School Uniforms

[Amy68]

Just out of curiosity more than anything else I wondered how our DDs dress for school. For example my own DD in year 6, going on 11, now wants to wear trousers more often now that the cold weather is here. She only ever wore skirts and dresses until year 5, when she wore trousers in snow, freezing cold days etc. I'm not against it, trousers are smart enough, though I could never have at primary school in the 70s. Also she always wears poloshirts, never the shirt and tie the school provide, except formal events (where girls must wear shirt, tie, skirt, tights). And blazers don't exist anymore.

How does this match with your DDs? Does your school dictate some of those options or do you have free choice?

[Hulababy]

7y DD's primary school has a very strict uniform, even down to colour of hair accessories. Her uniform, coat, hat, bag type and even sports kits are dictated by school

[cory]

Ours (both junior and secondary) have a choice between skirts and trousers for girls, and between shorts and trousers for boys. In winter, most children wear trousers, which I am very much in favour of, especially as both my dcs have joint problems. Blue shirt (long or short sleeved) and a pullover or fleece in school colours. No blazer or tie; they can choose their own jackets for outdoor wear.

I like this: it looks smart but still allows enough flexibility to allow for changes in the weather.

[bruffin]

Dc's primary were only allowed polo shirts in the summer from juniors onwards. DD would only wear trousers in the juniors. They did no thave a blazer just a blue jumper or cardigan. Tie had to be worn from juniors onwards.
It was all quite flexible

[BlauerEngel]

I've been out of the UK a looong time and was just wondering: is it now the law that schools have to allow girls the option of wearing trousers? Or is it just that many schools have made that decision individually?

[HugeBaublesWhatDidISayRoy]

I don't think there is a law forcing children in primary (state) to wear any uniform. One would look a bit odd if the only one in mufti, but I think it is up to the parent.

Secondary, I believe is different.

[ByTheSea]

My DDs' school (they are in Y3 and Y6) only allow them to wear trousers between the autumn halfterm holiday and Easter. Both my DDs choose to wear trousers ever single day during this time. We all think it's sexist that they can't wear trousers or shorts instead of dresses or skirts otherwise, but our headteacher doesn't listen to reason on this. Both DDs also only wear polos and don't want to wear button down shirts.

[Seona1973]

dd's schools pecifies the colour of trousers/skirts/pinafores/jumpers/cardis, etc (grey) and they wear a red poloshirt. There is a logo polo shirt and reversible fleece but you dont have to buy/wear them. They can wear any jacket and can have any make of poloshirt as long as it is red.

[Addictedtothepc]

I really don't support strict uniform policy at primary school - in fact I think most kids look awful wearing the same awful uniform, mostly made from cheap poorly cut polyester, washed out and looking too small or too big, so parents can understandably eek out the last bit of value before making the next depressing purchase.
There's nothing more uplifting that seeing the riot of colour on mufti days.

[MumNWLondon]

At DD's school girks are not allowed to wear trousers. The uniform is navy and red.

So navy skirts (must be pleated) or pinafores. Navy sweatshirts (with logo) or any plain navy jumper or cardigan.

Red polo shirts (long or short sleeve - no logos though), or polo necks.

Can wear either red or navy tights or leggings (or both if its freezing). Can wear navy, red or white socks.

Shoes either navy or black.

In the summer they can wear the red and white summer dresses.

DD likes the choice she has each day - with each item of clothing!
eg polo shirt or polo neck
eg skirt or pinafore
eg tights or leggings
eg school sweatshirt or cardigan
eg should tights be navy or red

Thats enough choice for 6 year old.

I guess the boys have less choice as they generally don't wear polo necks or cardigans.

[FernieB]

We're out of the UK and don't have uniform. I really miss it. There is nothing worse than the endless fashion parade we're subjected to every morning before a suitable outfit is chosen. I can't wait to get back to the UK and have uniforms again.

[PixieOnaChristmasTree]

We have tartan dresses with shirts underneath until Year 6 and then after that shirt, tie and tartan skirt. They're very prescriptive at the school and, as with Hulababy's DD's school, they dictate bags, PE kits, hair accessories and which colour tights the Year 7 and 8 girls wear.

I can understand why your DD wants to wear trousers, though - they're warmer and easier to move around in, particularly if she still plays running around games at playtime/has to sit on the floor for assembly.

