School should have optional school coat, fleeces and more

[Schooldinners1]

We are moving this summer to a new area so new schools.

Our current school has opinions of school branded cardigan, jumpers, fleeces, a school coat, backpack and other bits.

You can wear your own coat though that's fine.

The new school doesn't have all these options to make it “accessible for all” and you can also wear supermarket options.

Is it only me who finds it really smart to have all the matching options, I love my kids in them currently. I don't know why they can't just start making them for those of us happy to purchase these.

I saw they currently have the fleeces for teachers and their staff. Surely they can make miniature versions for the kids.

They're not compulsory to buy but parents can if they want. Those who don't want to/struggle to afford aren't required.

What about the parents who can't afford an expensive coat or even a second coat? Are their children condemned to wearing school coats everywhere?

Pretty sure thats against Government guidelines now!!

I agree - my Ds goes to a none uniform secondary - I spend less on clothing in total - I don’t buy school shoes - he has trainers , joggers , t shirts are all used during the weekends / holidays . He doesn’t care what he wears nor do his peers.

@CabernetSauvignon

School coats can be worn outside of school if necessary

Same with my DT’s - they’ve never worn a school uniform. Have never bought a branded school bag either. Saved a fortune and their every day clothes are much more practical than school uniforms.

The primary DS went to wanted logos on the jumpers/cardigans. But as long as the colours were followed, uniform could be bought anywhere.

They sold logo stitch-ons (like the badges at cubs) for a few pounds. So parents could buy a stitch on logo in reception and just transfer it to new jumpers as the child grew or replace for a few pounds when it was beyond redemption.

@Parker231

I’d be very surprised if any school allowed DC to remove blazers without permission. At the DC’s school, they are worn at all times and individual teachers can give permission to remove if a room is exceptionally warm, which is fair and works well.

I’ve seen your posts on this topic under another name. Makes me very pleased that DT’s school had no uniform and didn’t waste education time policing stupid rules.

clothing their kids is fine, clothing them in useless fleeces and checked skirts when they can just wear regular coats and asda skirts is what they're talking about, you sound like a rate snob and unfortunately your daughter will probably get bullied

Tried to find out the history of school uniforms and why does the uk have them when so many other countries don’t. In modern Europe, Britain, Malta and Ireland stand out as the only countries where school uniform is widely adopted by state schools. Apparently it was introduced to improve discipline - has failed there!

And how many children are going to want to wear them outside school? Plus they're usually not that practical, so unsuitable for wear in playgrounds etc.

All the more sensible schools allow children to make their own decisions about whether to wear a blazer in class or not. It's ludicrous that children have to sit frowsting and sweating in unbreathable polyester until a teacher in a cotton dress or shirtsleeves decides to let them take the blazer off.

Good for the new school.

Much more inclusive

It's still a uniform but not one that will cause financial hardship.

Why would you want to cause division between the haves and the have nots?

I’ve never understood the point of a blazer - they look ridiculous and not practical as a hoodie is.
Can’t imagine asking whether I could take off a layer of clothing - if I’m hot I take it off - person next to me might feel cold and put on an extra layer.

If you aren’t desperately short of money you’ll often already buy your kids coats for various scenarios. My daughters both have a warm winter coat, several fleeces & a breathable wind/water proof jacket. All are in light colours &/or include sections of reflective material as we walk/cycle around locally a lot and it’s good for them to be as visible as possible. They use them for school and for going out at weekends and for cubs/beavers and for going to various outdoor holiday club activities and we usually then pass on to a friend.

If the school had a uniform coat I would most likely still need to buy all of the above and on top of that buy the less than £30 school coat, which based on the school branded bags/hoodies would be moderate quality.

I don’t understand how it’s cheaper to buy the school coat unless you are saying you have your kids wearing a school logo coat all the time?