Book bag/backpack?

[misscph1973]

Hi everyone, I am not normally very active here, but I really need the advice of seasoned English mums re book bags/backpacks!

I am from Denmark and I have now been in the UK for 4 years. The school system is very different from what I am used to but overall I am happy with my children's school and so are they.

Now book bags... We tried them (from the school's uniform shop), and they are not great, they can't hold anything but a few thin books (hence the name I guess) and they are quite flimsy. So we got sturdy backpacks (kid sizes, not backpacker style) and they love them. This is what I had when I was a child, and they can hold the books, jumper/cardigan, water bottle etc.

I just got the newsletter from school and part of it was:

"Recently staff have raised concerns that some children are starting to arrive at school with large bags/ rug sacks (sic). These are too large to hang safely in our corridor and pose a trip hazard. Please can you help the school to maintain a safe environment by only sending PE and book bags into school. Thank you for your anticipated support."

I just think that is plain silly. I am very careful with the school uniforms, I really try my best to always send my kids in school in proper uniform, maybe because I am foreign I really don't want my kids to look any different than the other kids. But I am really disappointed that back packs all of a sudden are not allowed.

Can they do this? Should I ignore it? Should I explain to the head (who is very nit-picky and particular, but I actually get on fine with her regardless) that it is not on and just over the top?

I would appreciate your views, opinions and advice.

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Hello, this thread is a little old now and some of the links are out of date. Take a look at this handy page for a round up of the best backpacks, chosen by Mumsnetters.

Our journey to school can be a nightmare.

When they bike, the bookbag straps dont go shot enough to prevent the bag getting in the way, then they have a packed lunchbag each too - long strap ones are worn the opposite way to the bookbag, but they look so weighed down . Short ones get in the way of the handle bars.

Then, dc1 has a school rucksack for pe kit, which is brilliant. But they stopped allowing them. So dc2 has to have a drawstring bag for kit, which has strings far too long (and non adjustable), that keep slipping off the shoulders. Luckily these are only taken home twice a week!

Then they have to bring water bottles home every day, so thats an extra thing to carry - the bookbags fall open if the bottles go in there.

The bags are also not at all weatherproof, so their books get soaked.

Mine have a bookbag and use a rucksack to carry it in (along with lunchbox and bottle) rucksack stays in cloakroom, bookbag goes in their tray in the class room.

Our school gave the children bookbags and insisted that the children brought another bag with their other items such as snacks etc. in as they didn't want books ruined by other things.