Parents of Y11 pupils, are you going to buy uniform for 8 March?

[SomewhereUpMyArse]

Our school has sent out a newsletter which amongst other things tells us to ensure pupils have uniform that fits for 8 March.

Now I did get some new trousers, shoes and shirts for ds2 back in September, he barely wore them due to isolating a couple of times (school instructed) and ofc hasn't since December. He's grown almost two inches since September and so the trousers now don't really fit and the shirts look a bit stupid. But do I really have to get a whole load of new kit for what will be at best eight weeks' wear after which he'll never put them on again? He is six foot 3 and a half so I have to buy men's clothing for him anyway, it isn't cheap and I'm literally buying it so he can go to school for eight weeks having missed about half a year altogether due to covid. It just seems stupid. What are others doing? YABU= suck it up buttercup, them's the rules. YANBU = send them in in joggers and bite me.

@tulippa

Are Year 11 still going to finish in May or do you reckon they'll make them attend for longer this year?

I hope they are in school for as long as possible, they need all the evidence they can muster up, for the cancelled gcses.

@tulippa boys' growth is a nightmare. 😕 I thought he'd tipped out at just over six foot because he stayed there for ages but no, it continues.

Although, the whole uniform issue is really nonsensical for all older teens. They have adult bodies and buying two sets of clothes for adults is expensive and difficult.

But I guess that's an argument for a different thread.

Yeah I hadn't really thought about when they'd finished. I have a feeling they'll keep them in for longer but then the teachers need time to collate and moderate the evidence they'll send off (if they're doing it that way). So I don't know.

@SomewhereUpMyArse

I'll start saving now for DS's uniform then. He's already 5' 6" at 12 with bigger feet than his sister.

Will he need smart casual for sixth form? If so, might the school allow that?

Oh and Asda and Tesco are even more expensive for men's dress trousers!

There's no way I am going to buy uniform. My 'spare' money and more besides has been spent on kitting him out to work at home (desk, proper chair etc) and if his uniform doesn't fit then it doesn't fit. I will get a white shirt and then he can just wear that with black trousers but not school trousers. I won't be buying a new blazer but will get a plain black jacket. They'll have to accept it.

@tulippa yes, do! It's a frigging nightmare. They're all really tall and really skinny as well so not only does it cost a fortune but it's hard to find too because most manufacturers don't make clothes for people who have teenage width and mansize legs. 😟😟😟

I think they'll attend up to whatever date is set by the government for permitting work done to count for assessments.

He’s going to have to wear something to school. Children grow, and their clothes need replacing, it’s a sad and expensive truth, especially when they move on to adult sizes. A fifteen quid pair of trousers which he’ll wear for five days a week for eight weeks is not a terrible investment, and plain black will be useful for sixth form events assuming you can persuade him not to grow any more . My DS hasn’t been in a classroom for a year but I’ve just bought him another two pack of M&S uniform trousers because they’re cheap, indestructible and adjustable. Even if you happened to have a pair of joggers which fitted and persuaded the school to let him wear them he’d probably wear them out if he was wearing them all day every day.

If you started another thread some people might be able to suggest some slightly cheaper options, or highlight places with special offer on, maybe even school uniform options that fit 6’3”.

Well we don't even know yet how the work is going to be assessed so I guess we can all pull dates out of our backsides but it doesn't mean much.

But I do know that I've already spent a substantial sum of money on clothing whose sole purpose is to allow my son to be in school and I also know that since I've spent that money he's been in school for around 9 weeks max, and I don't really want to spend another chunk for what is usually eight weeks max.

Presumably it's black or grey trousers with a white shirt. Surely he will need those in the future for interviews, funerals and other occasions.

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Black-Regular-Fit-Smart-Suit-Trousers-/136997313-Black?searchTerm=:newArrivals&searchProduct=

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/White-Regular-Fit-Long-Sleeve-Easy-Iron-Shirts-2-Pack/136996636-White?searchTerm=:newArrivals&searchProduct=

Total £28 for 2 shirts and a pair of trousers. The trousers come in different widths and lengths. Sainsburys stuff lasts as well I have found .

M&S extra long go up to a 34 leg but are £15.

I get the tall and thin legs problem. DS resembles those playground models of people with pipe cleaner legs and arms that go on for ever.

@RuthW

Presumably it's black or grey trousers with a white shirt. Surely he will need those in the future for interviews, funerals and other occasions.

No white shirts here unfortunately, I'll buy those but I'm not buying the colour he has to wear for school.

@Steamedhams

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Black-Regular-Fit-Smart-Suit-Trousers-/136997313-Black?searchTerm=:newArrivals&searchProduct=

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/White-Regular-Fit-Long-Sleeve-Easy-Iron-Shirts-2-Pack/136996636-White?searchTerm=:newArrivals&searchProduct=

Total £28 for 2 shirts and a pair of trousers. The trousers come in different widths and lengths. Sainsburys stuff lasts as well I have found .

Longer length only start at a 32 waist though, many teen boys need a 28, and you would need two pairs of trousers.

@AStudyinPink really I think they should scrap it for everyone this year. But it's even more of an unnecessary expense for the pupils who just have a matter of weeks left.

Maybe they will. But I think for your son’s sake as well, as someone pointed out before me, he should go in uniform. It’s probably going to be a term, and you want him to take it seriously.

@kowari they know just how to be as awkward as possible! IDK then either a big box of donuts or saw a little off the bottom!

The schools I’ve been working with are planning on y11s being at school for the whole of the summer term.

I would write to the school.
I would mention the cost, drop in income etc.

Will he go into school sixth form? Or is it a sixth form college?
If school sixth form, would they be allowed to wear sixth form clothing?

ds is 18. I bought him a decent suit for his prom, thinking it would be a useful for interviews etc. He was 6'3" and really skinny and seemed to have stopped growing.
But now, 2 years later, it doesn't fit. He started using the school gym in sixth form and has bulked out so much it doesn't fit.
So I wouldn't assume any clothes would work for future.

You will help to buy him trousers that fit and at least 3 shirts. Then wash and dry mid week.

My 14 year old is in M&S she 18 years. He needs them for leg length. O don't know what we will do next year if he grows again in legs.

@caringcarer

My 14 year old is in M&S she 18 years. He needs them for leg length. O don't know what we will do next year if he grows again in legs.

Size 14-15 and up are the same length, just bigger on the waist, you need the longer length ones in long or extra long.

I would not buy new uniform. Schools could end up closing again after a week of re opening. No one really knows what is going to happen.
Schools priority should be EDUCATION not what they children are wearing.
Write a firm but polite letter to the school saying that you can't buy more uniform. If they say your son can't attend then contact your local MP and the media.
Schools need to stop this uniform crap. They really do.