To hope schools scrap uniforms

[greengoldfish]

It can’t surely be possible to wash blazers and heavy kilt like skirts on a daily basis.

AIBU to hope this means an end to uniform, or if not, a return to some comfy jogging bottoms, polo shirts and cardis/jumpers?

It makes me smile, the attitude to school uniform here! The thing I've found about non-uniform schools, is that clothes are a non-issue for the students- it's just 'every day clothes'. the expensive branding and 'sticking out like a sore thumb' if you're poor, doesn't come into it at all. I've found that nobody really wants to stick out at all. The teens in my daughter's school reverted to a 'type' of uniform for school - big baggy jumpers or hoodies, and leggings. The ones who wanted to stick out usually were expressing themselves. The thought that we are "preparing students for the world of work" is laughable. Has anyone seen what they wear in google or facebook??? Yes you might need a suit if you're working in the city, but you don't need to "practice" for 14 years in school surely???

The uniform at my son's school set me back nearly 300 pounds, including the very expensive "polishable black shoes" as he is out of children sizes now. non-uniform is a lot cheaper

Fishy can you explain why university and college students manage to perform well without uniform but school pupils cant?

Once took a city break in a modern European capital. Our hotel was across the road from a ?junior school. All the kids going in and out were dressed in joggers or Jean's, t-shirts and sweatshirts. No one stood out at all as odd or poorly dressed

high school if your kids don’t wear the right brands they will be mocked mercilessly

Is this a new thing? Cos I was at school in the lates 90s/early 00s and while everybody certainly WANTED to wear certain brands, nobody was mercilessly mocked just for not doing so.

I don't understand the argument "you must practice for work" and the example of the lawyer who is frowned upon for not wearing cufflinks and polishable brown leather shoes. I mean, do our kids need to practice wearing nurses' uniforms, or scrubs if they want to become doctors? Do they need to practise wearing white coats if they want to be a scientist? Fireman uniforms anyone? What if they want to work in IT - practise wearing jeans...???!! The argument doesn't stack up any more! And since when has anyone from a non-uniform school had trouble presenting themselves well for an office job, or a job in a city bank? All the arguments for uniform are outdated IMO. They allow principals to be seen to be "tackling discipline" by enforcing the "uniform rules" and punishment for infringements. I dont' know why the british are so scared to let go of the school uniform!!!!

YoTeQuieroInfinito that's the whole thing - when there is no uniform, it's not an issue - kids are just used to wearing everyday clothes, it's not a big deal. I've never seen anyone mocked unmercilessly for not having brands. I've seen a LOT of bullying in uniform schools - it doesn't help at all IMO

@YoTeQuieroInfinito

high school if your kids don’t wear the right brands they will be mocked mercilessly

Is this a new thing? Cos I was at school in the lates 90s/early 00s and while everybody certainly WANTED to wear certain brands, nobody was mercilessly mocked just for not doing so.

I think it is a thing i was in the 90s era and my make up from superdrug and the market and it was just the odd item. I see school girls in make up that looks so professionally done things like Fenty. Brands definitely have become a thing and it wasn’t nearly half as bad back around 2003. I don’t remember any kids in my school arriving in coats such as “Canada Goose”. Social media plays a big part in this too.

@00100001 I don't understand what proof you're looking for! We're debating the pros of cons of school uniform and I stated my opinion based on my experience. Hardly court room drama worthy! It was the relentless pressure to have the right stuff. And the cattiness of the girls if you didn't. Feel free to PM me and I'll 'prove' it with a horrendous school photo from 91!

I’ve never understood why, in the last 30 years or so since education has become significantly less desk based, uniform hasn’t also moved with the times. What’s wrong with a smart polo shirt and cardigan/jumper?

Lots of friends who work in professional office based roles say suits and ties are on their way out, so why get parents to shell out a small fortune for them?

If people are being bullied we need to address that, not try and hide differences.

I’m a teacher (secondary) my school has got things right on uniform I think. Non in the sixth form (not even office dress - they just wear what they want). And a uniform for main school which is easy to buy (can get everything bar the blazer and tie from supermarkets)

Tie is clip on so no arguments about length / size. Girls can wear trousers or skirts. For some reasons they are not supposed to wear white socks but no one really cares or picks them up on it. Blazers are bought second hand from pta when needed and that works well.

