Archaic school uniform rules

[Nannyof2boys]

Hi all what are your thoughts on school uniform in secondary school as in blazer button up shirt tie jumper etc?
Why not just have plain black trousers with polo top of the school and maybe an outer jacket with school logo? Surely in today's climate its cruel expecting kids to wear all that and not just the weather the cost?

My daughter has just started in a secondary with polo shirt, school sweatshirt (hasn't been worn yet as it's been fairly warm) and black trousers (she wears leggings) and black trainers. She cycles there and back every day so I'm glad she isn't wearing an uncomfortable uniform. The school get great results. It's almost the exact same uniform I wore to my secondary school in the 90s, though ours was slightly stricter as we weren't allowed to wear jeans. I think the focus on uniform is completely misplaced and, going by local schools, strict uniform absolutely doesn't correlate with better behaviour.

But the kids bloody love the pockets in blazers! I’ve heard my DS and his friends actually say that they like wearing a blazer for that exact reason.

I think you've misunderstood my point. I'm all for limiting branded items, for the reasons you state; but it's the ways that schools get around that ruling, by saying that, if you want an 'optional' garment - which most of the kids will, if it's say a warm sweatshirt in winter - you can either buy the branded one or not have one of any kind at all.

I've never worn a blazer in my life so I obviously managed all my school years without these mythical pockets.
What do they put in them (that can't go in their bag?)

You’re being a little ridiculous.
Outside of school my son lives in football tops and can generally look a bit scruffy. That’s had no bearing on my views on school uniforms because he knows that when he’s going to school there are certain expectations around dress code.
Its not like we’re expecting our children to wear a shirt and tie outside of school ( unless they’re attending an event where it’s appropriate) so why would any of us be bothered what they wear when they go to uni?

My DS is also in a brass band and they also have a very strict uniform policy which includes a shirt, tie and blazer from a very young age. He’s never complained because he knows it comes with the territory. And those kids are lugging heavy instruments around with them!

Yes, I agree with this. Nonchalantly saying "You can have second hand if you can't afford new" - when if it were normal clothes, people could afford new basic clothes (from supermarkets and similar) is automatically elitist.

Also, it's one thing having secondhand uniform shops/schemes, but quite another being able to guarantee the exact items that your child needs and in the right size and quantities will be available. Even with new clothes, I've had to click and collect from Asda, because they just haven't had the right-sized clothes (or enough of them) on the pegs in both of our nearest stores. You can't do this with secondhand uniform, if nobody has donated the right amount of the right sizes of the right garments. It would be like finding something that you like in a charity shop and asking if they have it three sizes bigger or smaller!

Ignoring the obvious fact that secondhand uniform may not only have been got rid of/reclaimed by the scheme because the child has outgrown it, but it could be very worn.

Plus our teenage DS is tall and broad and is now in men's clothing for things like shirts and shoes, so they probably wouldn't even think to stock those sizes in the secondhand uniform schemes.

Obviously people can manage without them but there are some practical benefits. And I genuinely hear kids talk about the pockets!
My DS puts his paper timetable and bus pass in the zipped pocket. It’s easier to access on extremely busy buses and corridors than rummaging through his rucksack which is on his back.

Genuinely surprised by all the blazer love (not disputing what people say - just surprised). Just asked DD what the jumper or cardigan/blazer split is now they get a choice. She says about 80/20 in favour of the jumper or cardigan. The cardigan option is quite popular with girls. They do have small pockets so maybe useful for stowing a tampon without a bulky blazer? They can also wear shorts and some boys (even in y10 & 11) are wearing them. I thought they and the cardigan would be dismissed as 'primary school' but im not exactly in touch with teen trends & choices ...
Girls can wear trousers, but few choose to.

I dont know what is wrong with offering a choice & requiring at most 1 logoed item. Then those that love ties & mutipocketed blazers can wear them and those that prefer a polo can choose that.
That is the current situation at DD's school, but with a few more logoed items are required than would be my preference.