Strange uniform move

[scotchbroth1]

I found the other week the secondary DD is likely to go to in a few years has radically changed their uniform plans. Firstly they are insisting on M&S items, which seems counter to requirements against single suppliers. They are also insisting on 'loose fitting' clothes including one style of skirt only www.marksandspencer.com/Traditional-Pleated-Adjustable-Permanent-Pleats/dp/B0012QHOMI?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_2&nodeId=57312031&sr=1-2&qid=1309260815&pf_rd_r=1SZ4J7X33VTGCZ33927X&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=57312031&pf_rd_p=215570647&pf_rd_s=related-items-3

and if the girls don't want that skirt they have to wear trousers. Now, I've no quarrel with insisting skirts are a decent length, but this seems a very childish style for a secondary school to be imposing.

Am I worrying unnecessarily.

[Kiggy]

Thanks

[bruffin]

try again

[bruffin]

Here is the link I did buy some from the school uniform shop which were twice the price but the quality is not so good.

[bruffin]

Yes BHS

[Kiggy]

Sorry to high jack this tread but I need these too:

"They don't even sell classic open neck blouses for girls any more. Even Next sell them but only in white unfortunately and I need blue."

Have you found a supplier bruffin?

[going]

I think it's a good idea.

The comp local to me should enforce this kind of policy as the kids look really scruffy as many have interpreted the uniform.

[Scholes34]

I don't see a problem with this and it's very helpful if everyone is wearing the same, rather than you feeling you have to traispe round town looking for something fasionable that fits within the rules of the school for uniform so your DC feels happier about what they're wearing. Let's hope the school sticks to its rules. Trousers aren't so bad, but girls and school skirts is a nightmare mix.

M&S is actually very reasonable on prices. I've just paid £9.60 for two pairs of boys' trousers (£12 with 20% off at the moment).

[bruffin]

It's not that a big difference scotchbroth this is the style of dd's skirt

[scotchbroth1]

Well yes I do think that style is so hence starting this thread, but clearly some disagree. I applaud them for cracking down on inappropriate, even immodest clothng but box pleats (big difference bruffin) I have always considered for primary school. Then again, I've seen Jordanhill and St Aloysius girls about.

[bruffin]

"What will they do when M&S change their school wear range?"

Knowing m&s uniform department in recent years that is highly likely. 2 Years ago they stopped selling classic blazers and bought in bizarre fashion ones with luminous labours. Thankfully so many people complained they had to bring them back in again.
They don't even sell classic open neck blouses for girls any more. Even Next sell them but only in white unfortunately and I need blue.

[RustyBear]

What will they do when M&S change their school wear range?

[bigTillyMint]

Do you really think that skirt is "childish"? DD has been wearing that style all of Y7 (completely her choice - no rules about what style skirt) and loves it. She is not regarded as "childish" AFAIK. She hitches it up as high as possible and wears it with tights and kickers boots.

[bruffin]

My dc's changed to a similar skirt 2 years ago, although the pleats go in one direction rather than boxed. There is nothing childish about it and much better than their old A line with a single pleat in the middle. Our school is one of the only schools in the area that don't have a tartan kilt as a uniform.

[cricketballs]

bossboggle but as parents you sign the home-school agreement when your DC starts at the school which includes uniform.

in my school, the girls do 'try it on' in terms of skirt length and after watching them after getting sropped off in the morning their parents have no idea how many rolls are done with the waistband but they are quickly told to put them right!

[scotchbroth1]

You know, this thread makes me think what we should consider suitable for kids at secondary school. My comment that this was a childish design was not to do with modesty. I don't advocate teenage girls having such short skirts they just have to bend or sit down and are showing everything. It was the style of pleating I was referring to (they may as well insist on pinafores/ginghams, pelerines and T bars), when a more office type skirt may be better at this age. As for posh areas, again this shouldn't make a difference to modesty issues or basic tidyness (though M&S is more expensive for those on a tight budget), just that its easier for more upmarket schools to enforce these rules.

[celticlassie]

I think specifying a particular skirt is a great idea - in our school the girls are also fans of the 'strip of lycra' tube - type skirt. They are so short that I have seen girls' GUSSETS as they are walking down the corridor. As a not so young any more female teacher I can at least call them on it, but it must be really awkward for male teachers.

[bubblecoral]

I think it's a good idea to have one skirt that all the girls have to wear. And schools are there to teach, not to police uniform. You may be able to persuade your dd to wear something reasonable, but there will be parents that don't/can't, and then you will have an even bigger problem on your hands.

Round here, the girls wear tiny, tight, jersy type skirts. And they are very short. It does not look good. And at the risk of being flamed for saying it, it honestly makes me think they look like some paedo's ideal wet dream.

They will find their own ways to 'express themselves', even when they all have to wear the same thing. They are teenagers, of course they will. I know we managed it at school and our uniform was very strict. Think of it as encouraging her to be more creative in the ways that she expresses herself.

[mummytime]

My daughter school gives an option of two specific manufacturers and styles of skirt, and one (horrible) type of trousers. Others have one style of skirt, designed no to be rolled up.
Insisting on M and S seems quite reasonable to me, our skirts cost £15-£20 a piece.

[scotchbroth1]

Re being enforceable, the school state pupils won't be 'denied any educational benefit or entry to exams' for not complying. They would lose other priveleges. I don't know what would happen if pupils went in reasonably modest (and cheaper) clothes that were not the ones stipulated.

Some state schools around here have very private school type uniforms like Jordanhill, St Ninians, but they get away with it as they are such amazing schools. This one is a bog standard comp and very average (ie seen much worse) in results and discipline.

In saying that most girls wear trousers anyway and DD will probably end up doing the same.

[Hulababy]

bossbooggle - I thought it was only primary schools that couldn't insist on uniform, but secondaries could.

[bossboggle]

Just to throw a spanner in the works....school uniform is not law in this country but a policy from each school.... if the parent actually went to court over this then the chances are they would win. My ds's former head teacher quoted this too....

[nickschick]

The girls at ds secondary school who come in a variety of shapes and sizes seem to be adopting the 'playboy bunny' look ......bleached hair,orange skin,very short skirts with brilliant white shirts and knee socks pulled over the knee...........

[nickschick]

superjobeespecs I dont think your comments aimed at teenage girls are v pleasant.

Were you always a beautiful person?

I know several girls who wear less than flattering clothes but I wouldnt describe them as graphically as you- you never know maybe one day it will be your dc being judged.

[Kiggy]

A local state girls school to us has recently changed their uniform to a checked kilt (1 supplier) because the skirts being worn were so unsuitable and my old school has banned skirts altogether and make all the girls wear trousers, so yours seems fairly lenient in comparison.

[crazymum53]

My dds new secondary school is insisting on skirts from their uniform supplier only but there are 3 different styles available. Lowest price is £14. I would like an M&S (or other) alternative. Was a bit unsure about the reason for this - but many teenage girls do take "free expression" to its limits and get the impression that this is the only way many schools can deal with this.