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MNHQ

Do you have children at school in Wales? The Welsh Government is consulting on school uniform guidance

76 replies

RowanMumsnet · 06/12/2018 16:10

Hello

We've been contacted by the Welsh government, who've asked us to flag up that they are currently running a public consultation on statutory guidance for school uniforms policies in Welsh schools.

You can find out more about the consultation and find the response forms here - the deadline for filling it in is February 21 2019.

Children and young people are encouraged to fill it out too, so feel free to pass the link on to your DCs if they're of an age to have an interest in official forms

Launching the consultation, Education Secretary Kirsty Williams AM said: 'Families face many different costs when it comes to school uniform and I want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to make uniform more affordable and more available... By putting in place statutory guidance, my expectation is that governing bodies will have a much more consistent approach to issues such as cost and also show a much greater degree of flexibility when it comes to very hot or very cold weather. But this also goes much further than just practical considerations; this is about equality and pupils’ wellbeing. I don’t want our learners, for whatever reason, to feel uncomfortable about wearing their uniform."

As ever, do let us know what you think (but if you want the Welsh government to know what you think, please fill in the consultation response too)

Thanks
MNHQ

OP posts:
Mrspotter12 · 06/12/2018 17:27

Diolch - completed!

KaitlynRep · 06/12/2018 17:35

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CottonSock · 06/12/2018 19:56

Thanks. Didn't know about this

HelloJackieYouLookNice · 06/12/2018 21:06

Done

I’m not sure what the Welsh language has to do with this issue though so I left those question blank Hmm

Llareggub · 06/12/2018 22:44

Excellent. Schools in my area have this right at primary; at senior level it's the opposite. I spent £350 this September for my new year 7; he is growing like a weed and already needs new trousers. At least he isnt in one of those silly logo everything schools!

CottonSock · 07/12/2018 08:42

I had no idea about Welsh language either. I put a comment that schools should facilitate second hand uniform sales / swaps.

EllaSavag · 07/12/2018 09:18

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Workreturner · 07/12/2018 12:20

What I think is that the Welsh government has far far too much time on its hand if it is channelling any thought whatsoever in to this issue. Or should I say non-issue

mejon · 07/12/2018 12:52

Completed - and yet another one confused as to why language should have any effect on uniform policies.

WhyDontYouComeOnOver · 07/12/2018 12:59

Workreturner - it's not a non-issue. Many children in Wales are living in poverty. Uniform is a HUGE issue. The Welsh Government is excellent at attempting to address educational issues, it makes me very thankful we are devolved.

DoorbellsSleighbellsSchnitzel · 07/12/2018 13:11

Why do the Welsh Assembly Government feel the need to make everything about the Welsh Language, regardless of its relevance to the issue in hand?

I do agree that school uniform rules need to have an element of common sense about them, particularly when it comes to flexibility during extreme weather conditions and cost. It's a ahame there's not enough common sense in some schools to carry this out without the need for government intervention.

Our school insisted on thick woollen tights and sweaters at all times for quite a while in to this year's heatwave. I do t understand how making children uncomfortable can have a positive outcome on their learning?

HelloJackieYouLookNice · 07/12/2018 13:16

Work earlier this year at a school near me children were removed from lessons for an entire day for wearing trousers without the correct, tiny logo on them despite them being identical to the ‘correct’ trousers in every other way. Those children missed an entire day of school because their parents could not afford trousers that cost 3x as much as the supermarket equivalent. At the same time our local authority talks endlessly about the importance of good attendence. The double standard is ridiculous and I’m glad the Assembly is addressing the issue. Meanwhile the U.K. government appears to have endless amounts of time and money to discuss and implement Brexit whilst the NHS is in crisis and people are using food banks to survive Hmm

Workreturner · 07/12/2018 13:37

Uniform is actually a brilliant solution to poverty.

It evens out the playing field. Not one in designer and the other in Asda half price.

LittleAlbatross · 07/12/2018 13:40

*Uniform is actually a brilliant solution to poverty.

