School Uniform !

mumps

poet123 wrote: »

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 op us who followed conceded, however there were kerenels 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......

But for many of us we support school uniform but it needs to be reasonable so that the best schools are not out of the reach of some. As I have said before my children went to two different grammar schools, very similar school, similar ofsted reports and results but one had a reasonably priced uniform the other was much more expensive. It wasn't a question of the first school being lax about uniform, they just chose a more cost effective option.

By the way, if you think I am included in this statement "and often those who spout about the cost of uniform (which is cheaper now than ever before) do not have education as a priority." I would just like to say I have four children, two graduates, one at university and one doing A levels. All went to grammar school, two were home educated for four years as I wasn't happy with the alternative and was prepared to put my money where my mouth was.

Loopy_Girl

AsknAnswer wrote: »

Furthermore, when I was a child, promotion of dental health was certainly not as big it is now. We had it all. Fizzy sweets, sugar coated cakes, fizzy juice, cremola foam (dear God how I miss Cremola foam) - I could go on all day about the complete and utter disgustingly unhealthy foods and drink that passed our mouths and into our gullets every day. I have never in my life had a severe dental problem. Not once. Never had to visit the dentist for anything other than a routine check up, where the dentist almost always compliments me on how lovely my teeth are. Neither have my six siblings had dental problems, but my seventh sibling has admittedly got three filings. I'm all for keeping teeth healthy but there is a lot of scaremongering about health, dental or otherwise. Scotland as far as I am aware has the worst dental health in Britain. However, in spite of that there are a few of us who are capable of understanding even the basics of good dental care. My daughter very rarely gets sweets. She is not permitted fizzy juice. She rarely gets cakes. There is obviously the exception of a sweet treat, but only very occasionally - treats are normally given in the form of a visit to somewhere fun rather than the offering of confectionary. Not soley because I want her to maintain healthy teeth and gums, but because I also want her to maintain healthy organs and arteries. Teach that to them when they are young and they will be equipped when they are older.

So I'm assuming that you said no to the duraphat application then? No one is saying anyone is an idiot but it's a new programme and the consent forms are new to everyone.
And no, to the poster who asked, we don't phone the people who tick yes.

Also to point out that fresh squeezed juice has a higher acid content than any diluting juice.

If you have such a problem with the school policies (which I am assuming that you must have read in the handbook at enrolment) such as uniform and snack etc etc then why send her there? Do you act like this at your place of work as well - if you are asked to do something but you know better then point blank refuse?

Loopy_Girl

Personally I wouldn't want my child to be different. I suppose it's all about priorities and how important your childs education is and if the school that has been chosen has a strict uniform policy then it's a small price to pay for a decent education.

We get £80 per month for a child in CB (am talking about having 1 child obviously) and if that can't be used to pay for a uniform which, lets face it, only needs to be purchased once a year then there's something not right.

I have just put my order in for the branded stuff for my small person but to balance it I have been buying little bits and bobs like the pinafores, blouses, trousers etc for the past 2 months or so.

I think sending your child to school in something which isn't correct and everybody else is wearing the correct thing is a potential opening for bullying and being left out by her friends. Kids are cruel and will pick up on any little thing and it only takes one to notice and start a rumour about so-and-so being to poor/chavvy/mean to have a proper uniform for it to infiltrate in the class.

mumps

Loopy_Girl wrote: »

So I'm assuming that you said no to the duraphat application then? No one is saying anyone is an idiot but it's a new programme and the consent forms are new to everyone.
And no, to the poster who asked, we don't phone the people who tick yes.

Also to point out that fresh squeezed juice has a higher acid content than any diluting juice.

If you have such a problem with the school policies (which I am assuming that you must have read in the handbook at enrolment) such as uniform and snack etc etc then why send her there? Do you act like this at your place of work as well - if you are asked to do something but you know better then point blank refuse?

To be fair parents don't have to accept the duraphat application, that is why you need their consent.

poet123

mumps wrote: »

But for many of us we support school uniform but it needs to be reasonable so that the best schools are not out of the reach of some. As I have said before my children went to two different grammar schools, very similar school, similar ofsted reports and results but one had a reasonably priced uniform the other was much more expensive. It wasn't a question of the first school being lax about uniform, they just chose a more cost effective option.

By the way, if you think I am included in this statement "and often those who spout about the cost of uniform (which is cheaper now than ever before) do not have education as a priority." I would just like to say I have four children, two graduates, one at university and one doing A levels. All went to grammar school, two were home educated for four years as I wasn't happy with the alternative and was prepared to put my money where my mouth was.

No, my points weren't actually directed at you, as I happen to agree with you that £37 for a sweatshirt is expensive, that said I would have paid it if I could afford to do so , or failing that got a second hand one.

