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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

AIBU to be cross with school over uniform 'clamp down' and stop and search

70 replies

breathedeeply · 21/04/2012 18:22

My 15 yr old goes to a comprehensive with a clear uniform policy that includes a blazer tie and 'house' jumper . Recently we were sent a letter advising us that students would be sent home if their unforms were not 'immaculate'. This has led to students being sent home for virtually nothing (a shirt with no top button, or 'improper' shoes). There has been a particular issue over school trouser, which must be 'tailored' and not 'skinny fit'. My DD's friend was told that her trousers were unacceptable because the teacher concerned 'could see the outline of her bottom' (..er...yuk), and she burst into tears and said she just had a big bum and therefore all her trousers were tight. Also, they've just introduced a 'stop and search' policy whereby teachers can demand that pupils empty their bags and pockets to be checked for forbidden items (smoking materials). Is this sort of thing common, and how legal is it?

OP posts:

SchoolsNightmare · 21/04/2012 19:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BellaVita · 21/04/2012 19:51

YABU to be cross.

Uniform policies are there to be followed, end of. And yes I do have two secondary school aged children and I follow the schools policy on unform.

ravenAK · 21/04/2012 19:54

When you say 'teachers', it's usually Senior Leadership.

Those of us who do most of the actual teaching generally couldn't give the tiniest or shiniest of shits whether a kid has skintight trousers or fags so long as they're learning & behaving.

(It's a bit like the perennial rows about lunchbox policing - that's not down to us either!)

It is pretty much standard for there to be a big clampdown around this time of year; year 11 are about to go on 'study leave' & are taking the piss, anyone else who's grown out of, lost or ripped something vital is putting off replacing it until September!

nooka · 21/04/2012 20:02

I'd be pissed off too. I think this sort of majoring in on petty infractions is an utter waste of time, leads to a huge amount of unnecessary friction and encourages bullying behaviour from those with authority.

I'm so glad that my children go to a non uniform school!

startail · 21/04/2012 20:18

Take a deep breath and ignore, in general even senior management have something better to worry about next week.

marriedinwhite · 22/04/2012 00:00

I think it's a shame there has been a sudden clamp down. We sent our dc to school with a strict uniform code because we believe in compliance and rules and firm boundaries.

However, I do think it's wrong when schools clamp down on uniform but turn a blind eye to bullying, disruption and generally unpleasant behaviour.

ibizagirl · 22/04/2012 07:55

My thoughts exactly marriedinwhite.

The local academy here is an absolutely terrible school for bullying, disruptive behaviour etc and the new head is strict on uniform! She will send children home or put them on report or whatever if the girls have the wrong colour scrunchie in their hair or if a child is seen without their blazer on after school. It is ridiculous there. My dd doesn't go to this school but her school is supposed to be strict on uniform. There is one set school skirt. Dd is very tall and wears trousers as the skirt would not be long enough for her and it has to be at least to the knee. But there are still some, shall i say "tarty" girls, who wear the tightest, shortest lycra skirt available and seem to get away with it. But they are the year 11's so perhaps school doesn't bother so much.

bossboggle · 22/04/2012 08:33

Unless I am much mistaken then it is NOT a legal requirement for anyone to wear school uniform!! It is school policy only and I was told by a deputy head teacher that if a parent actually went as far as taking a school to court over uniform issues then they would win! (Might not have a school place left at the end of it though!)However personally I agree with uniform, stops bullying etc. Many years ago when I attended grammar school my parents asked the council for a grant to help with the costs of uniform to be told 'uniform is not a legal requirement - you have to discuss it with the school - the council cannot help in these circumstances'. Just a thought..........

Rosebud05 · 22/04/2012 08:35

I think uniform is enforceable at secondary, though not primary level?

poorbuthappy · 22/04/2012 08:38

Lots of heads tackle other issues at school by starting with uniform.

It's usually a good place to start.

Bunbaker · 22/04/2012 08:41

"I'm so glad that my children go to a non uniform school!"

