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Secondary education

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Original poster

Uniform

95 replies

Mumjane1971 · 14/07/2015 10:30

My dd14 and ds12 school recently tried to change the uniform but they got a 80%no vote from patents including me I want to know why they head wanted a new uniform the current uniform is fine and always would be
Current uniform
School sweatshirt
School polo shirt
School black trousers
School shoes or plain black trainers or plain black plimsolls
No heels or boots

Proposed uniform
School blazer
School shirt and tie
Black trousers
Leather school shoes
No trainers plimsolls heels or boots

OP posts:
Original poster
Mumjane1971 · 14/07/2015 11:37

Dd wears vans though ????

OP posts:
AndNowItsSeven · 14/07/2015 11:41

The current uniform sounds awful , polo shirts and tops are for primary only. ( personally I don't like them then) As for trainers, do you have to ask?
The new uniform sounds smart and promotes the idea of dressing in "
business wear" in employment.
Surely you are posting because you want the new uniform?

AndNowItsSeven · 14/07/2015 11:42

Forgot to say , I understand not all young people will need to wear business wear once employed. However they will need to for interviews so it's good to get into the mindset of dressing appropriately.

SoupDragon · 14/07/2015 11:44

The head wants to change the uniform because it is awful and not very smart. That's why.

I think most schools have the type of uniform he proposes.

MadMum2015 · 14/07/2015 11:50

This sounds like the uniform at our local school and is, frankly, part of the reason that I'm bankrupting myself to send DS private (obviously there are other reasons Grin). But I just thought the whole sweatshirt thing, for teenagers, sent a real message of lack of ambition. Perhaps the Head is trying to avoid that perception.

MuddhaOfSuburbia · 14/07/2015 11:50

This country is daft about uniform ime

It's as though it has some sort of magical power over children

If the parents voted 80% no, then the head should poke it

Original poster
Mumjane1971 · 14/07/2015 11:51

It would cost to much and I wanted the uniform to stay the same like most if the parents no need for ties and blazers

OP posts:
youngestisapyscho · 14/07/2015 11:53

My daughters school did this, based on a vote from the children! They did not like their uniform of polo shirts, said it was like primary school, and to be honest the kids always looked really scruffy. They changed it to Blazer, shirt and tie and grey skirt or trousers, and clack shoes. It was introduced just for new yr7 first, but all the older children like it and changed to it way before the Head teacher announced everyone had to do it. They look so much better in it.

youngestisapyscho · 14/07/2015 11:56

oops.. black shoes!

Original poster
Mumjane1971 · 14/07/2015 11:57

How? All parents would not buy it and my dd and ds friends were stating they would not wear the new uniform if it happend glad it didn't

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 14/07/2015 12:00

What is this thread about given the new uniform did not even happen?

Why have you joined Mn and started two threads on a non event?

youngestisapyscho · 14/07/2015 12:03

The parents had no choice... new uniform or you were sent home from school. It started with the new Yr 7s in 2013... older children could change if they wanted, but Head teacher had said ALL kids would need to have it by Sept 14... most kids were in it by Easter 14, as the parents preferred it too. If its the school rule, then you have to do it I suppose? If you are not in correct uniform or shoes you are sent home.

Lancelottie · 14/07/2015 12:11

Nah, I'm with the Scruffy camp here. Mine have been to three different secondaries by now, all with polo shirts. The schools still seem to turn out decent students and decent results.

Meanwhile, my nieces are at a school with a surprisingly large number of blazer-based rules. I'd be quite keen on an optional blazer (pockets!) but not on the surrounding daftness about permission to take it off/carry it between rooms/wear it over a skirt.

ttlshiwwya · 14/07/2015 13:13

I'm with you and the 80% of parents OP.

Luckily I stay in an area where uniform is suggested but cannot be enforced in state schools. Every year the head sends out a wish-list e.g. blazer, black shoes (no trainers), no hoodies, no leggings etc. Has the complete opposite effect on my DCs - my DD who likes wearing a skirt and blazer but digs out her leggings and hoodie in protest.

Original poster
Mumjane1971 · 14/07/2015 13:31

Also the other school in town that does have tie and blazers is always sending kids home etc the parents there want a uniform like my dd and ds school

OP posts:
CaptainHolt · 14/07/2015 13:40

I hate the half arsed uniform. I'd rather have shirt, tie, v-neck jumper, blazer, proper trousers and shoes

or

polo, sweatshirt, jeans, trainers.

Nobody in the whole world looks good in a polo shirt, dress trousers and trainers. Smart or casual, I don't care, but pick one and go with it.

Original poster
Mumjane1971 · 14/07/2015 13:44

The school has opted to stay with the jumper polo black trousers and black trainers / black plimsolls / school shoes

OP posts:
Happy36 · 14/07/2015 13:47

There was something in the news over the weekend about all schools having a "grammar school ethos". Whether or not that's a good thing, it would seem that this is what the Head of your children's school is trying to instil by having a more formal uniform and thereby improve the students' self-image and belief in their own ability to be successful.

There is also the idea that being "dressed for work" helps us achieve the most effective frame of mind for working.

Original poster
Mumjane1971 · 14/07/2015 14:33

How though my dd and ds school performs better than one of the other schools in town that has always had a tie and blazer uniform doesn't make a difference that's what I belive and most of the other parents teachers and governers believed

OP posts:
notinminutenow · 14/07/2015 15:08

Not really relevant but hey the whole thread seems a bit irrelevant. My DS loves his blazer! It's a mobile life-support system containing his planner, phone, stationery, lunch pass, Oyster card, money, badges and other assorted crap stuff. Aside from PE he rarely takes it off (only twice this year so far when it was 30 degrees!) Not sure where he'd keep it all if he had to wear a sweatshirt. Yes he has a bag but he would rather stuff on him for convenience.

I'n with Captain. Either go for blazer and tie or mufti. The halfway house of sweatshirt plus smart trouser combo is a bit naff.

Original poster
Mumjane1971 · 14/07/2015 15:35

Glad the school said no to new uniform blazers would be to expensive plus dd and ds would have to wear leather shoes which cost where at the minute dd wears her black vans and I buy ds cheap lace up plimsolls

OP posts:
notinminutenow · 14/07/2015 17:08

DS's blazer was £22 and will be good for at least another year and his shoes cost less than a pair of Vans. We're not talking gold piping and finest wool!

But hey, different strokes...

Original poster
Mumjane1971 · 14/07/2015 18:08

I can get all my ds uniform for £30
Jumper 2 polo shirts trousers and 2 pairs of plimsolls

OP posts:
notinminutenow · 14/07/2015 18:19

Good for you! Sounds great...except for "cheap plimsoles" on growing feet

notinminutenow · 14/07/2015 18:21

On and you must do an awful lot of washing if 2 polo shirts is enough for a fragrant teen!

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