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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that all UK secondary schools are like army camps?

113 replies

Ceci03 · 12/08/2019 10:00

So I'm trying to re-locate to the uk and have another job interview tomorrow. Looking at schools in the area though, I'm a bit concerned about all the rules and regulations they seem to have. They all seem to be extremely strict, what with uniform regulations, detentions, and a huge amount of rules. My ds /dd have been attending a fairly progressive (state) school in Ireland and I'm worried how they are going to cope with it all. Are all (state) schools in the uk like this. It sounds scary.

OP posts:
FishCanFly · 12/08/2019 11:43

re-homework. I remember having to write essays in class time (while teacher did nothing) - basically to ensure we didn't copy or have a parent or a sibling to them for us.
What we had to do in homework though, was copy-from-the-book repetitive exercises. Re-write sentences, solve equations, fill out workbooks - total crap like that and a complete waste of time. I used to do homeworks for cash at times Grin

Original poster
Ceci03 · 12/08/2019 11:43

yes it is off-putting.

OP posts:
Basecamp65 · 12/08/2019 11:46

I don't think most British people do realise our school system is very rule heavy and obsessive about things like uniform and homework in comparison with most of the rest of the Western world.

I get the crowds control thing but if other countries can run more relaxed school systems than I am clueless as to why the UK cannot.

@herculepoirot2 We are now a second generation HE family and in 35 years of deep involvement in the HE community I have heard 1 person saying they HE because schools are chaotic - but hundreds who say they do because schools are too authoritarian and like army camps!!! Sorry but you are actually wrong about this. There may be 1 or 2 but they are in a tiny minority.

lonelyheartsclubband · 12/08/2019 11:46

I don't see anything wrong with the fact schools enforce rules and structure and punishments for stupid behaviours.

echt · 12/08/2019 11:47

well just reading the websites of the schools they seem obsessed with the uniforms and the shoes and the punishment

It's parents who want uniforms.

I know a lot of people love uniforms but whats wrong with letting our teens express themselves

See above.

Are we raising our kids to be 'worker bees' who conform, or to be free thinkers

School uniform is hardly restricting this. You do realise children spend more time with their families than in school, don't you?

FishCanFly · 12/08/2019 11:48

My dsis has to wear a uniform to work but she can still think for herself

Very few high-end, respectable jobs require uniforms. I can only think airline pilots or military, or maybe professional sports where uniforms are actually something proud. Even in corporate suit&tie environment you need to have your own taste and style, follow the fashion trends. Certainly not "everyone must use this supplier" and "don't take your jacket off on the way home"

TheFairyCaravan · 12/08/2019 11:49

Jesus wept! Get a grip. 🙄

DS1 (and DS2) went to a school that was strict on uniform and discipline. It was like a holiday camp compared to when he joined the army and did his training.

herculepoirot2 · 12/08/2019 11:49

but hundreds who say they do because schools are too authoritarian and like army camps!!!

Oh I am not denying that they say and think this. I just don’t think it’s the real issue.

jewel1968 · 12/08/2019 11:55

I agree with Tonnerre that you may find something more progressive if you keep looking. I agree with you about school uniforms. I go along with it but I think it is nonsense. I do worry about the regular reference to crowd control here. My DD is happy and doesn't ever complain about the rules so I try to relax about it.

transformandriseup · 12/08/2019 11:56

The rules about uniform have become a bit ott since I left secondary 15 years ago. Apart from when I briefly worked in a supermarket I have always been able to wear what I like at work.

ChicCroissant · 12/08/2019 11:57

Hospitals or law courts, Fish, for uniforms?

DappledThings · 12/08/2019 11:58

Very few high-end, respectable jobs require uniforms. I can only think airline pilots or military

My friend is a senior pharmacist in a large hospital, band 8c. She wears a uniform. They introduced them for all pharmacists a few years ago and she was delighted. So much easier in the morning rather than having to plan a work wardrobe. I am a manager in a large university. I'd love a uniform. I hate choosing clothes!

