To think high schools should have a summer uniform like primary schools?

[Serrina]

I mean, it gets really hot in the summer and they get uncomfortable in thick material especially when stuck in a classroom all day. Those gingham style summer dresses they have in primary school are thin cotton and help keep them cool. Why don't high schools have a summer uniform like this?

My dcs school (comp) has one. The girls don’t like it because the fabric isn’t good. I don’t know what it is but it’s not cotton. It drys really quick and needs no ironing. They seem to get better/softer with age. The fit can be awkward and unflattering on some.

The boys don’t like it because it’s “not fair. We are ALL BOILING”

The parents don’t like it because it’s expensive. Because they wear it in the summer they really do need a clean one every day so you have to have a few and make sure they get washed.

They could just as easily wear a normal short sleeved shirt with their ordinary skirt and/or shorts and no blazer. I don’t like that my ds spend months of the year covered completely from earlobes down from a vitamin D pov. They are dark skinned and I’d prefer it if they could have shorts. There used to be a weird thing about big boys wearing long trousers but grown men go to work in shorts so it’s ridiculous to not allow them on boys.

Do away with uniforms altogether!

I liked the gingham dresses. My school kater moved to untucked blouses that looked ridiculous if you were two sizes bigger on top than bottom. As they were buttoned, you couldn't size down so they were then much too wide at the bottom. A dress that wasn't buttoned down you could get away with the inbetween size so it was much more flattering.

I can just imagine my teen dd's face if she was presented with a gingham dress to wear to school, or ever for that matter

My daughter's school allowed shirt (could be short sleeved) and skirt or PE skort or cycling shorts for the hot half term we just had. Normally they have to wear tank top thing and blazer as well (no tie). I was pleased they were sensible and the kids did wear it because it was effectively less strict normal uniform. Though dd still wore boots and refused sandals.

Our school introduced shorts between Easter and October half term and short sleeved shirts are an option all year round. Blazers and ties are often removed / left at home during really hot spells.

I couldn’t even get mine is dresses in year 5 and 6 so defo not at secondary!

@exLtEveDallas - ha! No option on the kilt - it’s kilt or trousers. So most girls wear the kilt —rolled up to arse—

I’ve just checked on the summer dresses though - was mistaken - they are £50 each dd is currently in year 6 and both the schools we’d like for her next year are kilt only options. She’s getting one summer dress 2nd hand and only wearing it when the papers are running “England is hotter than Ibiza!” Stories…

(think it balances out with ds’s insanely expensive rugby socks that he kept losing)

2 of the secondary schools close to where I live have summer uniforms and they are used a lot. dd3 had them when she attended one of them.

The secondary school I went to in London had summer dresses like on Neighbours in the 1970s and 80s.

And what would be the cost?

Uniforms should consist of a list of items that can be worn in any combination as long as the top on bottom halves of the body are both covered rather than the current situation in which there are fixed combinations of items that must be worn. Nobody should have to wear multiple layers if they are too hot and similarly people should be able to wear as many layers as they want when they are too cold and as people judge temperature differently set combinations of items depending on the weather would only benefit those whose temperature preferences are in line with those that are considered normal.

My DD would love one, mainly because her uniform is honestly awful, it's...brown. Oh, now am imagining a brown gingham dress. Not cool.

My dc school (independent) has a summer uniform. Cotton blouse and skirt. They all wear it because it’s compulsory but it’s very frumpy.

My kids’ school has ‘summer uniform’ on heatwave days - pe shorts or skort and trainers with school polo top which is white and cool. So sensible.

My daughter has to wear her blazer at all times. The school allow no exceptions for hot weather. Maybe the children you saw had to also?

Why do they need uniform at all?
There's a school near me that just has a dress code which seems to work well enough.

At our school all pupils wear polos and sweatshirts on the top half.

Girls can wear trousers or skirts with socks or tights. Boys have to wear long trousers.

I have asked if pupils could be allowed to wear tailored shorts between Easter and October half term. It would look, just as smart with the polo tops. If a summer uniform is good enough for most private schools why isn’t it good enough for state schools. Apparently it’s under consideration…..

Our local high school does have a summer dress. Not sure if the oldest girls wear it though.

Mine did 15-20 years ago.
Long sleeve shirt and tie with blazer and thick tights in winter.
Short sleeve blouse and no tights in summer, no blazer.
Skirts mandatory, no trousers.

My high school did have a summer dress (not gingham but a semi-similar small print) that was optional. This was back in the 80s!

Why do they need uniform at all?
There's a school near me that just has a dress code which seems to work well enough.

• because kids often like uniform
• because its the best way to eliminate fashion/brands as a source of bullying and status
• because its smart
• because there's a correlation between uniforms and better behaviour in schools.

Lol, pretty sure those with a brown uniform have to wear a yellow gingham dress in summer Not as good as it sounds...

I love brown gingham.

My dd’s school have a summer shirt. If it’s too hot they ask them to wear the PE kit, which is logoed shirts and top.