Ridiculous uniform policy for secondary

[freakinthespreadsheets]

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

I think it's ridiculous to make children wear formal office wear to school. YANBU.

That's truly awful - not affordable at all. I'm glad it's not as bad as that now, but we should be going further than "it's better than it was".

I also have B/G twins so I feel your neighbour's pain.

Write to the governors - schools arent allowed to do this anymore, guidance waa issued to schools to say they arent allowed to enforce lots of branded /logo items as part of the uniform. Oyr local school actually had to change the uniform to reduce the amount of posh logo items following the new rules.

Do the skirts not come in different lengths as well as waist sizes?

In Europe, only Britain, Ireland and Malta have uniforms in state schools.
It is an outdated concept that really needs reforming (aka scrapping), along with all the high stakes summative examinations our children have to sit.
So I completely agree with you OP, it is absolutely appalling. And any work place that demands a strict uniform, would always provide it to their employees for free. If schools insist on strict uniform, they should provide it too

Yes but only two and they are only 2 inches different - so if taller than average you'd end up with a detention every day for your skirt being too short! And trousers only one length - so again not an alternative

@Getonwitit is that amount in the prices for 40 years ago or the equivalent?
Because a £47 scarf is almost £190 now and there's no way that would have been compulsory for a typical state comp.
(I mean surely it couldn't have been.......😬)

As others have said this is in direct contravention of the statutory guidance on school uniform and should be challenged.

Oh OK. Ours came in a few different lengths. They weren't trutex though. Maybe Banner. I actually preferred them having a regulation skirt as they could wear it for years and pass it down, whereas at my secondary we had free choice of navy skirt and there would be a new fashion each year that some could afford and some couldnt.

I also think if plans for this uniform change wasn't being made aware of when parents applied for places for next year then it's false advertising and parents could argue it isn't the same school they chose.
(It's depressing that schools have to market and advertise themselves - but that's the current system 🙁)

Totally ridiculous and unnecessary.

Ours is:

Black trousers or black skirt
White shirt
Black jumper or cardigan - no logo
Black shoes or black trainers
Tie - provided by school
No football colours on PE kit - but otherwise wear anything sensible
Blazers only for 5th and 6th years and pre-loved options available

Everything can be bought in supermarkets or the high street.

That is all that is needed and schools expecting anything more should be told where to go.

Because most people think it's reasonable to just send their child in trousers or skirt and top the right colour with the logo, not to have to buy 15 hugely overpriced and often uncomfortable items of clothing from one specific supplier just to put 1 outfit together.

Rubbish, you can have a 'skirt to be no more than 2 inches above knee' rule without making people pay £35 per skirt, in fact by making only one skirt available its harder for the very tall or short to get the right fit.

Ridiculous! I have secondary aged DD and would actually consider moving schools over this.
When i was in school we had to wear a colour of skirt that you could only get from a school uniform supplier really especially in the 90s before online shopping, it was a nightmare because I went through puberty early and always been pear shaped so all the skirts that fit my hips gaped at the waist! My mum was so happy when they started allowing trousers for girls

Wouldn't it be great for the school uniform to be a neutral coloured tracksuit, white t-shirt and trainers.

How comfortable for the kids and easy for the parents.

This country needs to be dragged out of the dark ages sometimes.

@Fannyfiggs I agree except for white t-shirts.
White is a very impractical colour 😂

Yes it’s ridiculous. I’m fortunate my secondary is sensible on uniform. Jumper, tie and PE top have to be branded but trousers, skirts etc can be from anywhere. There are neighbouring schools that require every item branded plus different PE kit for rugby, football and athletics,

That's very true.

Due to your feedback, I have changed my uniform policy for FannyFiggs High to navy t-shirts 😆

Absolutely ridiculous, and what possible justification can they have for allowing two fit options for boys trousers but only one option for girls? That's sex discrimination.

@Fannyfiggs sensible choice 😂

My school had a similar uniform policy to this. I had to wear unflattering, uncomortable trousers for 5 years. Not sure what you can do though really.

This is ridiculous. When I was at secondary my school let you have any white shirt/polo and black jumper with an iron-on logo which cost a few quid from the school shop, then any black trousers or skirt (so long as not too short!). I thought that was standard now?

This! I thought that was surely the most outrageous part never mind the cost or inconvenience of it 😳

You can’t see the issue with forcing poor and working class people to spend £350 on branded clothing for the privilege of going to school?