My sixth form had no uniform and it was shit. If there had been a vote we would have reintroduced uniform with the majority of the students in support.

mbosnz · 12/08/2019 11:58

Comes down to 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do'.

I was aware, and made my kids aware, that the schools are a lot hotter on uniform and enforcement of it than they were in NZ, that we might think it was over the top, but that's the way it is, and just as in NZ, if they broke the rules and the school punished them for it, then we'd be backing the school. Certainly when it comes to anything as minor as uniform.

The kids haven't had a problem, and we haven't had a problem.

In reality, we've found that the school is a lot more relaxed about it, than it looks when you're reading their rules and regulations. I see girls wearing what they call a skirt which I'd call a belt, with a face full of slap, nails looking like talons and I'm buggered if I know what they've done to make their shirt look like that.

I'm way stricter than the school lol, I require them to wear school uniform looking like they're school children attending a school, rather than attending a party dressed up in their old school uniform, trying their hardest to pull. . .

TeaMe · 12/08/2019 12:01

No, they don't have enough rules or enforce them properly so there is a lot of low level disruption (in my experience anyway).

ineedaholidaynow · 12/08/2019 12:04

One of the issues in this country compared to some is that education is not as valued by parents as it is in other countries. One of the reasons given why the rules are more relaxed in Finnish schools is that teaching is one of the highly regarded professions and children are encouraged to respect them and do well at school.

FishCanFly · 12/08/2019 12:04

Hospitals or law courts, Fish, for uniforms?
Forgot law courts. Blush Hospitals i'd hardly call a uniform, more like workwear. just like mechanic would wear overalls, and builders have a hard hat.
AND the most important part - workplaces which require a uniform - PAY FOR THEM - you don't have to deduct them from your family's budget.

Orchidflower1 · 12/08/2019 12:06

fish that’s really rather nasty- did you mean to be so rude and judgmental Hmm

Just to allay your fear that my dsis is in a dead end job that does not deserve respect- she is only one of the following.....

Hospital doctor, NICU nurse, dentist, paramedic, pcso, chef, house keeper, chauffeur, vet, judge, sorry if that’s not enough!!!!!

Fraggling · 12/08/2019 12:07

The uniform thing is about conformity.

Adults for some reason like to see rows of children looking as similar as possible.

In this respect its a bit like the armed forces, at least when they do marching for show and stuff. Everyone looking exactly the same and being exactly in time is highly lauded. I suppose in uk this is done kind of victorian hang over or something.

I do wonder if this enforcement of conformity is the reason that at some points our youth culture has pioneered quite extreme looks and I suppose behaviour. Punk springs to mind but also new romantic, and the early rave scene are other examples.

Basecamp65 · 12/08/2019 12:07

herculepoirot2@ then what in your opinion is the main issue then?

I have met 250 families who have removed their children from school in the last two years - actually met and talked to them - and chaos in schools was not mentioned by one of them.

Orchidflower1 · 12/08/2019 12:07

And regarding the money - you don’t pay vat on children’s clothes.

FishCanFly · 12/08/2019 12:08

also i think state schools striking deals with private suppliers should be unlawful. Good enough kit to buy in a supermarket.

Fraggling · 12/08/2019 12:13

Omg yes the price. Fucking hell!

Our secondary the pe kit is over 100! Just for the pe kit! It's a comprehensive school. Before anyone says ooh well if you still choose a fancy school what do you expect.

Thinking about it, the schools get a cut don't they, the more expensive the more they get, is this to plug shortfalls in funding. Really not fair on families without lots of disposable cash I mean this is a lot of money.

MyVisionsComeFromSoup · 12/08/2019 12:15

our secondary has uniform for Y7-11 and no uniform in 6th form - there would be complete rebellion if they tried to put the 6th formers into suits!

Fraggling · 12/08/2019 12:15

Lol @ don't have to pay vat.

Well that's fine then! I mean, seriously? Shitloads without 20% on top is still shitloads.

Yabbers · 12/08/2019 12:17

Really? Don’t you think that will affect how much they learn?

Many schools don’t give homework at primary level and the kids still do well.