Just read the bloody uniform policy!!!

[flingoringo]

I've just read an article about a school in Gateshead where lots of kids were sent home or out in isolation on day one of term because they were wearing the wrong shoes. The offending shoes seem to be mainly a Vivienne Westwood ballet flat (with a big silver VW emblem on the front) and a Nike walking boots. Lots of kids wearing the same, from yr7 to yr11.
Parents are up in arms, obviously. One mentions the CoL crisis so the need to scrimp and save to spend A HUNDRED QUID on the Nike shoes. One mum said her yr7 daughter won't be going back she's finding her a new school.

The school (taken over by an academy in 2019) says the policy is clear, plain black shoes with no logos. That they have done their best to help yr6 parents understand what was to be expected once on yr7.

Now I don't necessarily agree with schools being overly strict with uniform policy. But I do accept that I have to agree to follow the rules at the schools that I chose to send my kids to and if we chose not to then of course they'll be consequences.

AIBU to think it's it's completely ridiculous that this happens every bloody year?!

I have lived in those countries without uniform - they have other rules. Uniform is one thing, a school can have any rule. It's just there to teach your children about the real world. There are rules in society we just don't walk around doing as we please.

There are lots of schools in the UK with a no uniform policy. People can attend if they feel that strongly. I don't see the big deal.

It's bollocks to say there are lots of schools with a no uniform policy in the UK.
I have one secondary school in my home town - it has a uniform. As do the schools in the next 2 nearest towns.

Why do you think they did it then? Do you think that teacher was just on a power trip and enjoying randomly telling kids they had to do something for no reason whatsoever?

Where I used to live, there are 21 primary schools and 7 secondary schools with no uniform.

I have lived in those countries without uniform - they have other rules. Uniform is one thing, a school can have any rule. It's just there to teach your children about the real world. There are rules in society we just don't walk around doing as we please
This. They have rules and often a dress code.

Let's be honest, the foolish parents who give into pester power and buy their 11 year old obviously non-uniform shoes with huge designer logos on them are the sort of parents who'd equally be moaning about the dress code because it's their child's right to wear/do (insert something else here).

It's a lack of maturity on the parents' part.

I don't agree 100% with every rule at DC school or every rule at every school I've ever worked at, but part of being a mature adult is accepting that places have rules. Nowhere will be ideal for every child and family, so either accept the package and make the compromises or find a different package with compromises you're willing to make.

My son’s school didn’t allow blazers off yesterday. It was 31 degrees here! I was too hot in shorts and t-shirt!

^ I bet the teachers were in sandals and summer appropriate clothing. Not a blazer in sight.

So is the uniform just for people to admire as they see your children going to and from school?

Are there? Whereabouts in the UK is that?

My sons school have a uniform but they’re allowed to wear trainers and hoodies over it. Only the 6th form students look properly smart

A quick google suggest 98% of uk secondary schools don't have uniform so there is little chance of having an option

However if you want to change this , ignoring the rules and getting your child sent home and missing education isn't the right approach . That's not putting your child first or at least valuing appearance over education

UK Independent, Primary & Secondary Schools Without Uniform (educationtay.com)

So there's 3 schools in Scotland then
Anyone know about Wales?
Most of those schools were in London, which isn't an option for most of us.

Besides, the majority don't object to uniform per se, only excessively picky and pointless rules, that have no basis in either safety or educational attainment.

No they did not.

Some people obviously have a different interpretation of lots! That's a very sparse list.
Only 4 state secondaries in the whole of London. Most areas have none at all.

I don't, however, think the Scotland list is complete.

@SocialistSally

I would take what you’re being told with a lunch if salt tbh. If a classroom is genuinely exceptionally warm, I can’t see a teacher refusing permission to remove a blazer.

I suspect the teacher actually felt the room temperature was not exceptionally warm enough to remove blazers, which is fair enough.

That list isn’t even accurate. Gillespie’s in Edinburgh certainly has a uniform.

I was a secondary school teacher for 15 years, I know that kids don’t always remember correctly. How we I also have friends that teach at his school. If they don’t follow the word of SLT on blazers, detentions etc they are pushed out.

My son is too anxious to ask to take it off. It is bonkers that they have to be taken off. I’d also seriously judge any workplace that made anyone wear a jacket and tie in this weather.

Whereabouts in the UK can they possibly be today that a classroom temperature is not exceptionally warm enough to remove blazers?

I work in a windowless warehouse in the north of Scotland which is usually pretty cool but it is definitely still too warm to comfortably wear a blazer today!

Unfortunately a 40-50 minute commute one way for us to the closest one.

James Gillespie's doesn't have a uniform. Not sure entirely about the primary but the secondary doesn't.

Is there another link to that list, does anyone know? Not working for me. I know people are saying it's incorrect but would still be interested to read.

I doubt anyone saw them. But I sense you have an agenda so I will leave it there.

I suspect the teacher actually felt the room temperature was not exceptionally warm enough to remove blazers, which is fair enough.

So how the teacher personally feels about temperature is fair to impose on students who may feel differently? Their body gets to dictate for everyone else in the classroom. That is not fair whatsoever.

School uniforms should be abolished, it's controlling and Draconian bullpoop.

Do people really have full school choice though? Not everyone is surrounded by a variety of schools and not everyone gets a spot at a preferred school.

uniform policies are discriminatory and ableist so it’s hard to find any sympathy for schools who seek to enforce them. Admittedly designer shoes aren’t really an example of uniform unfairness, but a school that cares about a logo probably also isn’t making sure that students with additional needs have their clothing needs met.