Ties becoming optional

[LaraDerbyshire]

My kids' school is planning to make school ties optional. I see no problem with this because they can't be seen beneath their sweatshirts. The new rule is thzt of tors are worn, top buttons must be done up, and if they aren't worn, the top button must be undone with the shirt collar outside the sweatshirt.

Does this seem fair to those who want to keep wearing their ties? The difference will be immediately noticeable.

I think that sounds excellent.
Ties are pointless.

Does any of them want to continue wearing a tie??

Just get rid of ties. Either have them or don't.

Ties are pointless, might be nice in photos only or formal dress events for seniors.

DS (14) does but DD (13) isn't fussed.

Its nothing to do with being fair, it's giving them a choice. A tie with button done up, mo tie with button undone. It's not that big a deal at all. You are really overthinking it.

@LaraDerbyshire so he wears one, she doesn't.
Their choices. What's the issue?

Does this seem fair to those who want to keep wearing their ties? The difference will be immediately noticeable.

Fair?! I don't understand. If someone doesn't think it's fair, then they can not wear a tie as well 😂

Good.

Clinging to formal school uniforms in 2025 is silly - it's an impractical costume at this point. Few adults wear jackets and ties everyday to work today so what are we supposedly preparing them for with this?

The new rules sound like they're based around the idea that students need to be smart and tidy but can choose multiple options for that, which is better prep for work life. A loose tie over an unbuttoned top button is messy, which is different than dressing neatly but less formally (which is exactly what sweatshirt or jumper over an open, visible collar is).

Do any of them. DO.

Thanks. V interesting.

I assume OP thinks they will be bullied if they choose to wear a tie, and tbh they probably will be made fun of if they choose to. You’re right, though, it’s their decision to make and nothing to do with fairness 🤷‍♀️

@LaraDerbyshire the new Government's schools bill will limit the number of compulsory branded items schools are allowed, so that's almost certainly why they're making the tie optional. See paragraph 22 here: https://schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-bill-all-39-proposed-policies-and-when-theyll-start/

It won't be, because ties are allowed as an extra branded item in secondary,

Actually most ties do have a point, although in the70's (I think) it was fashionable to have a blunt end.

Good point, though it's possible they heard the headline and didn't read the detail. 🙃