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Definitive List of Non-Uniform (no uniform) Schools

113 replies

buttmonki · 27/06/2020 11:58

I’m trying to put together a definitive list of non uniform schools.

I see the uniform/non uniform debate has been done numerous times so am hoping to just put together a list of schools without a debate, just an information resource.

If you know of a non uniform school please post name, region, level, private/state, especially interested to find any non-uniform schools outside of London thank you.

London

Walnut Tree Walk, Primary, Lambeth, State
Ashmead, Primary, Lewisham, State
John Ball, Primary, Lewisham, State
Edmund Waller, Lewisham, State
Camden School for Girls, Secondary, Camden/Islington, State
Dallington School, Islington, Primary, Private
Grasmere, Hackney, Primary, State
Yerbury, Islington, Primary, State
Eleanor Palmer, Camden, Primary, State
Muswell Hill, Haringey, Primary, State
Rhodes Avenue, Haringey, Primary, State
Horniman, Lewisham, Primary, State
Bousfield, Kensington, Primary, State
Fox, Kensington, Primary, State
Brindishe Lee, Lewisham, Primary, State
Columbia, Tower Hamlets, Primary, State
Fairlawn, Lewisham, Primary, State
Henry Maynard, Waltham Forest, Primary, State

South East

Hampton Court House, 3-18, Surrey, Private
Rochester Independent College, Kent, Secondary, Private

Scotland

James Gilliespie’s Edinburgh, Secondary, State

OP posts:
drspouse · 28/06/2020 23:06

I have never worked anywhere with a uniform. Dress codes are possible without uniform.

You can tell the children at my DD school whose uniform is box fresh and which is 6th hand (and yes I do mean 6 th). Uniform is not in any way a leveller.

Destroyedpeople · 28/06/2020 23:10

'Uniform is a leveller' what arrant nonsense.
The biggest 'leveller ' are the school trips that only 5 per cent of pupils can afford.
And I have never worked anywhere where a uniform was required.

ArtieFufkinPolymerRecords · 28/06/2020 23:16

@StylishMummy

School uniform is a leveller and should be mandatory.

It also prepares DC to follow dress codes required in the workplace

People in other countries seem to manage when they enter the workplace.
My0My · 28/06/2020 23:39

If only 5% can afford school trips, they are the wrong trips. I don’t think any school has 95% fsm or pp so I don’t believe this is a true statement.

My DDs didn’t wear leggings, hoodies or track bottoms every day. They saw them as leisure wear. They wouldn’t see them as daily wear to school.

Many jobs have uniforms in a formal or less formal sense. There is often a dress code. It’s fairly normal for people to be expected to conform to dress requirements in certain jobs, eg airline worker, barrister, even a teacher! I’m glad my DDs had uniforms and so are they. Both had a relaxation of hnifitm in the 6th form and by then they were expected to dress for business. They did.

There is no angst over uniform. Lots available second hand and non uniform clothes are hand me downs too! In very poor families all clothes are acquired from charity shops and recycled. It’s not confined to school uniform. There are funds for uniform in some areas and charities distribute uniforms to those in need too. It’s a big effort to allow DC to be smart and cared for.

Destroyedpeople · 28/06/2020 23:42

No of course it was somewhat exaggerated but not far off. You are right they are the wrong trips. I don't know why the school does it..not in a rich area by any means....I certainly couldn't afford to send two children skiing in America.....and people talk all mealy mouthed about 'uniform being a leveller'.....

My0My · 28/06/2020 23:57

Uniform is very cheap when compared to non curriculum trips which are not mandatory. Slightly over egging the argument here I think. Many people cannot afford skiing trips! However some presumably can so let them go. If parents cannot afford uniform I think those parents cannot afford any holiday at all. Or a car. Or cups of coffee in the shopping centre. They should get help to go on curriculum trips though. Perhaps they will end up with great jobs and pay for their own skiing trips? That’s what I did! Not everyone who is poor aspires to stay poor. Looking at what you really want, and others have, can spur you on to do well.

Railworker · 29/06/2020 00:32

Streatham Wells Primary

Destroyedpeople · 29/06/2020 00:46

I have taken my own kids skiing thank you. Don't patronise me. It's not only 'poor' people who can't spend 5 grand on exclusive school trips. And secondary uniform is not particularly cheap.

Destroyedpeople · 29/06/2020 00:48

Or I should say...'don't TRY and patronise me..'

My0My · 29/06/2020 00:54

? I didn’t say you hadn’t been skiing. When did I say that? You are extraordinarily touchy and I cannot see what I said was directed at your personal ability to pay for a skiing holiday.