It evens out the playing field. Not one in designer and the other in Asda half price.*

Well yes, until the school insists that every item must be bought from one supplier that charges 3 times as much as in Asda.

WhyDontYouComeOnOver · 07/12/2018 13:56

Uniform is actually a brilliant solution to poverty

Really? Is that why children are being excluded because their parents can't afford the correct uniform?

Is that why I've personally had to buy school uniform for some children in my class and pretend they were "lost property" as some children aren't being FED, let alone bought uniform for?

Get a massive grip.

Workreturner · 07/12/2018 14:11

Ok so the alternative.

These children that can’t afford uniform but can somehow afford other clothing?

Say they can. The potential for bullying rockets.

HelloJackieYouLookNice · 07/12/2018 14:19

No one is arguing against school uniform. They are arguing that uniform should be affordable and accessible for all. Did you actually read the consultation?

ShangriLaLaLa · 07/12/2018 14:59

Important consultation but WG’s insistence on weaving in Welsh language issues regardless of relevance to topic is irritating and detracts from other questions which could be asked.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 07/12/2018 15:27

I suspect that the reason for the (frankly irrelevant) language questions is that, if they WEREN'T there, Cymdeithas yr Iaith would kick off to such an extent that it would derail any chance of a helpful consultation. And I say that (albeit in English) as someone who speaks Welsh.

WhyDontYouComeOnOver · 07/12/2018 15:34

Accessible and affordable uniform is what the consultation is about. It would probably help if you read it, Work, before commenting.

Notanotherpawpatrol · 07/12/2018 15:43

Whydontyou, that made me cry (pregnancy hormones). I'm sorry you have to buy uniform for some kids, but thankyou for caring so much.
Work, uniform is a huge problem in Wales. You only habe to look around some of the rural schools. My sister (8) attends a school where 90% of the students don't wear uniform as the parents just can't afford it. Fortunatly the head teacher recognises this and doesn't in any way enforce the Uniform policy, unless there is an official visit and then all parents get notified and kids turn up in, what's often their olny pair of black trulousers and red jumper.
My own son, at the age of 3 was excluded from his classroom as he wasn't wearing appropriate uniform, despite us explaining the circumstances to the school (baby daughter was having seizures, ambulanced and admitted to hospital, son was in a phase of having accidents like many kids do and washing just wasn't a priority, DH didn't realise he didn't have any school trousers clean until 30 mins before they had to leave. So sent him in jeans) it was a complete over reaction by the school but not uncommon in this area.
That's not even talking about the schools that insist on having a particular brand of polo shirt and trousers bought from particular school uniform shops. School uniform rules are a huge disadvantage to many students and need to be looked at, not got rid of, but looked at.

bringbackthestripes · 07/12/2018 17:14

Uniform is actually a brilliant solution to poverty.

Nope. Our sudden uniform change meaning we have to buy logo items now including a blazer means uniform -only available in ONE very expensive shop-now costs us 3 X more than it has in previous years, and that’s before shoes!

Uniform should not be costing families more than twice as much as a weekly food shop, it’s no wonder some kids are walking round in half mast trousers and too small shoes with holes because parents can’t afford to spend any more money on new items.

SofiaDyer · 07/12/2018 17:15

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Cachailleacha · 07/12/2018 19:44

Uniform is actually a brilliant solution to poverty
Children still need other clothing for weekends and school holidays. This still needs to be replaced when too small, regardless of wear. Uniform can mean spending more on clothing, not less.

gobbin · 07/12/2018 20:59

I really hope the consultation means that they put out recommendations that schools cannot force pupils into blazers. A more useless garment never existed, that bears virtually no relation to the normal life, working or otherwise, of most people post-18.

DS was at school in Wales. His uniform was simple, comfortable, relatively affordable (only the jumper, PE t shirt and shorts were required to be official school wear, a ailable from two suppliers). His old school now insist on blazers and ties. The children look ridiculous and uncomfortable walking home.