Money Moral Dilemma: Should I challenge my daughter's school over pricier uniform with logos?

powerspowers

Despite years of petitions on the issue and the new law/guidance it seems schools, particularly academies are still pushing overpriced uniforms which cause financial hardship and loss of education. I’d like to say we complained but oldest son was worried enough about starting secondary so we stumped up for logoed grey trousers at a ridiculous price. 

Apersonupnorth

atw1979 said:

That’s the school uniform. Surely you knew what it was before you applied. If your not happy choose a different school.

Not easy to do that especially rural areas or where schools are oversubscribed. 
My view is speak to the Governors and point out the guidelines and ask what they are going to do.

Riverliving

Do you have an alternative that will satisfy the objectives.  Is there is a local embroiderer who can supply the embroidered badges to apply to uniform that meets the expected standards or can the school supply the badge as suggested by others.  Don't just moan or be someone who creates problems go to the school and Governors with alterantives that still addresses their concerns but considers that people want uniform to be affordable.  Kids push boundaries so if you are going to complain remember you will have to then police the uniform you buy yourself

paul2louise

See if there is any Facebook selling groups. My son's school has 2. I picked up pretty much all his logo uniform for less than half the price of the uniform shop were charging. Is school did used t insist on every logo including sports wear and socks. But they have dropped the logo on trousers, skirts and pe shorts. Everything else still require a logo. But like I said friends and Facebook got all my uniform sorted 

2702

I would just cough up the extra.Unless you want to spend your time writing letters, having meetings & going to the doctor for high blood pressure etc etc

bikaga

From the point of view of someone who grew up outside the UK, this is supremely unimportant. If you want your child to wear a uniform and want her to go to that school, either go with the requirements or challenge them if that's what the legal definition supports. If you can afford the £4 per pair of trousers extra, pay them, if you can't, change schools or maybe ask for some support from someone who cares about your kid if you think it's the better school.

If you don't want your children growing up like robots, enlist them in a school that doesn't make them wear uniforms and judges them by compliance to a dress code they have no say in.

cjulien

My school required girls to have expensive logo trousers but not boys.  I challenged that successfully.  To be honest loads of people flout the policies without getting “permission” so I probably didn’t need to ask.  I expect you don’t need it unless very obvious

Bonnypitlad

“I’m Spartacus!”
Well done Gillemeow99 for informing me of the petition 
I have signed it…I’m number 1796, I hope it reaches the required number to be raised in Parliament 
What is the point in the Government issuing guidance if the Schools choose to ignore it?
If compliance becomes part of the Ofsted inspection process it should stop these nonsense uniform requirements 
I would encourage other MSE newsletter readers to sign the petition too
Good Luck

theoretica

Uniform works both ways - stops you buying the very cheapest trousers but also stops your daughter asking for more expensive ones...

sunshinebubble

My sons high school also has branded trousers (at £25 a pair), blazers, jumpers, skirts, PE kit etc. the school reviewed the guidance from the government last year (summer term 2023) and determined that they were in line with the policy regarding prices as they were equally priced compared to other local high schools. Off the back of the policy they did, however, make a change to the PE kit and gave us a grand total of £14 reduction on a £400 complete uniform by changing this kit.
If he goes into school in the incorrect uniform, regardless of whether it’s because I can’t afford it or any other reason he gets put into isolation until the “issue is resolved”…