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?

[quote LewishamMum]@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.[/quote]
I think the issue isn't the uniform but your experience of school life.

I went to the local primary (no uniform), local comprehensive (basic uniform of black shoes, trousers, white polo t-shirt and school jumper), it was far from the best school but I'm still proud I went there as it's my school, my friends, my community not what the school or I achieved there.
It's pride as in 'this is my school and I am happy to go there each day, do my work and make friends and memories' not necessarily pride as in competition with other schools or league tables.

Most primary school uniform is very basic (ok some have shirt, tie & blazer) but most don't as they know the kids end up losing it or breaking it.

I think you need to focus on what the school can offer your child rather than looking at the uniform.

My dc didn't have to wear uniform during hun schools in lockdown. My word what a nightmare it was. Choosing and changing, good clothes getting ruined. Was so glad to see uniform come back - comfy uniform. Dd1 wears shorts and a polo with her school logo jumper, dd2 wears leggings or joggers or skirt with polo and cardi or summer or pinafore dress. Those things are enough choice and time consuming as it is.

[quote LewishamMum]@ufucoffee
Well actually I think it can be difficult. Until a few months ago I relied upon a launderette (admittedly not now, but plenty of families local to me do), and even without that, working full time and bringing up young kids, particularly as a single parent is hard.
Making sure you've got the right shirt ready for each morning is an extra stress/worry I could do without, when there are other Tshirts and tops that are already washed.
And the vast majority of adults don't work in uniform. I would never work anywhere with a uniform, so I think that's a silly comparison.[/quote]

You'd never work anywhere with a uniform...

This shows the issue is yours not what is best (as in what school is best) for your child.

Just seen that your DD is only 5mths, you are in for more battles before having to deal with uniform or non uniform.

Have you considered a Steiner School?
It wouldn't be my preference, but I wonder if it might be closer to your preferences?

I am anti uniforms too. Really really dislike them. But sometimes in life you have to compromise. I live next door (literally) to a primary school. Horrible uniform with blazers and ties. But I sent my daughter there because I live NEXT DOOR and it was obviously convenient and was very much a community school because the catchment is small.
Convenience and community are quite important I believe.
The uniform was a pile of shite in my opinion - but I gave up caring.
Remember by the time your tiny 5 month old is old enough for school the entire school system could have changed (the government love to fiddle around with schools and curriculum and what not). Stop worrying about it now. Focus on your daughter being a baby. Because that's what she currently is.

I mean there is so much about school that's annoying and restrictive, uniform (which I'm not a fan of either) is relatively benign in the end. The alternative is homeschooling which I wouldn't do so you just have to compromise.

We’re just about to return to the Uk after 5 years in the states and I am dreading the uniform! When we left, it was primary but secondary is so much stricter. When the kids wear their own clothes every day, it becomes such a non issue-they’re generally not as interested. It was so refreshing to see the kids wear whatever they wanted and develop so many different styles. The only restriction was no hats in the classroom.

@Allington

All pupils look the same, treated the same, taught the same

This isn't true though. There are variations within clothes even with a uniform.

I would hope that pupils are treated/taught according to what they need as individuals. DD has a restricted curriculum so she can get extra support in core subjects, for example (changed country/curriculum, plus has some support needs).

If a pupil was especially talented e.g. at a sport or music and had opportunities to develop that talent, I would hope the school would be flexible and support that.

If a child had a medical condition that meant they might need to leave class, or eat or drink in class, I would hope the school would allow that.

'Treating everyone the same' means selecting one group to prioritise, and ignoring the needs of everyone who doesn't fit into that group.

Obviously educational needs are taken into account.

Many community primaries in Camden / Islington / Haringey have no uniform.

My DD's high school didn't when she went but it's since been introduced due to constant bullying over brands etc

@motogogo

My DD's high school didn't when she went but it's since been introduced due to constant bullying over brands etc

I was going to say something similar. I only know two historically non uniform schools - both have introduced uniform in the last 5 years. Our local state secondary is even reintroducing a uniform of sorts for their sixth form. I would caution the OP to choose a place to live based on the current rules of any school as these change a lot in 4/5 years.

*can change

*to not choose. Oh I give up

if uniform makes everything so easy why aren't parents in Finland ( best results in Europe) France Germany Holland Spain Denmark Italy etc etc campaigning for uniforms because most kids just settle to normal clothes of jeans leggings t shirts and hoodies there is no novelty either a school deals with bullying for any and any reasosn or it does not
ok most have a few rules like it being safe, weather appropiate not too revealing and no swear words
Considering the love for all things EU the EU attitude to kids just wearing clothes to school seems not to have taken off in fact uniforms are illegal in sweden and italy

even in Scotland uniform can not be a condition of education so you can't be sent home or put in isolation or denied place in orchestra etc so most uniforms are fairly basic
black trousers or skirt white shirt school tie black flat shoes or trainers often a no denim or leggings rule but there's not much they can do about it, that ssaid I would say 98% of pupils mostly wear uniform most common default is a black hoodie instead of black jumper
unless private I know of no school with rules about coats or bags
there are rules about sectarianism so you can't wear football stripe or scarf

i hate it that some schools deliberately have a very expensive uniform to deter poorer families from applying.
this happens round here.
so many sharp elbowed middle-class types. they manage to set up the schools and run them as a kind of club, to exclude people, the wrong sort of people, yet don't have to pay fees.

