To think school uniform is too expensive?

[Loveheart1133]

Secondary school is going to cost in excess of £200.

That’s just for one child. That’s for 2 sweatshirts, 1 full PE kit, tie, 2 x trousers, 5 x shirts, shoes, stationery.

The £200 is not including school bag, coat, trainers for PE.

I know that the government were supposed to be making new rules about limiting the number of branded items. But as far as I can tell the school require logo jumpers, PE kits which consists of shorts, top, socks, and tracksuit. Plus Summer polo top.

I’m lucky in that I do have the money, but I can imagine for some families especially with 2 or more children it’s completely unaffordable.

Items get lost despite being labelled never to be seen again.

I know people will say they get a lot of use out of them etc etc but honestly I begrudge paying all that money for polyester clothing to dress my child like a mini adult going to work in a bank.

Isn’t it about time that uniform has an overhaul and was actually comfortable and affordable.

I can never fathom those who insist on brand new school bag pencil case lunch bag etc every year.

so much waste and expense there on top of uniforms

I assume those who object to the cost of school uniform do not allow their kids to have hobbies, such as, brownies, scouts, football, martial arts, ballet, horse riding and all the other things that require uniform and kit.

So you only buy uniform clothes for your children, and no normal clothes at all? Otherwise it can't be cheaper.
In reality its far cheaper to wear the clothes you are already going to buy them because that's what they wear at home and elsewhere, than to buy those clothes and then buy school uniforms on top of that.

Scouts doesn't insist on uniform (at least it doesn't where I am) except at least the neck scarf for official events. Sports clubs (again, in my experience anyway) include the kit as part of the fees. And more importantly, those are things children want to do and are happy to wear as part of the team, so its money spent to their benefit and for their enjoyment.

Up until secondary DD did dance, cheerleading, gymnastics, football and martial arts. Specific kit was optional, sometimes strongly encouraged, but it involved something like a tshirt.

I have never known a scout/guide group or similar send children home because they are wearing the "wrong" clothes.
But groups like that are voluntary to attend. If a parent can't afford them (fees and/or uniform) the groups either help out or the child can't go.
Or as said above they just wear t-shirts or whatever.
However free education is something that every child is entitled to and they shouldn't be denied it because their parents can't afford a particular type of clothes.

Schools should have to provide all year 7 with enough uniform to last a week, including PE kit.

I know this would cost money but in my head they re able to claim the cost of supplying the uniform, but at a rate decided by government eg £50 - £100 per child.

Workplaces often provide uniform, more so if they want you to wear specific items and branding rather than having a dress code.

Since schools like to think they’re emulating the workplace and ‘preparing’ young people for the world of work and also insist on branded this and that, they should do the same. Every student should be provided with at least 2 sets of uniform free of charge. When schools have to pay for it themselves, they might change their tune on ridiculous uniform requirements.

Same.

The amount of bullying I hear about here is nowhere near what I hear about or saw in non-uniform schools.

You were more likely to get bullied for smelling bad than what you were wearing.

Have a friend whose daughter was getting bullied by some girls in her class over her hair. She has beautiful hair and her mum is a celebrity hairstylist who does intricate braided styles. Friend is considering possibly having her go to school in her home country.

From what I see when it comes to bullying, it is not the uniforms, it is the school itself that needs to step in better instead of thinking everyone wearing uniforms and strict uniform policies is going to help matters.

Do parents who moan about the cost of uniform buy their children expensive phones and tech and designer clothes.? Asking for a friend

I don’t and I also think it crazy to spend £25 on a branded jumper that I can’t get marker out of, the colour is practically faded after a handful of washes and rarely fits well anyway.

Now nurseries near me are deciding uniforms for toddlers and now I may have to shell out £12.50 a pair for branded toddler joggers when I have plenty of leggings and joggers that my toddler can wear that I don’t mind them getting messy.

I can get several bundles of unbranded joggers on Vinted for that much.

I think one branded item should be enough and should be affordable for everyone.

My DS1 goes to a specialist school where uniforms are optional and I’m happy that he no longer has to wear them because he constantly used his jumper as a napkin and he would come home with it covered in paint, marker, etc and I couldn’t get it out. I can easily afford him getting it on regular clothes because they are much cheaper to buy it he can wear DH’s tops if need be. I’ve gone from three different boxes of clothes for him to one.

Uniforms only mean more laundry and cost for me. If it is easier for others, fair enough but it is more work and faff in our household.

So free clothes. Free breakfast. Free school lunch.

What exactly is the role of the parents in all of this?

I honestly don't know why people have children.

I think we should stop with the uniforms now. They’re ugly, generally impractical and an extra cost. I don’t know why so many parents are in favour of them.
My kids secondary had a uniform consultation recently and one of the options was no uniform. The majority vote was for the same uniform but with some changes to what was compulsory. I was so disappointed.

We wore regular clothes to school, had free lunch but no free breakfst (we had it at home before walking to school). We turned out ok.

If they had to, at the end of one term there would be some serious consideration as to what items are actually necessary and where you can buy them from.

Perhaps if people didn't have to spend so much on uniforms they would have no problem with affording food.
As for the free breakfast - the vast majority of parents who need breakfast clubs at schools is because they have to drop their children off and then head to work.
They don't particularly need a free breakfast for the children. Just the before school child care.

£200 at my child’s school. Tweed.

If uniforms are demanded then they should be provided, just like they are at workplaces.

And every child should get a free lunch, like they do in my country, that is not a bad thing at all and it makes sure they all eat a decent healthy hot lunch and they are all equal.

Where is your country?

I know, because buying uniform was the thing I most looked forward to before I had kids - what would be the point if they took that away from us?

Finland

Parents would have to pay for subsequent years, and replacements in year 7.

The school dictate the uniform, this would limit the cost.

Or are you happy some parents can't send their child to a good school because of the uniform?

Why, exactly, did you have kids?

To feed them breakfast, make them lunch and buy them school uniform - just as you suggested - my life has been fulfilled, I have accomplished those goals.

Natsku different tax system in your country. Everyone pays a high rate of tax and everyone gets all the benefits.

We are lower tax, less benefits and means test everything we do get in this country.

Not as many clothes as if they were wearing them every day in school.

How do you know?