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Is anyone just absolutely sick of the outdated concept of strict uniforms?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 It's such an outdated concept and I find it bizarre that schools are able to even dictate which (overpriced) shops the uniform must come from.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?

I don’t mind DDs school. Blazer and tie and you can buy everything else. Just a PE top.

I used to work for an academy trust where EVERYTHING had to have a logo, blazer, shirts, socks, trousers, numerous bits of PE kit.
I feel like someone is making a lot of money on the side.

The worst bit was there was only one shop that supplied it in the entire area. So you had to order online (and pay postage) or get it delivered to school at the start of year. The Trust takes on a schools with huge numbers of families from impoverished backgrounds. So not only making them pay so much money for uniform but also making the entire process incredibly complicated. Honestly, lots of the parents struggled with ordering and it took up masses of staff time. All such a waste of time and money.

The worst bit was there was only one shop that supplied it in the entire area.

I don't understand why is it even legal. State schooling is supposed to be free?

My daughter has tried her uniform on for when she starts school. She is struggling with the tiny buttons on the shirts, she hates the tie and she just doesn't look comfortable. The fact all this will have cost £230 ish including shoes just makes it worse!

Why can't children just be comfortable to play and learn at 4 years old. This is our only catchment school, we had no other choice (and no I can't home school as I need to work to keep a roof over my child's head!)

I know she will get used to it, but it's just ridiculous, the cost is enormous, they are not comfortable and it really doesn't change behaviour or learning.

The funniest thing was the strap line the school used suggested they moved with the times to help equip your child for the modern world - I don't think they understand the next century either that or they are in deep denial!😂

Why can't children just be comfortable to play and learn at 4 years old. This is our only catchment school, we had no other choice (and no I can't home school as I need to work to keep a roof over my child's head!)

This! ^

I hate those tiny buttons, my fingers hurt trying to fasten them. Goodness knows what it’s like for teachers before and after PE. Many kids can do buttons but they take 20 minutes or so.

The tie serves no purpose except a reminder of tradition. When I was a teenager we used to colour the white stripes with neon highlighters to jazz them up a bit. Skirts were rolled as short as possible and girls were forever being made to remove nail polish in lessons. The blazers were cheap nasty things.

As for primary kids, it makes me sad to see them trussed up in ties and shorts with long socks for all weathers. It’s the school trying to preserve a ‘look’ for the sake of tradition.

I’m hoping my DC’s school might switch to polo tops and sweaters at some point. But I chose it for the warm, nurturing atmosphere and good reports from other parents, not the uniform.

You don’t have to send your child to school

😂😂

But then I’d have to quit my job to homeschool. And experience of homeschooling in lockdown was not at all positive. Social contact, being in a building with peers, following school rules, sports in teams is all part of the school experience.

Its just a shame uniform hasn’t moved with the times.

I love that some posters are so clueless that they talk about choice - even funnier that some of these posters claim to be teachers - have minimum requirements slipped so much on recruitment?

@MadMadMadamMim

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?

WTF? Your kid needs 'shellac' nails to go to school. And more than one pair of earrings?

Your indignation would have a bit more weight if it looked like you actually gave a shit about their education rather than how 'Love Island' they could look.

I was actually commenting on the use of the words 'removed immediately' for things such as new piercing and shellac, which cannot just be ripped out/off with ease

I think there are various separate issues
1)having uniform at all
2) having petty rules about the minutiae of uniform - eg hair bands, navy v black tights, what grade razor cut your hairstyle can be
3) insisting a long list of uniform must come from.a particular shop that is usually quite expensive

Not everyone is against any kind of uniform.

Probably outing but I have 2 children in two primaries. Recently moved one.
When we put DC1 into school, we were blindsided by the smart uniform, the academic success, the seeming "niceness" of the place.

We've since discovered that uniform places higher in their values than nurture & inclusion. And certainly higher than fun.

Moved DC2 to a school that has a uniform but isn't military about it and wow, they are so caring and agile and supportive.

Don't judge a book by its cover!

@Aria999

Ffs home educating is not a choice for most people.

Most people have to work, are not qualified teachers, and want their kids to have the opportunity to make friends and learn social skills.

To say this is a perfectly reasonable option for people who dislike school uniform is just ridiculous.

Yes really baffled why people insist that it is a good choice, yes you choose to send your kid to school and you can choose to homeschool too, but homeschooling is a choice that will lead to far worse circumstances if you are unable to work, so utterly pointless as a suggestion.

