Uniform prices!

[S3all]

Hi all :)! I started a petition to challenge the increasing costs of school uniform and it's a challenge in itself!

I read reports by the Department of Education and The Children's Society after becoming frustrated with my son's school changing the uniform policy to what I deem unreasonable. I was astounded by how far reaching the problem was! How does everyone else feel about this? Do you think your child's school's uniform is unreasonable and unaffordable? Or perhaps you have a different view?

reluctantbrit DD1 is at a girls' grammar and all the PE kit has to be embroidered (in the uniform shop) with full name or initials, depending on the item. DD2 will sit the 11+ this year and is hoping for the same school. None of DD1's PE kit can be passed down as the embroidery is done by machine and impossible to remove without spoiling the item. (I haven't tried this myself, but know someone who has!)

Kipper, the skirt barely covering the bum will be because the child is rolling it up at the top, not because it's sold like that. It's probably hard for them to police outside school. I agree it should be a reasonable price.

LandOr, DD’s was once a grammar. I fear the uniform rules are a leftover from that period

That is truly ridiculous LandOr . At least most uniform can normally be handed down to younger siblings.

cheminotte The regular uniform - logo'd blazers, striped blouses, regulation skirts, logo'd jumpers etc can be passed down to siblings or donated to the PTA's second hand shop, but not PE kit due to the embroidery. PE kit is all logo'd on the left side, so the right side has the names/initials embroidered on.

Uniform shop charges £2 per item to embroider first name and surname or initials, depending on what the item is.

I think in the past each year group had its own embroidery colour (some of which must have looked quite odd on burgundy kit!) but these days everyone has the same colour - white.

11 year old Sons new uniform he literally started a new high school last Monday 🙂

School jumper with school logo £11x2
School polo shirt with school logo £9x2
Black school trousers £7
School shoes which are lace up plimsolls £3

I don't mind the blazer and tie but we also have to do the full winter and summer logo PE kit thing. Can't even hand me down as girls' kit is totally different from boys. Will sign your petition!

The children who do not have correct uniform have expensive trainers and hoodies. Uniform is not expensive in the scheme of things. I understand some families struggle - lots of schools have second hand uniform available, run by volunteer parents. I truly believe it is manageable.

We have blazer £35, tie £6, then games kit is two pairs of shorts at £9 each, a vest at £15, rugby shirt £24 and socks £8. Everything else is generic. The above uniform is all available at the second hand uniform pool too, you just have to unpick names from games kit and have it redone at £3 an item. I think the two pairs of shorts, vest and rugby shirt should be simplified to one pair of shorts and a polo shirt, but I'm happy otherwise.