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Original poster

Just ordered DS1 his 6th year blazer...

45 replies

WankersHacksandThieves · 22/04/2017 16:52

Just seems like yesterday his sweaty wee paw was clasped in mine when we went shopping for school shoes for P1 :(

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Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 25/04/2017 18:22

Bugger, blazer collected and it's too big.

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prettybird · 25/04/2017 18:40

Oh no! Shock Any chance of swapping it?

Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 25/04/2017 19:05

I'm sure they would but I think I might need to alter this one as I don't think any other size would be a better fit :(

It's slightly roomy but the smaller size will be too small. The body is the correct length but the sleeves are too long. He got the long length so I could swap it for a regular length but I think the body would be too short.

I think it was made for a orangutan. He's 6'3 and long limbed so I am not quite sure who the sleeves are meant to fit. I guess if it was tighter across the chest/back maybe the sleeves would be shorter?

He was apparently "measured" by the shop - aka he got flung a few to try on and then told to order the same size as he currently wears. The problem seems to be that the two blazers are made by different companies so the sizing isn't the same.

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FortyFacedFuckers · 25/04/2017 20:21

My baby is going into S1 this year!! Sad
It feels like he only started P1 yesterday!

Groovee · 25/04/2017 21:29

Aww @WankersHacksandThieves

prettybird · 29/04/2017 10:14

Just been told that ds needs to buy himself an S6 tie.

He says he doesn't know or care when the Head Boy & Girl (and their deputes) are. he was in a grumpy mood Wink

Ds' school encourages blazers but doesn't make them compulsory. That would go against its ethos of inclusiveness as so many kids genuinely wouldn't be able to afford a specialist piece of clothing, to be worn in only one place - even at the good price that they've got from the supplier. If you can't afford a meal and are relying on food banks to eat, then you're not going to be able to afford a blazer Sad White shirt and black trousers/skirt and jumper/jacket are at least "staple" clothes and it's amazing what can be reclaimed/recycled from Lost & Found

The tie is only £3 - and the office will even supply it to those who genuinely can't afford it (money comes out of the Parent Council's "Achievement Fund")

Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 29/04/2017 10:25

That's a bit odd PB as there is a fund for uniform purchase available to those in need. On top of that schools will always help. In my experience, the alternative worn in place of the blazer is usually a more expensive hoody or jacket. Not that I'm an advocate for uniforms really. I couldn't care less either way as there are decent arguments that can be made for either side. That's my two finished up now until June.

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prettybird · 29/04/2017 10:55

Yes there is a fund (my SIL used to administer it at the council Smile) but when you have a high transient population (Roma and asylum seekers), it's yet another way to "other" them. And when you factor in families with chaotic lifestyles (so applying for uniform grants when their child has gown out of the previous blazer) is low on their priorities. The school has a very high proportion of pupils from a SIMD1 background (and creditably, is proud of its wide demographic and what it achieves for its pupils).

Trust me: it isn't a school which has a lot of designer labels. Ds' hoodies are cheapies from H&M. Can't recall seeing a single designer label amongst his friends - or any of the girls I know (who might be more "label" aware Wink)

Driving past or visiting the school, the pupils still look smart and identifiably from the school. That's all the school cares about. Smile

I do have arguments with him about his school shoes as I insist that there are no bits of white on them ("out of respect to the school") as he says that plenty of other kids do Hmm. Fortunately, he, like me, doesn't see the point in spending too much on school shoes, so the cheapest plain black ones that fit him are fine - still surprisingly difficult to find (I just love Hmm the 7th circle of hell that is Sports Direct), even though trainer style shoes are allowed.

prettybird · 09/05/2017 19:25

Wankers - thought you'd be interested to know that the headteacher has said that a small part of the large extra Achievement Funds that the school has been awarded will be used to buy uniforms - not just blazers but PE kit and sports shoes. Smile

Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 09/05/2017 19:33

:o

Hadn't thought about transient pupils. Given that they are fairly strict on uniform, our school doesn't care about gym kit for some reason. The catchment school is the opposite, it's all nike branded and logo'd.

