Any primary schools with no uniform in London (or anywhere)?

[LewishamMum]

I'm really anti school uniform. I went to a state primary outside London and there was no uniform. I did have to wear uniform from 11-16, but was then back out of it for the sixth form.

I really don't want my DD to wear uniform AT ALL when she starts school. I just think it's silly and wrong and right wing and stifles individuality. Most of the Western World gets on without them, why can't we?

I'm currently in Lewisham, but likely to be moving in the next couple of years in any event, but staying within South London. Seriously, are there any STATE schools, preferably maintained, with absolutely no uniform from 4 to 11?

Henry Maynard doesn't have a uniform. It's in Walthamstow, though, so not South London.

I think there are a few schools left that don't wear uniform. They are few and far between though.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/education/3951082-Definitive-List-of-Non-Uniform-no-uniform-Schools

Not sure if this link will work, but there's a previous thread about this.

There are several non-uniform schools in Haringey, my daughter is at one. I don't know about S London though

Honeywell in Battersea. There one in Forest Gate I think- don’t know the name though. A friends children went there. Not sure why uniform is ‘Right wing’? Makes it much easier in the mornings...

@prairiegirl81
Thank you so much! And more of them are in Lewisham than anywhere else....seems I won't be moving that far :).

Honeywell school in SW11. You’ll need to move within spitting distance to get a place though, catchment is regularly

@0ldandgrey
Well, who supports it most of all? I can't imagine someone who voted Tory putting this post forward.
Not sure about easier either. Ironing shirts is where I go from bring a Beta plus to an Omega Mummy; plus you need to learn to just make choices and get dressed. And it's only school - happy for a "uniform" of jeans/leggings and anything goes top, just so long as it's not imposed from above!

@minipie
Most expensive outfit I had as a kid was my secondary uniform.
Never bought anything fancy...I mostly shop at Primark for me and my DD, and have lots of stuff from freecycle.
I'm just totally not interested in clothes/fashion and never have been. But I'm also pro individuality and creativity and uniforms make me think of Eton and the army and lots of posho right wing things. Plus, I really do think it's cruel for 4 year olds.

And it's only school - happy for a "uniform" of jeans/leggings and anything goes top, just so long as it's not imposed from above!

Right, so what happens when your kid comes downstairs dressed for school in their fancy party frock? Or in a summer jumpsuit when it’s 8 degrees and raining? You will then need to tell them to go change into something more practical… that’s imposing from above, it’s just from you not the school!

The Horniman School in Forest Hill has no uniform policy.

[quote LewishamMum]@minipie
Most expensive outfit I had as a kid was my secondary uniform.
Never bought anything fancy...I mostly shop at Primark for me and my DD, and have lots of stuff from freecycle.
I'm just totally not interested in clothes/fashion and never have been. But I'm also pro individuality and creativity and uniforms make me think of Eton and the army and lots of posho right wing things. Plus, I really do think it's cruel for 4 year olds.[/quote]
Fine, so what happens when your child comes home and says mummy everyone has clothes from X shop why can’t I? Uniform avoids this

By the way nothing in my child’s uniform needs ironing

@minipie

And it's only school - happy for a "uniform" of jeans/leggings and anything goes top, just so long as it's not imposed from above!

Right, so what happens when your kid comes downstairs dressed for school in their fancy party frock? Or in a summer jumpsuit when it’s 8 degrees and raining? You will then need to tell them to go change into something more practical… that’s imposing from above, it’s just from you not the school!

LOL

I completely agree with you but parental choice on this seems to have disappeared with the advent of academies/superheads who are obsessed with branding.

My primary was non uniform but I had a uniform at secondary. I was an FSM kid and it was much easier to wear my own individual clothes as the comparisons between our uniform skirts and jumpers were much more obvious.

I really resent spending money on poor quality clothes which I wouldn't otherwise buy in order for my child to get an education. Some of the academies feel entitled to demand all kinds of fripperies like ties, hats and blazers at primary school. Given that most parents have no choice of school it feels like you just have to hope that the school is sensible and doesn't get taken over at some point.

This is one of many reasons why I home educate @LewishamMum have you considered it?

What is cruel about a polo shirt, a sweatshirt and a pair of trousers?

@minipie
It is simply not the case that everyone does. Clearly they don't, and I do live in one of the poorest London boroughs, albeit like there's also thousands of houses that would sell for more than a million. (NB not worth more than a million!)

And seriously, I do not believe that any 4 or 5 year would be capable of caring about a label. Having a pretty dress, yes, Happy an amazing toy? Defo. Labels? They can't even read!!!

Plus, I really do think it's cruel for 4 year olds.

I don't think you know what "cruel" actually means.

@MyDcAreMarvel
I've thought about it in a not very serious way until the age of about 8...basically because I'm against formal education at a young age rather than anything else. I'm concerned about the socialisation aspect though. My brother is autistic and I am very introverted - I think my DD will gain a wider circle of friends in a school.
Plus it's not really that practical - I'm a single parent, and hoping to have more kids so need to work and I just wouldn't be able to do it.
In an ideal world though I would "home educate" or rather not educate but let them just play, mostly outside, until about 8.

@Antiqueanniesmagiclanternshow
First, I accept there are more serious human rights abuses out there, but yes, I think it's cruel that a young child can't go to school in their favourite leggings, Christmas jumper (and not just on Christmas jumper day when it's permitted), and any colour or every colour on their T shirt. Why shouldn't they be able to have fun and express themselves? It is not about showing off labels - there's plenty of colourful glittery stuff on primark and freecycle, which is where 90% of my DDs stuff comes from.

Most 4 and 5 year old I know were very excited to get their school uniform and school shoes etc.
The angst involved on what to wear on non uniform days makes me very relieved mine had uniform. ( and it was cheap uniform).

And seriously, I do not believe that any 4 or 5 year would be capable of caring about a label. Having a pretty dress, yes, Happy an amazing toy? Defo. Labels? They can't even read!!!

I've met many many children of this age and trust me lots of the absolutely cared about the brands and labels of their clothing because that's what their parents had instilled in them as being important. I think you're being incredibly niave to think no children care about this sort of stuff.

Personally I would be looking for a school which met the needs of my child and if it had no uniform that would be a nice bonus. I certainly wouldn't be making it my primary factor in deciding which school my child would be attending.

Seriously, it is so much easier with uniform.
I get your point with being an individual but I'd have more concern about how my child's school was going to encourage this within their education rather than the uniform.
Uniform saves peer pressure on clothes and also helps the encourage pride for their school and community.

You would seriously move house just so your kids don't have to wear a uniform for a few years???

OP Would you be up for a relaxed uniform school? I don’t like uniform, but had no choice on a school without it. But in reality it’s school polo, school jumper / cardi, grey pinafore/skirt/trousers/skort/anything else the uniform section sells eg culottes. Black shoes of any style. Summer dresses / play suits any time if you want, no rules on sock colour, no blazers etc. They’re very sensible and don’t fuss about wrong shoes.

Some local schools are tie and proper shirt for all kids - I’m glad I avoided those.

@BrizzleMaverick
This may sound weird, but I positively dislike people who are proud of their school. I thought it was weird as a child when people cared about whether their school beat some other school at football or whatever. As an adult I've met too many people, many of them who went to top universities and are members of high ranking professions, who still think their school is more important than anything else even in middle and late age.
I really really don't want them to be proud of their school. Happy yes, but pride suggests an achievement. It is not achievement to go to a particular primary school, and you are no better than others at other schools.

Streatham Wells Primary in Tulse Hill.