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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

in not wanting to pay for...

33 replies

GodzillasNewYearsBumcheek · 15/01/2009 21:54

...extra items of school uniform this long after the school year has started?

I wouldn't mind if it was a normal standard school tracksuit but it's £21 for the tracksuit top (with the school crest on it) and £14 for the tracksuit bottoms to match!

Bloomin' heck but i have nothing in my own wardrobe that expensive!

What ticks me off even more is that it wasn't on the Uniform list at the start of the year as obligatory, it was marked as 'optional'. the alternative option i now find out is that my kids have to do Games outside in all weathers in only shorts and t-shirt even though i have provided their £14 'Games Jersey' and a pair of black jogpants specifically for the purpose.

They're not even on any teams or anything, so really, why do i have to buy this extra stuff now?

OP posts:
fryalot · 15/01/2009 21:56

Can you sew a logo onto a bog standard tracksuit?

Tis a bit outrageous I think.

(hello, btw, long time no see )

SoMuchToBits · 15/01/2009 21:56

Are they not allowed to wear the Games Jersey and jogpants then?

mazzystartled · 15/01/2009 21:58

that's ridiculous
and unreasonable
complain

Ivykaty44 · 15/01/2009 21:58

How many places can you get the school tracksuit form?

if it is only one place then it is a monopoly and I do beleive that is illegal......

Clarissimo · 15/01/2009 22:00

Can yopu not get a apir of trackies from somewhere and ask her to combine these with the jersey? A sort of halfway house?

YANBU. DS's school clothes are in need of a reva,p already but I am refusing as I dont know which school he'll be at after half term (will find out next week).

Original poster
GodzillasNewYearsBumcheek · 15/01/2009 22:09

Can't sew on a logo, for starters cos they aren't sold separately!

They are not allowed to wear the games jersey and joggers they already have. Apparently they were told 'it's all or nothing', which when i heard about i was sorely tempted to send them in naked, but quickly realised that this would certainly not make them warmer and would almost certainly result in my being arrested for cruelty to children.

Oh, and the school uniform is only available from one place - the school itself!

(Hi Squonk, i have been very sporadic in my postings lately and don't even seem able to finish a conversation on scuttlers!)

OP posts:
Clarissimo · 15/01/2009 22:11

Hmm, that sort of exclusivity is being stamped upon isn't it? because of reducinga ccess? (mind both ours still do it atm).

Talk to Head, say what you have said here, ask why your child is being penalised ion this cold snap for your lack of funds.

mazzystartled · 15/01/2009 22:14

what then, pray are the games jersey and jogpants meant to be for?

is it a private school?

even if it is, i think you should Have Words or collective rallying of parental common sense.

fryalot · 15/01/2009 22:16

You could always put a request in to Freecycle - if someone has an older child that has grown out of theirs they may pass them on to you.

But obviously that means your kids wearing second hand clothes, and doesn't do anything to stop the school from continuing this practise.

(I'm hardly on here myself nowadays so I don't notice who is and who isn't, but I knew I hadn't seen you around for a while. Tis good to "see" you )

mummylin2495 · 15/01/2009 22:19

hi gz ,it has to be pointed out that godzilla would have to buy two sets as she has twin daughters,which makes it even more expensive

Original poster
GodzillasNewYearsBumcheek · 15/01/2009 22:21

It's very unlikely to be on freecycle, Squonk as the uniform changed a few months before the last summer holidays, but even so - i'd have to find two sets of decent condition as i have twins (have been avoiding mentioning it due to recent threads)!

The games jersey is apparently for 'playing rugby indoors'!!!!

Er, no, it's not a private school, just our local catchment Secondary!

OP posts:
Original poster
GodzillasNewYearsBumcheek · 15/01/2009 22:22

ROTFLOL, mummylin, great x-post!

OP posts:
Nanook · 15/01/2009 22:22

Agree with the others

speak to the Head

I doubt you're the only parent who thinks it's shoite

Hope you get something sorted

Good to see ye (tis Wez btw)

Original poster
GodzillasNewYearsBumcheek · 15/01/2009 22:23

And what makes that funnier is that i actually did LOL and DH grunted 'If it's mumsnet then i don't care'!

OP posts:
fryalot · 15/01/2009 22:33

tell him he will bloody well have to care when we come up with a solution to the tracksuit dilemma!

You're quite probably going to have to speak to the head, tis unreasonable of them to insist on this, especially as they are not in any teams.

You could perhaps mention it to a local newspaper journalist friend (or someone you've never met, whatever is appropriate) and see if they'll do a story on the school's monopolization of all uniforms.

