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?

A few years ago I would have agreed entirely with the idea of uniform equalising things for poorer students. But I've changed my mind recently. My children's schools have uniform and actually it is very obvious who the better off/poorer kids are anyway. The less well off parents are often complaining about the cost of the uniform (especially when an item is lost and it's impossible to ask school to check the labels in every other child's uniform to find out who picked up the wrong one etc etc). One of mine has been going in to school in non-uniform over the last few weeks and is much more comfortable than when he has to wear a tie/blazer/scratchy jumper. I suspect that non-uniform would actually be cheaper for most nowadays and there wouldn't be much more label rivalry than there already is. At my DC school those who want to show off the labels do it with bags/shoes etc- most are not interested.

Personally, if I needed enough uniform to have an entirely clean set every day I will either have to spend tons of money or spend every evening washing. The (logo'd) uniform mine now have to wear won't last 5 minutes if they have to be washed every day.

I hate uniforms full stop, but I do think it is very unrealistic to wash heavy uniform every day. Fine with shirts, bottoms etc, but blazers would fall apart

I doubt if it will be an end to uniform, though I suspect most schools will have too many other things to be concerned about than enforcing it. Even the schools (usually academies with historic poor performance, or is just the press only cover them) who become zealous about this.

I agree blazers just aren’t designed to survive frequent washing.

@linemanforthecounty,

It could be PPE except it's available (For those that can afford it) unlike PPE for all HCPs for the last few months.

It would be even more like PPE if they send out old uniform from a previous pandemic with a comedy sticker over the use by date and then it turns out ....

Which begs they question why everyone is so happy to pay 30 plus quid for them when they know they wont last,

I've been appalled at the quality of the blazers I dont spend 32 quid on any item of clothing ever, but when I had a 4 pound asda pinafore and a 3 pound asda skirt cope with being worn washed and tumble dried frequently and go through 2 children last longer than a 32 pound blazer, you know you have been ripped off

If schools got rid of uniforms or went for a basic polo, trackies with trainers type thing my autistic daughter might actually feel she can attend school. She has pretty much been out of school since the beginning of the year (before we'd had even heard of covid). She simply cannot cope with the formal shirt, tie, blazer type uniforms. It's hard to explain but you can literally see her suffering in those clothes. Too tight, too restrictive, too hot.
It's unfair and cruel. Being denied an education over clothing.

Years ago the whole point of uniform was it was cheaper than normal clothes

It most certainly wasn’t. It’s 50 years since I wore school uniform and it cost a fortune. I can still see my poor mum blanch when she was told how much the (compulsory) blazer cost. We had to wear berets or caps to and from school - a teacher who lived near us made me put mine on just as I was walking through the gate into the house.

The reasons we were given were that it was a leveller and it instilled discipline. You certainly didn’t argue when you were invited into the senior mistress’ office to remove your nail varnish, much as you might have resented it.

Uniforms all the way. Being 'unfashionable' can lead to bullying

Getting rid of uniform would be fantastic - after all haven't they spent 3 months proving they can learn perfectly well without it? It won't happen though, it's such an easy way for schools to signal to parents that they take discipline seriously.

Uniforms all the way. Being 'unfashionable' can lead to bullying

Bullies bully. That's why they are bullies. It is not the victims fault cos they are poor or dont care about labels or cant keep up. Schools all over the country have uniforms and still have bullying. It doesn't disappear when u put on some itchy polyester..how about we teach kids not to he dick heads rather than teach them it's their fault for being picked on cos they wont dye their hair blond or get a pair of nikes

@YourAuntieGrizelda If it was about everyone wearing the same, they could all be in comfy trousers and polo shirts. The blazer-and-tie business is not about everyone wearing the same, it's about learning to conform to pointless rules to avoid punishment.

I like uniforms 😂🤷🏻‍♀️

@pointythings
Your post gave me a good laugh because it's so true! I've spent a whole career in teaching and the time wasted on 'uniform rules' you wouldn't believe! Ties especially.

The most successful schools I've taught at also seemed to have the most relaxed rules about it as, believe it or not,they were more concerned with getting the best out of their students,not what they look like.

There are plenty of uniforms being worn today that wouldn't have looked out of place in the 1920's.
If you really are a fan,go for something practical, comfortable, easily available and generic. And no ties!

