To wish more schools had uniforms like this

[Imsooveritt]

Talking to a friend today who's daughter attends an all girls private day school. She's 7. We were discussing buying uniform for the next year and I said it's a headache.

My 3 kids are in Y1, Y5 and Y8. All 3 have to wear those uncomfortable Teflon trousers/skirts. Older two need shirt and tie, eldest blazer. Uncomfortable school shoes. Logos on jumpers etc.

Her daughters school uniform is

• Navy, Red or White Polo
• Navy bottoms (have to be from their supplier but have the option of soft jeggings, leggings, skirt, pinafore or jersey material shorts)
• Red or Navy polo dress
• Red or Navy cardigan or hoodie
• white socks/navy tights
• Navy trainers
• Navy jackets from supplier but they are quilted style and have no logo so would be suitable for outside school too

This seems so much better, so many more options, no logos so somethings can get used outside school too, nice materials. Good blend of it being uniform but comfy. Not forced to have white polos that will discolour or uncomfortable shirts and ties.

AIBU to wonder why this can't be the norm? What is the need for shirts and ties, Teflon trousers and polyester blazers?!

I really think it needs to be changed for secondary schools. I get the need to understand corporate dress because some children will go onto those careers whereby you need to be professional. However this could be easily covered in their PSHE lessons or career modules towards the end of school. Doesn't need to take up that much time.

I think switching to a more comfy uniform has so many more benefits. The option for more outdoor spontaneous lessons being one. Another off the top of my head is a less formal uniform will allow clothing to not be constrictive when girls are on their periods.

It really is time to get rid of uniforms altogether. Teachers have better things to do with their time than police how children are dressed.

Hardly any other civilised countries have them this century.

I agree, some kind of uniform but should be able to buy from the supermarket or just have a jumper with a logo. My DD’s primary school is very relaxed, black or grey on bottom, white polo shirt, red jumper / cardi. No need to logo but can buy a jumper with one on if you like.
Her secondary school is similar when she eventually goes. Both are outstanding.

I've never heard of private schools having non-logo uniform. And the specialist uniform shops cost a bomb.
I approve!

Our secondary actively encourages bright winter coats to improve visibility on the roads. We have to buy a school tie and blazer - then we're told to get the rest of the stuff from wherever's got the best offers on at the time. They're actually consulting at the moment on reducing the uniform restrictions further to allow black trainer-style shoes in an acknowledgement that that is what's most stocked in shops and affordable at present too.

Think the only uniform email we've had all year has been a polite "look the skirts that did the job in Autumn 2023 might not be long enough for Spring/Summer 2024 please"

At this point, so many Wilshaw wannabe heads are inflicting stricter and stricter uniform policies whilst failing abysmally to get a handle on bullying in their schools.
It doesn't matter how much glitter you put on it, a turd is a turd.
Trouble is, lots of parents out there are convinced that these antiquated uniform rules are a good thing. It's a psychological phenomenon, some people defend for the status quo even when it makes no sense.

Until he hit XS men's sizes, DS1 has never been able to wear jogging bottoms, because they all come with false waist ties, and so can't be adjusted to stay up.
Deride school trousers all you want, but at least they come with a couple of length options, and adjustable waists. He spent all pe lessons in shorts.

There would need to be a change in size options for jogging bottoms before I could support this (otherwise fairly sensible) idea.

My kiddies school uniform is business attire. So whatever you want that would be suitable for an office job.

There's a secondary state school near me who recommend buying their uniform at M&S, but only have a school jumper to buy.

When my DD went to school I spent £350 on uniform in year 7. It was silly.

Some 6th forms near me insist on business attire, even if they are doing arts or sports subjects. So they have haul their kit around school all day and change into it. DD is at a school with no such policy, but she's still not permitted to wear anything tok revealing nor "out there".

People don't even wear suits to work anymore, unless they are estate agents.