I'm not.
DD's school has a strict uniform policy and I am glad of it. Prepubescent girls can be particularly unpleasant about other girls if they aren't wearing "cool" clothes (Hollister etc) and the uniform does help prevent that.

Luckily DD's school takes a strong stance against bullying so the strict rules at her school aren't just about uniform. They also do bag checks, but it is more to check that they have remembered everything - planner, pencil case etc. (or maybe it is to check that there are no illicit substances, but DD is only 11)

marriedinwhite · 22/04/2012 08:44

Totally, totally supportive of strict uniform codes providing there is also a professional dress code for the staff. Nothing gets my goat more than teachers bearing down on pupils over uniform when they are wearing flip flops or trainers themselves. Aargh.

StealthPolarBear · 22/04/2012 08:51

raven, do you think that's fair? DS's stuff is currently looking a little bit scruffy but I don't particualrly want to replace it now for the few weeks left of term.
But I suppose at secondary they don't grow so fast!!

marriedinwhite · 22/04/2012 08:57

stealthpolarbear but there are three months left until the end of term. Would you let your dc look scruffy in their own clothes for that long? (argument doesn't apply if they are in year 11 btw - although they should still be expected to try to keep what's left neat and tidy).

Actually hopping back to the what luxuries do you buy thread now - because a bit one is plenty of school uniform.

margerykemp · 22/04/2012 08:58

Ibizagirl- no please don't say 'tarty' it is a horrid word and shouldn't be used.

malinois · 22/04/2012 09:03

These threads are so depressing. Seriously considering moving somewhere without schools uniforms when DS is secondary school age :(

startail · 22/04/2012 09:09

Yes, I think it's the unevenness of the uniform policy that makes me sarcastic.

They go mad about shoes that faintly resemble trainers, even though they are safe and practical. Yet let girls spend all day with wet feet in the flimsiest unsupportive ballet pumps.

Make up is banned, but DD1 gets teased for refusing to wear it. Likewise bullying about the exact length and style of trousers goes um checked.

The HT (who generally I have a lot of time for) is having a massive moan about skirt lengths, ok except the uniform supply shop only stock short ones.
Also it's the bought from anywhere black skirts? Stretchy scraps of fabric, favoured by the sixth form that look awful.

startail · 22/04/2012 09:12

Margary unfortunately "tarty" is exactly the right word for our sixform girls, I used to live on the edge of the red light district and the skirts were longer.

Losingitall · 22/04/2012 09:17

It does my head in! My 13 yr old has had detention numerous times for his shirt being untucked or coming untucked in lessons! He's 6ft 1 and extremely lanky it's virtually impossible to get trousers that fit his waist AND legs! And shirts are bound to come untucked. It's supposed to be school not the army!

EdithWeston · 22/04/2012 09:18

Uniform is enforceable, both at secondary and (contrary to what is so often posted here) at primary level (I'll see if I can find the links which were previously posted that show this).

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 22/04/2012 09:19

I deliberately avoided one school because they're anal about uniform.

I'd be pretty pissed off in your shoes, op.

EdithWeston · 22/04/2012 09:25

This was the thread I was thinking of which shows uniform is enforceable in all state schools (see in particular PanelMember's comments).

I've always thought that a bit of friction over proper uniform is actually a good thing. It means a bit of rebellion can be satisfactorily achieved without recourse to far more serious acts.

jeee · 22/04/2012 09:27

The 'stop and search' thing would worry me more than the uniform - I remember at school when someone's discman got mislaid stolen we would have to empty our bags out in class. This always happened when I had a box of tampons lurking in the depths of my bag. Cue snorts of laughter from the boys.

Bunbaker · 22/04/2012 09:29

"Seriously considering moving somewhere without schools uniforms when DS is secondary school age"

That is because you have a son. I don't think you have any idea how bitchy girls can be about other girls not wearing "cool" clothes. While DD's school has a strict uniform policy it isn't as anal as some of the schools mentioned on here. All the parents I have spoken to agree with the uniform policy BTW.

startail · 22/04/2012 09:33

Edith that is exactly what I was told by an amazing exhead mistress, (I'd out myself if I told you about but she's an amazing lady)

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