challenging ridiculous uniform policy

[Clearinguptheclutter]

DS started y7 this week. It appears that it is compulsory for all children to wear a jumper underneath the compulsory blazer. There is an exception for this week only, and from June onwards but all other times they are expected to wear them.

They are allowed to ask to take the blazer off, but apparently not the jumper. In practice teachers we think are more flexible but that is the rule. Certainly when walking around school they are expected to wear both.

Both DH and I think this is completely batshit. As it happens DS is a rule-follower and will probably just go along with it but I just don't understand this reasoning at all. In whose interest is it for kids to be hot and sweaty when learning? Who on earth in the real world wears jumpers underneath suit jackets? From what we can tell the rationale is. a. the kids will look smarter and b. it gives the kids a "collective sense of identity". I rolled my eyes at that.

Anyway I'm also a rule-followed so will just hope it works itself out. DH otoh really wants to challenge it on the basis "why does the school think it can make a collective judgement on if our kids are too hot or not". In the real world if you are too hot, you take a layer off. You don't ask for permission. Obvs there are exemptions for certain professions for good reason. He has a call booked with the head of year to discuss.

Anyway just wondering what others think of this policy if you have them and has anyone ever succesfully challenged?

Or is my DH unreasonable for challenging and we should just shut up and put up. DH is telling DS "there is no need for you wear a jumper unless you want to and if anyone has a problem ask them to call me" which I don't think is terribly helpful. As much as I hate the rule I don't want to encourage DS to break it.

I dunno. I would say if the rule has been in place for a while then why arrive and be an agitator rather than just accept the rules of the school you chose? There will always be moaners re every aspect of school uniform policy. Can’t ever please everyone.

Probably bypass the school and take this up to the minister of education. Cost of living, mental and physical well-being etc.
Rules like this and TIES are simply bat shit.

DCs will go to school in unsuitable clothes for the climate ime- this rule means they are all reasonably warm. Seems sensible to me.

My DD's old school had this rule. October half-term to Easter. Removal only possible at the discretion of the head teacher or if the SEN department issue an 'exception' card.

My school had a similar policy, I have a chronic illness and I would faint from being too hot fairly regularly around this time of year. Just because it looks horrible outside doesn't mean it's cold.
How could anyone argue that making a child uncomfortable is a good thing for their education?

Usually I'm on side with the school when it comes to uniform but forcing children to comply with rules that make them uncomfortable is batshit. It doesn't prepare them for work or adult life at all.

I'm in two minds about this, the first is that you can't join a institution and expect the rules to be changed because you don't like them.
The second is, unless you are paying for private education, tax payers money is being paid to people to make up ridiculous and expensive school uniform rules, making uncomfortable for kids and unnecessarily costly for parents, to access the mandatory education they are entitled to.

Just started yr7 and ready to complain, even though it's hardly warm?

Lots of schools have this rule and no one has died 😂

Also, you are supplied with a uniform policy and list before even starting, didn't you read it?

Not unreasonable to challenge at all. It's utterly ridiculous. In not other circumstance would we expect a set of people to all experience the same reaction to a given temperature. My daughter's school had a policy that tights had to be worn unless the headteachers said otherwise. Drove me crazy. I'd be going to work in my summer skirt (professional office job) and my poor daughter would be togged up in tights, a thick skirt and a blazer.

Your kid has just started. You have five or more years to go. Building a supportive relationship with school is really really important for your ds.

Tell your dh that while he may have a point, having a positive relationship with school is far more important than swinging his big daddy bollocks.

Agreed it is week 1 of term!!
Is it a new Rule this year or a relatively unknown one?
We have a local secondary known strict on behaviour and uniform standards there's been endless sm outrage last year,gate protests and striking students ......guess what the rules remain. If you don't like an existing rule dont pick that school?

I think he is not unreasonable to challenge however I wouldn’t “encourage” DC to take jumper off. Don’t make it their battle.

I agree with you on both fronts.

I don’t think either of us expect rules to be changed I think my stubborn dh is determined to get to the bottom of why the school thinks it’s a good idea. From what I gather parents kicked up a stink when this rule was introduced 3 years ago but despite overwhelming negative feedback they pressed on.

It’s ridiculous stupid rule. St Mary Redcliffe has this one my son just took it off refused to wear it. They also had to have permission to take blazers off when it was hot. My opinion has always been ties blazers are not particularly safe in science classes either.

I’d totally challenge this - but perhaps in a respectful way so as not to burn bridges at this early stage. My daughter’s school has a policy whereby blazers must always be worn (except in extreme heat) but jumpers are optional, so this then allows for those who feel the cold to wear jumper and blazer and those who feel warm can just stick to the blazer - but expecting everyone to wear both it batshit, as a previous poster said.

What I thought. Unfair to get him involved.

I think needs to get through the door and see how the policy operates in practice before going in with all guns blazing. It may be a complete non-issue on the ground.

Yes, If your DH wants to get to the bottom of it/ wants to campaign for cancellation - he should be welcome . But politely and without you and DC involved.

p.s Ime this condition nearly always removes the temptation to battle.

My primary school told us that girls weren’t allowed to wear cycling shorts under their skirts/dresses. I told them that my daughter’s underwear was none of their concern, provided it couldn’t be seen under their skirts - and if they were able to see it then please explain why they were staring at my daughter’s crotch when she was sat cross-legged on the carpet. They didn’t challenge me again after that. I totally respect and admire our teachers, but there will always be the odd one or two who try to impose ridiculous rules on our children which do not support their ability to access education and I will always challenge that.

YABU. If this was important to you, the time to decide was when you were applying for schools. There are other schools available with different policies. Schools don't make up policies for fun. This school will have considered and may even have trialled other policies and will have concluded that the advantages of this policy outweigh the disadvantages. No single policy is ever perfect for everyone but you being grumpy is a relatively mild and acceptable consequence. Remember you aren't the main character in this story.

They won't change it until the kids start fainting. It's a control thing.

It's fucking stupid.
When I'm hot I can't concentrate and I get a bit narky. Not the best when trying to learn.
I would write to the school and encourage others to do the same.
Schools put so much effort into behaviour without realising these sorts of things make behaviour worse.

My DDs school has the same rule. I was worried as she tends to run warm but she says some classrooms are freezing. Wearing the full uniform walking round makes sense to me, nothing is left behind, everyone is tidy (no clothes being draped over students or dragged on the floor) and then if they are warm in class they ask permission to remove the jacket and or jumper, makes perfect sense 🤷‍♀️

Come the warmer months the school as so far (1 year in) been perfectly reasonable and understanding with relaxing uniform rules on site.

I would contact the head of year and just ask whether this rule is flexible to get it in writing and also point out that some kids just get really hot and this will dissuade them from taking exercise at break times… In my experience secondary school is full of meaningless uniform rules and this one seems set to be quite annoying day to day.
ours had a rule that you could take your blazer off for break but not lunch and you have to wear them in the corridor but not in lessons, you must have seven stripes showing on your tie and may not enter the school with a coat on! But you must have one with you… Just pointless nit picking, no real reason behind it and a pain for teachers to enforce. If the kids are cold wear a jumper, if not take it off! Mad really how we treat secondary school kids! I feel for them..

Are you in Somerset, by any chance? It's the same at my child's school.

Your DH needs to get on any parent partnership groups, PTA or whatever parent engagement group they have, and make a case for a change to the policy.

Is your DS actually too hot with the uniform as it stands?