How does this idiocy prepare kids for the workplace?

During Covid, my DC school couldn't use the PE changing rooms so they had to wear their PE uniform on the days they had PE. For some (who took it as a subject as well as a core subject) that was most days.

All the pupils looked smart with a regulation PE top (that washes great, dries quick and doesn't need ironed!) and joggers/leggings.

Given the drop off in sport amongst teenagers (and especially girls), we should surely be encouraging them to be constantly wearing clothes that you can do something active in at the drop of a hat. A quick 15 minutes of basket ball or football outside or being able to spontaneously join in with sport lunch clubs without the hassle of changing would create more of a culture of physical movement, I would argue.

I agree. Uniforms should be practical.

I laugh every time I hear it's to "prepare them for the whole of work".

A) I can only think of 1 job where woman wear shirt tie and blazer and

B) they wear what they want to college and uni where they actually study subjects to go to work.

Why does a 5/9/15 yo need to wear apparent work wear 🙄

I wish a government would bring in actual legislation that uniform has to be available from more than 1 supplier. "Guidance" that they brought in, was a waste of time and money. I don't know any school that has changed due to the guidance. In fact a new academy locally to us has just changed from polo shirt and sweatshirt to shirts tie and blazer for primary age from September. All available from the school supplier online of course.

Uniform is so pointless, and if we have to have one it should be cheap, freely available and comfortable for all children (especially children with sensory issues).

It doesn't approve behaviour, no matter what the heads declare, it causes conflict first thing in school for a lot of children.

Don’t get me started on that one. That’s project 2.

There is no pavement for part of DD’s walk to school, and we are in wales where it rains 80% of the time, but they seem to want the kids to be invisible to cars.

You do not have to get Teflon trousers, I bet the uniform policy only states the colour, you can choose the fabric
I don't know why you think no other countries have school uniforms?
Asian countries definitely do, I think African countries di as well and Australia for starters

I get the need to understand corporate dress because some children will go onto those careers whereby you need to be professional.

I’m a professional. I have bright purple hair, a nose piercing and haven’t worn heels or corporate wear for at least 10 years. It hasn’t stopped me earning well into six figures or changing roles to different industries. (Currently in Banking).

Hardly any of my colleagues wear any form of corporate dress. Chiefs all wear trainers. Traders are all in jeans and polo neck tops.

DH is a consultant in a professional role. He rarely even gets dressed for work these days (usually at home as clients across the globe and the time zones make fixed working hours redundant).

DD wants to be a pilot. Maybe I should send her to school in a jumpsuit and helmet.

I was going to say this! Hardly any adults wear polyester blazers, polycotton shirts and trousers/skirts, polyester ties and slip on black polished shoes to go to work. It's a totally outdated concept of workwear.

Does it actually have to be Teflon? Or is that just what is most readily available in the uniform section of supermarkets. My kids uniform list just says "smart skirt or trousers in black or gray"

They also have coloured polos from the supermarket, then logoed jumper or cardigan (though supermarket ones in right colour don't get comment on), any coat and either black shoes or plain non branded black trainers. This seems to be the case at all the primary schools near me, so I'm always surprised thread's about uptight uniform rules in primary.

Both my girls could wear polos and leggings at primary

Of the 109 million children attending school in the EU, less than one million of them wear uniforms. @ageratum1 . I know UK has left but this is where I imagine most of us are referring to.

you want to try wearing secondary school uniform with sensory issues. Absolute nightmare.

Indeed. DD can’t tolerate waistbands or tight shoes. Hated tights and sock seams.

Have you ever been into a classroom full of adolescents who did PE a couple of hours ago and not changed ..! It’s not pleasant!
We were so relieved when uniform returned , plus they looked like they “belonged “ again .

Totally agree .. ours is navy and blue and no logo on anything and no specific shop to purchase from

Same in Scandinavia. Works very well. And we call our teachers by their first name, as it should be.