School Uniform grrrrrr

msmicawber

No, you're not the only mum who feels like this and does this. My daughter's school did the same as your sons' school a few years back. They even insist on a uniform PE kit which is embroidered and piped and whatnot, so no chance of getting the equivalent elsewhere. I too found the quality of the designated supplier's clothes poor and have started buying her trousers, blouses and jumpers elsewhere, but am stuck having to buy the blazer and PE kit from the suppliers. My son's school just specifies the colour of the items, so I was able to kit him out from Primark and the M&S sale for a fraction of the cost and it was all much better quality.

I spoke to the stockist about the poor quality of the school clothes they sell and they weren't interested as they said parents don't want to pay for better quality. I said I didn't want to pay their high prices for poor quality goods and they just said in order to have them in the quality I'm looking for, they'd have to charge at least double what they already do. Impasse.

cosyc

My son's school must be one of the most expensive in uk. It's a state school but with a naval background so years 7 to 9 wear milary style black crew jumper at £34.99 + beret at £30. Unfortunatly needed quite a few jumpers as shrunk in the washer. Then from year 10+11 black double brested jacket with brass buttons at £130 + peaked hat at £60. Of course everything only from designated school shop but nothing similar is avilable either!

However whilst I complain, it was our choice to send him there.

clevergirly

duchy wrote: »

I'd be more concerned about the standard of education the school offered.
It all sounds very petty. If the quaility is that bad then plenty of parents will complain and the situation will be resolved. The parents could work with the school to pressure the shop to improve quality rather than teach their children that they can cherry pick which school rules they follow and which ones they can break. Parents can't undermine schools authority like this on one hand -and then complain the schools have no discipline on the other.
Of course the other alternative is to move your child to a school you don't want to fight with. No-one is forcing you to send your child to this particular school.

The standard of education at the school is very good and I think that school uniform issue is not a reason to remove a child from a school where he has been happy for 3 years. However, I think that the school is probably unaware that the "designated" school shop may have started using more inferior material etc. Other parents HAVE complained to the school but as the school is mixed half the uniform is skirts and the girls skirts have not been a problem. I am not a parent that complains about the running of schools, on the contrary I am very much in favour of schools being disciplined. I have sent both my sons to the school as it is a very high achieving school and the quality of the teaching is very good but I think that they have a problem with the current school supplier and probably are either unaware how big a problem it is or are hoping that the problem will go away or be resolved. The only reason that I can think of for the school giving one shop a monopoly is that they are getting a "kick back" and I think that when they realise that they have made a mistake due to quality issues I am sure that things will change. Unfortunately the previous "designated" school shop that the school used before it changed its uniform 3 years ago was far worse in terms of quality.

V_Chic_Chick

I know the feeling. I'm in Y11, with three weeks to go before we all go on study leave, and never have to wear school uniform again. However, the school issued a diktat on the last day of term saying that black leather ballet pumps (worn by about half the school) are not acceptable school uniform and must be replaced before next term. Nothing like a bit of warning! They seem to assume that everyone has the money to start running out and buying stuff like this. Be interesting to see if they try and enforce this on Y11 next term. I can see the response now . . .

They also demand that the school blazer, kilt (complete with school's own tartan . . . and we're not even Scottish!) and jumper all have to come from John Lewis', and they're all ridiculously overpriced too. When I was starting to grow out of a blazer, the deputy demanded that I buy a new one pronto, which led to me pointing out that not everyone has as much money as she (evidently) does, particularly not single parents.

sarah*a

When my DSD started her secondary school the list of stuff we had to buy for 'uniform' was as long as your arm :eek: Including 3 different PE kits depending on whether it was an indoor or outdoor activity.

We also have to have a tiny embroidered logo so they know the girls are wearing the 'right' skirt and jumper. Plus the shirts are a funny shade of green that 'normal' shops just don't stock

Does she use half of the stuff that was on this 'essential' list - does she h£ll :mad: her PE skirt still has all it's tags on :rolleyes:

Every year during the winter term the school have a 'uniform' sale. Where you can send in the uniform your child has grown out of (providing it is in A1 nick) and then buy bigger sizes. However! The school keeps all the money :eek: so yes we can get cheaper uniform each year but the school ultimately profits from all the 'new' mothers who buy the entire list when their child first starts at the school.