I said lots of people cannot afford this. This is a true statement. It’s also not a trip that is part of the curriculum so it’s optional. That’s also true. My parents couldn’t afford a holiday at all - ever - anywhere! But we had a uniform for school because it mattered to them. It never costs the same as a holiday at a state school. Many help out with second hand and charities have uniform exchanges. I personally know one in Liverpool.

ComeBy · 29/06/2020 00:58

Kilmorie Primary Lewisham
Streatham Wells Primary Lambeth
Camden Girls

(All state)

Destroyedpeople · 29/06/2020 00:59

You completely missed the point of my post and went off on one beside the point. Never mind carry on I am sure you enjoy it.

ComeBy · 29/06/2020 01:01

It also prepares DC to follow dress codes required in the workplace

If they need such preparation wouldn’t it be more useful for Uni students than 5 year olds? I note no Uni has a uniform...

newphoneswhodis · 29/06/2020 06:45

School uniform can be expensive. Normal clothes can be too but you need ordinary clothes anyway.
I personally don't see any value added by uniform and it can cost a lot if things need to be branded with the school logo. Own clothes prepares students for a 'dress code' much better than uniform as they need to follow one.

Castoreum · 29/06/2020 09:58

It also prepares DC to follow dress codes required in the workplace

This is utterly ludicrous. There is no need for any such preparation. I went to a non-uniform school, spent my teenage and student years looking like an utter scruffbag and have never struggled to dress myself appropriately in the workplace. It is not rocket science!

SockYarn · 29/06/2020 10:04

School uniform is only expensive if your school has gone down the "branded everything" road. This just doesn't happen in Scotland apart from the fee-paying schools. Local primary schools have combinations of grey/black/navy matched with red/green/blue. Senior school is black and white and you can buy clothes anywhere. A tie is £5 and the blazer £32. Everything else you can get from anywhere.

Kitting out children for non-uniform all day every day would be a lot more.

EllieQ · 29/06/2020 10:10

Park Grove Primary, York (state school). I think it’s the only state primary school in York that is non uniform.
Steiner School, York (private)

Castoreum · 29/06/2020 10:16

Kitting out children for non-uniform all day every day would be a lot more.

It really isn't. There is no need to buy anything in addition to their normal clothes. How can that be more expensive?

newphoneswhodis · 29/06/2020 10:49

It's cheap to kit out none uniform. You dont even really have to get much extra. It's not like own clothes day where it's your only chance to show off and display your own style. It's jeans and t-shirts.

BikeRunSki · 29/06/2020 11:04

In all the year I went to school, I had uniform for one year. This has not impeded my ability to dress appropriately for business situations at all.

SophyStantonLacy · 29/06/2020 11:10

Oswald Road Primary, Chorlton, Manchester

worstofbothworlds · 30/06/2020 09:28

Clapham Terrace, Leamington Spa.
Two schools mentioned here have been absolutely awful for family members. One with huge behaviour problems that went unchecked, and one cliquey to the point of excluding parents who don't fit. Nothing to do with them being non-uniform, just a feature of the type of school and weak leadership.

Emmy2020 · 30/06/2020 09:45

I would say school uniform is expensive. My daughters primary as to have a particular checked skirt which you have to buy and the tie and the jumper - which is completely different material from all the other schools round us and gets out of shape really quick and looks terrible so you end up having to keep buying them! She’s going to secondary to join her big sister and they can’t have any skirt, it has to be the one for the school, they can’t have any shirt because it has to have the logo same with blazer not to mention they are fussy about the shoes and all the pe kit we need to buy it will cost hundreds. Then I probably will have to buy more for my eldest as I expect she’s grown out of some of hers 😂 Would be so much easier if they wore non uniform but oh well!

AmberRoseGold · 30/06/2020 09:53

Milverton (state primary- with a forest school head and a classroom cat) also in Leamington Spa.
My daughter attends the prep (Kingsley) down the road which has a ridiculous uniform and is obsessive about sock length etc.. I know which I prefer - Milverton has a LONG wait list!

AmberRoseGold · 30/06/2020 09:57

I do wonder if it is more of a middle class London type approach to schooling tho’. I do see ALOT of Boden but a lot less overtly fashionable/skimpy clothing than I see for mufti days at the prep. Maybe it almost takes the pressure off if it is daily? Tho’ kids are in trainers pretty much constantly. Don’t know if their feet will ever accept the discomfort of a hard leather shoe.

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