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AIBU?

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Original poster

First and surnames on leavers hoodies is a safeguarding issue

362 replies

SavonDeMarseille · 01/02/2019 09:08

Just found out the Y6 leavers hoodies (FFS since when was this a thing for Yr6!) will have the full names on their hoodies in the year number with their own name above the number and the school emblem and name on the front. AIBU to think this is a big safeguarding issue and should not be permitted. AI also BU or to want to take this up with the PTA who are organising this. Hoodies are worn all week on Yr 6 school trip.

OP posts:
MrsFogi · 01/02/2019 12:08

In terms of the expense these types of hoodies are the best things I have ever bought - my daughter is in year 8 and still wearing her hoodies from year 5 and year 6 school trips.

newnameforthis7 · 01/02/2019 12:14

OTT worrying. They've done it for years. The child/school-leaver's name is on the hoodie with 200-300 others. How the hell will anyone know which is their name?!

Good money making exercise for the school though, along with uniform, blazers, P.E./games kits, overpriced textbooks, overpriced school trips etc etc............ Wink

Panicmode1 · 01/02/2019 12:16

Our school never used to allow them because it 'discrimimated against those who couldn't afford them'. The PTA pays for each child to have a T shirt for the Y6 trip away in the summer term, and then on the last day, they all go around getting their friends and the teachers to sign them.

I think it's a nice momento of primary school, and for the past couple of years, parents in the year group have organised the hoodies for those that want them. The parents get to decide whether or not their child's name goes on the back, and in what format, and it's not compulsory......presumably this is the case in your school too. You don't HAVE to buy it if you don't like it, surely?!

Schmoobarb · 01/02/2019 12:16

Good money making exercise for the school though

Is it? Ours were a tenner. Can’t imagine the school would have made much profit over costs on that?

Schmoobarb · 01/02/2019 12:18

It just seems so narcissistic and just weird.

Not as weird as you seem. You do realise it’s just a school jumper for 11 and 12 year olds - right?

sirfredfredgeorge · 01/02/2019 12:23

The reason it happens now, is that custom printing of hoodies is now cheap enough that it's actually an affordable end of year thing to do.

25 years ago, it would've been simply too expensive...

marymarkle · 01/02/2019 12:26

Best comment on the thread.

Realise may not be a popular view but hands down I think if you don't actually know what you're talking about then don't post shit as if it's fact. Sharing personal views one thing, abusing and confusing important matters of law and safety just no.

newnameforthis7 · 01/02/2019 12:26

@Schmoobarb

YES they clearly DO make money from it. I paid £13 and £14 for my two 6-8 years ago. And my friends have paid £16-17 in the last 3 or 4 years.

I have it on good authority from someone who worked where they make them, that they cost a couple of quid each to make.

As I said, nice money making exercise, making money from parents many of whom who can probably ill afford it.

Charlie97 · 01/02/2019 12:26

D R A M A Smile

I honestly wonder how some parents ever allow their children out of their sight!

marymarkle · 01/02/2019 12:34

newname As someone who has ordered things like this, the school will not be paying a couple of pounds. That is the cost maybe of actually producing them. The business then has to add overheads and profits plus delivery. It will be costing the school £10 a head, and that is a decent price.

Charlie97 · 01/02/2019 12:41

*I have it on good authority from someone who worked where they make them, that they cost a couple of quid each to make.

As I said, nice money making exercise, making money from parents many of whom who can probably ill afford it.*

I cannot believe the cost £2 each! Sorry I do not believe this at all. Just think about it, material, printing, packaging and posting. Makes no sense.

If you don't want to pay for one, simple answer....don't buy one..

Honestly the fun sponges in MN sometime!

AWishForWingsThatWork · 01/02/2019 12:41

It's not a safeguarding issue and permission is given by the families to have their names on the Leaver's Hoodies.

It's optional. No one is required to buy one. I think it's nice for them. Our Year 6s love them and always wear them on their Year 6 residential ... a nice keepsake so they remember the names of everyone they went to school with.

floribunda18 · 01/02/2019 12:44

I think it's a nice thing to have as a memento. DD1 wore and wore hers until she grew out of it. Usually it's just first names on the hoodie though, IME.

