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's about learning to conform to pointless rules to avoid punishment

That’s a pretty good life lesson to learn. We all have to do that throughout our lives.

We live abroad and the school that my children go to is alternating uniform, civvies, uniform, civvies, uniform...Also on the uniform days, they can wear no 1s (blazer, tie), normal uniform or PE uniform which makes it all so much easier 😅.

FishyDuck it's interesting though that of everybody I know not a single person has to wear a blazer and tie to work. Uniforms yes (in some jobs) but certainly not blazer and ties.

Uniforms are not actually a problem and don't need to be dealt with differently from normal.

@bookmum08

It's about instilling a sense of aspiration and ambition in the students. High-paying roles in areas like finance and law all require a smart dress code. DH is a solicitor and at his place it is even frowned upon to wear a shirt without cuff links, brown shoes or a blue suit.

Particularly in deprived areas, we may as well just tell the DC that they have no chance of succeeding in life if we allow tracksuits and polo shirts. They are not appropriate attire for work and are certainly not appropriate for school.

@FishyDuck

it is a proven way to raise standards.

Bold statement. Let's see some peer reviewed research evidence. And I don't mean that study run by TruTex - too many vested interests there.

And no, I won't hold my breath...

You dont have to wear uniform at college or university. Even the tutors turn up in jeans....

Its like homework. We give it to kids on reception even though theres no reported benefit from homework in primary school, because apparently they will never cope in secondary otherwise.

Except we all managed it perfectly fine

Must inform the doctor I saw today wearing scrubs she has not achieved in life.

And I have to laugh at FishyDuck's statement re clothes and success. Firstly, money isn't everything. It really isn't. There is so much more to life than finance and the law - there's medicine, the arts, teaching, the caring professions. We were clapping for those people not so long ago - in the world of FishyVision they seem to have no value.

Secondly, I work with a lot of very high ranking medical professionals, and they tend not to wear suits, ties and cufflinks.

greengoldfish attitudes like Fishy's are both hilarious and sad. I mean, by that logic countries where there is no uniform should have no high achieving professionals. And there have been some very, very senior Dutch people who work in large international corporations in the UK. Those people would have grown up going to state schools (because virtually no private education in the Netherlands) with no uniform. And yet they manage to dress in the required suit and tie outfits. Amazing.

What nonsense are you talking?
Kilts need an occasional wash. As do blazers.
School shirts get washed after every wear. Trousers are worn at least twice. Ds1 wears 2 pairs per week.

I like uniform. Your objections are irrational.

Occasional washing .🤢

Have you smelt a teenager..

My primary kids are mucky so I've always done daily uniform (I am able to buy most of it quite cheaply so they have 5/6 of everything they need most of it lasts the school year. I have a relative outlay each summer + shoes and replace odds as and when)
Our school does not insist on logos, just school colours. So that helps!!

Average cost:
£14 on 12 polos (6 for each child)
£33 on 6 trousers
£36 on 6 cardis
£27 on 6 dresses
£30 on 6 jumpers
Plus shoes, socks, tights (pe kit just has to be plain so I don't buy new, just use stuff we have)

it is a proven way to raise standards

What bollocks.

I don’t know anyone who wears full suits these days. It’s totally passé.

OMG! If only I had realise sooner I would have had my DD cufflinks, braces and polished black lace ups from Yr 3 onwards. How will we ever close the gender gap in patterned clothing.?

I washed my children’s blazers rarely. Shirts were washed as soon as they were taken off. Skirts and trousers were washed less often. They were good quality and never needed ironing.
Uniform negates the issues of less well off parents who can’t afford a lots of different outfits. Eg ... there’s no comment along the lines of “ you wore that yesterday,” “ that’s looks crap,” “ don’t you get your clothes from Zara?”.
Most supermarkets sell sturdy , cheap uniform that can be washed and worn over again.
With regard to Secondary, yes, it’s more expensive, but it’s worn every day and doesn’t need replacing as much. And no negative comments.
A £30 blazer, a supermarket pack of shirts, a school skirt or trouser is way cheaper than several dresses, skirts, shorts, trousers, t-shirts, tights, leggings, cardis, jumper , etc...
and It stopa children being judgemental.

Tbh if they require specialist clothing to access education the school/LEA should provide said specialist clothing. I've had to wear uniform when I worked for a supermarket but I didn't bloody buy it. And ofc buying two lots of clothes (ie uniform and clothes for when not in school) isn't cheaper than buying one lot of clothes.

Anyway the OP's point is that we're all being told to wash clothes we've worn at school/work but that is difficult when you factor uniform in. Although apparently now the government are saying it's not necessary. Maybe like they said masks weren't necessary three months ago. And even though as yet in the UK at least no one has been in an environment with as many people in it as a school has or as close to each other as they will be in a school when they're back up and running at full tilt.

FishyDuck I hate to be rude but you are talking bollocks. I would love my daughter to achieve well in life but the fact is she is pretty much being denied an education because she is physically and mentally uncomfortable in a formal shirt, trousers, blazer and tie.
I recently spent two weeks in a major London hospital with my daughter. However many people did I see in a blazer and tie? That will be zero. I also know people who work in finance. They have a dress code to follow but it doesn't have to be blazer and tie.
I know people who work in various government office jobs. Dress code - yes. Blazer and tie - no.
On the rare occasion I have come across a blazer and tie job it is only the males who have to wear that. They females aren't required to wear a blazer and tie. Yet in schools females are forced to wear a blazer and tie. Why? Are we (society) giving the message that if you want to achieve in life you have to pretend you are a man ?
All those people who have kept the country going through these covid times - the key workers... blazer and frigging tie? No.

No adult wears a blazer.

I’d rather ditch uniforms.

If there was no uniform I certainly wouldn't be washing clothes everyday. DS wears jeans or cargo shorts outside of school, he has a two pairs of each and I wash once, sometimes twice a week. School trousers take up less room in the washing machine and dry in no time. I wouldn't be washing a hoodie more than once a week if it wasn't dirty either.

I'd like generic uniform that can be bought anywhere, polo shirts rather than shirts and tie because I don't iron anything. Keep blazers as an option alongside jumpers, DS won't wear a jumper. He loves his blazer because of the pockets.

Uniform is an archaic idea.

Banish them!

I'd like generic uniform that can be bought anywhere, polo shirts rather than shirts and tie because I don't iron anything. surely you can just buy polo shirts and trousers if there’s no uniform and that’s your preference?

Yep, nothing to stop anyone from wearing polo shirts/school trousers/blazers/boaters if they so desire. And after all they are apparently practical so why wouldn't you, even if you didn't have to?