Thankfully DSD didn't grow much last year so is still wearing the same uniform (except for a couple of new shirts :rolleyes: )

kisto

My son moves up to the senior school (year 7) in September and this is the uniform he *has* to have (it's a state school):

All pupils should wear:
• Plain white shirt or blouse (tucked in at all times) with stiff collar.
• Plain black trousers or plain black skirt (reasonable length).
• Black school sweatshirt with school logo in white on the left hand side. (approx £10.00 I think)
• Plain black shoes - flat or low-heeled.
• Plain black coats without large logos, preferably waterproof and hardwearing. A plain black outside jacket will be available from school from September 2007, as well as the currently unlined black jacket with the school logo - these will be the only jackets allowed from September 2008. :eek: (£15)

Standard P E Kit
(Boys & Girls)
• Green (unisex) T shirt embroidered with school logo.(£6)
• Black (unisex) shorts with Sports College logo. (£6)
• Football socks (unisex) – green with black tops. (£3.50)
• Running trainers (these must be suitable for sport).
NB converse type/fashion pumps/skater trainers are not acceptable.
• Football boots.
• Towel for showering.
• Shin pads.
• (Boys) - Green/Black fully reversible rugby shirt compulsory for football and rugby. (From £16.00 - £21.50)
• A gum shield is highly recommended for rugby/hockey – a dentally fitted one is advisable, although, a “boil-and-bite” version, which can be purchased from the PE Office throughout the year, is better than nothing.

At his junior school uniform isn't compulsory as they are aware of the fact that this is a low income area. DS hasn't worn school uniform for 2 years. I'm going to have to buy him everything. I estimate it's all going to cost me between £200 - £250. :rolleyes:

The senior school are incredibly strict about uniform - to the point that pupils aren't even allowed to remove their jumpers in the summer. I can tell the uniform policy is going to be something that annoys me about the school. Surely learning is more important. I regularly hear parents of students there complain about it and it's very common for items to get stolen because they are so strict about it.

tiamai_d

School uniform inour local primary is...

Black, gray or charcoal trousers ro skirts (most wear dark charcoal or grey)
White shirt/blouse or polo shirt
Grey or claret jumper or cardigan (any style)
Sensible jacket
Black shoes

School polo shirts/jumpers/ties/blazers/cardigas/bags/jackets etc are available through the PTA ordered at the end of each term (so PTA can bulk buy). PTA get a profit from this, but polo shirts are £8 jumpers £12.

Most kids wear charcoal trousers, plain white polo or school claret (hides stains) and a grey or claret school jumper. DS1 wears claret as it hides stains!

I would complain if the school uniform was only available form one stockist and was over priced, it contradics the Competition Act 1998.

shazrobo

must be one of the lucky ones, both my sons are in different secondary schools, one has no uniform at all
the other wears black trousers, white shirt or polo, and a navy school jumper with logo, which is providd by the school. both wear their trainers to school, and both schools, provide PE kits which are washed after each lesson, admittedly both sons go to very small schools

*Louise*

Give your son a letter to keep on him whilst at school that he can hand to any teacher who challenges him about his trousers. State on it the problem you have with the quality, and tell them to contact you, rather than punish him for something that's not his fault.


I would be flipping annoyed - and I'd let them know about it.

I'm glad my son's school (and future high school) only have embroidered logo Sweatshirts as uniform - you can buy whatever polo shirts/trousers/PE kit you want.

MonkeySaving?

Funny stuff, i would expect a school child to wear full uniform if they were doing a full days work, i.e 8 till 5. Our school teacher tells ours not to wear pink boots to school yet she can't even give correct homework and tells children that the word "Untrade" is a real word :rolleyes:
When they can teach properly, THEN they get what they want...