Page 10 | Ridiculous uniform policy for secondary

freakinthespreadsheets · 2024-07-12T12:07:31+00:00

I live in a fairly poor working class area, former mining village. I don't even have secondary age kids but this has got me riled up. The local secondary has been taken over by a MAT and introduced a new uniform. They say that the blazer, PE kit and jumper must be logo'd from the supplier (which i think is pretty standard everywhere) but also that every item MUST be Trutex branded. Shirts, trousers and the skirt (which you can't even find a dupe for if you wanted to as it's a silly tartan design). No supermarket brands allowed. The boys trousers must be sturdy or slim fit, girls can be slim fit only (so "fuck you" to girls with thick thighs then??) They also insist the trousers must not be skin tight fitting and the skirt must be knee length, or detentions will be issued (but they're only allowing one design/fit, from one supplier, so if it doesn't fit a taller/chunkier teen then what are parents to do?). Not to mention the fabrics are scratchy and kids with sensitive skin (I was one, and Mum had to order my uniforms online from a place that did skinkind fabrics) who might not get on with the plasticy Teflon fabrics. I find myself fuming on behalf of these parents and teens - as a curvy, tall female with sensitive skin this would NOT do for me at all! Not even sure what my question is, I guess am I being unreasonable in my thinking that this is OTT and doesn't follow the new government guidance (which I know isn't fully compulsory but still) Edit to add : in a poor working class area, to set a kid up to attend the local high school looks to be around £350 for uniform - the prices are awful, £35 for a skirt etc

solsticelove · 15/07/2024 12:46

Parker231 · 15/07/2024 08:18

Every time I read these threads I’m so glad DT’s were at a non uniform school from ages 4-18. Much more practical and so much cheaper as they wore the same things as they would at weekends and holidays. No bullying over clothing as no one paid any attention and no time wasted by the school policing any breach of uniform.

I think this is very telling.
There’s this idea in the Uk that having a uniform puts everyone on the same ‘playing field’ and reduces bullying but it’s a misconception. It causes so much angst and resentment and I hate to say it but they all still know who is poor and who isn’t 😞

I’ve spent time teaching in secondary school in Spain (no uniforms in state schools in Spain) and it makes no difference negatively at all to behaviour or motivation or anything like that. In fact if anything the kids are more relaxed and can concentrate better. They also call their teachers by their first names which actually increases respect as it feels like they are as respected as the adults so they behave more respectfully.

Comefromaway · 15/07/2024 12:46

I was out on Friday night watching my son's band at a club and I'd say about 50% of girls were wearing trousers, 40% wearing skirts and 10% wearing shorts.

Skybluepinky · 15/07/2024 12:48

Too much time on yr hands.

Yalta · 15/07/2024 12:48

Personally I think schools should have no uniform policy what so ever
Sometimes I think there is a tendency to baby children and take away from them the ability to make small choices and the consequences to those choices

I think saying to children come in what you want but these are the lessons you are having so make sure you wear suitable clothing and hairstyle to take part and the clothing and hairstyle doesn’t interfere with other people or the teaching of the lesson and that clothing is long enough and high enough that bum cheeks and boobs are covered at all times

If you choose to wear designer or expensive clothing and shoes then the school holds no responsibility if they get ruined.

I don’t think it would take long before everyone would be coming in jeans t.shirt, trainers and a hoodie because they don’t want to get their nicer clothes ruined by wearing them to school

Werweisswohin · 15/07/2024 12:50

That does sound ridiculous OP.
What if all the parents just ignored this and bought sensible and propetly fitting clothes from wherever suited them best?

Werweisswohin · 15/07/2024 12:51

Skybluepinky · 15/07/2024 12:48

Too much time on yr hands.

Meanwhile you took the time to comment. 🤣

solsticelove · 15/07/2024 12:51

Yalta · 15/07/2024 12:48

Personally I think schools should have no uniform policy what so ever
Sometimes I think there is a tendency to baby children and take away from them the ability to make small choices and the consequences to those choices

I think saying to children come in what you want but these are the lessons you are having so make sure you wear suitable clothing and hairstyle to take part and the clothing and hairstyle doesn’t interfere with other people or the teaching of the lesson and that clothing is long enough and high enough that bum cheeks and boobs are covered at all times

If you choose to wear designer or expensive clothing and shoes then the school holds no responsibility if they get ruined.

I don’t think it would take long before everyone would be coming in jeans t.shirt, trainers and a hoodie because they don’t want to get their nicer clothes ruined by wearing them to school

Totally agree.
It’s the idea that young people/children can’t be trusted to make their own decisions and choices. All is does is breed resentment especially when the teachers themselves come in smart casual and the kids are trussed up like 1980s yuppies. So bizarre in 2024.

Smoothie23 · 15/07/2024 12:51

Needmorelego · 15/07/2024 12:42

What I don't understand is out of school I rarely see teenage girls wearing skirts.

