Can a primary school enforce uniform rules ? New head making his mark I think

[PenisColada]

My ds is 5 and has allergies and lifelong eczema.

A new head teacher has started this term and is now insisting all shirts are tucked into trousers / skirts. They wear polo shirts.

My ds came home crying as it really irritates his skin. He wears very lose clothing and cannot tolerate anything remotely tight even waistbands / cuffs etc.

Am I right in thinking primary schools cannot legally enforce uniforms or did I imagine that ?

I intend to ring the school next week and request an exception is made due to my ds skin condition. Do you think that will be taken into account ?

I wish new heads would not come in and make changes for no good reasons.

It's not for no good reason - it's so everyone looks smart.

I'm sure they'll be understanding if you explain your son's condition. Poor thing if it made him cry. I'd tell them just how upset he was.

I don't know about legalities, sorry.

Our new head did this also. Loads of new rules, but most of them good.

You child needs to get used to this, as in a secondary school this would be the norm. However, speaking as a teacher, if the shirt is untucked under a jumper and I can't see it sticking out then it's no problem.

I would still speak to the school though, but can't imagine his friends being pleased he has got away with breaking a simple school rule if he is allowed to ignore it!

Maybe his trousers need to be slightly looser to accommodate the tucked in shirt? Presumably the waistband of his trousers generally makes contact with his waist or they'd fall down? A cotton polo shirt is surely less likely to cause irritation than the trousers next to his skin?

What form does the irritation take? Is there anything to see? (sore patches, rash etc?) If his skin is really irritated that badly, then with the support of your doctor the school will waive the policy for him. Obviously I don't know what his skin complaint is or how it affects him, but maybe he needs some time to get used to it feeling different.

I do take exception to the "no good reason" though. I work in a school where a new head started enforcing uniform and tucked in shirts about 2 years ago. The change in the children's overall behaviour and sense of pride is amazing. Their general discipline has improved immeasurably, which has a direct effect on their learning, they look better when representing the school in the community and they know how you "should" dress in situations where you are required to be smart. IMO too many people have no idea how to dress appropriately for the situation - In a previous job I often discounted an interview candidate because his shirt wasn't tucked in!! It's all part of their education and it is important.

Obviously having a shirt tucked in, even though it causes your ds pain, is an educational imperative, how will your son get a good edumacation if his shirts out??

Comforts no good for children, I tell you, mine wears a hair shirt, she's a hugely intelligent because of it.
I,d explain, then send your child in so he is confortable.
Ffs, i'm against uniforms, but I can see why some detest them.

Not against.^

Witch, OP hasn't told the school that this causes an issue for her son yet. When she does I'm sure she'll find they want a solution.

For most children tucking in a polo shirt wouldn't make them uncomfortable in any way shape of form, but it does (IME) make a big difference to discipline, which yes, does directly affect the quality of the education they receive.

They may be able to enforce rules. But there have to be exceptions. Talk to the head. And if the head is intransigent, get a doctors letter. And if the head is still intransigent, and won't work to find a solution (ie looser clothers), take it to the LEA. But I'd be amazed if the head was actually arsey about it. The rule is meant to be in the best interests of children; it shouldn't be enforced if it isn't.

A polo shirt doesn't looked scruffy if it isn't tucked in. Very petty.
Can you get a note from your GP op? I would do that before talking to the Head.

X post with expansive girth

Yes, uniform can be enforced at primary level.

Yes, it is a good idea to go in to find a mutually acceptable work-around. If the tucking in has actually precipitated the eczema it would be worth photographing it so the school can clearly see why you need an adaptation on medical grounds.

How did you manage so far if he cannot do waistbands?

His waistbands are loose and sort of sit on his hips. He cannot tolerate them fitting tightly at all and spends a lot of time pulling them up but he is happy with this.

It is not a washing powder thing and I just really think his skin is sensitive as we have to take out all labels and itchy seams can be a problem too. We keep on top of the eczema with very proactive treatment as soon as a patch appears ( a nasty infected bout last year was hideous and taught us to get on top of it as soon as it is visible) so here is not always very visible signs on his skin.

Winter is much worse too as he is dust mite allergic and any cold / bug also leads to a flare up. Summer months are blissful and much better for his skin.

I think I will ring the school and ask to speak to the head and gauge the reaction. I am sure a GP note will not be a problem as he has repeat prescriptions for creams and bath stuff every month.