I don’t get the washing every day argument for non uniform in a normal state primary school. ( I would know about expensive blazers etc). Since my son has gone back to school I have had to buy a load more casual clothes as prior to this I had just weekend wear. I bought a few extra bits for lockdown but that still wasn’t really enough. We have plenty of sets of uniform all sitting in the cupboard being wasted as they will be grown out of. I also bought a brand new pair of school shoes a few weeks before lockdown which he will probably be grown out of by September. Wonderful!
I did have a lots of sets in fairness compared to some people, but surely those that struggle financially to buy extra uniform would also struggle to buy extra casual clothes.
I sincerely hope they are back in uniform in September and stop messing us all about.

We are quite lucky that DC's school don't really mind what the kids wear as long as they are appropriate colours and they have a school jumper, or school logo somewhere. For his final year at primary I allowed ds1 to wear plain black joggers, and plain black trainers. They have always worn a white polo shirt and school jumper. I have DS 2 the option of joggers, but he was quite happy to stick to school trousers, but also wears plain black trainers. They do so much more physical and outdoor activities now, without the children having time to change into appropriate clothing.
I made the decision to let them both wear trainers everyday because, one day I arrived at school early and saw 5 year old ds doing the mile run around the school in his leather shoes. I wouldn't go for a run in leather school shoes, o don't expect my kids to have to either. I want them to be comfortable and able to move freely. They're not going to the office, it's school.

I did have a lots of sets in fairness compared to some people, but surely those that struggle financially to buy extra uniform would also struggle to buy extra casual clothes

Clothes are however available on sale or on ebay cheaper. You can swap amongst friends or family etc ( who may well be at different schools )

Clothes also at least have more than one use and can be adapted for weather and activity appropriateness which uniform doesnt allow.

YABU in the new guidelines released today by the Government (it's on Gov.uk) uniforms don't need to be washed every day

My second daughter is going in to year 7 so I just hope the schools make their individual decisions in regards to uniform before I donate a kidney to afford the whole shebang.

The PE shorts at DS's school are £25. He must have 2 pairs, and yes, they do check. I would love them to allow generic uniform.

Bullies bully. That's why they are bullies. It is not the victims fault cos they are poor or dont care about labels or cant keep up. Schools all over the country have uniforms and still have bullying. It doesn't disappear when u put on some itchy polyester..how about we teach kids not to he dick heads rather than teach them it's their fault for being picked on cos they wont dye their hair blond or get a pair of nikes

I agree. I see quite a few community threads from parents about their children being bullied. As someone who was bullied through most of my life in and out of a uniform, it makes no bloody difference. Bullies find a reason regardless of what you’re wearing. I think it’s actually worse with uniforms since bullies can concentrate on things that you can’t change like your own physical features vs the clothes you wear.

DD starts school in August, Scotland. Her uniform is;
Red jumper
White polo shirt
Black leggings
Black trainers

No blazer, no tie, no cardigans, no pinafores, no skirts, no shirt, no nice school shoes and no school bag allowed.

Bit gutted not to have the customary first day picture in full uniform but what can you do. Maybe next year!

I got her enough branded jumpers and polos for her 2 days a week. If it changes to full time I’ll get another 3 of each, unbranded.

Polo top and shorts/trousers that can be washed and dried is all any child needs anyway. I hope they simplify it but don't do away with it.

My older kids went to school with no uniforms, the kids weren't bothered by brands. They all seemed to wear Jeans and hoodies, or Jeans/shorts and teeshirts if it was warm.
I hate uniforms, I hated mine when I was a teen too.
Poor Dd is having a hard time fitting into her childish looking uniform, at 15 she is fully developed and has an ample chest. School blouses don't fit hardly now. I'll have to buy womens blouses at a massive cost for her last year. Mens shirts won't work, the neck is way too big when the chest fits. She looks so much better and more comfortable in some jeans and a teeshirt or hoodie.

Nope! Strict and smart uniforms help instil a work mindset in the DC. IMO all schools should have blazer and tie uniforms- it is a proven way to raise standards.

My DC's school have been running online lessons and they are expected to wear full uniform throughout including blazer and tie. It has really helped focus them and settle them down to work.