Tiffin exam - do they need to wear school uniform?

[onedayatatime73]

Does anyone know if they are supposed to wear their school uniform for the tiffin exam next week?

Definitely don't need to.

How could they make that a rule? Not all schools have uniform, home-schooled would be excluded...

Why would they? (My child did the exam last year and their primary doesn't have a uniform).

Do you not have "exam arrangements" type information? If they are required to wear anything in particular, it will be in there.

They don't need to wear uniform for any school exams- private or state but there are some prep schools that insist their pupils do. It always looks slightly ridiculous- particularly on a Saturday. But at least they can wear all their badges!

No. And it’s an impersonal scrum - no-one from the school will notice or care.

Chippy or what Christmas? A lot of schools tell pupils to wear their uniform because it puts them in a "school" state of mind and that can help them focus. In the same way that some people working at companies with no dress code still arrive in a business suit because it's what they are used to and it helps them concentrate. I do it myself and I'm sure I look ridiculous to many.

Your DS can wear what he likes OP but if you think it will help him to concentrate being in school uniform and he won't be effected by what others are wearing then send him in uniform. This is competitive entry and one extra mark can make the difference between getting a place or not. Go with what suits your DS and what is best for him, don't worry about anyone else. Good luck to him, DD has lots of friends at Tiffin and they are lovely rounded boys.

I'm not remotely chippy and have lots of friends with prep school children who hate the fact they have to wear uniform and are not given a choice - especially at the weekends. Friends of my kids have said they feel a bit embarrassed when most of the kids are in comfy clothing and they are in blazers, hats and school shoes.
They should be able to wear what they want, not what their schools tell them to wear.
If they want to wear uniform fine, but they shouldn't have to.

OP- there will be a real mix re uniform or not as some children will be coming from school if the pm session or going back to school after the exam if the morning session.

Prep school parents follow prep school heads advice and most advise for DCs to wear uniform because it helps them focus. No one from the prep is there to enforce the advice it is the parents decision so they must think that there is something to it.

Similarly for Tiffin if a DC always wears trackies and a particular t-shirt to attend his tutor sessions I would send him in that. It is a competition and anything that helps.

Thank you. All v helpful. She won't be going to school that day as afternoon session but she wanted to look smart and (she suggested) uniform was the smartest thing she has. Will go with that and take some spare clothes. If we arrive and everyone is lounging in trakkies I'll change her. Hideous experience all this. Doesn't seem right but giving it a go.

What on earth is a Tiffin exam?

@dementedma Tiffin (see also Tiffin girls) is a super selective grammar school in Kingston-upon-Thames. It has 2 exam sessions; only those achieving a certain standard in the 1st are invited back to the second.

(Disclaimer - I don't live anywhere near SW London, so this is mostly from reading education threads on MN)

It will make no difference to getting a place at the school if she looks smart. Tell her to wear whatever she is comfy in.

Op- just a warning- it will be really hard to change unless you can pop back to a car. DD did Tiffin girls a few years ago. You will be standing in a queue of 100s and 100s of girls and parents for potentially a very long time. Wear something warm and take an umbrella. It is a total scrum and total madness! Good luck to your DD.

wear clothes for standing outside in the weather !!

both of you.

huge amounts of queuing. all outside, and get ready to be bossed around like you are a child.