My kids school is an !!!!

athensgeorgia

I know the op's problem has been sorted but i saw the point op was making. I think i would have felt exactly the same.

At our school the policy is uniform is not compulsory and on the last day of term I send my children in non-uniform. The first couple of times the children were coming home slightly upset because teachers had mentioned it. Eventually I found myself explaining to the teachers what the school 'rules' said to protect my childrens feelings (my eldest is a natural worrier), and now every last day of school term is a non-uniform day. So many parents had started doing it they decided they could make money from something we were already doing. It turned into one of the many £1 things school has.

So even though we have logo'd uniform we only have one possible shop to buy it from but it is reasonably priced and isn't a must.

here is our school website stating its not compulsory.

Valiant_Son

dori2o wrote: »

What has wearing an overpriced, uniform made from cheap material that looks as though it would only last 6 weeks got to do with them teaching my kids.

Is a uniform they demand that my kids wear suddenly going to make them better learners than they would be by me sending them in Asda's uniform.

I already pay for my kids to attend school through my taxes, plus I pay for every other thing the school asks for, and believe me they ask for a lot, it's at least 1 letter every week asking for money for something.

The school isn't even that good, it's recently come off the ofsted watch list,and wasn't our first choice of school but we have no choice in where we send them.

They are not winning this, if they suspend my kids for this then I'll go to the press. I wouldn't mind buying the Schools branded uniform if it was realistically priced. This is pure profiteering on behalf of the manufacturer, the school uniform shop (Monkhouse) and the school who must get a cut of the money somehow.

I have enquired just now about the iron on/sew on badges but they don't do them as they require all children to wear the uniform as sold at Monkhouse.

The prices you refer to are not really that high in comparison to most retailers other than the supermarkets. The buying power and market share of the supermarkets distorts the real price. I can sympathise with your concern over budgeting, but your perception of what is a fair price has been distorted by the intervention in the market place by a few companies who have a market share for groceries that has been called into question repeatedly by a number of economists (at present the OFT has failed to address this, but then we shouldn't be surprised by that when they are major contributors to the main parties).

The uniform serves several purposes. It is intended to help create a positive learning environment that is distinct from 'home' and 'play'. It also is used to help create a sense of community and belonging. Furthermore uniforms deal (to an extent) with the pretty horrendous bullying experienced by children from poorer families who can't afford the latest fashions and brand labels.

Schools have increasingly moved to a more precise unioform because there were too many instances of flouting the rules by some children and parents. This was a particular problem in secondary schools with girls in particular wearing entirely unsuitable skirts and blouses that revealed far too much! By insisting on a specific make of garment the school is more able to control these factors.

Schools do not receive a cut of the money from the uniform sales. Again, I can sympathise with your concern over costs and would request from the headteacher a school badge that could be sown onto the items that you have already purchased (assuming that they are consistent with the colour and cut of the branded garments).

We all pay for your children to attend the school through our taxes. All other requests for money are only voluntary contributions. Maintained schools may not make any charge for services, but may request a voluntary contribution towards the cost of specific things such as trips. You are under no obligation to pay for a trip that is part of the school's curriculum, but should there be an insufficient response the trip may be cancelled because schools do not have bottomless pits of money.

Ofsted reports are not always that useful in judging the quality of a school. A huge range of factors contribute to their assessments (many of which are not considered in light of the socio-economic background of the school and its pupils). They also expect year-on-year improvements in results which fail to take into account the fundamental uniqueness of each individual child.

I wuld politely write to the headteacher explaining that you cannot, at present, afford to buy the items from the school's supplier. You should suggest that the iron/sew on badges be investigated as a solution to the problem for this year. However, you may also wish to consider asking about secondhand/subsidised uniform for your children if your finances are tight. Most schools can help in these situations.

cheapscate

Valiant_Son wrote: »

I wuld politely write to the headteacher explaining that you cannot, at present, afford to buy the items from the school's supplier. You should suggest that the iron/sew on badges be investigated as a solution to the problem for this year. However, you may also wish to consider asking about secondhand/subsidised uniform for your children if your finances are tight. Most schools can help in these situations.

read the whole thread and pay attention to the dates - this has all been discussed and has been sorted out.

edit: welcome to mse

Valiant_Son

cheapscate wrote: »

read the whole thread and pay attention to the dates - this has all been discussed and has been sorted out.

I have read the thread and still felt that there were some things worth saying. I hadn't realised that the posting police were in town today.

cheapscate

Valiant_Son wrote: »

I have read the thread and still felt that there were some things worth saying. I hadn't realised that the posting police were in town today.

there's no need to be rude
if you have read the whole thread why are you suggesting the op writes to the headteacher - it's been sorted.

laurauk

how about freecycle ladies? i gave away all my daughters uniforms to a very nice lady who was over the moon. they were all in great condition and looked new.
i guess that would only work if you have one in your area? or how about the lost and found box at the schools?
hope this helps alittle?
lots of love laura

Valiant_Son

cheapscate wrote: »

there's no need to be rude
if you have read the whole thread why are you suggesting the op writes to the headteacher - it's been sorted.

Funnily enough your post came over as being rather rude.

I was talking in general about writing to the head.

fiddiwebb

I think it rather absurd that the school cannot supply the school badge/logo especially if the clothing you bought from Asda is the same as the schools supplier apart from not having the logo.

I would certainly stand your ground, can you bring up a complaint at the PTA meeting?

poet123

I am glad that the matter has been amicably resolved, but I simply do not believe that the school gave no advance notification of this uniform change. How could they not give notice and yet still expect the uniform to be correct at the start of term?

Nor is it usual for such changes to be enacted without consultation. Seems to me the OP needs to get more involved in school life, and become active in the decision making process. It is too easy to moan and complain, but stand back and let others "find the time", everyone has committments, everyone wants relaxation time, but you cannot always leave it to others and be happy with the outcome.

marleyboy

It would appear it was indeed the OP's active involvement with the School, that got the ridiculous "rule" quashed, rather than leaving it others and just having a moan.