To say DS won't comply with school uniform?

[LegoVsFoot]

For context, school has been terrible about communication so far - not responding to any emails, cancelling a registration day only an hour in advance, etc.

I checked the uniform policy - nothing on website. On the uniform retailer page, there were guidelines, but nothing about boys' trousers and nothing for sale, so I figured there were no restrictions. I bought DS some plain trousers over the summer.

It's now about a week before school starts and a school Whatsapp has been set up. I asked about the uniform just to make sure and a parent with a child already enrolled has replied saying they're only allowed to wear grey uniform trousers from Next or M&S.

It’s too late to return what I bought and I don’t have the funds to buy all new clothes simply because school didn’t bother to tell parents the uniform.

AIBU to send him in in what I bought because there is no information stating differently?

There are new regulations about uniform items having to be affordable and accessible to all, so maybe this is why they have not stipulated ref the trousers. I would think that parents can buy standard not personalised items, but things like school blazers for secondary and/or school jumpers would need to be purchased from the school / school suppliers. I wouldn't worry.

Someone might be in the office today or tomorrow - before the weekend at least
Just pop to a supermarket and buy a pair of grey ones.
Maybe point out to them re the lack of info for further ref

And you've never seen what the kids from that school wear? Didn't think to check first? MOST primary schools wear grey trousers, so why on earth would you get blue/black ones without even checking?

I think this is good advice.

Will he be able to wear the blue ones as casual trousers (you say it's too late to return them) to play out in - then at least you're getting your money's worth. Are they dark blue or light blue - dark blue eg navy, you might get away with sending him to school in them, at least this first term. He'll likely have grown out of them by next anyway - kids grow like weeds!

FWIW I don't think the school have any right to complain if they didn't specify what colour/brand of trousers they wanted (doesn't mean they won't, though).

Uniform isn’t enforceable in primary. I’m sure he’ll be fine.

There’s no way a school doesn’t have a phone and has no information available at all on basic uniform.

It’s far far more likely that you’ve missed both of these pieces of information.

It's a regional thing. My kids need navy. I noticed when I was at my mum's local Asda only grey and black were available - no blue in anything. Asda sell blue (I bought online) but not at my mum's local store. Clearly the schools round there don't wear blue.

If they aren't going to tell you what they policy is then they can't expect you to magic up some trousers

Aren't grey trousers about £4 in ASDA? Just buy those.

Nothing i have read here changes my mind that the UK schools' obsession with uniform is anything other than batshit (controlling batshit at that)

Brand shouldn't be an issue but colour yes. If every child is in grey and yours is in blue or black they will stand out. Can you sell trousers you bought or go to asda you can get two pairs for £10.

I have two pairs of m and s trousers in age 5 I can send to you if you want them? Although any supermarket trousers, they're all the same x

I would have thought black

Our primary school has been terrible for stuff like this. It's like they assume all new children have an older sibling and therefore the parents must already know how it works. I had to keep calling their office for the most basic information and thought surely it's time consuming if every new reception parent is doing that.

Totally agree. They all then go to college at 16 and suddenly they don't need to be walking round in matching polyester trousers and nylon blazers.
Time to get rid of regimented uniform and just have a very simple dress code like trousers and a top.

I believe you. It sounds stressful and the school sounds shit.

Do you not remember what colour trousers the other kids were wearing on transition day or when you looked round? Or notice what they wear when you see them going to school?
No way would any school not publish a uniform list.

Have a look at the school’s website, what color trousers are the kids wearing on there? That will be your answer. As for the retailer, the woman is talking out of her arse.

Just exchange the trousers

Maybe not enforcaable but who wants their child standing out on their very first day at school as the one who is wearing the wrong trousers?

Why would you remember this?! They clearly haven't published a list or OP wouldn't be complaining about it.

Grey school trousers are grey school trousers, it won’t matter where they’re from. I’m surprised you didn’t notice all the other little boys wearing grey on open days?
A solution might be to offer them up for sale on a local Facebook page to recoup some costs then go and buy more with the proceeds.

They won't be the only one if they haven't told anyone

sorry, just to be clear, there should be pictures on the website, look at those.

I'd buy him one pair of grey trousers and see on first day what others are wearing