sorry done to death - 'schoolwear code' options at primary?

[choosyfloosy]

Our primary is consulting on introducing a 'schoolwear code'. This isn't a thread about opinions on uniform - I know what I think about that (that I don't know what I think ). However, they are asking for ideas if they DO introduce a schoolwear code, and I would like to know if there are any options I haven't thought of?

i think they should go for 1 colour (what's the point of uniform otherwise) and should leave pretty much all the rest open - just grey bottoms, green tops or whatever. Does that work? Do you have that at your school and is it a pain? Do they in fact have to be more prescriptive? TIA

[BlueDragonfly]

do u currently have a uniform or not?

[Tortington]

dont lket them go for a monika - no school badge on jumper - or else the uniform shops make a mint out of you

[Tortington]

i think odd socks should be compusory - would make life easier

[jingleyjen]

not sure what you are asking,
but our primary school has red sweatshirts or jumpers with white shirt or red airtex shirt
with grey/black skirt or trousers. grey or black socks.
they don't have rules on shoes for outside but inside they wear little black plimpsoles.

[guitar]

sweatshirt at primary - choose a colour you can get in all the supermarkets / kids stores (blue and red normally) - if polo shirt underneath don't choose white as it can't be kept clean - choose opposite colour to sweatshirt

choose dark grey for bottoms because then black or charcoal is fine

[choosyfloosy]

we dont currently have a uniform

the letter they have sent out is a bit confusing

they have asked us for our opinions on 'schoolwear code rather than uniform, and have said that all the staff are in favour, which is a bit of a nudge in my book

then they have said - what would you like if we do this - what about a flexible choice of colours - i don't quite get what kind of thing they have in mind

dont want to get landed with something that's a pain to do

thanking yew for all suggestions - these very helpful

[Blandmum]

If you are involved in the decision can I put in a plea for 'sensible shoes'

I see little girls going into school in strappy andels with heels with no real support round the ankle and they make me wince. Accidents waiting to happen.

[choosyfloosy]

ooh good thinking mb

ds in the playground t'other day running around

slightly younger girl follows him

she is in wedge shoe with 2 small straps

she fell over within about 10 yards

poss I suppose that she is just not that steady on her feet for a lot of reasons

but in that case sens shoes even more important

[PortAndLemon]

They may be thinking of something like "dark trousers or skirt and a plain single colour top" i.e. trying to eliminate logos/slogans/character clothing and designer stuff.

[choosyfloosy]

hmm liking that tmmj

thinking about it, i think there is an official schoolwear thing there already in bottle green, but almost nobody is known to use it. do any of the supermarkets do bottle green at all??

[choosyfloosy]

but most supermarkets do green dresses as well don't they?
i like bottle green even though it was one of my own uniform colours

God it's lucky I'm not a headteacher i'm so indecisive. will put 'do what you think best lovely head teacher' all over the form and enclose box of chocs.

[Anna8888]

My daughter's school effectively has a dress code. There is a uniform smock (different for girls and boys) that the children put on at school for messy activities, but the rest of the outfit is:

• white t-shirt or blouse
• navy blue jersey or cardigan
• navy or grey trousers/shorts/skirt/dress
• navy coat/mac

The children can wear whatever colour shoes, socks, scarf, hat and gloves they choose.

No logos, no revealing clothes, no prints on the blouses. Dark denim jeans or skirt acceptable.

It's OK, but actually quite hard work finding affordable plain clothes. All the cheaper brands are covered in embroidery or logos.

[Dotsie]

my kids have grey skirt or trousers, green or yellow t-shirt and green jumper/cardigan. girls can wear green or yellow summer dresses too. there is stock with school logo on, but it's not compulsory, thank goodness. I get most of the dcs uniform from supermarkets/woolies/adams, although you have to be a bit careful with some of the stuff from Asda, as some styles seem to look like dishrags as soon as they're put on!

Footwear seems to be a contentious issue at the mo. My dd has a pair of flat red shoes which she has been wearing to school. she's been told they're not acceptable, as has another girl in her class who wears 'walking' style sandals. however, there's a girl younger than dd who's been wearing strappy sandals with wedge heels, and nothing has been said to her at all, afaik

I've told dd, that until i get something in writing detailing exactly what is and is not acceptable, as far as I'm concerned she can wear what she likes on her feet!

Nothing said at all about trainers, apparently!

[frogs]

I think school uniforms/dress codes should either be reasonably smart (proper shirt and tie) or funky/casual (own clothes or T-shirt with school logo).

The in-between options invariably result in not-very-nice combos of cheap grey uniform trousers with mangy sweatshirts/polo shirts and horrid black shoes.

Ds's school goes for option 1 (smart) dd2's school has option 2 (anything goes apart from football strips).

There's another local school that has funky uniform T-shirts (not polos) with the school's web address on the front (www.blahdiblahprimaryschool.lea.sch.uk) in a range of funky colours (orange, navy, turquoise iirc) which can be worn with any navy blue bottoms, including jeans. Looks smart but still quite funky -- seems like a good compromise.

[welshdeb]

Uniform cannot be enforced in primary (state schools).
However saying that I much prefer a uniform as it makes getting up and dressed so much easier.
My dc school uniform is royal blue sweaters and joggers with white polo shirts, or grey or black trousers/ skirts and the blue sweater, blue summer dresses or shorts in dark clours blue, grey or black.
The official uniform is available from the school and a local shop but you can buy sweaters and cardigans in this colour in Asda and Tesco and they dont insist on the official ones.
You can also get official coats, hats, waterproof jackets etc but thats discretionary.

They did ban crocs last year on safety grounds but thats it.

[madmuggle]

Why can't they enforce it in a primary? Would be great if they could

[edam]

Riven, uniform isn't legally enforceable at primary school, so you are within your rights to say 'no thanks'.

[madmuggle]

You might be able to get bottle green sweaters from one of the supermarkets instead of the school ones?

Hope you can overcome the shoes issue

[edam]

Worth checking out the dept for education website so you can quote chapter and verse if the headteacher tries to bluster, I suspect.

[edam]

And I'm sure 'oh, if we do that they will all want one' etc. etc. etc. isn't an acceptable argument these days - Disability Discrimination Act and other discrimination legislation makes it clear you can't refuse to make necessary adaptations just because other people might feel a bit miffed or whatever.