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Secondary education

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Original poster

Change of school from Monday no uniform as yet advice can I contact the school on the weekends?

56 replies

Jan20112011 · 13/05/2011 22:52

Hello everyone just moving into a new area and due to the move stress and all that haven?t had chance to get the correct uniform from the approved supplier for my year 7 son as yet. No idea now what to do come Monday? Uniform seems quiet strict as opposed to more relaxed at his current school (from polo and jumper to blazer and tie). So any suggestions I?m torn between sending him in with his own clothes as opposed to his current uniform?

OP posts:
KatyMac · 13/05/2011 22:54

Surely if you go to the local uniform shop they will now what you need?

Loshad · 13/05/2011 23:01

tbh we'd probably send your kid home until you had the correct uniform - might need to sort out uniform mon and start school on tues

belledechocchipcookie · 13/05/2011 23:03

Look on their web site.

Collision · 13/05/2011 23:09

I would go to school on Monday and take him in black trousers and white shirt and tell the secretary.

I doubt very much they will send him home and there is probably a spare tie lurking in lost property somewhere!!

Original poster
Jan20112011 · 13/05/2011 23:11

Not sure what you mean Kathy, uniform has to be from one place and don?t seem to be open now until Wednesday (just checked up for some reason its Wednesday-Friday the uniform shop), to Loshad I assume you?re a teacher then, would the school accept that as a good reason for letting him stay off until Wednesday?

OP posts:
CarrotsAreNotTheOnlyVegetables · 13/05/2011 23:14

Uniform suppliers always have full lists of uniform needed for the schools they supply so will be able to tell you what you need.

The school website will tell you who the uniform supplier is. You can get to them tomorrow.

Original poster
Jan20112011 · 13/05/2011 23:16

Could I not send him in with his current uniform on? Collision just saw your post now there is a good idea, unlike the school saying blazer must be from one shop...

OP posts:
Collision · 13/05/2011 23:18

Yes of course you can.

Cannot believe some people are saying they would not send them in without proper school uniform.

Goblinchild · 13/05/2011 23:18

If they are expecting him to start on Monday and you don't have the right kit by then, as already suggested, I'd send him in black trousers, white shirt and a neutral tie. Missing school because he doesn't have the right clothes is not usually a good idea.
How long have you known he was going to the school? Not judging, just thinking of the school's response.

holderness · 13/05/2011 23:19

Oh please dont send him in the wrong clothes on his first day mid year. He will have enough on his plate to just get to the right classrooms and canteen on time without drawing extra attention to himself in this way.

Keep him off school until you have contacted the school and/or gathered most of the correct uniform together.

Goblinchild · 13/05/2011 23:21

It looks as if you are going to have to make up your own mind!
What does your son want to do?

Original poster
Jan20112011 · 13/05/2011 23:39

Wow thanks for all the responses, I guess we don?t have a proper answer even more lost now lol. Hands up who is a teacher here anyone else what do you think and what would you school want to happen? To what Goblinchild said not too long but had all sorts going on with this move and family stuff so? school clothes for both the kids where last on my mind. Son isn?t happy about the move at all think he?s still got in his head he?s going to the old place again soon dreading even when I get the new stuff he will refuse to wear it. Ready for a battle!

OP posts:
Collegemum38 · 13/05/2011 23:44

It would be a very anal school that would not allow a new child to start 1 day in smart home clothes or their old school uniform really.

We have moved at short notice before now in school holidays and I have always just turned up on day 1 with them in their old school uniform (or bits of it) or in sensible smart plain practical clothes.

Never had an isse from the school although DD did moan a bit.

1 day is hardly the end of the world.

If the school cannot be understanding about it in these circumstances I would be panicking that I had chosen the wrong school.

I fully support and understand schools policies on dress code but there are circumstances when its not the be all and end all.

I am sure you'll be fine.

Goblinchild · 13/05/2011 23:46

Oh dear, it sounds as if the uniform is one of the minor issues you've got.
Have you moved far, will he still be able to see friends, or keep in contact with them?

Goblinchild · 13/05/2011 23:47

Oh and me. I'm a teacher and I've got a son in Y11 at a fairly strict school.

