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Cheap School Uniform Discussion

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  • sunnyone
    sunnyone Posts: 4,716 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Its all down to the governers whats acceptable, in my sons primary school they had a parental vote and uniforms were brought in but it was reasonable, my son has health problems (his immune system dosnt work the way it should) and he was allowed diffrent PE clothing to keep him warm.

    In areas with a uniform code thats enforcable the LA is supposed to (by statute) give grants or one free of each unique uniform item per child to the children who are entitled to free school meals, my sons secondary school give each child entitled to free school meals a free school sweatshirts according to there literature.
  • LJM
    LJM Posts: 4,535 Forumite
    did you not get a uniform list when they started either seperate or in the school brochure? if your children's uniform complys with the list i would take them in dressed in their uniform with the list and state they are wearing correct uniform. i wouldnt send them in in their own clothes as they would be singled out from the rest of the children and as we all know children can be cruel sometimes. i personally like the school uniform i do breach a little from ours as it states they should have emblemed cardigan/jumpers and tshirts but i along with lots of parents cannot afford to pay £11 pound per cardigan and £8 per tshirt when i have 2 girls it is expensive instead i buy the correct colour one in my case red and white tshirts from somewhere like matalan which is less than half price of the schools. if you are not happy with the school over this and you have spoken to the head teacher the next step would be for you to go direct to the education department
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  • my_gorgeous_ellie-belle
    my_gorgeous_ellie-belle Posts: 1,744 Forumite
    edited 29 April 2010 at 5:28PM
    Oh it's when nurseries tell you they now want to enforce uniform it peeves me off. DD has to wear a logo'd jumper and a logo'd polo neck tshirt...and you can only buy it from them at £6 a t-shirt and £8 a jumper. They wash terribly, shrink on a low heat tumble dry and leave fluff absolutely everywhere after countless washes...a pain in the bum if you ask me!

    Seriously why a nursery needs a uniform is beyond me...just another way to make money and advertise the nursery if you ask me. Wrong wrong wrong!!!

    I think uniforms are fine in primary school and should be adhered to, but i don't think it's right for them to determine where you can buy them from (i,e only the school shop) unless they want to match the cheap prices yet decent quality you get from Asda...even M&S are cheaper for their polo t-shirts than DD's nurseries.

    If it cost, i can deffo see the arguement against them!

    I think it's reasonable to ask for say eg: red polo t-shirt, grey skirt/trousers or white shirt, and certain trousers/skirts.
    Mummy of 3 lovely munchkins :smileyhea
  • my_gorgeous_ellie-belle
    my_gorgeous_ellie-belle Posts: 1,744 Forumite
    edited 29 April 2010 at 5:34PM
    My daughter goes to nursery 2 days a week, this new rule was enforced at the beginning of this year and already she has gone through 2 t-shirts and 3 jumpers due to the twisting/shrinking (yep i'm washing only on 40) and i'm not the only parent to realise. *shakes head* It's ridiculous!

    If the school wants a logo i think they should stipulate a certain dress code (as per their previous school uniform criteria, i,e certain colour jumpers and polo t's which you should be able to pick up say for eg in asda/tesco/m&s) and then hand out the iron on school logos for free :D Might be one to push for, lol! Doubt it'd ever get agreed but it makes for a good argument for those that can't afford the ridiculous prices for crappy quality items they want to push on you.

    EDIT: Actually just realised at secondary school our blazers were plain black bought from wherever and then we could buy the iron on logos for about £1 or £2 each from the head office....knew i'd got that idea from somewhere lol.
    Mummy of 3 lovely munchkins :smileyhea
  • Indie_Kid
    Indie_Kid Posts: 23,097 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I think it's reasonable to ask for say eg: red polo t-shirt, grey skirt/trousers or white shirt, and certain trousers/skirts.

