School Uniform !

mumps

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

OK, I must have been unlucky then. Our foster son and his friends wouldn't be seen in what they called "skanky" clothes out of school. I know, I bought lots of stuff from Tesco which were never worn!

:rotfl:You obviously have your hands full. I have always tried to educate my kids on the value of money, not being influenced by people who try to persuade them that happiness is a pair of Nike trainers or whatever. Brought up MSE style before MSE existed. I wonder what Martin thinks about the uniform issue?

Sorry I wasn't implying anything about how you are bringing up foster son, some kids are more fashion and label conscious than others. Just not into it and fortunately my kids, specially youngest two, are the same and so are their friends.

Oldernotwiser

Carmen_Queasy wrote: »

Well, I'd rather people in general were free-thinkers and not apathetic sheep.

When people say things like this they seem to think that there'll be an efficiently managed class with their own child (of course highly intelligent and desparately insightful) occasionally making telling comments on the petty bureaucracy that s/he finds.

What really happens is that you get a class full of barrack room lawyers and the awkward squad who question anything and everything that they're told, from positions of deepest ignorance. The only word for the result is the worst kind of anarchy.

I'm pretty sure you're not a teacher (neither am I) but I imagine that most caring parents wouldn't want to subject their children to this kind of "education".

mumps

beccam wrote: »

Also nevermind the cost of uniform for secondary school.....we have to pay a ridiculous amount for nursery school!!
A logo'd polo shirt and sweater for a 3yr old who grows at a rate of knots, has a great love of paint and PVA glue and uses her sleeve for a tissue!:eek:

I thought I'd get away with one jumper but quickly realised it was never going to last more than one day before needing a wash....at £15 each I was not impressed!! However I bought big and she has got the year out of them....all be it the first term she could barely lift her arms as the sleeves were so long and this term she can barely breathe as it is so small but hey ho!:rotfl:

That is awful but I have to smile at your lovely description of your little one in her oversized/undersized uniform. I bet she is looking forward to the summer holidays.

Oldernotwiser

mumps wrote: »

:rotfl:

Sorry I wasn't implying anything about how you are bringing up foster son, some kids are more fashion and label conscious than others. Just not into it and fortunately my kids, specially youngest two, are the same and so are their friends.

Me neither but when you don't have a child for his formative years you've far less chance of influencing him. The Jesuits were so right about the first 7 years!

Oldernotwiser

Coupon-mad wrote: »

We'll see....

Probably depends how bored they are. In the meantime, you might want to compare the number of people who thanked her for the post to the number of people who thanked you for yours.;)

Carmen_Queasy

Oldernotwiser- sorry dont know how to multiquote on this forum- but to answer both posts, my parents raised me to question things when I was a kid and as my report cards would tell you I was a well behaved pupil. I think telling kids to shut up and don't ask questions no matter how relevant is toxic to an inquisitive young mind tends to make them bitter. It makes me so sad seeing a bright young child ask "why?" and being told to shut up.:(

Second point is I agree with Coupon mad and think that post breaks a few terms and conditions too. No matter how many thanks it got I can't see Martin Lewis or any decent moderating team condoning it.

uolypool

Sorry I haven't read all the thread (slap my hand) but if you are on jsa can you not apply for a clothing grant and free school meals from educational welfare benefits to help with secondary school uniforms ?I know you can ifyou are on Income support ,apologies if someone else has said this earlier in the thread

AsknAnswer

ONW - it sends out the message that matters which have no basis in terms of reasonability should be questioned.

Let's look at some government grants: when a claimant wishes to claim for a certain item, if the conditions of claim are met, the government decision maker must decide whether it is reasonable or necessary for the claimant to have the sum they have requested for the item they have requested, whether it could be purchased at a lesser price or whether it is a neccessity at all for the claimant to have the item.

School grants are capped at a limit, dependent on the local authorities. A school grant for low income families would not cover the cost of a logo'd uniform from this school, in addition schools are expected to keep their prices low, which of course many don't. Some Local Authorities do not operate such a scheme.

In my opinion it is not reasonable or neccessary for me to pay out such a price for a logo. My children will get the same answer as they grow up and want "named brands" bought for them. They simply won't get them from me. I won't pay extra for a name.

I won't buy any "soft and quilted" toilet tissue - I buy the cheapest available, after all I only wipe my backside with it!

If the school's own was more reasonably priced, I would not have an issue with it.

poet123

There is a difference between questioning, and being difficult for the sake of it. If you accept the offer of a place at a decent school, you ought to accept the uniform requirements that go along with it. The wearing of a logo may not seem a big deal, in reality it is one of several things which underpin good standards, reinforce school identity and foster community spirit.

All, if not most, of the highest achieving schools in the country have strict uniform policies, that is not a co incidence. I would far rather my child went to a school where uniform standards and educational standards were upheld, than one where uniform/discipline was lax. The two issues are intertwined.

There is always home education for those amongst us who think uniform stunts their ability to think for themselves. A more honest and upfront choice than undermining the good schools.

Of course many people espouse "free thinking" as a way of being different for the sake of it, or to save money which they believe is better spent in other areas. What those areas are is open to speculation, I for one don't believe they always include food or heating:rolleyes: as some would have us beleive. It is about priorities, and often those who spout about the cost of uniform (which is cheaper now than ever before) do not have education as a priority.

That is fine, but at least be honest about it, and dont dress it up as "free thinking":D

With regard to the post by Kim Yeovil, it was harsh,(as I think many of us who followed conceded, however there were kernels of truth in there, and of course truth is often not palatable. Truth is not a reason for censorship, nor is the fact that you may not agree with someone, or like the way they express themselves. This is forum, diversity of opinion is unavoidable. We need to deal with it like adults and not run for the mods.

It is another form of free thinking perhaps......

SuziQ

uolypool wrote: »

Sorry I haven't read all the thread (slap my hand) but if you are on jsa can you not apply for a clothing grant and free school meals from educational welfare benefits to help with secondary school uniforms ?I know you can ifyou are on Income support ,apologies if someone else has said this earlier in the thread

Free school meals yes,uniform grants-depends on where you live,but mostly no.