IsobelKarev · 01/02/2019 12:51

Far from making money out of it they will have a member of staff using additional personal time to do it. I think its a lovely gesture and I'd be thanking the school. I'd love to have one of everyone from primary school.

BluthsFrozenBananas · 01/02/2019 12:59

My DD has two because the printers screwed up the first lot, missed names out and misspelled others, so they did a second lot for free. There are thirty names on her hoodies, printed in around 12pt and they run into each other or split across lines so it’s pretty hard to even work all the names out if you don’t already know them. Any stranger would have to be a mind reader to work out a particular child’s name.

Also if a child is vulnerable enough to go off with a stranger who’s worked out their name unfortunately they’d be vulnerable to other things too, like “can you help me look for my dog”, no name needed.

2anddone · 01/02/2019 13:04

The PTA at our school subsidise the cost of the leavers hoodies. No names are used so it's literally just the school emblem on the front and LEAVERS 19 (or whatever year) on the back.
We have a few children coming up to Year 6 in the next couple of years that it could be a serious problem for (LAC etc) so we decided to never include names therefore no children are 'left out'

marymarkle · 01/02/2019 13:10

Bluths Exactly. A kid of 11 or 12 who would go off with a stranger because they knew their name is vulnerable to any other ruse e.g. do you want to see some puppies.

Fredscheese · 01/02/2019 13:11

DC left school in the summer, a couple of months after someone in their year group passed away. The DC all wanted their friend's full name on their hoodie & asked their friend's parents if they would be willing to let them include it. They were also given a hoodie as a momento.

Some DC have their full name, some, their first name, some a name & initial within the 18. It doesn't have to be a drama as long as there is a choice with the option not to have their own name emblazoned across the back in large letters.

thehorseandhisboy · 01/02/2019 13:12

Yes, I think that's the right and sensible approach 2anddone, to consider the needs of the children coming through the school and how to provide a nice memento balanced with not either putting children at risk or leaving them out.

Children can sign each others or write in autograph books etc which are less public and still provide a nice memory.

I am alway stunned on these threads that even when posters explain situations where it would be positively dangerous for a child to be identified by others, people still talk about 'not wanting to spoil it for everyone'.

Somethingsmellsnice · 01/02/2019 13:14

They would be traced to a school that they would have already left even if the person trying to trace them was quick enough to catch a glimpse at all names on a random sweatshirt.

I suspect if there is a reason you won't be traced you won't participate.
It is a bit precious to be indignant on behalf of a person you don't even know exists!

thehorseandhisboy · 01/02/2019 13:17

something I do know several children who would be at very severe risk if their whereabouts came to the attention of some adults from their bio family.

Knowing what primary school someone was at narrows their likely residential location down considerably. Very considerably indeed.

I don't think it's precious to be concerned about vulnerable children, I'm afraid. I was one, and would have appreciated more concern about my welfare tbh.

Yabbers · 01/02/2019 13:18

Our PTA subsidises it too. If the school made any profit it would either go back to the PTA or be used to pay for those who can’t afford it.

In this day and age when schools are short of simple supplies, and they can raise a few extra pennies with this, good luck to them.

I feel sorry for the children who’s parents can’t just see this for the lovely memento this is.

Only cost a couple of quid to make
You’re aware that is true for pretty much any mass produced clothing you buy? Do you spend your life naked?

Yabbers · 01/02/2019 13:20

I don't think it's precious to be concerned about vulnerable children, I'm afraid. I was one, and would have appreciated more concern about my welfare tbh.
There are people who’s job it is to be concerned about those specific children and quite rightly I don’t know who they are. My DD wearing a leaver’s hoodie won’t make them any less safe.

thehorseandhisboy · 01/02/2019 13:20

This again - 'I suspect if there is a reason you won't be traced you won't participate.'

If adults know that a particular child is at risk of not participating (on top of everything else that they've got going on), why deliberately set up an activity to create that risk, rather than just avoiding the risk all together?

PregnantSea · 01/02/2019 13:20

It is not a safeguarding issue.

However I would hate this. People aren't careful enough with their information these days, drives me nuts...

I think if you've explained the issues to your kids and they still want one then you should just let them do it though.

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