Private school - uniform cost

[FrancyFancy]

I'll start by saying its 50/50 as to if my son will actually go to a private school, we haven't decided yet.
This morning I was at the local play park with my DS (2) he befriended a little girl. I got talking to her mum, I'm pretty new to the area and don't know anyone local yet.
Was asking about schools, her DD is due to start at one of the several independent prep schools, my son is registered for this school (doesn't guarantee a place). It has a distinctive very sweet uniform, which I mentioned, she told me it was £1500 including shoes etc. She said if you didn't buy as many duplicates you could probably get it down to £1000.
I had a look on the suppliers website, blazer (for all years including Kindergarten(equivalent of Reception) was £110, the duffel coat/winter coat, £130, hats at nearly £40 each (girls need summer and winter). Then a full games uniform, with its own coat costing another £40, summer dresses nearing £40, pinafores over that. Blouses £22-£26 depending on sleeve length/size
Seems like for boys it would be a lot less but still stupidly expensive.

AIBU to think this is totally ridiculous??

Private school parents - Is this the norm? If not how much do you spend? Has the uniform costs put anyone else off of private?

I work in a private school (not a teacher), if a child receives a full or nearly full bursary then they often get uniform and book costs included, sometimes trips too.

Children don't need "distinctive and sweet" uniforms. Some parents do. Not sure I'd want to be friends with parents like that.

DS' independent school...uniform costs

Blazer £100
2 x trousers £40
Tie £10
White shirts (Tesco, 5 £12)
Socks £5
2 x sweater £30
Plain black coat - no logos - can be any brand.
Blain black leather lace ups - any brand

Sports kit
PE top £15
PE shorts £15
Rugby shirt £20
Hoodie £20
Running leggings £25
Socks £10
Swimming trunks - plain black - any brand
Swimming hat £5
Sports bag £20
Trainers - any

DS (15) has grown 4" over summer so having to buy all new. It's just cost £442 including school shoes and trainers. Excluding a coat.

So no, independent school uniform doesn't have to cost £1500. That's just ridiculous.

Seems to be the school concerned not in general.

Perhaps OP consider local state schools instead.

Many private schools have a thriving second hand shop , which is fine until they update the uniform and stop reselling items like sports kit while they phase new in.

"Perhaps OP consider local state schools instead."
Or a non-poncy private school. They do exist!

Depends on the school.
I totally agree with the comment above about being 'sweet' and how this may reflects the ethos of the school and the type of parents who actually like the idea of that!

Our school is not like this, however! Uniform are still expensive in comparison to a like-for-like items which are not school-branded which is utterly ridiculous and unjustified.

TBH, for us the initial purchase entering yr7 (DC went to a state primary) was a bit of a shock and expensive, few years ago it was c.£700 for a set with few key items as duplicates extras, but over the years this budget is not needed as a lump sum. You replace items as your child grow and some are good for the long term (we didn't change the blazer for 2 years).

Then there is a small exchange 'market' of second hand, sometimes free sometimes discounted at the school uniform shop so depends...

Bottom line, yes it's expense but you need to weigh the budget in the round. It won't be the only thing expensive in a private school.

And there is also an offset if you end up at a state school with uniform also..

Start an excel sheet!

13 yrs ago it cost me £500 to kit out child going to an entry level ie one if the cheaper private schools. That was all new so could have been cheaper no doubt.

it would not surprise me at £1000 for all new now.

BTW @FrancyFancy I just updated the spreadsheet to include the new school shoes and plimsolls, which we bought from Clarks yesterday as late as we could to mitigate the risk of his feet growing in the interim between our buying them and his having to wear them.

The total is £333.40.

I probably could have cut the costs by attending a second hand uniform sale which happened a week ago, but we couldn’t make it. I think he’ll get a good amount of wear out of this uniform tho, so that cushions the blow a bit.

Yes it's our experience. At primary it was cheaper, but from Yr 7 it's been over £1000