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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Free second-hand uniform...

22 replies

Tw1nkle · 02/07/2013 18:38

Hi,

My DD is starting school in September, and her school offer some good quality 'used' uniforms, for free, which parents can help themselves too.

I think this is a great idea, but others don't seem to agree.

I've mentioned it to other mums I know, and they've looked at me horrified that I'm even considering it. Plus, the shelves are full, so not a lot a parents must be using them either (but more than happy to donate).

My DH also says that one set is fine, for 'spares' but he wants to go and buy a few complete sets before September.

Why are people so against the free option? Do you think my DD might get bullied?

Thanks.

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scaevola · 02/07/2013 18:46

I think the free option sounds brilliant (though I do hope there is some discreet co-ordination so eg pupil premium children get first dibs).

Schools like Eton have a thriving second hand uniform trade. Is your school posher than that?

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 02/07/2013 18:48

I think it's a good idea too, my two have both had hand-me-downs and charity shop stuff as well as new. Our local food bank now take it for distribution as well. I am sure reception aged children cannot tell the difference.

However, maybe a lot of people do just feel very strongly that for something as special as starting school they want new. I am trying to think back, I think we did want (and have) all brand new the first year, it is only now with older children that I don't think it matters. If you are happy with it and the quality is good, designs are up to date etc (watch out for old logos, ours changed a few years ago), then why not?

Original poster

Tw1nkle · 02/07/2013 18:49

I wish! lol

No, it's a normal state run primary school. The area is average, nothing special - I just can't understand why people aren't snapping it up!

I went in today as we had to take some forms in, and there was so much choice - I got DD one of everything, easily in her size!

I'm glad I know about Eton now...if anyone comments (DH has told me not to tell anyone!), I'll tell them, 'if it's good enough for Eton...'

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Original poster

Tw1nkle · 02/07/2013 18:50

Most of what I got was Marks and Spencer - and looks hardly worn.

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Prawntoast · 02/07/2013 18:51

My DD's senior and junior schools have thriving second hand clothes sales. I did buy new for reception and yr 7 though as it felt nicer to get new for the first year but after that I don't think I bought anything brand new.

UC · 02/07/2013 18:52

It sounds like a great idea, so long as the stuff is in good nick. I have 4 children to clothe, and the youngest has never owned a single piece of new school uniform. That's just common sense. The items in your school's selection have probably been worn by fewer than 4 children previously!

If I were you, I'd go in and rummage through to find all the best bits before the other parents realise how silly they're being.

superbagpuss · 02/07/2013 18:52

I was going to get my DT second hand but mil was horrified and said she will help pay for new

also I was told at work there was no point having DC if you didn't buy Clark's shoes and I was a terrible mother for thinking about not getting Clark's

Gunznroses · 02/07/2013 18:55

Sounds like a bloody good idea to me!

UniS · 02/07/2013 18:56

One of everything from the second hand shelf sounds like a good starting point. Wait till the last week of term before you help yourself to a top up so you don't deprive families who NEED it more than you do.

DS has only had 1 peice of NEW logoed uniform in 3 years at school. He has had a couple of new generic polo shirts but everything else has been hand me down or charity shop. No one notices and it all looks battered by the end of Year R.

5madthings · 02/07/2013 18:57

Fab idea, our school has a fb group run by some parents and I just put some uniform on there free to a good home as its been outgrown in record time!

Ds4 had hand me downs but I got him one set new as its part of the whole starting school thing.

noisytoys · 02/07/2013 18:59

Our school did a second hand uniform sale but the uniform they wear isn't good quality so it looked like they were selling rags. I'd rather just buy DCs a new uniform then I know what I'm getting

Original poster

Tw1nkle · 02/07/2013 19:01

Thanks everyone, I feel better about it now. My DH still doesn't want me to tell anyone though - the funny thing is, I know in a couple of months if I ask him to tell me which items were the new ones, he probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference!

OP posts:

Labro · 02/07/2013 19:08

I always pass on ds outgrown uniform, seems ridiculous to not to as they have long sleeved shirts for two terms and then short sleeved so theres hardly any wear on them but hes at the age where they seem to sprout overnight!

HarumScarum · 02/07/2013 19:25

I think that is a brilliant idea. Sounds like a sensible school!

BackforGood · 02/07/2013 23:22

I think by it being free, there's a sense of it "being for poor people" or "people who can't afford the uniform". Funnily enough, I think they would do a LOT more trade if they made it into a small fundraiser.
We do them at my dd's school.
£1 sweatshirt / cardi / trousers / skirt
50p a polo shirt / blouse / formal shirt / PE kit things
Initiative used if anything else (PE pumps or fleeces say) get donated.

They used to put out a table at the end of term and ask people to help themselves, and nobody ever did, but since we've been selling it, people snap it up . We do one about 4 x a year (once each at Christmas and Summer Fairs and once in Spring Term and once in Summer Term). Takes about an hour after school and raises £65 - £100 a time, but, most importantly, people feel they've got a bargain whilst helping raise money for the school, and also uniform is getting recycled. Win win.

Triumphoveradversity · 02/07/2013 23:27

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Triumphoveradversity · 02/07/2013 23:28

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stealthsquiggle · 02/07/2013 23:33

Almost all my DC's uniform has been second hand and will all go back to second hand shop when outgrown, unless destroyed or irredeemably stained.

If it makes your DH feel better, OP, he could claim that it is a point of environmental principle.

KrazyKurls · 02/07/2013 23:33

This is a great idea, I would do it but can't wait till end if term to bin DS's uniform after a year he looks like a proper scruff going off to school this week!

Scuffed shoes, short trousers, bobbly jumper and needing a haircut - roll on Friday for the summer holidays!

curlew · 02/07/2013 23:41

It was always the posh parents crowding round the free/ nearly free second hand uniform stall the PTA ran at our primary school. The families that really needed it wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. It was incredibly frustrating...

stealthsquiggle · 02/07/2013 23:50

I can imagine, curlew, but hard to address.

Ohwooisme · 02/07/2013 23:51

EVERYONE buys second hand uniform at our (state primary) school sales (at least once a term) - why wouldn't you? It's all donated, the PTA (who run the sales) go through it to make sure we only sell the decent stuff, everything is cheap (under £2) and all the money goes back to the PTA funds for the school. Totally win win and the kids don't care at all.

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