To think we shouldn’t be expected to buy uniform for the next school year

[worldsworststepfordwife]

It’s a ridiculous expense at the best of times but it may barely get worn

Where I lived overseas the state primary schools had no uniform personally I thought the kids looked very scruffy but that's just my view. Also wearing uniform takes out need to decide what is going to be wor, I also found that we had to do more washing, but maybe that's just me!

I think schools could do with re-addressing the approach to uniform. When people to work now many are dressed more casually. I think schools could look at a uniform that is more practical, not tracksuit bottoms or anything but certainly not blazers. State schools seemed to be obsessed with policing uniform.

If the uncertainty around next year's schooling continues, it would be reasonable for schools to relax their enforcement of uniform policies.

As we are going into a major recession it would be reasonable for this anyway. It's not fair to single out a child because their unemployed parents cannot afford a specific blazer with the school logo. In my view, allowing cheaper unbranded alternatives in the school colours, would be a reasonable adjustment

People saying buy and keep receipts, that's no good if the shop goes into administration. A real risk given the state of the economy.

It depends. My dd Uniform is a few quid - 2 logo jumpers from the second hand sale, may even be free if one of my friends gives me some, ASDA polo shirts and skirts, some white socks . One of those cheap 2 pack of white t shirts and cycling shorts for PE. Even if a school has an expensive uniform I don’t understand why you need a whole new one every year. At secondary I had an expensive wool blazer and embroidered skirt. Isn’t it tradition that you get a blazer that’s hanging off you and a skirt down to your calves and then by year 11 your blazer is showing your wrists and your skirt is up your bum ? That’s what happened at my school anyway ! I think I had one new skirt and a couple of PE kit items the whole time I was at secondary ! Who buys a whole new uniform every year ?!

In my view, allowing cheaper unbranded alternatives in the school colours, would be a reasonable adjustment

Plain black blazers can be bought for 10/11 pound in asda and sainsbury's and both do free click and collect and return in store.

There is no reason why 30 pound logo blazers are needed

That’s what happened at my school anyway ! I think I had one new skirt and a couple of PE kit items the whole time I was at secondary ! Who buys a whole new uniform every year ?!

The quality is shit these days. Linings come away, holes form the go bobbley. Plus schools do weird things like have different coloured piping or ties etc for different houses or different coloured shirts for different years.

Makes handing it down to people difficult

Agree @sarahtancredi Most schools nowadays should Definitely just sell sew on or iron on badges for a couple of Quid and allow them to be stuck on to a Sainsbury or Asda blazer.

You can even glue them with badge fix glue.

Although I do think second hand uniform sales should be massively encouraged, for environmental reasons if anything. Polo shirts and skirts get

Dds school also have those expensive tartan monstrosities at 18.50 a go. Another local school recently did the same whilst allowing the old black ones to still be worn while they still fit for current students but new students must have the new skirt.

Another school or 2 that I know of have such specific criteria for their skirts that it's easier but much more expensive of course to just buy through their supplier.

Its time this shit was stopped. There are well known areas of deprivation in most towns and they are pricing people out of applying for schools.

There is no wcvuse for making parents pay 20 quid for a skirt when u can pick them up on asda for a fiver

It also seems to be the worse schools they have the strictest and most expensive uniforms outside of the grammars.

The worst schools often serve the more deprived areas. Round here anyway cos all the rich folk either live in the villages and get the better schools or were able to afford intensive tutoring to pass the 11 plus.

Its the not so good schools found here that keep having the uniform over hauls. Phasing out supermarket skirts or the 2.50 shadow stripe Tesco shorts for girls for pe and phasing in the expensive logo skorts.

Dds school was performing better before it went the tartan skirt and blazer route.

Omg there's so much to worry about right now and you've chosen this??

Omg there's so much to worry about right now and you've chosen this??

This is MN where you simultaneously needed a book people subscription to cover all party bags and birthday/easter/xmas presents for their entire schooling life alongside a freezer drawer full if June food to cater for any waif or stray, but spacing out uniform purchases so as to not bankrupt yourself in August is wankery

Junk food

Stupid phone

My daughter started secondary in September, an academy where the compulsory uniform cost close to £200. Disregarding the lost pe kit, they change the tie for every year and my daughter grows so quickly she already has outgrown moat of it. If they go back before sept that’s good, but our uniform is only available from one supplier and last summer it was hell to get a slot in there. She is autistic and the uniform is a constant cause of meltdowns for her, but not allowed anything different. We went in early July to kit her out, I have another child and work full time so it’s not that easy at the best of times. And with all the panic buying of loo roll, then garden toys and equipment, I imagine school clothes will be next!

I still get my son to wear his uniform on school days. This helps to get him in the right frame mind to work, and to help him focus on school work. Helps to keep him in a routine so when he does go back his still in the routine of getting ready for school in the morning. I’ve just had to buy new polo shirts as he’s out grown his old ones.

It’s only the start of May, this isn’t even something to think about yet and ours start their new school year in mid August

Just keep the one from this year. If they have outgrown them you could be a "fake" uniform. Most supermarkets sell cheap generic uniforms.

I'd say wait until you know when the schools will be re-opening. I see no reason why you should need to buy new uniform at this stage.

I wonder when we'll start seeing those awful "Back To School" displays in shops? The earliest I've ever seen them was mid-May - two months before the schools had even finished for the summer!

Our school is great, my D is in as I’m a keyworker, but no uniform at the moment. She’s loving it, although I’ve had a few stressful mornings convincing her that no uniform does not mean dress up for a disco on a beach (yes she wanted to wear her swimming costume one day). Even when they go back as long as they are in the school colour, school are happy. It makes life easy and cheap! I am making her wear her school shoes though as I’d only just bought these at a great expense before lockdown. I think Govn meant to be looking at changing the rules so schools have to allow non branded uniform (if it hasn’t got lost in Covid).

My children's school uniform still fits but I've also bought them uniform for next year too. My partners income has reduced slightly and dont know if it will go back up straight away or not. So before we get to the point off struggling and needing to make cut backs we've bought their uniforms and over paid on our Bill's slightly with saving we have.

Ds is meant to start school in September. I know what he needs but won't be buying anything until nearer the time. I wouldn't be anyway.
We are putting money away so we will have it when the time comes.

@TeaAndBiscuits666

Me too. I had to buy new shirts and pants for my yr8 son, new blouses for my yr9 daughter and new pants for my yr11 son, it came days before the schools closed. Knowing my luck they'll have a growth spurt and more new uniform will be needed. Any uniform that doesn't fit I'll just donate to my local uniform charity.

At the end of the day I usually have to buy top up uniform every summer for each kid, I don't understand what the OP is moaning about.

It's difficult to know when to buy and how much to buy. I will probably buy less than I usually do. I have bought socks for ds. He likes certain socks for school which can sell out. He is going to secondary school so need to buy everything.

"they change the tie for every year"
What on earth is the logic for that? What a waste of money and material

A bit off topic but I never understand why parents moan about buying uniform unless you go to one of those schools where there’s only one supplier and it is expensive.

If your school allows supermarket uniform etc then it’s no dearer that’s kitting them out in ordinary clothes which you would do if they didn’t have a uniform or were home schooled. I really don’t get why there’s such a hang up about this type of uniform. They have to wear something!!