey shirts for them (girls were allowed to continue to wear white blouses).
The changeover took place in September at the start of the new school year but during the school holidays it was decided that we were moving house. My Aunt and Uncle were relocating to Germany for his work and my parents decided to buy their house but they knew they wouldn't be moving until the end of November as this was when my Uncle took up his new post.

This meant moving catchment area and the uniform at what was to be my new school was navy blue!

My mother went to the school and pleaded the case that she really couldn't fork out for a grey uniform in September when she would have to provide me with a navy blue one just a couple of months or so later and, reluctantly, the head relented.

I went to school for three months in a dark brown uniform which stood out like a sore thumb in the sea of grey. I have never had so much name calling and fun poked in my life and was thoroughly miserable.

The only good side was that, as I was only 9 years old at the time, when we finally did move my parents decided that it would be better for me to start at the beginning of the spring term rather than attend my new school for just three weeks before the Christmas holidays so I got a lovely long break! Grin
Rebelling against school rules re uniform was unheard of back then and parents just scrimped and saved and sucked it up but on the other hand they weren't fined for keeping primary age children away from school for a little while if they decided it was in their best interests.