We are talking about uniform skirts. Out of school I interprete as when they walk out of school

Ineedaholidayyyy · 15/07/2024 12:53

Secondary school uniforms are outdated now, most Cororate/professional type jobs have started to relax on dress codes, but schools seem to be getting stricter. Our local high school introduced something similar when it changed to an academy, the pupils looked awful and scruffy as everything was so ill fitting .

Yalta · 15/07/2024 12:57

solsticelove · 15/07/2024 12:46

I think this is very telling.
There’s this idea in the Uk that having a uniform puts everyone on the same ‘playing field’ and reduces bullying but it’s a misconception. It causes so much angst and resentment and I hate to say it but they all still know who is poor and who isn’t 😞

I’ve spent time teaching in secondary school in Spain (no uniforms in state schools in Spain) and it makes no difference negatively at all to behaviour or motivation or anything like that. In fact if anything the kids are more relaxed and can concentrate better. They also call their teachers by their first names which actually increases respect as it feels like they are as respected as the adults so they behave more respectfully.

Show quote history

Dd went to a school where you called the teachers by their first name and overall I think it had a positive outcome.
If someone was struggling with some part of their work the teachers felt a lot more approachable

Needmorelego · 15/07/2024 13:00

@Smoothie23 yes I know 🙂
What I meant was there seems to be such this "thing" about girls insisting they wear the school skirt (instead of trousers) and then wearing them rolled up so their arse shows - but out of school rarely wear skirts.
Why? Why are they doing it?
If they want the boys to notice their legs or whatever why don't they do it out of school?
If they're doing it because "women should be able to dress as they like" why don't they do it out of school?
It's a mystery I just don't understand.
(By "out of school" I mean weekends etc)

Smoothie23 · 15/07/2024 13:05

TizerorFizz · 15/07/2024 12:26

@Smoothie23 It’s the opposite! High numbers on benefits. We don’t have many areas of high unemployment. It’s very low wages and single parents. 50% is high but not wholly unusual. Job seekers allowance is given to 88,000 people, employment and income support is over 1.7 million. Housing benefit is 2.3 million people.

I am sorry but I don't follow. @MumonabikeE5 stated that 50 perc of kids in her area are on FSM. So I asked her if there is huge unemployment in the area.
Are you MumonabikeE5 or do you live in the same are as her?

Housing benefits are receiving people who are unemployed, disable, very low income.

Natsku · 15/07/2024 13:24

Yalta · 15/07/2024 12:57

Dd went to a school where you called the teachers by their first name and overall I think it had a positive outcome.
If someone was struggling with some part of their work the teachers felt a lot more approachable

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Does make for a much nicer atmosphere, all schools are like that where I am and there seems to be a lot less conflict between students and teachers.

mugboat · 15/07/2024 13:40

When I was at school (many millions of years ago), I rolled up my skirt. It was amazing how high up I could roll it. And how little I cared about a bulgy waist.
I hated the feel of the skirt when it was below the knee... and obvs I hated how it looked.😆

SummerDays2020 · 15/07/2024 18:41

Tralalaka · 15/07/2024 07:52

The skirts are a big initial outlay but they last forever and still look like new. Our school did a survey to see if they should get rid of the kilts for a plain skirt and it was overwhelmingly rejected mainly because one skirt lasts the 5 years just gets shorter and they’re still in perfect condition to hand down or buy secondhand. On the other hand the boys trousers get a couple of terms at most so the overall outlay is higher

You just buy one skirt for the 5 years? So is it quite long to start with? And do none of the girls get a bigger waist? I'm confused! My DD's skirts will need replacing for Y8 as she has grown. They're still in good condition and will go to the PTA for second hand sale.

SummerDays2020 · 15/07/2024 18:42

Danascully2 · 15/07/2024 07:54

Laughing a lot at the idea of buying one item of uniform for the whole week. My two boys come home every day with mud/food etc on their clothes. One of them was plastered head to toe the other day, including his coat, because he was apparently making an ant home with his friend. Not sure how he even found the mud as they have a tarmac playground!! I would have to wash at least one item of clothes every single day and get it dry for the next morning if they only had one shirt or pair of trousers. They are still at primary but secondary is rapidly approaching for the older one and he's not really any better at keeping his clothes clean...

My DD is in Y7 and no, I still couldn't get away with just one uniform!

SummerDays2020 · 15/07/2024 18:46

TizerorFizz · 15/07/2024 08:08

@Danascully2 Some boys seem very messy. My girls didn’t spill food. Nor get muddy. There was no mud available. Didn’t notice this in many schools to be honest. All I’m saying is that loads of uniform isn’t necessary. For most a quick spot wash works.

