The Eleventh Republic - countdown to summer holidays

[StaffAssociationRepresentative]

You are most welcome to this school staff support thread to get us through stressful times. It is meant for school staff. Baiters and bashers can jog on somewhere else.

If you are NOT staff and just have a general education query please start your own thread.

You can play here only if you are a member of one the following groups-

-ABBA - anti bashers and baiting association
-SWAB - school workers against bashers
-SWOT - school workers opposing teacherbashers
-STARS - schoolworkers together against ranting + slurs

Other requirements for staff room entry include the ability to find the staff room, the ability to find a clean mug in the staff room, knowledge of the photocopier codes, and the ability to sniff out where the toffee vodka is hidden.

If you are fed up with cakes and biscuits there is now a cheeseboard on offer

If you come with a stick to beat us with then please do so elsewhere and not in the staffroom

I found out today that one of our pupils was hospitalised with covid right back when lockdown just started. Not the typical symptoms but requiring some quite invasive treatment. So much for children not being in danger, teen-agers do catch it, and they can have serious complications.

Interesting thread on school uniform. Personally I do wish it was gone. The argument that it equalises poverty isn't true now our school has an expensive academy uniform, and so does my kids secondary. The poorer kids get secondhand ones or hand me downs.

My dd has been much happier going in in her own clothes - she has scoliosis and the uniform is awful for her. In clothes she chooses herself her whole body language changes. Keyworker children in my school are happy and the gap that I know is there in some of the incomes is not visible. None of them are in brands.

I was at school in the late 70's and left in 88. I only ever had uniform in upper school. What do people think? Personally i'd love to get rid. I have 2 kids this year with sensory issues who just writhe in uniform. Seeing one of them in joggers and a hoodie was a revelation.

I like it, but think it should be tracky bottoms and trainers with a logo'd polo shirt or something. In primary there is no need to change for PE until year 5 and 6 - up to then, they should just flap around in the same clothes the whole time.

They should also have school coats and wellies, and not stay indoors during wet break. #hippy

I'm actually glad /from a selfish pov) they are encouraging wraparound provision. So many teachers need it.

I think the guidance isn't horrendous. It's not brilliant BUT there is lots of room for manoeuvre and plenty of "if possible". Giving schools flexibility is mostly a good thing.

I agree goats! I hate wet breaks - they should be out! I like idea of comfy uniform like that. For me too!

The first person I know to have definitely had it , apart from my lovely MP, was a sixth former from DS's school, and her friend , one of whom was really ill.

Really sweet little slot on The One Show with a virtual prom. Bless them.

They should also have school coats and wellies, and not stay indoors during wet break. #hippy

Amen to that! There are very few weather conditions that you can’t go out in.

I think joggers/trousers/shorts with a polo shirt and unisex sweatshirt for primary is fine. No one fussing with their tie or skirt, easily washable and affordable.

I do like a uniform for secondary but not everything branded and hideously expensive. The local girls school doesn’t have blazers and ties, breaking the tradition of “you can have an education but you must wear what the boys wear”.
Blazer/sweater branded, PE top maybe, tie.....that’s it. Everything else from wherever a parent can get it according to their budget. A pair of black trousers is a pair of black trousers ffs.
Another local school has close fitting PE tops for the girls, with a sort of piping effect accentuating the bra area. Boys, of course, can have a loose fitting t-shirt. But then girls aren’t permitted to wear trousers there so 🤷‍♀️

I used to work for a school that intentionally changed the uniform colour to something 'you can't easily get from Asda' (said the head). Which was helpful. I buy my child the jersey top/checked skirt dresses - those gingham dresses would drive her mad around the neck and armpits. Anyway, £3 each or something. I'm probably supporting a slave sweat shop somewhere.

Just been on Twitter on #schoolsreopening.

It is SO much more sympathetic to teachers and sees right through Gav and his Gov.

Maybe try a year of no uniform and see if it creates anarchy and more bullying. Kids were 50/50 when I asked them. You can still get it 'wrong' if you wear unifor: wrong length tie, wrong shoes, wrong hair style, wrong attitude.

No! I’ve just spent a fortune on uniform for September!

If you can cope this is amusing:

twitter.com/NottheRtHonGav1

I went to a girls secondary, and we didn't have ties or blazers. We had open neck shirts and a v neck jumper, that could be bought from anywhere or knitted at home if you wanted (mine were knitted, my parents had a small knitting business, lots of my friends also wore knitted jumpers made by my parents). We did have to wear skirts though, no trousers for us.

I'd love uniform to be much more comfortable if we have to have it. Why the insistence on ties and blazers? I don't know anyone who wears that stuff for work, unless they are a male teacher.

My LO's primary doesn't have a uniform. It's mostly great, but I think it would be nice to have a top / polo or something they could wear on trips as it's mad trying to keep track of them all.

I haven't even thought about buying uniform yet. I certainly don't buy enough for 1 change per day. Except polo.shirts cos my kids are disgusting. I usually get it after we've been on.holiday.

I much prefer uniform, no arguments and much quicker in the mornings and I don’t care if it gets worn as it’s cheaper than most other clothes - wearing the same jumper all week, same trousers. My kids change when they get in into whatever sport/activity is happening that night. Neither has blazer uniform though which helps.

Hmmm I'm in two minds about uniform. At my kids primary it is very sensible - generic supermarket polo shirts / jumpers / skirts / trousers etc. You can get logo ones through the school but hardly anyone does. It makes getting dd2 dressed easier as she can fuss about her outfits and what goes with what. I have no idea where she gets that from btw and she's only 6! And uniform does stop the "no you can't wear a tutu to school" arguments....
BUT dd1 who has sensory issues has been sooooo much happier in her shorts/leggings/t shirt outfits while there has been no uniform. Plus the whole school shoes angst is not there as she can just wear trainers.
Maybe it should be like some Chinese schools and have a tracksuit uniform

I agree with the expense issue of blazers and ties. The school I work at is very strict on uniform and to be honest it wastes so much of my time. It is also obvious who is wearing second hand as the blazers just don't last well. And also theres the issues where some tiny year 7 has obviously been bought a blazer to grow into to last them their entire school career - and sometimes it is still too big in year 11

John Crace on Gavin :

www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jul/02/gavs-brilliant-back-to-school-plan-pretend-the-pandemics-as-good-as-over

At least he sees through him.

Uniform and shoes bought at Easter and at Oct half term. She's in massive dresses right now, but I'll shrink them in the wash so they fit by September.

I'm currently arguing on Twitter about Oak Academy stealth takeover of curriculum. Where are the jobs being advertised?

Yes, this is the hill I've chosen to die on.

I heard they were putting out a call for more staff and covering 'all' of the curriculum which sounds a tad over ambitious.

Thanks for the link to that article Piggy

I just bought uniform as the M&S 25% off thing is on. One and done for me (although at some point I need to broach the tiny local sports shop that sells the school jumpers). Fuck it, if they ditch uniform I’ll send them in wearing it anyway. At that price it’s cheaper than them putting holes in the knees of all their jeans and leggings.