Mine do have a school PE t-shirt but they cost a fiver and they've had same one since first year. Getting a bit nippit now though so they just wear anything - though DS1 (who has ishoos) likes it to still be blue. Most kids just wear random stuff.

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prettybird · 09/05/2017 20:34

We had a discussion last night at the PTC about things like "specialist" sports shoes - like football boots - and about how the inability to afford them for growing feet can be a real barrier to inclusion. So part of the plan is to get things like that.

At the rugby club we have a "boot and kit bag" where we recycle studs that kids have grown out of. "Don't buy new until you've checked". The school is hoping to create something similar.

"Compulsory" Gym kit is really just trainers, white T-shirt and black shorts. There is a logo-ed t-shirt available but not compulsory.

The other challenge that the school has to deal with is children from chaotic lifestyles: getting them to fill in forms to get uniform grants is difficult, although the school does its best to help them.

Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 09/05/2017 20:40

I agree re the growing feet. Luckily neither of mine are sportsmen but the cost of walking boots etc for Scouts/DofE is extortionate.

Their feet haven't grown since they were about 13/14 so we have bought them both the last pair of boots we'll be paying for - at £100+ a pop that can only be a good thing...

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LordPercy · 09/05/2017 21:25

I'm still waiting to find out which days during exam leave DD can go into school to be fitted using that term loosely for her S5 blazer. No word as yet....

Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 09/05/2017 21:28

I still need to go back to the shop - trying to get DS out of the house is a nightmare at the moment. He's a grumpy sod.

Any chance you can go direct to the shop LordPercy?

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dementedma · 09/05/2017 21:33

Dd2 graduates from Stirling Uni next month ....can't believe it.
Ds, the youngest, goes into S5 but blazers aren't compulsory and he hasn't worn one since S1. I will try and persuade him as they look smart but he tells me he will be leaving at Christmas ( still a month short of 16,) so might not be much point. I'm hoping he will change his mind and stay on for Highers but he's not an enthusiastic pupil to say the least!

Adarajames · 10/05/2017 01:30

Is it normal for schools up there to have different colour uniform items for different years then? Thought it was bad enough with the stupidly expensive (braided to look like private schools!!) uniform items local academies have introduced in recent years, without having to buy different colour ones for each yet or 2?!

LordPercy · 10/05/2017 06:40

I think I'll have to Wankers. It's a local shop but not sure why everything isn't organised this year, unless they are no longer the blazer shop for the school. Can't see that happening as there's no competition Hmm

prettybird · 10/05/2017 07:56

Adarjames - at most they have a different tie/blazer for S5/S6 or just S6 (and not all schools do) - but I don't think it's compulsory to get them (at least at ds' school it's not), pupils can choose to continue to wear their "old" tie/blazer.

Never heard of any school that changes yearly.

Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 10/05/2017 08:41

I think it depends on the school.

At ours they keep the same colour blazer for 1-5th year and then they have a change in S6. Blazer is compulsory but in the lower years they can get away without one if they are wearing the rest of the uniform and if the weather is good (too warm) or very poor (need a rain jacket) but they can be asked to produce their blazer at any time. They have one tie for S1-3, a different tied for S4 and 5 and a new one to match the blazer in S6. Merit badges to be pinned on the lapel are issued in s1-s4 but awards at the end of s5 can mean they get a stripe of various colours added to the pocket of their blazer. Head boy and girl and their deputies get extra braids round the cuffs of the blazer.

Our local High School change from a plain blazer to a braided one in S4-S6. I think the tie remains the same but not sure. They don't have as many stay on for 5th and 6th year so change the blazer early so those leaving at the end of 4th get a chance to be "seniors".

Other schools I am aware of keep the same blazer but change the tie more regularly so they can identify year groups.

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Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 12/05/2017 18:01

Successful trip to the uniform shop and 40 Long exchanged for a 38 Long - it fits really well. :)

Got him to try on the suit I bought for him (i'd ordered a 40L jacket) and it's too neat.... Sizing is all over the place.

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