Original poster
GodzillasNewYearsBumcheek · 15/01/2009 22:37

I wouldn't know how without writing a printable letter!

I wouldn't want the attention if it went further than that either.

So what do i say to the head teacher? The DTDs have said that nearly everyone else has paid up and bought them. What if i am the only one?

OP posts:
fryalot · 15/01/2009 22:40

If you are the only one then you'll have to decide whether it is a battle you are prepared to fight alone.

Other parents may well join you once you've made a stand. But then again they may not.

If you feel more comfortable giving in and just buying the damn things, you may be better off doing so.

One thing - do they have PE together? Is there any way they could share? (and would they share, sisters being what they are...)

Original poster
GodzillasNewYearsBumcheek · 15/01/2009 22:48

They do have PE together anyway, so sharing not an issue!

I'd fight it tooth and nail, by myself if needs be...and it probably will be as i only know two other mums and they've both coughed up already.

I really honestly can not afford it, so just backing down is not an option either. I just have no clue how to approach someone on this. I am not a good wordsmith!

At least now i feel a little more justified and righteous though. Always good to have a little righteous vindication

OP posts:
fryalot · 15/01/2009 22:52

Make an appointment with their form tutor or head of year and explain the situation.

Tell them that you obviously do not want your children to be singled out as different, but financially you are not in a position to buy two sets of very expensive sporting clothing.

Tell them that you will be sending them to school with warm, outdoor sports clothes and you expect them to either be permitted to wear them or to be allowed to do PE inside.

See what they say. I suppose there is a chance that they don't actually realise how real people live...

LittleBella · 15/01/2009 22:54

If they cut up rough, go to the governors.

This is very frowned upon now.

Original poster
GodzillasNewYearsBumcheek · 15/01/2009 23:04

What if they offer a discount? they have done so at the beginning of the year for benefit recipients (i'm fairly sure it included working tax credit so they weren't biased i suppose, although i'm now making justifications in response to flamings i haven't received yet for being on benefits )
Should i take it even if i can't really afford it marked down? (bearing in mind i have to buy two sets). It really is annoying that they said it was optional at the start of the year! Let your daughters freeze or pay us £70 for the privilage of wearing our clothes. not much of an option IMHO.

OP posts:
Technofairy · 15/01/2009 23:06

This kind of thing really pisses me off. My bf's daughter passed her 11 plus and got in to the local state girls' grammar school. Shortly before she started they got the ok to emigrate to Australia expecting it to take much longer. They decided to go in the following April as bf's DH got a job. The school said that she MUST have the full uniform kit however short a time she would be there but that they could sell it via the school when she left. Fair enough thinks my bf and buys it.

However, all items of uniform could only be purchased through the school and when it arrived each item, apart from the tie and gym knickers, had been machine embroidered with her name on above the school crest. So absolutely useless to anyone else and no way could it be sold. Absolutely outrageous.

My DS went to the local but very oversubcribed high school where the only formal requirement was a crest embroidered jumper and a school tie. The rest was just colour requirements - grey trousers, white shirt, black or burgundy shorts and vest etc. Much more sensible and affordable.

If the note sent home clearly says 'optional' then yes I most definitely would raise it with the school - perhaps the games teacher isn't aware - but you have to take into account peer pressure and whether your DC will feel very uncomfortable not having the 'right kit'. You do say 'nearly' everyone else has bought the expensive track suit so maybe there are others who are of the same opinion as you. I would be! And as squonk says, could they share if necessary?

TheLadyEvenstar · 15/01/2009 23:12

Is the logo printed on or sewn on? I had this prob with ds1's school so i went to wh smiths bought some photo transfer paper, scanned the school badge in and transferred it to the correct colour polo shirt, because no way was i paying £17 for the p.e kit which i got for £6 in the end. Ok it is not ideal but it did last for 2 yrs almost before he grew out of it....yes i bought it much slightly bigger than needed

TheLadyEvenstar · 15/01/2009 23:12

Is the logo printed on or sewn on? I had this prob with ds1's school so i went to wh smiths bought some photo transfer paper, scanned the school badge in and transferred it to the correct colour polo shirt, because no way was i paying £17 for the p.e kit which i got for £6 in the end. Ok it is not ideal but it did last for 2 yrs almost before he grew out of it....yes i bought it much slightly bigger than needed

Ingles2 · 15/01/2009 23:12

I'm pretty sure the can't do this now, but it may depend on your LEA. I'm chair of a PTA and we used to sell the uniform. At the start of this year we had to stop as it was an unfair monoply, and essential uniform is now at a local shop and pe /sports kit can be any unbranded make in navy blue. £70 for 2 tracksuits is seriously excessive so they must be making a profit for the school coffers.