Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Education

Join the discussion on our Education forum.

Original poster

I'm 'against' school uniform is anyone else??

206 replies

zazas · 06/02/2006 13:41

Recently at my DD and DS primary school the majority of parents voted to introduce a uniform. Unfortunately I am in the minority! Is there anyone else who feels strongly about this subject.....I don't want to loose perspective but I really don't want my children wearing a school uniform! Give me your views please.

OP posts:
Spidermama · 07/02/2006 22:29

Oh. Well that's me told.

thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 07/02/2006 22:32

sorry wondered whether to bother but - if you hadn;t guessed - it's something i know a bit about and didn;t want to let it lie. I think it's a failure of communication on the part of the govt and hr movements when people think human rights are only for other people - the whole point is that they are for everyone.

Spidermama · 07/02/2006 22:44

No quite right. Thanks for putting me straight.

slug · 08/02/2006 08:35

You know, the reason I like uniforms comes from my childhood. I came from a poor (i.e. very large) family in a mainly middle class area. All my clothes were hand me downs until I was old enough to get a job and buy them myself. Having to wear a uniform at school meant I was spared a lot of the cruelty that children are capable of when they identify someone as being different.

prettybird · 08/02/2006 08:59

Skribble - your school with the right red tops and lined fleeces: is it a small school on the South side of Glasgow with a mural on one of the outside walls?

If it is, then ds is at the same school!

edam · 08/02/2006 10:49

Um, there is a European Court (of Justice IIRC) that rules on the Convention on Human Rights. Not part of the EU, a separate body. But the Convention has been incorporated into UK law so the UK courts can deal with issues around it, rather than you having to go to Europe. Ultimately once you've been through all the UK courts, I imagine you can still appeal to the European Court - sounds like thewomanwho would know more precisely about this.

Skribble · 08/02/2006 12:06

prettybird- no .

cheltenhamgal · 08/02/2006 13:14

I am in favour of school uniforms as long as they are sensible and child friendly, my schools uniform was shirt and tie for the winter even for the reception class, I had a nightmare last year trying to get my four year old ready for school and fasten up the top button to put the tie round ! now I do what the other mothers do and send them in their summer uniform of polo shirt much less hassle

Auntymandy · 09/02/2006 10:08

Not read the whole thread, but i think its so much easier having them in uniform. they know what they are wearing on a morning, they always look neat and tidy and there isnt any competition as to who has the latest geer on!

netmum37 · 09/02/2006 12:19

I'm not against school uniform but what I am against is my DS1's high school changing their uniform when he is in Year 8 and the old school uniform still fits him. In fact I only bought him a new sweatshirt at Christmas because we were told when he started in Year 7 that there was going to be a new uniform but it would be phased in with each new year 7. Now we are told that it will be compulsory from this September for all year groups. It will also have the logo not only on the jumper, shirt and blazer but also on the trousers so we can't go to any shop and buy the trousers and shirts.

cutekids · 09/02/2006 12:42

I like them in uniform but wish they could wear trainers all the time! the uniform because it makes them identifiable say on school trips etc. but i think they should be allowed to wear trainers cos i think they're better for running around in...maybe i'm a bit strange. i absolutely DETEST the little pumps they have to wear for PE though. i think they are so dangerous and flimsy! yet, even if you do send kids to school in trainers-which is allowed in my kids school but not particularly liked-they make them take them off for pe!!!

girlinfrance · 10/02/2006 11:01

The argument that uniform teaches kids to conform is rubbish. It's the way they are treated at school that makes the difference. There are no uniforms here in France but the school system positively discourages curiosity and individuality, and they all dress alike with the same jeans, tops, school bags etc anyway.

My children's clothes now cost a fortune because instead of replacing (cheap) school tights with holes in I'm replacing expensive ripped jeans. My girls really miss their uniform - so much less hassle in the mornings they (and I) say.

