Summer School uniform

[clementin]

Primary school the girls now get to wear a lovely summer dress which is so much better than the winter, shirt and tie. But the boys still have to wear shirt and tie all year round, not even allowed top buttons open. They aren't allowed to wear a polo shirt like some schools. How is this fair or equal really that girls have a summer option but the boys don't.

Boys at our school wear polo shirts in the summer.

I don’t know though. The dress is very lacking in warmth and no use really for most of the British summer - it’s still cold in April. And shorts in general as so much more practical than the summer dress. I’d prefer to wear the boys’ uniform any day.

But it’s also worth remembering these are clothing standards set traditionally by men and not women.

Take it up with the school - boys at DDs wear shorts all year round, and polo shirts are fine.

And DD has some fab uniform shorts that she prefers to wear over dresses, and so she does.

@GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing they always have the choice of other uniform it's not the requirement to wear a dress. But they seem so much better to me when it does get hot

I have never seen a girl wearing shorts actually hadn't thought of that. Would be better than a skirt really.

@RainbowMum11 what are the uniform shorts like are they the same a boys Grey style? Do many girls wear them?

School has rejected boys wearing polos previously but not sure why

Go to the head and ask the question. They should survey parent opinions. There is no good reason for making the boys wear shirt/ tie.

The summer dresses now come in a sort of play suit option in most colours.

@Jamboree01 the play suits are ace, great for them playing and running etc, hopefully not too much of a problem using the toilet.
I thought I was missing an obvious point for boys, and girls too wearing polos but head has dismissed it before and I can't see a reason. I will send a message

At our school a polo is part of the summer uniform for boys. For the juniors it seems to be shorts and a polo in summer and in winter shirt, tie etc. In infants all of the boys are in polo shirts. The dresses are much nicer and cooler for a hot day but not that practical when they’re sat cross-legged on the floor.

I’m sure if someone tried they could come up with a lovely summer uniform that was practical for both boys and girls, preferably with sun protection considered, hats etc.you could have some really cute short sleeve shirts made from the gingham material of the dresses.

The boys (and girls if they prefer) at my children’s primary get to wear a polo shirt with the school logo on and shorts. Winter uniform is shirt, tie etc. They’re being really unreasonable making them wear full uniform still when the girls are in summer dresses.

Not sure what reason there could be to make a child wear a tie at any time of year to be honest! It serves no purpose whatsoever.

When I went to junior school, both girls and boys could wear a short sleeved shirt with no tie and undone top button in the summer. Although if you put your jumper on, you had to put your tie on too. Girls could wear dresses but it wasn't very cool (as in trendy). At infant school, polos were a uniform option all year.

It does seem unfair. The boys should be allowed to wear a gingham dress, too.

Can he wear a short sleeve white shirt and tie? My dc's school swaps to polos in the summer but apparently polos are warmer than the long sleeve winter shirts 🤷‍♀️.

Boys at our school can wear tailored shorts and gingham shirts in the same material as the girls dresses (no tie required). It looks very smart.

I agree Cattitudes that a shirt is often thinner material and loser. Although usually has to be tucked in when you can get away with untucked polos. The collar and tie are the main issue.

Selfishly, I like the gingham as they require little ironing 🤣 shops are doing top & shorts combos and play suits in gingham now so that cuts out the concerns about sitting cross legged etc. My daughter prefers the dress on days she has PE as she has worked out a way to do a quick change.

It’s nice seeing the boys in polos and shorts, and the girls in gingham. It’s the sign of summer.

When I went to school, we had the option but most couldn’t afford to buy a summer uniform as well so this may be something to do with why schools don’t specify it.

Infants always had polos because it’s easier for them to manage and to learn how to get changed independently.

*Looser (as in baggy), not loser!