Original poster
Jan20112011 · 14/05/2011 00:00

Good point Collegemum38. Lol goblin didn?t mean for it to sound soooo bad but a lot has been happening. Moved very far so son still quite upset bless him. So Goblin what did you think I should do?

OP posts:
Goblinchild · 14/05/2011 00:06

Send him in plain trousers and a shirt, but it really depends on whether he needs time to adjust to what's happened or not, and you are the one who knows if that is necessary.
Is he used to moving around, or is this the first time he's been uprooted?
Does he know the new area, and some of the good points about it?

Original poster
Jan20112011 · 14/05/2011 00:15

How do you mean adjust exactly? First time, nope totally new but we have discussed it with him. I would send him it with his old uniform on but I?m not sure how the school or other pupils would take it considering I know a lot of secondary schools don?t have the polo jumper combo that could be seen as primary ?schoolish? up hear given there all in blazers. Suppose it don?t help polo is blue and jumper yellow talk about first day visibility. Thing is he don?t have ?school shirts? as such since current is a blue polo.

OP posts:
zipzap · 14/05/2011 00:18

Do you know what the basic school uniform is - black/grey/navy trousers, White/blue shirt etc? If it is possible to send in the closest smart clothes / old uniform components to what it is going to be and then take some cash and a marking pen with you. You may find they have a second hand uniform shop on site and will let you get a tie and blazer there and then, which would tide you over until you can get the proper thing.

I'd also suggest sending an email to the school now saying you have just got settled into new house and planned on getting uniform sorted on sat, but to your horror you've discovered it's got very restricted opening times and therefore you won't be able to get a uniform in time. Ask if there is anywhere else you can get it or about possibility of second hand, then when you go in to talk to them on mon you can refer to your email and they will see it is sent stupidly late which will reinforce that you have been so busy moving. It's reasonable to expect an outfitters will be open at the weekend! (especially when it works in your favour!). So they wil see you have tried and not left it until mon morning to think about.

Good luck with all your moving and hope your ds settles into his nw school...

missnevermind · 14/05/2011 00:21

I would take him in a pair of grey or black trousers and a plain white shirt.
You have the weekend to get them from most clothes shops or even ASDA / Tesco and a low key tie. Also black school shoes.
I would them personally take him into the office Monday morning and ask if they thought what he was wearing was acceptable and could they sell you the school tie.
The office may be able to order you a blazer to pay for on Tuesday morning.

dinasaw · 14/05/2011 00:39

Check the school website for what colour trousers and shirts they wear and get hold of a set of these tomorrow along with plain black shoes.
Also check what the PE kit is and see if you can put it together so he can take it in on Monday in case he has PE.
Can you ask a new neighbour if they know? Chances are they will know of a child who attends the school. Maybe someone could lend you something.
Write a note that your Ds can keep in his pocket briefly explaining the situation and confirming he will be in correct uniform as soon as possible. He can produce this note if he is questioned about lack of uniform by a teacher.

Original poster
Jan20112011 · 14/05/2011 00:50

Thanks Dinasaw.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jan20112011 · 14/05/2011 01:05

Anyone else got suggestions before I go to bed suppose I won?t even ask what will become of his faux hawk, think he more worried about his badges and stuff come the morning than anything.

OP posts:
mummytime · 14/05/2011 07:48

Have you tried ringing the school? I do know my DC's school will have people in this weekend. I would also talk to neighbours etc., for instance DC's school has a Balzer from a supplier, but you can also use a M and S one with a badge sewn on the pocket which can be bought from the school, the blazer without the badge would be acceptable in your child's circumstances. Also at DCs school ties are bought from the office, and can be bought for about 10 min before school (we have used this in tie emergencies). Girls skirts can be more of a problem, but if they are knee length they are less likely to get into trouble.

Otherwise its a good excuse to chat to neighbours (for instance I have 1 spare Blazer due to people growing, or I might be able to get the phone no. of the PTA who might have some second hand uniform).

Good luck!

OddBoots · 14/05/2011 07:54

Whatever you decide to do for now I would suggest an early morning phone call to the school to ask what they would rather you do, either send in what you have or wait or if they have uniform he may borrow for a week or so.

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