Rianna · 10/02/2006 14:48

I'm Dutch and hated the idea of schooluniform at first.
my children like it when they are small, 'hate' it whe older , but when I asked if dd wnated to go to a school without uniform : no!isn't it nice for the kids to have something to be against ;-)For me it is just very easy , I'm in favour!Mt family in holland thought at first it was very 'fascist' but see now how practical it is

Stilltrue · 10/02/2006 17:27

If you have more than 1 child at the same school, even the expensive things seem better value once they've become hand me downs! My dd in y2 has never had a new blazer because she has had 2 handed down by her brothers; they are certainly expensive when new but scrub up well after a dry clean.
Mainly though, I couldn't face all those daily decisions about what to wear to school, plus I think children do adopt a school mindset that bit easier with the help of a bit of sartorial conformity.
And of course they're individuals regardless of what they wear. Is a child's ego less deflated for the wearing of his favourite jeans and skaty top? I don't think so!

cat64 · 10/02/2006 21:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

swedishmum · 11/02/2006 01:36

Didn't read right through so I assume it has already been said that uniform (certainly at KS 1 and 2) is not compulsary so you can't ne given detention for not wearing it. Dito homework. Actually I insist mine do their homework but like to be aware of human rights.

MrsWood · 12/02/2006 20:37

I grew up in Croatia and we didn't wear uniforms. I am neither for or against uniforms but I think the benefits should be that it's easier not to think about what to wear - not because of children wearing designer / non designer clothse. How absurd. Maybe in ancient days but I'm yet to see even poor families sending their children out in rags - clothes are no longer as expensive as they used to be - I pick up my dd's clothes in Next, Mothercare etc. and it's average £4.99 for top and £7.99 for pair of trousers. Hardly breaking the bank. Even Pumpkin Patch, Next and Monsoon have great sales when you get get stuff from £2!
If it's about designer / non designer clothes, wouldn't children be embarassed outside school where uniform is not required? I just think it's a little old fashioned but I have no particular problem with it. The only issue I would probably have is the actual colours - bright green, s**t brown etc. Some of them are so gross, I can't bear to see my lovely looking dd in something that looks like a toilet scene from Trainspotting!

CoolTurkey · 12/02/2006 20:45

Some primary schools around here pretend they have a uniform, but they don't let on that they can't actually enforce it. They "encourage all children to wear the school uniform", interpreted of course by some children as "teachers says we must...". Emotional blackmail imo. Then having succumbed to buying it for sensitive offspring they then change the uniform!! This happened to a friend of mine who really couldn't afford it.

I can see the point for secondary schools (it gives teenagers something harmless to rebel against) but can't see the point for primary.

Filyjonk · 20/02/2006 06:59

Hate school uniforms. Not just because they are in vile colours and made of vile cheap polyester, but also because-why do all little kids need to look the same? Why do they need to look processed and regimented? Can't see how they are cheaper, tbh, when I buy virtually all my kids clothes from charity shops.

Agree with the point re designer clothes (and I went to a non-uniform wearing primary in Hampstead, wearing charity shop stuff!). Its crappy, but its not that bad. I wouldn't have chosen to wear a uniform. There will be plenty of kids without designer trainers.

But I think there are other ways round it, eg having restrictions on what can be worn. Eg canvas shoes, jogging pants or similar (to encourage running around).

donnie · 20/02/2006 09:37

I think school uniforms are great for all the reasons stated already, plus as a teacher I couldn't agree with Martianbishop or Hulababy more.Teenagers are definitely different in uniforms and easier to manage IME.

As for the 'all children looking identical and regimented' notion - are people really saying they literally cannot distinguish one child from another because of their school uniform? get your eyes tested!

Adults are just as fond of uniforms as far as I can see. How many men in suits on teh tube each morning? how many women in the same old smart cash garb? same old,same old.....

DD1 starts 'big school' in sept and is sooo excited about getting her first school uniform.

PS it makes non uniform/ jeans for genes days in school much more fun for the students!

Enid · 20/02/2006 09:37

my dds look fabby in their school uniforms

pretty and smart

I love them.

Blandmum · 20/02/2006 13:37

and as for dh in uniform.......swoon!
(just said that to make you all envious! )

geekgrrl · 20/02/2006 13:38

yeah yeah mb, you old showoff.

Bet he looks dashing!

Blandmum · 20/02/2006 13:40

Yup!

And that for a balding old fart!

batters · 20/02/2006 14:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.