UK MNer with a child in school? We'd like to hear from you - vouchers to be won

[JustineBMumsnet]

We'd like to hear your thoughts on school terms and making purchases for school.

This survey is open to UK Mumsnet users with at least one child who is currently of school age, will still be of school age in the next school year and attends school.

All who complete the survey will receive an entry into our monthly prize draw where 3 Mumsnet users will win a £150 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Click here to complete the survey.

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw
MNHQ

Insight T&Cs apply

Stopped filling this in, because most of the required answers options were so far from the truth that it was meaningless.

Hi @isittheholidaysyet - thanks for your feedback! Throughout this survey if you find there's not a relevant answer option for your particular experience you should be able to select "other" and give your own response, rather than using the list - we'll incorporate any of these other responses into our analysis, so they wouldn't be meaningless. If there's anything specific you struggle with beyond this please let us know and we can look into it.

Wasn't sure if number of times replaced in school year included initial purchase, also I've replaced uniform every two years and that wasn't an option.

Surely everyone just replaces uniform when the child has grown out of it, or they move to a different school or part of the school. that varies from child to child and year to year.

@underneaththeash
I usually buy the next size (well every second size) ready for the new school year when it's easily available but then swap from old to new when outgrown.

There wasn't options for replacing uniform less than every year.

Also wasn't sure whether 1 time replacement meant the time you buy it at first.

The survey assumes parents/pupils have a choice. Not so if the school has a strict uniform code and a single supplier. I like the idea of buying decent quality material to last longer but when the only option is a brown nylon skirt, preference over quality and price is irrelevant.

DD broke up today band we went to the sole uniform supplier as she needed new PE kit and a new jumper. 2 of the three items she needed were unavailable and the supplier admitted they weren't getting new stock until the summer.

Really doesn't help when your child has grown exponentially and has noodles for legs. And keeps getting told off for too short skirts & PE kit.

I found it a bit tricky. Dd is moving from a school where you could buy things in a supermarket to big school where everything has to be purchased from the school, apart from shoes and undies. Dreading it.

DD goes to non uniform school (bliss). Couldn't respond for her situation.

Our school changes uniform at October half term (to winter) and Easter (to summer). I can't see how you'll get that from this survey

[quote Svara]**@underneaththeash
I usually buy the next size (well every second size) ready for the new school year when it's easily available but then swap from old to new when outgrown.[/quote]
Oh that is a great tip!

I buy next size up in the sales when I can makes life cheaper

Really bad survey design and a lot of middle class mum assumptions. I did fill it in but think there were more questions needed to add context if mn are planning to sell on insights to a brand or lobby off this.

@Cuck00soup

The survey assumes parents/pupils have a choice. Not so if the school has a strict uniform code and a single supplier. I like the idea of buying decent quality material to last longer but when the only option is a brown nylon skirt, preference over quality and price is irrelevant.

DD broke up today band we went to the sole uniform supplier as she needed new PE kit and a new jumper. 2 of the three items she needed were unavailable and the supplier admitted they weren't getting new stock until the summer.

Really doesn't help when your child has grown exponentially and has noodles for legs. And keeps getting told off for too short skirts & PE kit.

I don't think families sending children to private schools are the target for this survey.

Who mentioned private schools?

Done.
I agree more detail’s required with some questions as not all possibilities are covered.
I often repair/adapt uniform through out the year. I buy trousers which have a decent hem so I can let them down when needed for eg.
Also how much is bought of each item is important too. Some people will buy one for each day, while others may only buy one or 2 and wear them for a couple of days.
It’s much more complicated than the survey allows for I’m afraid.
But fingers crossed I win the voucher.
Wonder if I can use it for my energy bill

The questions didn't give me the option to share the most important consideration for me when purchasing uniform - which is fit!

i struggled with the "how often you replace" Q, too

DS mostly has 2nd hand from other brothers. blazers (2nd hand) are only items I've bought him in years

My eldest is at a special needs school so the info for his things in terms of staffing etc will be quite different from those at a mainstream. I assume private schools will also have different results in this section?

I buy 5 school shirts at the beginning of the year and don't replace after that.

There wasn't any options for SEN children, my DD wears a slightly different uniform and needs it replacing often.

The first page questions don't cover when you have to buy some or many items from single suppliers (which happens in state schools too)

Also you need a 'n/a' for questions including wrap around care as this survey covers all the way to sixth form, and secondary schools often have none

@DoreensEatingHerSoreen

The questions didn't give me the option to share the most important consideration for me when purchasing uniform - which is fit!

An important point!

As is an option for hand-me-down from older siblings, neighbours/friends with older DC at the same school

Completed, my child has sensory needs so this was joy an option when filling out this survey, have to pick items for comfort with easy fastenings etc..