Thanks for the replies love the polarised views on uniforms ! My older dc have to tuck shirts in but they are proper shirt and tie shirts would never think to tuck in polo shorts before this.

Exceptions to rules are made all the time, OP, make your case calmly & convincingly, get a note from GP perhaps to help fortify your nerves, if you can find room for compromise then do.

hem poloshirt so it doesn't show out bottom of jumper.
No one will notice.

Rule will go out the window soon enough, primary DCs don't do tucking in.

What does he normally wear over the polo shirt?

Would one option be to shorted his polo shirts, so that once he puts a sweatshirt over them there is no untucked 'frill' of polo short round the bottom? As a previous poster said, I wouldn't make someone tuck in their polo shirt if it had a sweatshirt / jumper on neatly over it and I couldn't see any polo shirt polking out around the bottom...but I would if I could see the aforementioned 'frill'.

Have a chat to the school - I hope they'll be understanding. Poor little mite.

Incidentally, my son is in Y5 and has never tucked his polo shirt in. Ever. We get a larger sized sweatshirt so that it is comfortable and falls below the bottom of said polo shirt.

He is a great student. He has pride in his school. He looks smart.

Uniform IS enforceable in Primary School - they just can't send children home for not wearing it though as you can in Secondary.

His polo shirt is fairly long to compensate for low slung trousers as mentioned above ! The sweatshirt is a bit more snug but as it is not in direct contact with skin does not seem to be a problem

Just to deal with the legalities, it seems there is a widespread belief that uniform cannot legally be enforced in primary schools. I'm afraid it is a myth. A primary school is legally entitled to enforce its uniform.

It is for the governing body of a school to decide whether there should be a school uniform and other rules relating to appearance, and if so what they should be. This flows from the duties placed upon the governing body by statute to conduct the school (1) and to ensure that school policies promote good behaviour and discipline amongst the pupil body.(2)

However there is also a clear mandate around disability discrimination, which is now the equalities legislation, to allow for variations in the uniform where it might be a problem. In some of the DfE information it does talk about the need for some to have a different material because they are allergic to the type of fabric used in for instance shirts.

Your need to talk to the head teacher but if they prove to be unmovable then a formal complaint to the head teacher, mentioning the Equalities Act may make the school change their mind, along with a doctor's note confirm the skin condition.

1. Section 21 of the Education Act 2002, as amended by the Education and Inspections Act 2006.
2. Section 88 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006..

A primary school is legally entitled to enforce its uniform, but does that include specifying exactly how the uniform is worn ie shirt tucked in or out?

FWIW, my children don't wear the official school polos shirts or sweatshirts because they're made of synthetic materials that aggravate their eczema. My dd in particular cannot stand anything too close to her skin, I know exactly what you mean OP and I would be very happy to explain this at length to the school should the issue arise.

Seriously small DCs will not keep their tops tucked in, the HT is living on that cloud that only HT live on.

The same one that seems not to notice that every time you complain the girls skirts are a bit short, they shrink a bit more.

yellowsubmarine53 - Yes, they can specify that. Indeed, they can specify pretty much anything they want within reason. Under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 s61 the head has broad powers to make and enforce rules "regulating the conduct of pupils" provided they act in accordance with the principles laid down by the governors.

Ok I don't know about the legalities of it all. But where I grew up it was all the norm to have out shirts tucked in or even to wear tie boys or girls. Sometimes I feel parents here complain about the UK being a nanny state but they complain about silly things like this all the time

Is it possible that you can let your son wear a soft cotton vest on under his shirt.

I suppose the issue for OP (and me hypothetically) is that it isn't reasonable to insist a shirt is tucked in if it exacerbates a medical condition and/or causes the child distress.

That's interesting to know about disability and equalities discrimination, though, should the issue arise.

Sorry, eva, but come to my house when my dd is being persuaded to wear something even slightly uncomfortable to her (think socks with seams on the inside) and then tell me her level of distress is 'silly'.

Of course the Head can do this.

Why don't you put your son in a vest under his uniform? Surely this would stop the uniform irritating/scratching his skin? (speaking as someone with eczema myself...so yes, I do know how it feels)

I think you should work out how to make this work, rather than just say you can't do it!

Legally I don't think state primaries can enforce a uniform as such, though it can be strongly recommended and advised. They must make sure the uniform is widely available and affordable too I believe. It;s more of a dress code I guess.

Your DS may not be happy being the only child not in uniform - this is something to bear in mind. However if you speak to the school about your DS's medical issues then I am sure a compromise must be possible.