Compulsory school coat

bargainaddict

Hi, this is my first time starting a thread. Apologies if it's in wrong place, i know someone kind will move it for me.

Anyway, my daughter's school have just introduced a new compulsory school coat, at a cost of £19. The price is not to bad and I am in full agreement of the school uniform. However, the way the school has gone about it has put a lot of people's backs up. The school is becoming a sports college in September so they wanted to change their uniform There was small consultation with a few pupils and parents and then they sent out letters saying this was the price of the new school coat and the pupils would not be allowed to wear any other coat. Apparantly its fleece one side and waterproof the other. My daughter and her friends hate it and she says she will not wear it even if I buy it. We only live a few mins from school but I cant get her to see that if its raining/snowing she will need it.

Her teacher yesterday read out the names of the 8 in her class who have not yet ordered a coat and told them a coat wold be sent to their home and their parents would have to buy it. This has made her even more determined not to wear it. She is a good kid, and top of her class in most subjects, and her reports are always fantastic, so it's not her trying to cause trouble, she just really hates the coat. I haven't seen it so don't know what I'm being asked to pay for. Know I will end up getting one anyway though!

I phoned the education people and they said they could decide their own uniform policy. Has any one else had experience of this? Do I just buy it and leave it in her wardrobe for the next 2 years?

elona

I went through this with my daughters - but it was not a uniform coat - just one that they had chosen with me and then decided was not "cool" to wear.

Once they got caught in the rain a few times they changed their minds!

Once your daughter sees everyone else wearing the coat (or else sent home) she will probably reluctantly accept it.

How old is she? Could she go to college instead?

lipidicman

Well, she could wear her own to school, then take it off and carry it/put it in her bag - no rules against that

Lucie_2

I can see the point that yes, she will need a coat when it is snowing / raining & I'm sure as soon as the weather gets bad they will all start wearing them anyway.
What I think is wrong is the school insisting that you buy one. I never had a school coat. I had a blazer & an umbrella for when it rained. My nephew is a "hot child" ie never wears a coat, always in shorts, complains it's too hot etc etc. It has to be arctic conditions to get him in a sweater, let alone a coat. I'd tell the school that you'll buy one once you've ascertained that your daughter needs one

Zziggi

I can't believe the school is insisting on an official school coats AS WELL AS a uniform.

Some schools are just glad kids bother to turn up to school whatever they're wearing with regards to uniform (nevermind a uniform coat as well). The school at which my good friend teaches at I can think of for one!

I find it difficult to believe that some schools are so strict on their uniform policy. Surely there are more important things the Head/govenors should be worrying about?

[I realise my rant doesn't help the OP. Sorry.]

Lillibet_2

The school (or anyone else, except possibly the goverment in the case of ID cards! But that's a whole other thread) cannot force you to purchase something if you haven't ordered it because there is no contract of sale (which can be verbal or otherwise but has to be agreed by both parties). You can simply return the coat to the school with a "thanks but no thanks" and they cannot force you to own it or pay any delivery costs, however if you keep it then you are accepting the contract of sale & do have to pay for it. Technically I suppose the school could say they will not accept your daughter for lessons unless she arrives in the said coat, but this would be a total extreme!!!!


HTH

Bendybops19

Hi there, before i went into sixth form a few years back the school started bringing in new PE kits. It was compulsary to have one, but as i would be leaving in less than a yr i really did not want to spent over £50 on it, its such a waste of money!! I decided i wasnt going to make my mum spend that money on it and therefore ended up in detention rather a lot :rolleyes:
A lot people were in the same situation as me, as i am sure they are at your daughters school.
I am guessing the school your daughter attends is quite like mine was ie-trying to make a good impression on every one and seem like a 'good' school. My school used to try to stop us from wearing sports jumpers and trainers to and from school !!!!

Zziggi

Lillibet wrote:

Technically I suppose the school could say they will not accept your daughter for lessons unless she arrives in the said coat, but this would be a total extreme!!!!

I wonder where the 'Freedom of expression' (Human rights act?) fits in?

My eldest is only due to start school in Sept. So i've not much experience with schools. I do believe that kids should behave well in school, have good manners, show respect (where it's due) to others, follow the rules (as long as they are not idiotic), try to get on with others, work hard and do thier best. But I don't understand why some schools have really, really strict policies on what I view are less important things - like uniform. Of course children have to wear sensible, suitable clothes to school that aren't a health & safety hazzard, but can a school really discipline/suspend/expell a pupil for not wearing the correct uniform?

elona

My daughter got told off for wearing a thin pony tail elastic that was dark red rather than blue or black!!!!

She was a top pupil and a credit - well mannered etc.

They do not tell off any pupil who wear a skirt up to their bum etc because they would give them a mouthful!

pandas66

[QUOTE=elona
They do not tell off any pupil who wear a skirt up to their bum etc because they would give them a mouthful![/QUOTE]

PMSL
that is spot on, my eldest has just been made deputy head boy (Very proud Mum) but has been told today he has to get his hair cut. I admit its getting long but its what he wants and there were no conditions set down when he applied for Head boy. In his school the Prefects get elected and then have an interview and get selected by the teaching staff. They are then asked if anyone wants to go for Head boy to submit a letter of request. At no stage was it a prerequisite on him having his hair cut. I've been and had a few choice words and it seems its ok now as long as its tidy.
As for outerwear to be compulsory you need to see the rules on uniform. Ask if the school is the only stockist and what will happen if you refuse.

elona

Pandas

You must be so proud of him - and felt like telling the school that you thought that it was what was IN his head that was important - not the length of his hair!