No school uniform and pupils call teachers by their first name

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We've put an offer in on a house that's in the catchment area for a good school that's very popular with the local parents. I think one of the reasons for its popularity is it is seen as a learning environment that suits creative children - no school uniforms, teachers are called by their first names.

DH and I are a bit more traditional in our thinking - I would prefer dd to go to a school that is a bit more formal and structured. We're not artists or musicians and I don't think dd's interests lean that way - she seems pretty academic.

Please tell me about your experiences (positive or negative) of informal schools and how your child has fared at one.

DDs school (she's still in early years) has no uniform and good staff/pupil relationships, focuses on art and creativity, yet managed to score the highest results in the area for GCSEs. Uniform and formal relationships are useful tools, but in the right environment and right school, not always necessary. I'd always look to see if a school encourages a love of learning, because if it does, the academics will shine academically, and those who are less academic will find things that they love and succeed in other ways.

DS used to go to a very sought after uniformed school. His new school, while superficially less academic (and no uniform as I said above) is much much better - just one example - the old school relentlessly marched through ORT books, one a week, a tick in the book, that was that. The new school lets him choose, changes books as often as needed - two or three times a week, and when htey read with him make proper notes in his book about what he found hard, what he thought of the story. Just better teaching imo.

But just to endorse the OP for having these worries - I wouldn't like it either. Especially not the first names bit. Our school has uniforms and no first names and I do like it I must say but clearly from the other posters, there is no obvious correlation between these two things and a performing school.

still love the uniform though

Is it Lauriston or Gayhurst by any chance?

Didn't the Sutton Trust do research that busted the commonly held belief in the role of a unifom in improving a school or raising any form of standard?

People will have different views on whether it is easier / cheaper to have uniform - as we are now in Uniform Boot Camp at secondary (and a v good local comp it is, too) I wa happier sans uniform. It was easier to adapt to the weather, DS was more comfortable - they all take off their ties as soon as they get on, as do adult men - and it is much easier to bring home someone else's jumper after PE when they all look the same. (twice, so far, in Yr7).

But to consider uniform (either way) as a reason to avoid a briliant, happy, succeeding school sounds a little unhinged, really.

Sounds great, I'd love to work in a school like that.

Children don't just need creative learning if they're going into an artistic area. Science/maths/engineering/academia all require creative thinking.

Gayhurst, sununu

Didn't the Sutton Trust do research that busted the commonly held belief in the role of a unifom in improving a school or raising any form of standard?

Yes. They concluded that a uniform was one of the least effective ways of improving a school.

a uniforms purpose is not to boost standards though is it? the primary purpose is to reduce dress competition.I couldn't afford a wardrobe full of designer clothes for each of my 4 children and would not like to think this made them a target for bullying

Nieces/nephews of mine went to one like this in NE London and did very well. The.secondary they went to didn't have uniform but then got a new head who insisted a uniform would impress Ofsted so introduced it despite parental wishes. The parents awaited Ofsted. The report indeed said the school had high morale "as shown by having a uniform policy", despite morale actually going down thanks to that and other measures designed to impress box-tickers rather than.actually work.

I know the school I think- DD goes there. It's great. I can only echo what others have said.

If it is the same school (begins with a C) , be aware of the catchment areas introduced this year and the fact that they are about to appoint a new head.

Hopes it's not an academy by Christmas

Oops, didn't read your last post, sorry OP!

Ignore me. I am very tired

DS goes to a high school where the teachers are known by first names, but they now wear a uniform.

Their academic results are excellent, and there is great mutual respect between pupils and staff. DS is very happy and relaxed, and therefore learns well in the environment.

Ha tethersend, I know some of the teachers at that one, they are lovely!

I couldn't afford a wardrobe full of designer clothes for each of my 4 children and would not like to think this made them a target for bullying

DS certainly has no expensive clothes at all, nor an extensive wardrobe. I never saw girls 'dressed up' or wearing designer or fancy or impractical clothes either. The kids just wore comepletely normal knockabout, workaday clothes, and there wasn't a sniff of any bullying around it. Not even of the small handful of kids who were made to wear pretend school uniform by their parents (standard issue school uniform check dresses from Sainsbury's etc.)

They didn't fuss and fret about what to wear either because they were all just used to it.

I've worked in a school with no uniform and first names, and there was no difference in terms of behaviour or attitude to my current school which has uniform and uses teachers' titles. I also never had to deal with any incidents of bullying because of clothing either.

Agree with Blu, no one seems to pay attention to what anyone else is wearing with my DS, but he is only in year 1, so they are very little really

Gayhurst is great. Not off the wall wacky at all if that's what you are worried about! Croc-central in summer though DH used to work there and really rated it. Lots of Hackney schools are non uniform. Sadly our nearest are mostly uniformed, the one DH is currently working at is shortly introducing a uniform, he is really sad.

Where do you live now, if that isn't too nosy?

Btw me and DH both went to non uniform (Hackney) schools in the 80s and went on to be academic high achievers (as well as being creative).

Designer labels/football shirts etc are banned, btw.

Agree with Blu, too. When DD didn't have a uniform, there was very little fuss about clothes. I found the same when I went to a non-uniform school at secondary level.

I went to seventies primary school like this... And also Oxford.

Kids go to primary school like this and we all love it. Warm trusting etc.

I've taught at a school that didn't have uniform & didn't use titles, one that had an optional uniform but did use titles, and my current one, uniform and no titles.

The uniform is useful when on school trips, and to avoid children dressing inappropriately (especially in the summer) but that's about it. I'm the same teacher whether I'm called Esmerelda or Mrs SE13!

Uniform and titles, or lack of, have very little to do with how successful/happy a school is and they are not indicators of how academic or otherwise a school is.

Dear parents, I'm looking for a school like this for my son. I will look into the two in Hackney mentioned in the posts, but the area seems a bit expensive. If you have heard of any other schools like this in or near London, could you please share? Many thanks!

Just read all posts but can't see any details or a list of schools with no uniform and on first name terms with teachers etc. Desperately looking for relaxed school with same features urgently for entry into Year 7 or 8 if anyone can advise somewhere ASAP.
We're in Surrey/West Sussex/Kent borders. :-)

Kids at school age are growing rapidly, i see no point or reason why British schools are so obsessed with uniform. Why waste precious money on uniform every year??? Some may argue uniform is needed as it promotes equality among kids and reduces bullying. To me this argument is rubbish, how can a school promote equality if students are allowed to show off their expensive mobile phone and gadgets to their mates in school?