School Uniform

[ScarletWitchM]

AIBU to say that if schools insist on kids wearing blazers/ PE kit etc all with their logo that they should subsidise the cost - or just have one item - like the blazer that is logo and the rest can be plain?

just cost me £400 on uniform as DS has had a growth spurt (fml) and next year they change all the colours for the upper school so will have to buy all again 🤦‍♀️

all from only one (terrible) schoolwear shop

I don't know where you live, but as I said he is starting secondary which makes him 11, not a teenager. Obviously things will change a bit, but I doubt it that much. Like a lot of boys at 11 he lives in football kits, which just get work and washed until they fall apart.

You are not being unreasonable OP, I have three kids and to lot them all out is expensive enough as it is. I'm really glad that my kids primary school has no logo'd stuff required, the do sell blazers but hardly any kids wear them.

I'm in Scotland and uniform seems to be much more loosely applied here, at the high school the pupils seem to wear converse trainers and black hoodies, no blazers or anything.

I went to three primary schools myself and the one where there was no uniforms was the one I liked the best. Nobody was more or less bullied than at the ones with uniforms as far as I could tell. Even if you have a uniform, unfortunately the 'poor' kids (I was one, no judgement) are identifiable anyway.

Yanbu. My child's school insists all the uniform has to be bought from only one, expensive provider. Even the skirts, trousers and shirts. The cost is shocking, and even harder to justify in the current climate.

The government produced new statutory guidance on the cost of school uniforms in England, most of which applies fro. September 2022.

The guidance is here.

This is the summary that goes with it:
Parents should not have to think about the cost of a school uniform when choosing which school(s) to apply for. Therefore, schools need to ensure that their uniform is affordable.

In considering cost, schools will need to think about the total cost of school uniforms, taking into account all items of uniform or clothing parents will need to provide while their child is at the school.

Schools should keep the use of branded items to a minimum.

A school’s uniform policy should be published on the school’s website, be available for all parents, including parents of prospective pupils, and be easily understood.

Schools should ensure that their uniform supplier arrangements give the highest priority to cost and value for money (including the quality and durability of the garment).

Single supplier contracts should be avoided unless regular tendering competitions are run where more than one supplier can compete for the contract and where the best value for money is secured. This contract should be retendered at least every 5 years.

Schools should ensure that second-hand uniforms are available for parents to acquire. Information on second-hand uniforms should be clear for parents of current and prospective pupils and published on the school’s website.

Schools should engage with parents and pupils when they are developing their school uniform policy.

I would start by looking for the policy on the school's website and then ask how they have met the requirements.

I hate having to buy uniform with logos on. My younger two have to have logos on their Jumpers and these are only absorbs from one supplier, terrible quality and cost £21 each, polo shirts also have to have the logo and are £8 each. Eldest has just started secondary and has to have logo on Blazer, pe socks, pe shorts, pe t shirt and pe fleece. I have spent hundreds on uniform this year.