As for wearing joggers - my DDs would never have wanted this. Neither liked trousers when primary age. We found less arguments over skirts as trousers are difficult for varied shapes. We also found a skirt lasted several years and several shirts doesn’t cost too much. You need a coat anyway so it’s a case of buying wisely.

Loads of uniform may not be necessary for some. But as people are pointing out some children do need more uniform unless you want to be running the machine continuously!

SummerDays2020 · 15/07/2024 18:49

TizerorFizz · 15/07/2024 08:50

@Smoothie23 FSM isn’t just for the unemployed. It’s benefits driven. The school gets huge PP funding too as a result of this. A uniform policy should always reflect community.

I don’t think girls are rolling the skirts over at the waist. They are shortening them. Having lived through the original mini skirt era, the skirts now are literally pelmets. Mine was never that short! However I’m assuming non uniform schools see these tiny skirts too or bum showing shorts? What about bra tops? Are they allowed at non uniform schools? I suspect they do have rules too!

At my DS's school they all wore jeans and hoodies - boys and girls. No need for any rules.

SummerDays2020 · 15/07/2024 18:54

TizerorFizz · 15/07/2024 09:26

@Needmorelego To be fair, the vast majority don’t. Uniform is never going to cover all issues these days it appears. Skirts for girls are better in many ways. It seems a lifetime ago now, but honestly I never came across so many issues with uniform when dc were at school and neither was it an issue at any time when I was a school governor. Not one complaint.. It was never discussed by parents - apart from poor quality sweatshirt! No child I ever knew had issues with the uniform. One child I knew had a very very rare skin disorder. Clearly special consideration there. I think the vast majority are ok with uniform and a noisy minority are not. Uniforms should be affordable and reasonably practical. Easy to wash and long lasting. If schools do this, most are ok with it.

You didn't come across the issues because those with them were isolated and suffered in silence with their DC missing education. Happily, it's not the same now.

Parker231 · 15/07/2024 18:58

SummerDays2020 · 15/07/2024 18:49

At my DS's school they all wore jeans and hoodies - boys and girls. No need for any rules.

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Same with DT’s - they wore the same clothes to school as they wore at the weekend and on holiday. Jeans and a hoodie with shorts and a T-shirt when it was warmer. Practical clothes for being comfortable during lessons and for getting the Tube to and from school.

SummerDays2020 · 15/07/2024 18:59

Needmorelego · 15/07/2024 10:23

@Bearybasket most 6th forms do that.
Except they look nothing like actual office workers. On another thread I said the girls in this "office wear" dress like they are in an episode of Ally McBeal from the 90s.
Actual office workers seem to dress in long skirts and converse these days.

Our local 6th forms all used to be non-uniform. But lots now have introduced a uniform. Still a couple that are non-uniform. One does the office wear thing (when I worked in an office there was no dress code) and the other they can wear whatever.

SummerDays2020 · 15/07/2024 19:01

mugboat · 15/07/2024 11:50

My daughter would hate this. She is very fussy about trousers and only likes to wear leggings due to sensory issues. She has opted to wear the skirt at her new school (trousers are an option at her school for those who want them).

Edited

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My DD wore leggings everyday at Primary. At Secondary she has worn a skirt in the warm weather but can't tolerate tights so wears trousers in the colder weather. I could buy any school trousers so got the stretchy jersey ones which she finds comfortable.

SummerDays2020 · 15/07/2024 19:05

Needmorelego · 15/07/2024 12:32

@TizerorFizz I actually see a lot of schools that say skirts should be worn "on the knee or just above the knee". I actually think "above the knee" is too short to start with and all a girl has to do is grow a couple of inches and the skirt is far to short.
Why do schools say "above the knee" to start with? They are practically encouraging skirts being too short.

DD's school say it must be on the knee or longer. It seems to work to keep the skirts not too short.

SummerDays2020 · 15/07/2024 19:07

Needmorelego · 15/07/2024 12:42

What I don't understand is out of school I rarely see teenage girls wearing skirts.

I agree with this. I'm always surprised how few wear trousers in the winter.

SummerDays2020 · 15/07/2024 19:09

solsticelove · 15/07/2024 12:46

I think this is very telling.
There’s this idea in the Uk that having a uniform puts everyone on the same ‘playing field’ and reduces bullying but it’s a misconception. It causes so much angst and resentment and I hate to say it but they all still know who is poor and who isn’t 😞

I’ve spent time teaching in secondary school in Spain (no uniforms in state schools in Spain) and it makes no difference negatively at all to behaviour or motivation or anything like that. In fact if anything the kids are more relaxed and can concentrate better. They also call their teachers by their first names which actually increases respect as it feels like they are as respected as the adults so they behave more respectfully.

Show quote history

I absolutely hate all the Mr this and Mrs that. It exists nowhere else! Well maybe in court.

I've been in meetings with my DC with other professionals all called by their first name and then the teacher has a title, it just stands out as so out of touch.