Parents complaining about school unform costs

Pennylane

Saw on TV today that parents are complaining they can't afford school uniform. It's always been a fairly large outlay for parents and I think nowadays there has never been so much choice and competition. The supermarkets have basic stuff dead cheap.

When I went to grammar school there was no choice at all and we had to have the lot - right down to underwear, gym stuff, blazer, mac & hat. A school outfitter came from the Midlands to our very rural area a few months before you started school and you were measured. You could not go anywhere else. Shoes you had a choice of 2 styles from a Clarkes stockist. There was no shopping around for bargains. That was huge outlay for my parents and I remember my Dad taking on extra work at weekends to pay for it. They didn't smoke, drink or take holidays so there was no way they could cut back to pay for it.

I see young parents now pushing babies around in buggies (who can't even walk :rolleyes:) in designer boots. That to me is a total waste of money which they will really need a few years down the line.

I also think if parents were to send kids to school in clothes of their own choice it would be way more costly.

skylight

I agree - my Dad did weeks of extra shifts too, to pay for the clothing and sports equipment I had to have at Grammar school.

And I wouldn't dream of putting my littlies in designer anything! (Unless its dirt cheap off Ebay lol!)

I would hate the thought of sending my kids to school in own clothes. It would be far too costly - they already compare winter coats and shoes.

These days I do not buy school stuff ready for September term (apart from new schools). I buy what they need replacing throughout the year and they make do in September (unless its needed). There is this fascination with sending a child to school with everything new in September regardless of whether or not the stuff from July still fits!

Becles

I went to a secondary school that didn't have uniform and I hated it. You got the popular clique who were wearing Pepe jeans (remember the ones with the plastic keyring attached!) and those basketball style trainers with huge tongues and loads of laces.

Then people like me would turn up in Geordie jeans and Dunlop trainers because our parents couldn't afford brand name stuff, and we'd be an instant target for the bullies because we didn't fit in.

School uniform is cheap and you know the expense comes every year so it's easy to budget for.

shazrobo

i wish my sons still wore school uniform, it was so much cheaper, than sending them in their own clothes.
at 14 (twins) they want to fit in with the others, and as they are already bullied for other reasons, i dont want them bullied also cos of their clothes so its addidas or nike, same as the rest of the school

DCFC79

Pennylane wrote: »

I see young parents now pushing babies around in buggies (who can't even walk :rolleyes:) in designer boots. That to me is a total waste of money which they will really need a few years down the line

now that is a waste of money, the babie isnt going to bother what clothes he is wearing

freakyogre

Totally agree. When I was at school there was only one shop that sold our uniform, so we didn't have much choice. The prices were ridiculous, but my dad managed to save and could afford to buy uniforms for all 3 of us (and he was a 'single parent').

Some people did buy cheaper sweaters and put the badge on from the previous one, but they always stood out...and you know what kids are like =/

Personally I think if you can't afford school uniforms, then don't have kids.

skiTTish

Trouble is that a lot of people now see having kids as as a career choice and knock em out by the dozen ,fine when they are bringing money in but not so fine when they have to spend some of that money actually on the kids!

mrcow

The school uniforms aren't that bad.....it's the shoes that are the killer. With three children you're forking out £100 between them just for a main pair of shoes (and that's not including trainers or other needed footwear)

my_two_boys

Our local primary school decided to let a 'local' (20 miles away) shop supply the school uniform.

I dont mind paying the prices for the logo'd stuff (sweatshirts mainly - everything else bought cheaply elsewhere) but the quality is terrible - the two sweatshirts that I bought for ds only just lasted to the holidays (he didnt start at this school till after easter break!).

Within a month both tops were baggy/shapeless and looked messy, by the end of term the stitching was coming undone as well. BTW they are washed at 30-40 degrees and line dried.

I'm not the only parent to complain but the school and the shop dont seem to care so will see how it goes this time.

Faye

remembered_nights

Some schools still have costly uniform because there's so much of it - Blazer, jumper, PE shirt, PE jumper, PE bottoms (joggers, sometimes gym skirt too, sometimes rugby shirt too) all which have to have the school badge. That's before the multiple shirts, skirts/trousers, shoes. Several grammer schools we sold for had a specific skirt too (between £12-£17 a skirt from us, even more from the school.)

MrsTinks

Never been to a uniform school and wouldn't have wanted to... I and crossing all I can that we can afford to send our kids to my old school I never got picked on for what I wore - other than the fact I was seriously goth and at times pushed the limit of what was acceptable
I don't like uniforms personally - I'd rather let kids develop their own identity if possible - which doesn't have to mean designer! I don't think I wore a single designer label to school... EVER! And I can't remember if anyone else did either...