I actually find teenagers like blazers. The older ones use it to store their phones, pens, Oyster cards etc and they all seem to keep them on the whole time and are more preferable than jumpers. I’m often having to try to persuade them to blazers off in the summer when it’s hot.

Our blazers are polyester so can be washed easily - but I agree many parents don’t have the money or resources to do that daily.

I’d be perfectly happy either way - uniform or no uniform. I’m fortunate to work in a great school which great kids (still inner London) and I think it would work fine either way.

The government guidance is that uniforms will not need washing more often than usual when kids return and they do not recommend any changes to uniform policies to be necessary. They also say that it’s up to the governing body of the school if changes are to be made. Many won’t because most schools will want kids back into a good focused learning routine from the start and non-uniform distracts from this.

The reason people think none uniform distracts them from this is because you have a none uniform day which is all about the clothes, none uniform school s - a group of teenagers dragging themselves out of bed put on the closest thing

Or posts (like on this thread) from people who have been to non uniform and DID find it a problem.

I expect those who fitted in fine didnt notice how much of a problem it was for those who didnt.

Non uniform schools. Missing word there!

Uniform at my kids school is very strict. I think the school use it to send a signal to the parents regarding their values and the quality of education they provide - I think lots of parents suck it up and are only too willing to believe it means something. So we get the HT banging on about uniform while the quality of teaching In many subjects is crap and parents are busy spending £££s on tutors to ensure their kids are not disadvantaged. And people express shock when they hear what is actually going on in the school! But as long as the kids stick to the uniform it all looks good.. just don’t look too closely. Uniforms are just PR bullshit.

@PineappleUpsideDownCake

Or posts (like on this thread) from people who have been to non uniform and DID find it a problem.

I expect those who fitted in fine didnt notice how much of a problem it was for those who didnt.

Our school drops school uniform at sixth form and then insists on a 2 piece suit for boys and girls - which is just a different type of uniform - that’s a very effective way of excluding kids who can’t afford to dress in a suit every day - it’s not a equaliser!

Currently getting changed in cramped changing rooms and means children have to be too close, being in school games kit makes sense initially,
i don't think blazers are needed for prep children and I'm not sure they are really needed for older children.
Uniform is important and does have more pros than cons but I do think it needs to be affordable, easily washed and long lasting and suitable for children to play in, not just sit.
Schools could use this as an opportunity to simplify uniform and bring it up to date.

@BlueEyedPersephone completely agree.

That comment on make up made me laugh. I've naturally bright red lips and long black lashes. In Yr 7, I was always sent to wash it off. Our school was bonkers and it was far easier to go and wash face then argue it was how I looked!

Don't give a hoot about uniform either way more worried about will my 3 be safe...

I went to a Northern Uni with a decent med school. Washing clothes regularly lowers the risk of viruses and bacteria.

@YoTeQuieroInfinito

high school if your kids don’t wear the right brands they will be mocked mercilessly

Is this a new thing? Cos I was at school in the lates 90s/early 00s and while everybody certainly WANTED to wear certain brands, nobody was mercilessly mocked just for not doing so.

My teens don't have any branded clothing - I have a personal dislike of the stuff and it seems to have rubbed off - they get clothes from New Look and H&M - they have never been teased for their clothing either. They do talk about the "Adidas crowd" The boys who wear it head to toe and are mildly amused by their obsession.

@abbazed I remember my dm having to write me a note to say she had allowed me to wear lip salve which made me look like I was wearing lipstick. Because it was the only one that help my very obvious sore cracked lips. I would show them the stick to prove it wasnt make up but I was still told to take it off. Bizarre.

My children don’t wear uniform and I hate it. Trying to find something they will confidently and comfortably wear is expensive and lots of clothes are bought and hardly worn. Trying to also get clothes that the staff deem suitable for weather, activities, not too cheap, not too expensive etc etc etc is a nightmare also. I spend too long searching for and buying suitable children’s clothes. I’d love to bulk buy a load each year/half year without thinking much about it.

You know it's guidance not the law? We have not been washing uniform everyday, it's wasteful.

I like my children wearing uniform because they look smart and everyone is the same. I hope they keep them.