[DontCallMeSantaBaby]

Charcoal grey skirts, trousers, pinafores or shorts - girls definitely allowed trousers, and it doesn't actually say that boys can't wear skirts or pinafores! Same in the summer, plus green striped or checked dresses. White shirts - officially, but a blind eye is turned to polo shirts. Short sleeves positively encouraged in infants. School logo jumper or cardigan, but again a blind eye is turned to M&S/Sainsbury/BHS/Tesco's finest. Tie is allegedly official as well, but a lot of infants don't wear them, as well as some of the juniors. Black shoes, socks and tights not specified but in practice it's what you'd expect - grey or black socks for boys, white summer or grey winter socks for girls, grey or green tights.

It's pretty sensible on the whole, as long as no one decides to crack down on the logoed items and ties (which really they can't do, as it means a single supplier). Can't see the infant teachers cracking down on the polo shirts, three buttons are definitely better than 6 or more.

[CremeDeMenthe]

Not much choice here:

white shirt and school tie
school logo jumper
grey skirt or pinafore
grey or green tights or white socks
plus
green/white check summer dress

DD makes enough fuss about which blouse to wear, and what colour tights, I am quite grateful there are no other choices to make.

[Amy68]

I don't know but maybe it's an age thing. She never complained of cold legs before, maybe girls notice it more as they grow. Who knows? She has thick (sock material) tights and I though if she was cold in these she'd be as cold in trousers. She doesn't agree. Also she is never very good with how to sit in a skirt. It may be forgiven if smaller girls sit so their undies can be seen, but at this age it's probably more of an issue.

It's interesting how prescriptive some schools are eg bags, hairpieces. Ours would never go that far, though anything deemed inappropriate would of course be banned..

[Hulababy]

I don't get the issue with skirts. IME - and I almost always chose a skirt myself - a skirt and tights is much warmer than trousers and socks.

[Hulababy]

Although I am not that fussed about ties on school children, I don't worry about children not learning to tie them. DD had one from reception and within a month of tieing them regularly, aged 4y5m, she could do it completely by herself. As could pretty much every other girl in her class.

[CardyMow]

At my DC's primary, it's pale blue polo's, School logo navy sweatshirts (no cheap options allowed), and navy trousers for all, and skirts for girls, shorts for boys (or girls, alot of the yr6's last yr, my DD's yr, wore 3/4 length navy trousers that were all the rage). The bottoms aren't really an issue, as long as they're smart and navy. The girls can choose to wear navy&white checked summer dresses, if they wish. The girls tend to get more creative with the uniforms in yr6, a lot of flurescent hairbands, bright/patterned schoolbags etc. The yr 5&6 are allowed to do this, but below that must have proper school logo book bags. Theoretically, the boys are allowed to wear the summer dresses or a skirt, but I've yet to see that happen....

[Quattrocento]

No choice at all here. DS is 9 and has to wear shorts. So all through the winter he has cold little knees

[Earthstar]

Hula's school is private - it's usually the private schools that are particularly prescriptive on uniform

[ShinyAndNew]

Dd1 can wear
Royal blue cardigan or jumper
grey skirt or trousers
grey or black tights
black shoes or boots
White polo shirt or blouse

She can wear whatever coat and have what ever bag she wants.

Wearing long hair tyed up is part of the uniform. I keep getting told off because apparently I don't bother doind dd1's. Her friends tell me she takes it out in the cloakroom

[AMerryScot]

My Year 6 DD wears a school skirt, school jumper, school blouse, woolly tights, blazer. She also has a uniform outdoor coat.

When it snowed last year, they could wear trousers of their own choice (we don't have trousers as part of the uniform) and boots, but the top half had to be uniform.

In addition to clothes, she has uniform hair accessories, aprons, sports kit and bags.

[FernieB]

I think trousers for girls are a sensible option. I remember when I was at High School we campaigned for girls to be able to wear trousers for about 3 years before the school finally gave in and allowed us. Unfortunately, it was too late for us, we won just as moved into the 6th form and didn't have uniform any more! I like to think we did something nice for the years to come.

[Amy68]

Hulababy
I don't get the issue with skirts. IME - and I almost always chose a skirt myself - a skirt and tights is much warmer than trousers and socks.

If you say so, but my DD doesn't agree, plus she finds tights quite itchy. Given the choice I would keep her in skirts, but she's old enough to decide herself. She went in a skirt and tights today as it's not so cold today. Yesterday she wore trousers.