My points were directed at the other poster, who has adopted a "principle based" refusik stance, which is not affordability related, rather a "won't, can't make me, attitude" which is sadly replicated by many parents, and in turn their kids. I see the kids of those parents daily, (I lecture in a College) and they illustrate the point all too well.:rolleyes:

I have 4 kids too, 2 Graduates, one at Uni, one at Secondary school, so I have been at the coal face of this debate for many years.

mumps

:rotfl:

poet123 wrote: »

No, my points weren't actually directed at you (or the OP) as I happen to agree with you that £37 for a sweatshirt is expensive, that said I would have paid it if I could afford to do so , or failing that got a second hand one.

My points were directed at the other poster, who has adopted a "principle based" refusik stance, which is not affordability related, rather a "won't, can't make me, attitude" which is sadly replicated by many parents, and in turn their kids. I see the kids of those parents daily, (I lecture in a College) and they illustrate the point all too well.:rolleyes:

I have 4 kids too, 2 Graduates, one at Uni, one at Secondary school, so I have been at the coal face of this debate for many years.

Don't you think schools would get more co-operation if they followed the example of the first school my older two went to? I do know one or two parents who just don't like uniform but I find most people do like it but don't like to feel they are paying over the odds for no real benefit. I did buy the sweatshirt, I had no option, but look at it realistically one year I needed to buy
5 blouses for daughter £65 (actually got cheaper similar blouses but this was school price)
5 polo shirts for son about £60
Two pairs of trouses £36
4 sweat shirts (2 each) £136 (hers were cheaper as smaller)
Two skirts £40 (actually I bought them cheaper but that was school price)
PE kit changed that year and I needed to send in over £60 for that, even though they had kit that still fitted)
Obviously they also needed shoes, coats etc. Bearing in mind I also had two educational residential trips to pay for and a skiing holiday (obviously that was optional but the older one had gone so I wanted to offer them all the same choices) The school also asks for a school fund contribution per term, so that was about £150 that year, add on books, not enough for one book each in some classes so I would buy books they needed, scientific calculator for daughter at nearly £100 (she did maths and further maths at a level and school recommended this) When you add it up it comes to alot of money. I'm frightened to add it all up :rotfl:

Just to add, thank heavens the older two were independent by that stage. Forgot there was also a French exchange that year, can't remember what it cost but was reasonable but obviously we then had to entertain the French child for a week.

Oldernotwiser

mumps wrote: »

:rotfl:

Don't you think schools would get more co-operation if they followed the example of the first school my older two went to? I do know one or two parents who just don't like uniform but I find most people do like it but don't like to feel they are paying over the odds for no real benefit. I did buy the sweatshirt, I had no option, but look at it realistically one year I needed to buy
5 blouses for daughter £65 (actually got cheaper similar blouses but this was school price)
5 polo shirts for son about £60
Two pairs of trouses £36
4 sweat shirts (2 each) £136 (hers were cheaper as smaller)
Two skirts £40 (actually I bought them cheaper but that was school price)
PE kit changed that year and I needed to send in over £60 for that, even though they had kit that still fitted)
Obviously they also needed shoes, coats etc. Bearing in mind I also had two educational residential trips to pay for and a skiing holiday (obviously that was optional but the older one had gone so I wanted to offer them all the same choices) The school also asks for a school fund contribution per term, so that was about £150 that year, add on books, not enough for one book each in some classes so I would buy books they needed, scientific calculator for daughter at nearly £100 (she did maths and further maths at a level and school recommended this) When you add it up it comes to alot of money. I'm frightened to add it all up :rotfl:

Just to add, thank heavens the older two were independent by that stage. Forgot there was also a French exchange that year, can't remember what it cost but was reasonable but obviously we then had to entertain the French child for a week.

To be fair, and I don't mean this critically in any way, probably the reason many people choose not to have 4 children is because of expenses like these.

The costs you've listed (I appreciate that this doesn't include things like school shoes) come to £337 which works out at about £4 per child per school week. Is that really such a lot of money for the clothes which they'll be wearing most of the time?

Cazza

One idea no one has mentioned is getting cheaper items embroidered yourself?

Where I live there are sports shops with embroidery machines and copies of lots of local schools' logos. If you take cheaper sweatshirts etc into the shop, they will embroider the school logo on for you???? Of course they charge, but it's still cheaper than buying the stuff directly? I think the only thing my Mum HAD to get from the school supplier was my shirts, very small pink and white check anyone???

I agree with the blazer issue though! When I was 13 year old my Mother bought me a 36" blazer and it lasted me until I left school. My Mum still has my blazer , I'm 28 and it's still too big :rolleyes:

poet123

Surely most parents use some common sense (like you did) and buy from the school outfitters only those items with the school logo on which cannot be bought elsewhere? Plain items such as shirts, blouses, trousers etc can be bought wherever you choose, thus reducing the overall cost.

Loopy_Girl

mumps wrote: »

To be fair parents don't have to accept the duraphat application, that is why you need their consent.

I know they don't. That's why I am asking if the OP consented to it since she gave such a great speech about dental care. Am assuming that she knows best and so therefore felt no need to participate in the programme