Rigid school uniforms

[Waitrosedisaster]

I've just had the usual letter from my child's secondary school, where it outlines all the dos and don'ts surrounding school uniform for the next academic year.

Is anyone just absolutely sick of the outdated concept of strict uniforms? The nitty gritty details of 'only black or brown hair bobbles', 'no bows on socks', 'all clothes including p.e kit must have the school logo'. Why? Just why? My personal favourite this year is the following 'any piercing other than single lobe piercings will be removed immediately, regardless of when piercing was obtained'. Also, nail varnish and shellac will also be removed immediately? Wtf?

School uniforms (other than being used as a money making scheme) were originally used for purposes not to dissimilar from uniforms for prisons, or mental health units. They were used to strip away a person's individuality and make them more likely to conform and obey as they are effectively 'uniform'. It's such an outdated concept and I find it bizarre that schools are able to even dictate which (overpriced) shops the uniform must come from.

I hear arguments from teacher friends about how uniforms are better for low income families, but are they really? Unless the parents do not work, are they even able to claim money off uniforms?

Anyone else agree?

Since many parents don't have a choice of schools, then uniform (if required) should be chosen to suit the children who attend and their families. It should be comfortable, affordable, and suitable for the age of the children and the activities they will be doing.

So if there is no choice (both my kids in state inner city school- no choice) you follow the rules. If you don’t agree, you back the school in front of your kids. Arguing with the school and then sending your kids in leggings, trainers, getting their nails done, eyelash extensions, dying their hair a random colour, allowing them to have a piercing, telling them the rules are stupid / waste of time / ignore them etc etc then means staff have to spend time sorting it out (and by time I am talking hours and hours with some parents) speaking to child, phoning parents, sometimes getting abuse from these parents, having them in for meetings, responding to Facebook / Twitter / letters/ emails about uniform wastes hours and hours of time that they could be helping students. State schools have very little cash at the moment. Every hour is precious. Please please don’t create work for them.

I love these threads. You wouldn't think there were so many people rooting for communism. Especially those who like to think of themselves as conservative

So if there is no choice (both my kids in state inner city school- no choice) you follow the rules.

Even if the rules mean your child suffers as a result?

Suffers? Little extreme for the vast majority of kids.

Totally agree with adjustments for those with specific needs.

www.gov.uk/government/news/new-law-to-make-school-uniform-costs-affordable-for-all

The guidelines around the new legislation is due to be published this autumn so schools will have to be more reasonable

No uniform at dd's current school but everyone seems to turn up in clothes that are fit for purpose. Generally they all tend to wear jeans, joggers leggings or shorts and trainers with t shirts, hoodies, sweaters or shirts.
At her previous school with a strict uniform there was so much pushing of boundaries and teachers spent so much time policing what students were wearing.

Totally agree with adjustments for those with specific needs.
Or have a uniform that allows choices and is comfortable for most children so fewer children need any adjustments. I do not agree with formal uniforms at all for primary.

Yep. Are you?

Any idea how much time is spent in a state secondary school each week on parents who refuse to work with the school on uniform?

School staff waste hours dealing with uniform infringements 😂😂😂You deserve the problems you have!

Primary should definitely be more relaxed than a secondary - they need to be able to play.

It stops distractions, it teaches them boundaries and it does mean that it does not matter how much money your family has you all are the same

But what if many families struggle to afford the branded uniform? Secondhand is in short supply and the quality so poor I’ve found new only lasts half a term (the jumpers fade, lose their shape and develop holes in the seams). Why should a parent struggling financially have to buy ties and specific items? I like the idea of plain black trousers with say a tshirt and blue sweater for infants. There could be a no labels or slogans rule, no embellishments. Plain uniform basics are cheaply available in supermarkets.

How does it stop distractions? Surely a child irritated by a too tight top button and tie, or an uncomfortable waistband, or an itchy shirt is more prone to distractions? Or a child shivering with cold because they have to wear shorts all year.

So many ways to teach boundaries without rigid uniform rules and logos.

@Workingmum34

Suffers? Little extreme for the vast majority of kids.

Totally agree with adjustments for those with specific needs.

I'm not talking about DC with special needs, necessarily.

I'm talking about schools who say kids have to wear unsuitable footwear for the weather, so kids have to spend all day in soaking wet socks and shoes.

Schools that make boys wear shorts in winter, even though it's -3 and snowing outside and all doors and windows are open due to COVID.

Schools that won't allow DC to take their jumpers or blazers off at break, even though it's 22 degrees outside.

I don't see why DC should just blindly accept the rules when they make no sense and make them cold, hot or physically very uncomfortable or even unwell.

A smart uniform helps inculcate a culture of aspiration and hard work

My uniform is scrubs and trainers. Yes crumpled scrubs that look like PJs. And PPE of course.

The culture of aspiration and hard work has not been affected by the ‘scruffy’ uniform at my workplace 😂

@tennisballboy

School staff waste hours dealing with uniform infringements 😂😂😂You deserve the problems you have!

So just ignore the rules? Let them wear what they want?

So what do you the do with the kids that every morning we lend a uniform to as they are in temporary accommodation or are sharing shoes with siblings or their uniform hasn’t been washed or it smells or doesn’t fit? We have a whole room of spare clothes we lend or give out each morning but the other students don’t have a clue that this happens.

@warmfluffytowels

DC who are victims of hunger or abuse suffer.

Children who have to wear shorts or a blazer as part of their uniform to school like millions of others all over the world are not suffering in any sense of the world.

Or they could just wear one pair of shoes to school and change them? That’s what I’d do to work when it’s wet/ snowy etc

Boys who have to wear shorts - would put money on these being independent schools (ie you have a choice)

@Workingmum34

Or they could just wear one pair of shoes to school and change them? That’s what I’d do to work when it’s wet/ snowy etc

Boys who have to wear shorts - would put money on these being independent schools (ie you have a choice)

Those poor kids that you're talking about - need two pairs of shoes now? 😂 Brilliant makes so much sense!

No those kids borrow them when they get in to school - you clearly don’t work in a state secondary school.

It’s the parents who buy really inappropriate shoes (fake Vivienne Westwood was a trend for a while) then complain.

So just ignore the rules? Let them wear what they want?

Pretty much. Imagine that, like in the rest of the civilized world. But common sense would makes no sense here.

@CatsArePeople

I think you’ll find that many of the top schools in North America actually have strict uniform policies.

Many others are implementing uniforms due to their significant benefits.

@GreenLakes - what are these benefits you keep on mentioning?

A non uniform school didn’t hinder the education my DT’s received.

I haven’t RTFT, but I totally agree OP.

People I know from other countries are bemused by the Brits obsession with uniform and their belief that dressing children like bank managers from the 1950s is a recipe for success.

The workplace has become increasingly casual over the last 10-15 years. Why on earth are teenagers more formally dressed than all of the adults around them?

I think you’ll find that many of the top schools in North America actually have strict uniform policies.

That’s just a status symbol though.

There are countless great schools in the states with non uniforms.

Or they could just wear one pair of shoes to school and change them? That’s what I’d do to work when it’s wet/ snowy etc

But presumably you don't have to carry sopping wet, smelly shoes around with you all day. You can leave them in a locker, changing area, under your desk or in a drawer - secondary kids can't do that.