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Secondary education

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Original poster

Boarding schools with or without a school shop

15 replies

TescoMealDea · 15/02/2023 16:48

DCs have been through an independent boarding school that has had its own school shop on site. It’s been a life saver on many occasion when uniform has been lost, plus for the emergency items for the pencil case just before an exam etc. International boarders can arrive early for their uniform fitting appointments and then get the nametapes sewn on for them within 72 hours.

The school shop is now closing at the end of next term and all uniform must now be ordered online. I think this is a grave mistake and I am glad that the last of my DCs will be finishing this year.

Out of interest, would you choose a school that has its own shop on site or not, particularly for boarders and especially if the school is in a small town? If two or three schools in the vicinity all offer the same academic standards, facilities etc, would you want the peace of mind that they could go to the shop and pop something on the bill if they needed to? It may seem a minor issue but to me it’s important that there’s a back up.

Out of interest, if your school uniform is purchased via online only, how have you found the returns system for clothes that don’t fit?

OP posts:
DilettanteMum · 15/02/2023 16:58

FYI there is a boarding forum now...

My DD school has a shop for pencils stationary etc but uniforms have to be ordered online. No issues with it. The boarding houses all have a huge stacks of spares and unclaimed uniforms so if anyone is in desperate need it's not an issue. I certainly wouldnt choose a school based on this criteria.

VariationsonaTheme · 15/02/2023 17:04

I’d hate for my kids schools to have an on-site shop, my termly bill would be enormous!

The system for returning uniform is annoying though, if it’s the wrong size we have to send it back to be refunded before reordering.

Original poster
TescoMealDea · 15/02/2023 17:25

Apologies, I didn’t realise there was a boarding forum.

OP posts:
Gruelle · 15/02/2023 17:50

Are you proposing to set up a school shop, OP? Grin

In all honesty an on site shop would be very far from top of my list of criteria for choosing school. The uniform shop for the prep we sent a child to was on the main shopping street opposite the school; for senior school there were erm … a few school outfitters available close to the school. In each case they would deliver direct to the boarding houses in addition to parents or pupils being able to order online or drop in in person.

I agree with a pp that any on site shop open to pupils would be an irresistible draw and they’d surely be running up huge bills.

Soma · 15/02/2023 21:18

Wouldn't and didn't make any difference to us.

iamthankful · 16/02/2023 13:24

There is an onsite shop at DS's school and it does come in handy I must say, however, it would in no way be a criteria for me when choosing a school.

Ericaequites · 16/02/2023 18:26

My day school held fittings from their outfitter twice a year for measurements. That was the best time to order skirts, blazers, and dress shirts for formal occasions. Clothing was drop shipped to the school, or parents could have it shipped to their home or business. A local department store carried tights, socks, sweaters, and white shirts to wear with uniform. The outfitter sold these items, but ordering outside their business was a pain. There was a very good used uniform shop as well. Whether the school had their own shop would not matter to me.

AppleKatie · 16/02/2023 18:29

In my experience the school shop is a rarity.

It is convenient obviously but there are plenty of ways around it.

jgw1 · 16/02/2023 18:34

TescoMealDea · 15/02/2023 16:48

DCs have been through an independent boarding school that has had its own school shop on site. It’s been a life saver on many occasion when uniform has been lost, plus for the emergency items for the pencil case just before an exam etc. International boarders can arrive early for their uniform fitting appointments and then get the nametapes sewn on for them within 72 hours.

The school shop is now closing at the end of next term and all uniform must now be ordered online. I think this is a grave mistake and I am glad that the last of my DCs will be finishing this year.

Out of interest, would you choose a school that has its own shop on site or not, particularly for boarders and especially if the school is in a small town? If two or three schools in the vicinity all offer the same academic standards, facilities etc, would you want the peace of mind that they could go to the shop and pop something on the bill if they needed to? It may seem a minor issue but to me it’s important that there’s a back up.

Out of interest, if your school uniform is purchased via online only, how have you found the returns system for clothes that don’t fit?

If it is the prescence or absence of an onsite school uniform shop is a big issue, perhaps choose a school without a uniform= problem solved.

Christmaspyjamas · 16/02/2023 18:45

Most hilariously transparent market research effort ever...are you Banner or another company?

Yfory · 16/02/2023 19:08

Why do you care if your children are no longer attending the school?
And why would you imagine that there would be sufficient people on mn whose kids attend a boarding school.......... Perhaps MN is a particularly boarding school sort of place.
I agree with the person above who said this is a market research post. I suggest you apply in writing offering to run the shop!

Original poster
TescoMealDea · 16/02/2023 22:17

I am not a market researcher, what an odd thing to say.

OP posts:
Gruelle · 16/02/2023 22:50

And why would you imagine that there would be sufficient people on mn whose kids attend a boarding school.......... Perhaps MN is a particularly boarding school sort of place.

Tiny but significant minority, yes. I actually found my way to MN over a decade ago when I was researching prep and senior schools - and received lots of helpful advice. (As well as the unhelpful ranting.)

There is a Boarding School board on MN now:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/boarding-school

TransportedCarla · 17/02/2023 00:14

My children’s boarding school has a big school shop, it sells the uniform, squash rackets, toothpaste, antiperspirant, umbrellas and reusable bottles with school logo, mouth guards, stationery, tuck boxes, it’s brilliant. Yes we thought that’s handy and sensible when we did the initial school tour. The kids use it and like it. Anything purchased has to be signed off by Matron and is added to the end of term bill.

TransportedCarla · 17/02/2023 00:17

Should have said it’s a campus school in the countryside. If the school were in a town I guess the shop wouldn’t matter so much.

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