Football kits as school uniform

[harveyluna789]

In my nephew's school there is a young lad in his class who doesn't like the school uniform (he finds it itchy) therefore the school allowed him to attend in a polo shirt and jumper rather than the shirt, and jogging bottoms or sweatshirt material shorts but he told his parents he will only attend school in his football kit. Because his attendance was so bad he now goes to school in his football kit every day. In the playground he has been telling the kids if you shout and scream enough and make a fuss people let you do what you want. There is now a massive exodus of kids turning up to school in their football kits - my SIL spoke to the school as she point blank refuses to be swayed by my nephew and the head says it isn't worth arguing about - the boy and others need to be in school and if in football kits is the only way there is nothing she can do. When I picked him up on Friday 3 boys in his class were in their football strips!!!

AIBU to think that I know there is a massive attendance problem in schools but this isn't just letting children control the situation. He feels exceptionally hard done by when other kids are in their football kits and he is in uniform. What is the point in a uniform if teachers are scared to enforce it in case kids don't turn up?

I wouldn't like this either, it wouldn't be the sort of school I'd be keeping my child in tbh.

i think it's none of anyone else's business really, maybe the kid did say that about shouting and screaming etc but likely if he said that it's out of bravado, rather than having to explain/admit sensory issues to his friends or whatever.
Literally who cares what kids are wearing as long as they're in school and comfortable

I couldn't get worked up about this- but I think uniform is ridiculous and should be abolished.

If it's not affecting their learning I wouldn't get worked up about it.

Personally I like uniform because it is a leveller, everyone's the same and it's cheap and easy.

I think uniform is verging on abusive tbh, in some schools. It is very unprofessional of the school the way they have gone about it though, they should just scrap uniform all together.

What would you expect this child to say to his peers when questioned in the playground as to why he was wearing a football kit?

It is unlikely that the young child would say something like I get really uncomfortable in the school uniform so my mother has negotiated with the school to allow me to wear clothing that makes me feel comfortable as my attendance is so low.

Yes this would be disheartening for me too. Football strips aren’t allowed in a lot of spaces for good reasons. They’re tribal and divisive. Uniform is there to be a leveller.

I agree that there's no point in a uniform if the school doesn't enforce it, but frankly uniforms are ridiculous and should be done away with. Most countries in the world don't have them for state schools (and for the most part, those that do were colonised by Britain!). It feels antiquated and like we're trying to stamp out children's individuality before they've even discovered who they are yet.

Let kids be comfortable and let them learn. Most advanced countries do a much better job of educating their kids than the UK does, all while they're wearing t-shirts and jeans and trainers. Given all the issues with schools here, uniforms are kind of a red herring.

And on a personal note, I'd much prefer my child wear comfortable, breathable natural fabrics (like cotton and wool) rather than cheap, scratchy polyester.

Why can’t we let children control situations such as their attire?

What difference does it make to their education?

<misses point of the post>
"There is now a massive exodus of kids turning up to school in their football kits ..."
That's not what an exodus is.

I thought just the same - and even if an exodus was what the OP wrongly thinks it is, 3 would not be it anyway!

Football kit isn't appropriate for school. He could wear a non team outfit made of the same type of material surely. I would just get rid of uniform and say wear anything but football kit as long as it's practical. Football kit is divisive, tribal and elitist as it's so expensive.

There's an awful lot of pandering at the moment.
It was most evident at our school. Basically a 'you do you' attitude.
I'm not surprised that so many children aren't in school. 'I don't want to go!' 'It's ok love, you don't need to.'

The school have gone about this terribly. The choice is now uniform or football kit? Can a student without a football kit wear something other than the uniform?

I'm not particularly in favour of uniforms, but a football kit has none of the stated benefits of a uniform - it absolutely shows a difference between students who can afford it and those who can't, and it doesn't look smart.
So just get rid of the uniform, rather than pretending to keep it but actually ignoring it.

I'm very against strict uniform, but I do think it is a leveller. The school my DC attend have a uniform - logo'd options in a range of styles of jumper, cardigan or fleece - but with a huge variety. It basically boils down to "wear something black/white and/or blue".

This is the problem with a strict uniform. Kids who can't confirm stick out like a sore thumb. If he had been allowed black trackies and a white tshirt from the start, it wouldn't have become a big issue.

Absolutely this!

Either all the kids should be allowed to wear whatever they want or they should all have to wear the uniform. It's not fair otherwise.

Verging on abuse!? Really?!

I don’t think the football kits should be aloud. Parents and teachers need to be on the same page, this situation will definitely get out of hand.

Do you mean their PE football kit with the school colours and badge? Or a replica kit for their favourite team?

The first I think is fine the second absolutely not. The issues with football shirts at school are exactly what uniform is designed to prevent. I am not a massive advocate of uniform but I think football kit shouldn't be allowed in school

My DS struggles terribly with some items of school uniform (to the point of inability to concentrate, pain, meltdown) and we have had to arrange reasonable adjustments. Both he and I would love for him to be able to wear the uniform and many other things without issue but unfortunately it's just not possible. Maybe this could be an opportunity for your DN's parents to chat to him about differences, accessibility and equality of opportunity (and be grateful that he isn't facing ongoing debilitating sensory issues).

If its replica kit for fave teams then its a disaster waiting ti happen. Where i grew up (west of scotland) half the boys would be in rangers kits half in celtic and by playtime there would be a full scale riot between them.

Comfort is about more than just material. Offering more generic exercise-wear would have been a good negotiating point but just like ordering your toddler a different cuddly toy to the one they've taken to bed every night for the last 18mths isn't going to go well, so this kid might have been offered every option under the sun and still only feels comfortable in his football gear.

I think this issue is the business of the school and no one else. OP's sister can choose to allow her son his football strip or not but to judge this child's circumstances or the school's response is unhelpful.

In the playground he has been telling the kids if you shout and scream enough and make a fuss people let you do what you want.

Unfortunately in a lot of cases he's correct.

I am not a uniform fan, but I think that football strips are totally unacceptable to wear to school.

I hate the tribalism and see ut as way too closely linked to sectarianism. I actually would prefer football be kept out of schools altogether. It was a factor in my choice to send my son to an independent, because they are all about rugby and I much preferred that. He still plays football, but does not support a team etc. Thank goodness.

You were right with "what is the point of uniform?"

Particularly at primary, the point is minuscule.