Why does my DD's coat have to be Black or Navy?

[firsttimemama]

My DC's primary school has a Navy/Grey school uniform. I abide by the school uniform rules. In the past couple of years they have stated that coats's must also be Black or Navy. DD is Yr 6 I cannot see the sense in this. Given their expense I do not want to buy two winter coats I want to buy a coat that my DD will want to wear and therefore not look for every excuse under the sun not to wear it. I have bought a dark green winter coat for her. I am loathed to purchase another one for the last few winter months at this school. AIBU?

[CancellyMcChequeface]

Uniform policies that extend to coats are ridiculous.

When I was at secondary school, there was a policy that all coats had to be brown, to match our utterly hideous brown uniform. So I didn't wear a coat to school. I did wear my nice warm black winter coat everywhere else. We couldn't afford two winter coats, so that was my choice - I wouldn't have worn a 'uniform-approved coat' outside of school, and possibly not even to school once I was a teenager.

I found out that some years after I left they altered the policy so that every student also has to purchase the exact same school rucksack. It's as if they'd already done the stuff with expensive logoed blazers and skirts from a school supplier, decades ago, so they had to think up something even more bizarre and impractical.

I disagree with school uniform in general but if a school is going to have one it should be simple, like - white shirt, grey jumper, grey trousers or skirt. To be bought from anywhere. Rules about things like coats are senseless, and I disagree with the idea that people should follow rules just because they're rules.

[HamletsSister]

What next? Uniform pyjamas?

[smellyboot]

Don't get me started on shoes. Luckily we don't have that non sense either. DC wear shoes they like suitable for the weather. Most parents buy traditional sspchool shoes but we don't have a policy that tells them to. By late juniors half are in others types of schools

[Crazeeee]

School uniform is not compulsory in Primary School so tell the Dep Head to focus on more important things like the education in the school rather than making sure all the DC look like clones in the playground as well as inside the school. I would actually put this in writing rather than waiting for your DD to get pulled up again. I would also ask for clarification on why the DC all have to have the same colour coats and what impact it will have on their education if they don't but then I am a PITA parent.

It makes me snort, all those who say, well you signed up for COMPULSORY education, you should follow the rules. As if you actually have a choice in where your DC go or what petty rules they dream up.

It is only because of 'sheep' mentality like that on here that they get away with it.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

It is only because of 'sheep' mentality like that on here that they get away with it

I agree.

I also wish people would have the courage to admit that they like the logos because it's obvious what school the kid goes to and that they'd rather pay 15 pound a jumper in order to make sure that they couldn't possibly be mistaken for attending as they both wear red....

There seems to be a massive amount of blindness to the fact that many items are not practical or comfortable when it comes to schools. Shirts and ties for 4 yr olds anyone????

God people have started threads on here wanting to call SS when they keep seeing kids playing in the street who don't appear to have coats even in winter or are out playing in the snow in a pair of Sandals or ballet pumps.

Yet are happy to send their kids to schools that don't allow coats to be worn even outside the gates, won't allow girls in trousers and Wear stupid Mary Jane shoes.

What is it about the school situation that makes parents not only put up with nonsense that leaves the kids uncomfortable/cold/wet etc, but also be grateful for the privilege to do so

[Crazeeee]

My DSs's school have now implemented regulation SCHOOL BAGS which cost £20 and can only be bought from the school uniform shop, of course, from which the school get a cut.

It only applies to the lower school luckily so my DSs are not affected so I have had no reason to complain but all the those parents seem to have dutifully complied. Why?!

[Gileswithachainsaw]

We have to have book bags in infants. Think they between 8-10 pounds so less than what you pay. The excuse being that they need them to fit in the boxes in the classroom as there's not enough room on pegs.

However there is space for lunch box wraps and water bottle trays and pe kits as a result of everything having to be carried separately

What kinda idiot builds a Cloak room that can't hold back packs. Pretty bloody basic need for a cloak room surely?

And why do they need to have the bags in the room..they change books like once a week ffs. Oh I know ....it's so they can fill ot with crappy advertising on a daily basis that's why...

[Gileswithachainsaw]

But the bags are shit they don't last I've had to replace once already (yr 1 now) so I'll be replacing again next year. So that's nearly 30 quid on three bags. I could have bought an "animal" bag fir less which would last the whole time

[jamdonut]

Book bags are kept in the classroom, so the children don't have to keep traipsing down to the cloakroom to get them Gileswithachainsaw.
Also, we can look through the reading diaries to see if everyone has read at home, and prioritise those who haven't, to read in school etc.
We can also put any school letters, dinner money change, homework etc in them ready to come home.
But judging by how many letters stay in the bags,unread,unsigned,not many parents bother to look in the book bags in the first place. These will be the same people who complain about not knowing about and event or parents evening appointment etc, etc.

[mathanxiety]

Hear hear, Giles.

OP, I don't think you're being unreasonable at all. I would wait until I hear more about the coat from the deputy head before contacting them.

The coat isn't actually a part of the uniform.

Not really impressed by the deputy head issuing an ultimatum to the child on a Friday and expecting compliance from the parent by Monday. Are there no guidelines for communicating directly with parents when issues arise?