To think that in 2009, at -2 degrees, girls shouldn't have to ear a skirt?

[ClarissimoUsedToBePeachy]

I ahve boys and they were cold enough today.

So I felt really sorry for the girls in their regulation pinafores (infants) and skirts (juniors).

I wouldn't choose to wear a skirt in this weather s it seems sillt to make the children.

They have joging suits they can wear for PE days / school trips, just seems sensible to me that they should be allowed to wear them on really cold days also?

We're in wales, this weather is predictable after all.

OFSTED pulled ours chool up for a lack of heating in some rooms at our last review, and to my knwledge no extra has been fitted so doubly important. There's also a lack of heating at lunch time (dining room so full they have to keep doors open) so even more important.

AIBU? Is it worth raising wioth Head as an idea?

Yanbu. I'm really surprised this rule still exists tbh.

I think it's def worth raising with the HT

Woolly tights? Probably a darn sight warmer than polyester tracksuit or even jeans...

Nah its not polyester, thick warm woolly jersey type.

YANBU at all! It irritates me enough when girls are not given the option of wearing trousers anyway (especially if boys are given the option of wearing shorts in the summer), but when it's cold it's particularly important.

I broke the school rules today and let my DD wear boots. Girls school shoes are not designed for cold weather!!!!

YANBU - poor little cold legs!

The DSCF issues non-statutory guidance on school uniforms. Most schools, I think, permit girls to wear trousers. Some girls need to wear trousers (or other modest dress) for cultural reasons.

It's a faith school and whilst we do have some Muslim children in Infants (not so much a knowledge of Juniors) atm they're all boys; very valid point though and one well worth raising.

Well, the DCSF website contains all their various guidance documents, so if the parent body felt trousers should be part of the uniform for girls, that might show them how to proceed.

In the end, I think the decision is up to the school and/or the governing body. There's nothing (as far as I'm aware) which says that trousers must be part of the uniform for girls, but if the school's uniform policy was ever challenged by a disgruntled parent, the school would have to demonstrate that not allowing girls to wear trousers was reasonable in all the circumstances. That might be hard to do, as so many schools do allow girls to wear trousers.

We;ve a new (ish) and reasonable head so if I do raise it (with another arent who does have daughters) she will be interested in that document, thank you.

I do imagine trousers are more practical anyway eg during outdoor play- there were yr6's doing handstands showing their undies at the school sports day- separate issue but relevant.

Of course the mums could just break the rules like mrshammond- I send my sn ds3 in joggers day in day out for reasons of ease / toiletting. nobody has said anything yet.

Good luck! If you do decide to raise it, you might also want to look at the UK Governors website. Uniform is often discussed there so you may find some more useful stuff.

One further thought. You mentioned you are in Wales. Is education devolved to the Welsh Assembly? If so, you may have your own guidance and the DCSF guidance may not apply.

we are governed by a faith body but I know Head will still be interestd in the guidance

Have a feeling that as with all apointments / places etc it comes down to crusty old Vicar but there's rumours of a rebellion

Are they allowed to wear woolly tights and fur-lined boots though?

DD, who has a dress code rather than a uniform, went to school both today and yesterday in pants and vest, a long sleeved polo neck and woolly tights, a thick pinafore dress and boots, with a fleece-lined coat and scarf and gloves. She was very cosy.

My dd will wear her pinni when she is back at school tomorrow, with thick wooly rights. I find the school trousers very thin and think she will be warmer in wooly tights and a pinni

not fur boots no (though a few do)- supposed to be mary janes

I think that schools with a uniform ought to have a "winter weather exceptions" policy that allows children to wear (waterproof/furry) boots on very cold days. It really is loopy to have to wear Mary Janes in the snow - the poor children are likely to have wet feet all day.

Here teh children walk to school in trainers/boots/wellies adn then change into school shoes once at school. No wet feet!

Well as I am sitting her in lands end snow boots I am inclined to agree LOL!

If there is somewhere to store school shoes/boots at school, that's great. Are the children allowed to put their boots on again for break?

Mary Janes are not school uniform though are they? There are closed up shoes for girls. Although I will admit DD has Mary Janes they are hush puppy ones and more chunky and less open than the Clarks and Startrite ones. Yesterday when the snow was worse (just black ice now...) I took her in her wellies and then changed her into her shoes.

At our school girls can wear skirts/trousers/pinafores. DD has a pair of trousers but insisted on pinafore yesterday and skirt today. It's her first week though and she is very keen on all her uniform options.

What I was more annoyed about was that the older children didn't play out yesterday. Nursery and reception did, but not years 1-5. Doesn't make sense.

It does say maty jane style I think (but willa dmit not big on female uniform policy neef tor ead up)- boys re streict though so would ad up: no boots, etc- DS1 even got told off for a pair of black chelsea boots (cant do alces and I thought a smart alternative to velcro)

Last girl I saw this am definitely wearing MJ's and white socks; did a double take.

On exceptional days or just PE days they are asked to wear jogging suit / trainers; I just think it would be easy to specify that on very cold days it is an option. It's not that different to usual uniform anyway- logo'ed etc- and presumably the trainers safer on the very icy roads.

Ours all played out yesterday, thanked my lucky stars I had bought them great thick coats

these Clarks ones are closed but still not really very chunky. Not sure if link will work because Clarks website can be funny.

I do agree with you really on the trousers but think school shoes should be made abd bought that are fit for purpose. And quite often they are not.

Sort of relevant - dropped DS off at primary school - most children / adults well wrapped up one dad was stood there in - shorts and crocs (no socks on even) - he had a padded type jacket on but rather bizzare!

PMSL

Mind I only upgraded to covering my arms at 2 degrees above; difference is I am an adult (and only live 3 minutes away)

And our uniform is white socks or grey tights so DD is definitely on the grey woolly tights.

I think wooly tights are actually warmer than trousers. They trap a layer of air closer to the skin than a pair of trousers would do, after all.
JMO, and I know it shouldn't be the main consideration, but I think trousers on girls as part of school uniform tends to look pretty dreadful. And are those polyeter things that most girls seem to wear actually warm in any case?