    This is all they did at primary school. They said we can wear grey, navy, white or black. There was a school jumper; but this wasn't compulsory. Neither were the PE t-shirts - as long as they were the right colour.
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  • Savvy_Sue
    Savvy_Sue Posts: 47,324 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    EDIT: Actually just realised at secondary school our blazers were plain black bought from wherever and then we could buy the iron on logos for about £1 or £2 each from the head office....knew i'd got that idea from somewhere lol.
    Do not rely on ironed on logos, I would always sew them on as well ...
    Signature removed for peace of mind
  • ailuro2
    ailuro2 Posts: 7,540 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Dear <school>

    <offspring> has reported being challenged on several occasions by <school staff> over uniform. In order to monitor this situation, I would ask that <offspring> is not challenged about this directly, you are requested to communicate such issues directly to me by <means of communication>, as I regard myself as responsible for <offspring>'s compliance with the uniform requirements.

    Pleas send a copy of the current uniform requirements together with a note of any further requirements which are not recorded.

    Yours sincerely

    alexandrajj

    This is the best, most grown up way to handle it. Act like a child and they will treat you like one, I have noticed that in schools the staff will treat everyone as chidren by default, you need to behave 100% adult to be treated with a bit of respect, imho.

    Send in the above letter, if they don't give you guidelines then send your kids to school in their current uniforms and refuse to wear any logo'd items till you have a list of rules on uniform in your possession.

    All schools here in Scotland afaik wear uniform, some are stricter than others about what is worn. The local public school round here has one skirt, one shirt,one blazer,one jumper nothing else is allowed. DD attends a 'normal' primary school. There are twins in my DD's class who have been sent to school in the fashion-store version of uniform in black instead of school colour grey for the last six years now. All the other kids look smart in their grey skirts/trousers and jumpers with white shirt/polo shirt, so the twins stick out like a sore thumb. There have been letters sne out to everyone reminding parents of school colours but the mother just ignores it. I do feel sorry for the kids.The school uniform can be bought from anywhere - Asda, Tesco, M&S up to the expensive local school uniform shop we're really very lucky. In summer the girls can wear green/white checked summer dress, guess the mother is colour blind as she sent her kids in differently coloured ones.:)

    One thing that seems to be universal is no trainers to school, ever!
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  • laurel7172
    laurel7172 Posts: 2,071 Forumite
    Get as many other parents together as possible, raise a fuss about the quality of the items. Book individual appointments with the head. Demand replacements if they aren't lasting as long as they should. Throw around phrases like "merchantable quality".

    Trust me, the head has a million more important things stressing them out. They'll change supplier or revert to dress code.
    import this
  • LondonDiva
    LondonDiva Posts: 3,011 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker I've been Money Tipped!
    laurel7172 wrote: »
    Get as many other parents together as possible, raise a fuss about the quality of the items. Book individual appointments with the head. Demand replacements if they aren't lasting as long as they should. Throw around phrases like "merchantable quality".

    Trust me, the head has a million more important things stressing them out. They'll change supplier or revert to dress code.
    Or you could contact the governors / PTA to find out their position on it before raising Cain. Very good bet they have something to do with it and if not, you can get them on side before going in shouting the odds.

    Playing games to purposely waste time sets a tone that this is not about a win / win outcome, but scoring points.

    However unhappy you are with the situation, bear in mind two things 1 - the school is a partner in your child's education, not an enemy and 2 (most importantly) the attitude you have and the comments you make about the school will communicate themselves to your child. If you speak as though they are idots or their rules aren't worth following (until you've raised the matter properly and tried to get it addressed), your child will pick up on it and it will translate into behaviour / response to school and teachers.

    The biggest example children have are their parents when it comes to modelling behaviour.
    "This is a forum - not a support group. We do not "owe" anyone unconditional acceptance of their opinions."
  • patchwork_cat
    patchwork_cat Posts: 5,874 Forumite
    My DD (12) needs white school shirts - she likes the 3/4 sleeve slightly fitted style with a proper collar for her tie. Last year we got them from Asda, but they haven't worn very well on the collar. Asda shirts are £3.50 for 2. I have looked at other places, but Next are £6 each, M&S are £15 for 2, BHS similar price.

    Is there any one that does these for £8-10 or less for 2 that are decent quality?
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