Why do primary schools have such horrid uniforms ??

[mummyloveslucy]

When I was at primary school, there was a quite strict uniform of a white blows (not a PE top) a navy skirt and a navy v-necked jumper with a school tie. This was very smart and reasonably cheep, as you pay loads for those sweat shirts with the logo on and they just look slouchy. Somthing you'd ware for lazing around the house in.
When my daughter starts school, she'll wear a lovely white crisp blowse and a nice pinnafore, but it will unfortunatly be ruined by a chunky sweat shirt over the top. I don't think they are any more practicle than a cheeper wool jumper that looks smart.
People always complain about the cost of uniforms but I wouldn't mind paying for the jumper if it looked smart.

I've rarely had to iron a polo shirt or sweatshirt.

In my day the local primaries had uniforms but generally you didn't wear it until secondary - much better all around.

Currently, there are approx 20 white shirts to be ironed each week in this household.

(That does include DH's).

I hate seeing little kids in uniforms
Having to outwardly conform from age 4, ugh
I think they should just wear whatever the hell they like until secondary school

I agree about the laces, but I'm not keen on velcro either. I prefere buckle shoes for a girl, maybe velcro for a boy ? They would have to be smart start-rites though.

Children are learning to conform since birth are they not?
We are constantly "training" our children to fit in with society and become socially acceptable.

Aren't sweatshirts interchangeable with wool jumpers? Ours are. You can buy sweatshirts with the crest on, but fade at first wash so I learned not to bother. Grey trousers or skirt/pinafore, white shirt, red jumper. I think that looks quite nice.

Sounds good.

they are not conforming
its good to feel part of a group
uniforms help with that

because little fingers can't do the blouse up quick enough before and after after PE - and dd might cry

because the pinafore can be tight and hard to get on and off and changing for PE will be hard - and dd might cry

because ties can be hard - and dd might cry

because laces are hard and - dd might cry

the sweatshirt can be pulled on

the polo has 2 buttons and it won't matter if it's done up right

so choose nice looking uniform - but make sure they wear the easy access stuff on PE days

Ties should be banned in primary schools! Most of them can't do them up and many chew them! No laces unless they can tie them.
My DSs have all hated wearing wool, they find it itchy.
If they don't have uniform they make their own; I would much rather have a school imposed one than one imposed by the trendiest children!

One thing that would put me off private education would be the sight of poor little 5 yr olds with heavy blazers, ties,shirts with cuffs and shoes with laces. Ridiculous IMO. They need polo shirts, no ties and clothes that tumble dry. A 5 yr old does not need a blazer!

I've re-done two ties this week for 11 yr-olds who can't manage themselves yet!

My dd has the solo shirt uniform and I cringe when I see her in it and is just one of a list of reasons why I am not happy with the school. Previously she had a tie formal shirt etc and she always looked very smart. Mark's and Spencer uniform does not need ironing her ghastly polo shirt does.

But WHY ties? Particularly for girls - I suppose you can argue that boys may need to wear one in later life, but girls won't.

I have a wacky theory (remember that I am a 70s feminist - I Reclaimed the Night and Embraced the Base) that making girls wear ties is sending them a message that they have to emulate boys to be worthy of an education. I am DELIGHTED that my dd's very high achieving girls secondary school doesn't have ties, and when the new Head tried to introduce them, the parents said collectively "No thank you!"

"polo shirts and sweatshirts need ironing too"

Not in this house, they don't.

And interestingly both our local secondary schools are currently in the process of abandoning ties for girls. They are bringing in open necked blouses, with revered collars, and the girls look much smarter than they ever did with ties (bearing in mind the outlandish ways teenagers find of adapting school ties!)

Yes, ties for girls totally bizarre. In fact ties on children are just ridiculous. Even the prime minister often sheds his tie (and that with knobs for Cameron). Silly garment. I like to see primary children in their own clothes, and my two younger children don't wear uniform, and I can assure you that there is no competition over clothes whatsoever. I went to a primary with no uniform, and there was no competition there either. I certainly don't want my children to have to wear shirts that I would have to iron, or silly ties or scratchy wool jumpers. I tend to assume that people who are hung up on this sort of thing just wish they could afford private school.
What you learn is far more important than what you look like.

I love our primary uniform.
it is bright red and grey.
white polo shirts red jumpers grey trousers grey socks, black shoes.
They all look so smart

All school uniforms are horrid imo

My DDs' primary school uniform is fine on the individual, but when you put them all together, it looks a mess. They don't realy have a uniform, just standard colours - bacause the children are kitted out from Sainsbury's, Tesco's, Woollies, M&S, Debenhams, Next, Mothercare, Matelan etc. etc.

I love ties - always have.

Loving the idea of passing down polo shirts - DD's were just cheap from tesco, but they have frilly collars - DS would be teased mercilessly in them!!

I do like her school sweatshirt - not sure if that is because it is V neck rather than roundneck though, so when they get to the blouse/shirt and tie year groups you get the collar and tie bit visible.

I can't stand seeing girls in ties - at DS's school the girls have proper v-neck blouses. DS has to wear a proper shirt with an elasticated tie, it looks lovely but he is a long way off being able to do it himself. A polo shirt would be great.

DD (age 3.5) has to wear a blouse and a kilt, jumper etc. I took all the buttons off the kilt and replaced them with velcro so she can undo the kilt easily and put it back on. Her teacher is very grateful that she can do the buttons on her blouse!

at our primary there is the option of sweatshirt type cardigans for the girls which is nicer with pinnafores.
My big moan is the colour - banana yellow. It shows up every little mark and will not wash clean. £10 a sweatshirt and they only look nice for a couple of days.

My dd always looked noce in her toe and wears ties out of school as has her mother. But I agree a nice cotton open necked blouse looks nice.