Why can't reception children just wear a jogging suit ?

[AngelaChill]

My poor little mite hates her uniform, shirt, pinny and cardigan and had a complete melt down this morning (her first day). She's only just 4 and I can't see why they can't just wear comfy clothes surely that would make the teachers life easier too ?

Not had time to read the entire thread, so apologies if this has already been said.

I noted various posts where parents were asking why the school uniform can't be optional, and how dare anyone tell parents what they can and can't dress their children in.

Apart from the obvious answers - because it is the rule, and if you don't like it, you have the option to move to a school without a uniform - I also found myself getting images of disgruntled parents throwing casual clothing over school fences to their children.

I think perhaps my mind is merging two threads?

True! I can't be arsed to iron anything!

PMSL at parents passing uniform / bright yellow shell suits through the fence.....

My girl can pull up and down a pair of trousers, it's the pinafore she can't unzip and pull up and over her head. Christ who irons these days, it's very bad for the environment you know.

with chips wrapped inside......

If you get the nice teflon coated ones out the dryer asap you never need to iron them!!!! Result!!

Mind you, you don't need to iron shell suits or track suits either. And pple say 'chavs'(hate that term too) are stupid???

I remember they tried to introduce a compulsory uniform when I was at primary, my dad went into a rant on the questionnaire, words like individuality, etc, etc. Of course my mum was in favour.

I am not. I am with you Spidermama, although not so vehement! Also kids are well able to judge harshly with or without a uniform, bullying is on the up.

None of the state school uniforms are cute anyway - not wear I am! - horrid material, awful shirts and polo shirts.

I would hate to work in a secondary school where there was no uniform.

You should see what some of the girls wear on non uniform day.....awful and not condusive to getting a load of hormonaly charged boys to concentrate on work, I can tell you.

And you would spend forever arguing with them if you had a dress code.

Just ask any parent of teenagers.

People iron the uniform?! It would never occur to me to do that! Well, perhaps if it was a button-through shirt 'n' tie style.

I think the becasue it is the rule argument is strange. Yes its a rule but that doesn't mean noone should ever question that. Boys did woodwork and girls cookery in my primary school. Am very glad that people questioned that rule so it has changed for my son.

Also I am glad we live in a society where rules can be questioned, complained about and even changed, not one where we must accept everything withou question!

Cross-posted Alex!

I went to a secondary school where no one had to wear a uniform (and surprise surprise no one did) and it is one of the best state schools where I am...

I also hated wearing a uniform as an adult!

Just not a fan I fear...

Still if my dd has to wear one I'll grumble quietly and get on with it!

I wouldn't put dd in polyester clothes. Don't mind the idea of uniform as such but for me it would have to be in natural fibres

i was so proud to see ds in uniform on his first day at school..xxx

laneydaye

my son started school today and he looked so grown up in his uniform.he was so proud when he walked through the gates like all the other big boys.

I simply don't see that making children wear a school uniform is stifling of their individuality, or would harm their development in any way.

If I did, I wouldn't send them to a school that had a school uniform policy.

It is simply not an issue to me, but if it were, I would act upon it.

I don't disagree with school uniforms.

That is not the same as saying that I don't think we have a right to democracy.

I'm home educating my two dyslexic children because I think the level of special needs provision in schools in this country is appalling, and that it is damaging our children.

Hardly the actions of someone who accepts everything without question IMO!

I'm just a great believer in picking my battles, and feel that their education is more important than what they wear.

Is uniform mainly a British thing? And perhaps therefore ex-British colonies? I know American state schools don't but not sure about most of Europe. They never seemd to have it in French and Italian schools that are in films I have seen.

I do know that some inner city schools in America are trying to bring in uniform to break through gang culture and clothing.

I also know that, insane as this shounds, when we smarten up uniform, behaviour in general improves.

Not in the schools I have worked in.

I suppose that it might be different in primary.

It is very marked in the secondary I work in.

I don't go in for the arguements against uniforms. As an ex teacher, I see more advantages for uniform TBH.

mb - fully agree with you. A smarter, adhered to uniform can definitely improve behaviour. It gives pupils something minor to rebel against (and punished for if they do). Have found when the little things like this are adhered to by teachers, then the bigger rules are not so often broken.

I think uniform is horrid for primary kids. Drab and military

Let them wear bright colours and comfy, practical clothes

dd has a proper uniform with poloneck top, tunic and cardi in winter, dress and cardi in summer. She managed from Reception last year although they didn't change for pe until the summer term. It looks smart and doesn't need ironing too often ! But on swimming days when in winter uniform they wear a jogging suit, partly for ease of use partly for warmth in winter.

Honestly once she gets used to it it really isn't that big a deal . Wait till she has to do tights !