The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

nuttyp

Fuddle neither of my girls had the approved school uniform items. Trutex was the favoured brand, mine was mr t or mr a. When good old woollies was about we went there too. I got them items from the secondhand stall too, all beit when they held it while the kids were in class.

I also use to swap outgrown uniform with my friend. The kids still do with other clothes, if they haven't sold them on land of bay or at a car booty.

You don't need to apologise, I know I admire you for standing up to these rules that are often misguided by insisting on overly priced items with a spot of embroidery on.

Saying that, my friend cut the logo out of the original jumper and sewed it onto the next size (plain) one and just cut the label out. This worked for about 4 years....... ingenious I say.

I use to find the list of school trips more of a hastle, they were always over £15 and there was no discretionary payment offer. It was always made out to be educational to support some lesson or other.

Popperwell

The fault lies with the system...
1)There should be some kind of fund/provision for those on low incomes.
2)They should make it easy for all either by using their clout and selling the uniform themselves or allowing generic items to be purchased from other outlets.
3)Possibly have some kind of exchange system.
4)Go back to basics and allow sew on logo's/print up some items from local companies in the area.
5)It appears the sports kit is the worst expense.

I think my kit was a basic white t-shirt/shorts/socks/plimsoles.
Uniform...jacket with sew on patch for pocket, trousers, white shirt, tie, black shoes.

How times have changed...

Possession

I expect once DS is actually at the school there will be access to secondhand stuff - and I probably could have asked for access to it anyway - but all the parents I know that have older children there also have children DS's age going (that's how I know them!) so they'll be using their outgrown stuff.
I do wish I had realised just how much it would all cost. My own fault, I could have worked it out with a bit of effort. It's definitely all the sports stuff that bumps up the price, as the whole sports kit is logo'd, as well as needing all the extra bits like football boots. As DD isn't a DS (!) half of it won't be reuseable in 3 years' time for her either, which is rather galling. DS will be under strict instructions not to lose anything - anyone care to place bets on how long it takes for him to leave something on the bus?

kidcat

fuddle- I am not having a go at you, I was simply trying to explain how it currently is here for children in my area - if you choose to fight the system that is your choice, I was trying to explain that its likely not a fight that can be won easily. Certainly here I know not one parent has won at our old High school.

I certainly wasnt asking you to justify anything at all and am offended that at the tone of your last post if I am honest. I was merely attempting to explain how incredibly hard it is for parents in my area at this time of year.

fuddle

I worked in a secondary school and was a staff governor. I have seen the PTA hardship fund in action. Parents, in my experience, can and should communicate with school hierarchy because schools can help. I won't ever allow my child to be persecuted by any institution over lack of money and stated that. I am a passionate person and felt like I needed to justify my view and found it bizarre that I felt like that given that we are all struggling to make ends meet here.

Gone are the days where I fall out on a forum. For the good of everyone I won't be commenting further.

ArthriticOldThing

You don't have to justify anything fuddle. I know for a certainty that if this policy had been in practice when my boys were at school we could not have afforded it for the two of them. You do what you have to/can do.
I think its schools getting more money in to make up for shortfall in funding. They must be getting 'kickbacks' of some sort from the 'official' suppliers.

jem132

Thanks for all the well wishes re my new car no name as yet she's a silver corsa???? Any ideas welcome.

On school uniform big one is 13 named logos jumper, trousers from mrt, people kit well I bought it all in year 7 next size up so was too big and still fits although he only ever where's the shorts mrt and logo people top all the rest was a waste of money won't be doing that with the little two. One thing I am lucky about is they are all boys so can pass on if they are fit.

Little 2 five tea shirts, five jumpers and five trousers easy all curasy of mrt. I am lucky that my mum buys coats and shoues for them every year.

I feel that the la help those on benefits and not us low waged. I've lost my tax credits as dh worked sonmuch overtime. Now he has to do twice as much to benefit us once to cover lost tax credits and once to be extra to us things are going to extremely difficult now iv got a little car for us but we can just manage it.

I will still be doing 2 schools 1 1/2 hour walk twice aday as it's a waste of petrol and my exercise.

But will make everything easier appointments, shopping ect...

shegar

I remember when my 2 boys had to have new uniforms , it was very hard to afford them but you have to, if you make a scene about it, I think its the children that suffer as everyone knows at school that " its them " , so other children are very cruel...................

POPS....On to painful feet , I cant let my heels touch anything, when im a bed I have to have both feet out of the bed and not touching anything, its far too painful, sounds like a few other posters also have it..........Ive also got those pads to put in shoes , they arnt too bad , but im living in crocs , so dont need pads in them............

I bought a lovely gold coloured candlewick double bedspread today at CS, only £2, lovely and thick , and its in beautiful condition..........So got that home and in the washing machine , finished with lenor, oh it smells lovely, dried and on hubbies bed , looks super..........Bargain eh........

Weather been super, wee bit chilly to start at 6 am, but its been sunny with warm breeze ......Sheila

Mrs_Veg_Plot

On the topic of frozen food I often buy things on the super six at Ald* and then prep and freeze them for use over winter when they are more expensive (especially things like the peppers).

I have not done my bio yet.

I am 43, married for 21 years and mum to two girls aged 17 (at college) and 20 (at uni). I work full time and really enjoy my job. I really enjoy cooking and although I am no Delia I do cook from scratch and make my own jams and chutneys. I am also slowly learning to knit and machine sew. I enjoy being frugal and the challenge of making my food stretch whilst still feeding the family nutritious food. We grow vegetables at home and also share an allotment with friends. I day dream about owning a house with enough land to grow all of our own fruit and veg and my idea of luxury would be to have my own orchard.

GreyQueen

What about Cora the Corsa?

I've been a busy little bee and am falling-on-face weary as have been re-roofing the lottie shed with new felt, and fitting new end bits (bargeboards) and new diamonds on the roof crest as my original diamonds broke when we took the old bargeboards down. My parents have been helping me as I couldn't do it all on my own, gawd bless them both.

The weather was kind, sunny but with a refereshing breeze. I have used roofing felt adhesive for the first time (in addition to galv tacks) and it's the darndest thing to work with, like very runny black treacle and goes absolutely everywhere. I even have some in my fringe, lol.

Got another flex day tomorrow and will aim to creosote the shed and want to get it done soonest because the new bargeboards are bare wood atm. Shan't recognise the old shed once I'm finished.

Going to get a cuppa (of rooibos tea) and have an early night as I'm faaaading fast.

Love and peas, GQ xx