To think school uniform is a bunch of crap?

[Ahurricaneofjacarandas]

So to be clear, I don't think the principle of uniform itself is crap. However why are we allowing our primary aged kids especially to spend the majority of their childhood in such restrictive clothing?! It's almost always restrictive trousers/dresses at least and some in my area even proper shirts and ties. We have evidence in the importance of learning by moving in this age group. Most kids this age have a degree of sensory processing immaturity. Many even have spd and this is arguably discriminating against these kids. I do understand the importance of uniform and learning to adhere to uniform standards but can anyone give me a reason why the uniform isn't just a simple pair of leggings/joggers and a tshirt and hoodie? Maybe I've overlooked something but it seems to me it's entirely for the benefit of the school and their pockets not the children.. why do we accept this?

thebeespyjamas the schoolwear association as a source? Well, that isn't going to be biased at all, is it?

Yet colleges and universities are not like that nor are uniforms required. People work all different times of hours now as well as more people working from home. Times have changed from the whole “9-5” set up.

Also, “doing what you are told”, adults tell children that all the time before schooling, people usually follow laws as well and a uniform is not a requirement to do so.

Because you're sending them to an institution that prepares them for uniformity; the 9-5, doing what you are told, being part of the workforce and removing individuality.

I find it disturbing that anyone would consider this beneficial.

I think a simple uniform is fine, but there should be a uniform.
Personally I'm not a fan of polo shirts or trackies.
I think schools should have colours rather than branded items.
I.e. a white shirt or blouse (optional tie - elasticated for Reception& KS1!), a navy blue jumper/Cardigan and black trousers/skirts/pinafore. And shoes, plimsolls being acceptable too as they are cheaper than formal shoes. Could include leggings or stretch jeans as opposed to tailored jeans.

I'd be happy to get rid if it altogether. When my kids were at primary school I did hear several mums commenting on the smartness of the uniform for the secondary schools in the area and considering a scruffy uniform a negative, so given schools need bums on seats, parents probably need to stop seeing a smart uniform as a positive before schools will get rid of them

£109 for our blazers!! And they have to eat lunch in them and wear them at break from age 6! 4 year olds can take them off at lunch. Also real ties from age 6 too.

I much prefer now after COVID where it's PE kit 3 days per week! Does mean the bloody expensive blazer is used even less though 🤦‍♀️

PE kit is all badged with different games and PE kits with hoody and matching joggers too. Have now learnt the lesson of buying a few sizes big to grow into 😉

I do however agree it needs to be a smart uniform but couldn't shirts for children have a bit of stretch in.

Agree polos look unkempt especially when washed up on not buttoned to the top. They are not uniform in my opinion.

But how can we expect children to wear shirts and ties in the areas where parents take them to school in their pjs?! Seems like they also need a parental uniform policy 😂

One of the greatest delights of DD changing schools at Y2 was her new school's laxity on uniform. They can wear anything from leggings/joggers and a t-shirt to proper trousers/skirt/dress and a shirt. No requirement for 'school shoes'. DD wears black trainers, leggins and a polo.
Her previous (state) school was dresses, shirts and ties. Ties FFS for 4 yr olds. Ridiculous.

Children should be able to run and climb and be active and be able to do craft, etc, without worrying about getting their uniform mucky.

Still can't work put exactly what a flappy piece of material around their necks adds to DDs educational experiences. Just something else to lose and spill lunch on.

Some of the replies have strengthened my suspicions that uniforms exist for the parents.

I don't really have a problem with the idea of a uniform BUT it needs to be practical and it needs to be affordable.

Single suppliers jacking up the price because of a stupid school logo and clothing which is totally inappropriate to the climate can fuck right off.

My 8 year old wears tracksuit bottoms/jeans, t shirt, sweater, trainers to school. He's happy and comfortable.

I cannot see how dressing like a throw back bank manager would add to his education. Quite the opposite in fact.

That's brilliant. It's so awful when they struggle to access something due to arbitrary rules. Good luck to your daughter at her new school 😊

I've found it a diffculty with oen chidl because a skin condition meant they needed natural fibers - that means fequently spending more on the baics - which is much harder if there is a restrictive style choice and the logoed items are frequently don't have a natural fiber option.

I'm lucky the secondary school jumpers - no blazers thank god - are 100% cotton -though I do think they should spend less time on minutiae of uniform and more on behavior which has declined.

There seems to be odd view from school managemnet that getting uniform 100% complied with will mean a behavioral improvement in classes but that doesn't seem to happen and I'm not sure what this belief is based on. There have also been issues with staff making up their own rules on uniform- which has caused lots of upset.

Primary aged kids wear jogging bottoms and polo shirt with school logo jumper (£10.50)
comfy don’t need to change for pe

high school kids all wore gym kit until recently as they weren’t allowed to change but how school uniform is back. Pretty basic, dress trousers, white shirt, junior or senior tie and £32 blazer you can wash in machine. They can wear black trainers. It’s quite relaxed. Full school uniform for exams though

But how can we expect children to wear shirts and ties in the areas where parents take them to school in their pjs?! Seems like they also need a parental uniform policy

Or we could get over this obsession with style over substance and not judge people on what they wear but by their actions.

I've spent the last two years working from home. And yes, I've worn work clothes - which is smart casual, so not uniform. I've also needed to cover those clothes with a cardie and a blanket over my knees against the cold.

Amazingly, I have managed to remain productive and professional. Who'd believe it was possible, given that according to some people on here only people wearing suits and ties can possibly thrive in the world of work?

I like primary uniform. School polo and sweatshirt that washes brilliantly. School trousers are fine and mine wear black trainers

I can see on day trips in primary having them all in same colour jumper can help identify the group - but a jumper should be enough really.

Here it's very odd as increasingly the schools here require even their sixth formers to wear the school uniform. I do wonder if the older community members moaning about trurants in area and in town are actually spotting sixth forms crossing to other campuses and going to and from lessons.

It wasn't the reason why our eldest chose college but is a fringe benefit that they can dress for the weather and comfort in own clothes.

Thank You @UndertheCedartree 😍

The idea of 'preparing them for work' doesn't make the slightest bit of sense, even if work universally required suits and ties.

why would we prepare 4 year olds for work and then let uni students doss around in hoodies? 😆

@TheKeatingFive I can only conclude that uniform is some kind of religion here in the UK. It has magical powers attributed to it that only the initiates can fully understand. Every argument the uniform faithful put forward is either not underpinned by research (stakeholders do not count!) or underpinned by assumptions around British superiority over other nations.

Totally this. I work in a professional environment and I wear a t-shirt and jeans. Can't remember the last time I dressed up. Fact is, the workplace in general is becoming far more casual so to hold onto this idea that forcing kids into wearing totally impractical and uncomfortable clothing is preparing them for work is patently nonsense.

@thebeespyjamas

and yet much of the world’s population does not send children to school in uniform. Are you suggesting all those countries have no productive workforces? Because my experience of life in the UK is an incredibly slack work ethic, clearly uniform isn’t doing its job 😂

I hate uniforms with passion. The very principle of it stinks of communism.

But how can we expect children to wear shirts and ties in the areas where parents take them to school in their pjs?! Seems like they also need a parental uniform policy 😂

NOBODY should be wearing those wretched things, especially children.

Communism? 😀

Blimey. That's a bit of a reach isn't it?

Communism? 😀

Unless it's a private school and tradition, the whole reasoning behind school uniforms is very much communism.