@Pinuporc

I think there are various separate issues 1)having uniform at all 2) having petty rules about the minutiae of uniform - eg hair bands, navy v black tights, what grade razor cut your hairstyle can be 3) insisting a long list of uniform must come from.a particular shop that is usually quite expensive

Not everyone is against any kind of uniform.

The problem is schools have gone a bit crazy - the power has gone to their heads - it actually makes me question their ability to prioritise kid's needs over school vanity.

@Nohomemadecandles

Probably outing but I have 2 children in two primaries. Recently moved one. When we put DC1 into school, we were blindsided by the smart uniform, the academic success, the seeming "niceness" of the place.

We've since discovered that uniform places higher in their values than nurture & inclusion. And certainly higher than fun.

Moved DC2 to a school that has a uniform but isn't military about it and wow, they are so caring and agile and supportive.

Don't judge a book by its cover!

My son's school is the same (primary).and they are concerned with uniform. As I said upthread, militant uniform rules tend to hide failings in other areas. The only thing they have left is an appearance of a good school. I find schools that perform well and understand the children's learning and emotional needs don't need to keep up appearances. My headmaster in my secondary seemed to care mostly about litter and was largely absent and we barely knew him. My school was shit.

Sorry I meant to say my son's school isn't concerned about uniform

For secondary I'd prefer uniforms without blazers. Blazers aren't very practical are they? School polo shirt and cardigan or Sweatshirt and jeans should work nicely.

@Waitrosedisaster. Have you tried repairing the holes by hand or with a sewing machine. “Use it up, make it do, wear it out, or go without” is a motto more schools need to heed. Buying a new item every time something is slightly damaged is cost prohibitive, and environmentally unfriendly.

@ItsSnowJokes. Cut buttons off, and sew to buttonholes. Install 25 mm hook and loop tape by machine or with washable fabric glue. Bob’s your uncle!

The simplest rule on nails are no polish and clipped so they do not extend past the fingertip when looking at the hand palm up. Long nails carry germs and are unnecessary.

Ds school wasn't so bad, just logo polo shirts, sweatshirt & T shirt for PE, everything else generic from anywhere you like, everything must be black. My niece's school everything must come from a supplier & have a logo, her uniform cost nearly £500. If schools insist on logo uniform then schools should provide & pay for it, an employer would have to & you would get tax relief for washing it. One of the top secondary schools in our city doesn't have a uniform, how refreshing & sensible. I hate school uniform with a passion, especially in primary schools, dc of that age should have something sensible like joggers, any colour polo shirt & a hoodie or sweatshirt, practical & durable.

@ParaCattie

For secondary I'd prefer uniforms without blazers. Blazers aren't very practical are they? School polo shirt and cardigan or Sweatshirt and jeans should work nicely.

DS 15 finds his blazer very practical because of the pockets. He carries things like a pen, mobile phone, face mask, keys. A sweatshirt is good only for warmth, I'd want a zipped jacket or hoodie with pockets if the uniform was a more casual one.

MadMadMadamMim They started allowing one earring per ear at ds school but didn't state where in the ear the earring should be, now hardly any pupils wear earrings in their lobes, mainly cartilage or daith piercings or in ds case one cartilage & one daith.

DS 15 finds his blazer very practical because of the pockets. He carries things like a pen, mobile phone, face mask, keys. A sweatshirt is good only for warmth, I'd want a zipped jacket or hoodie with pockets if the uniform was a more casual one.

What does he use to carry that stuff around when he's not in school uniform?

@ZZTopGuitarSolo

DS 15 finds his blazer very practical because of the pockets. He carries things like a pen, mobile phone, face mask, keys. A sweatshirt is good only for warmth, I'd want a zipped jacket or hoodie with pockets if the uniform was a more casual one.

What does he use to carry that stuff around when he's not in school uniform?

In summer he wears cargo shorts, in winter he is in jeans and zipped hoodie. There are always pockets, none on a sweatshirt or jumper.

DS 15 finds his blazer very practical because of the pockets

Joggers with zip pockets could work too. I fear if my primary DC had blazers they’d be crumpled into their book bags by the end of the day!

I was just responding to the point about blazers by the way. I am not a fan of uniform in general, particularly formal uniforms for primary and ties for any age. If it was between blazer and jumper then DS would certainly choose a blazer though.