@alexdgr8 yes I know I don't think state schools should be allowed to do that
it should just be trousers /skirts in black or grey; white or pale blue shirts school jumper ( any colour in supermarket black/grey/navy/royal blue /green/red/burgundy) and a tie for secondary this still gives lots and lots of variables (28 before you add in tie) no blazers in state schools no logo on jumper if a school tie
PE kit t shirt in school colour, black shorts/joggers/ sports leggings and trainers for all schools no requirements for different kit for different sports
fo primary black/grey/navy trousers/skirts/ pinafore shorts polo shirt ( numerous colours) and sweatshirt ( numerous colours too) can have logo but must be available as badge to sew on ( shorts or gingham dresses for summer april to end september summer uniform is an option never compulsory)
prices on badge/tie limited to £5
all schools flat shoes or unbranded trainers in black; white/grey/ black socks or tights no rules about coats except must be waterproof with hood and warm enough to be outside in winter
no offensive slogans or large branding on bags and big enough to hold what is necessary
and definitely no rules about style of trousers, skirts, colour of hair (any style provided safe and can be tied back if required) colour of hair accessories scarves or gloves

There’s a primary school in Sheffield - I think it’s Netgetgreen Primary - where the uniform is (or at least was!) sweatshirts with/without school crest, polo shirts and leggings/joggers/shorts in any colours. If not any colours, then there was a wide selection of acceptable colours. I don’t know if it’s still that, it’s been a few years since I’ve lived there, but I rather liked that idea.

@TeacupDrama

if uniform makes everything so easy why aren't parents in Finland ( best results in Europe) France Germany Holland Spain Denmark Italy etc etc campaigning for uniforms because most kids just settle to normal clothes of jeans leggings t shirts and hoodies there is no novelty either a school deals with bullying for any and any reasosn or it does not ok most have a few rules like it being safe, weather appropiate not too revealing and no swear words Considering the love for all things EU the EU attitude to kids just wearing clothes to school seems not to have taken off in fact uniforms are illegal in sweden and italy

It comes up every now and then. The main worry is the cost, most people imagine uniform being blazers, ties, straw hats and canes... I had no idea that uniform could be an ugly sweatshirt and a cheap flammable pair of synthetic trousers and only cost a few pounds in a supermarket...

My DD is going to a non uniform primary. Our second choice school. Interestingly, we couldn’t decided between our top two schools at all, both really appealed to us for various reasons. The deciding factor for me was actually I wanted DD to wear a uniform. I loved mine as a kid. I very much enjoyed primary & most of secondary school & my uniform gave me a real sense of pride & belonging. In college & uni, where there was no uniform, most of us lived in hoodies with the name of said college & uni slashed across it! Again, it was a pride & belonging thing.

So it’s taken me a bit of time to come round to the no uniform thing. The school is excellent, I know my DD will thrive. But I am sad at the no uniform thing 😅 but at the end of the day, a uniform really is far below the priority of a good education & a convenient to get too school!

I think some uniforms are insane. But a polo & sweater .. not so much. That’s what most of the kids at DD’s new school actually wear anyway, just with leggings or joggers instead of school trousers!

Brindishe Lee. Not sure about the other Brindishe schools but the Lee one has a v v small catchment and no uniform. You’d have to live pretty much next door to get in.

Plenty of non uniform schools in Lewisham: Horniman and Edmund Waller springs to mind. Ivydale in Southwark has a really lax “uniform” policy. The Brindishe schools in Lee don’t have uniform either.

@SpringBluebellWoods

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.

I agree. My local school is like this but even more relaxed in that the children can wear any white polo shirt or any navy jumper or cardigan, they don’t have to be the branded school ones. They have children who go to school in black jumpers too and brightly computed tights and they don’t seem to be fussed, as long as the children are appropriately dressed for the weather, that’s the main concern there.

Some schools have a uniform which still allows plenty of choice. DD's primary they could wear blue or red or white polo shirts, navy or red jumpers/cardigans/sweatshirts, blue/red "school" dresses, grey/black trousers/shorts/skirts, no specified styles, logoed items available but not required. There was plenty of room for them to make choices, but it kept it easily affordable.

I suspect most 5 year olds clothes are chosen by their parents, not them, so I'm not sure it's the child's individuality that is being stifled.

I'm fairly ambivalent about uniform or not. A fair few local schools here don't have uniform but they are the more middle class ones.
Our school has a relaxed attitude to uniform and encourages generic brands. The kids like the branded jumpers/cardigans though, it's funny how they will always edge towards what isn't encouraged.

I dont fully agree with the dislike of formal education for under 8s though. Play based learning is fundamental but it has to be done well and children are such individuals. DS1 is 6.5 and is so much happier in Yr1 than reception because of the more defined boundaries. He found reception quite stressful, told to play freely but then a few roudy children got in trouble for being too free. DS1 was never in trouble but couldnt relax because it wasnt really clear what was and wasn't acceptable so we were told he isn't willing to experiment (in hindsight I think the reception teacher wasnt great). He has really thrived in yr1 because he feels so much safer to explore with better defined boundaries (& his current teacher is amazing!).

All I'm saying is the different people, no matter their age, have different learning styles and a schools ability to meet different needs is more important than just a blanket philosophy.