School uniform - how to fit in

[catwithflowers]

My dd is almost 14 and we are moving back to UK after 15 years abroad. She will be going to an English state school and wearing uniform for the first time. The school (a Catholic school - no idea if that's relevant though!) seems to have quite a strict uniform policy but then from a few threads I've read on here, there can be quite a few variations on 'uniform' - it seems its not necessarily unifying after all

Just read another thread where girls' school blazers are longer than their skirts! I haven't even visited the school yet and can't check out the students personally but really want my dd to fit in and not be the only one with a skirt two inches above the knee if everyone else adapts the uniform. Do kids really stick strictly to the school uniform guide these days? Any advice on school dress code/etiquette much appreciated

It really will depend on the school and how strictly they enforce the rules -it varies from school to school. Have a look on the gallery for the school's website and you may get an idea of what is acceptable.

It depends on the school - if you have a chance do go and look, or as scurry says check out how they look on the website. If all else fails, just get her the minimum amount of clothes to start with and buy more in the more-popular styles the first chance you get after she's had a chance to look round.

The girls at DSs school all have very short skirts, usually with thick tights, but I don't know if that happens everywhere - a Catholic school might be stricter than average.

Do they allow girls to wear trousers ? might be easier to get a pair of straight leg trousers first then see how the land lies ?

We went to my DD's new school to watch all the children coming out at the end of the day, to get a feel for what was 'normal'.

Don't forget the school website photo's will be edited to show those who adhere to the rules.

Thanks everyone. I've checked the school website but only seem to find photos which show the top half ie school sweatshirts not skirts, or sports events or sixth formers at out of school fund-raising events in no uniform .

DD and I won't get a chance to spy on the school before the kids break up for the holidays as we aren't even in England yet. Wonder if I could ask my mum (parents live v close to school) or SIL to check it out. Actually, SIL might be a better idea as she is only in her mid 30s and will understand a bit better than my parents I think about the many ways to wear a uniform