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I Had Or Have To Wear A School Uniform

Parents in the UK are being ripped-off by being forced to buy over-priced, often poor quality, school uniforms from schools or school approved suppliers. Some impoverished families have to choose between buying food or buying a school uniform - so their children can make use of a, so-called, "free" public service.

This is an intolerable state of affairs that must not be allowed to continue. I implore all UK citizens to sign the petition to abolish school uniforms once and for all.

The petition is here -
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/end-and-permanently-abolish-school-uniforms-in-the-united-kingdom

Other countries manage very well, in most cases better, without school uniforms, there's no reason the UK shouldn't do just as well.

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manywords · F

Oh boo hoo. Uniforms saves parents' money. Regular clothes cost much much more. Learn to love your uniform. You all look the same so no one is going to say you don't wear the cool brands. There is wisdom in mandatory uniforms.

rob19 · M

@manywords I left school several years ago so I don't have to wear a school uniform.

They do not save parents' money. The uniform at a local primary school costs over £300. Childen whose parents cannot afford that are bullied by being isolated from other students and not allowed to take part in normal activities.

Sharon · F

@manywords

Regular clothes cost much much more.

Rubbish! A pack of 5 reasonable quality white shirts in Asda can be bought for £10. Similar shirts with a local school's logo, bought from the "official supplier" as required by the school, cost £20 each!

You don't need to be a maths genius to work out which is cheaper.

NakedExperiment · 51-55, M

@rob19 I don't know what school you went to, but my kid's primary uniform costs less than £120 (assuming we buy 2 complete sets and 3 tops). The school jumper in the most expensive part We get trousers etc. from a supermarket.

Sharon · F

@NakedExperiment My local primary school insist all items of uniform are bought from the official supplier. The £300 quoted above is a bit on the low side too. It costs about twice that to dress a child for the local secondary school, again with all items from the official supplier who has to pay £25000 a year for a licence to use the school logo on items of clothing.

Bear in mind, primary and secondary education is supposed to be free of charge!

davidstorm · C

@Sharon sorry darl pack of 5 is about £4.99

davidstorm · C

@Sharon it is its just the add on's that cost money why go by what the school says what they going to do if you dont abide by them give you the cane lol

Sharon · F

@davidstorm 5 shirts for £4.99? You Asda is cheaper than my local one then. If children don't have the "right" uniform, they're either put in isolation and denied breaks or sent home to change. Children have been sent home literally for having the wrong shade of socks!

davidstorm · C

where i come from they would have a riot on their hands the locals wont stand for it round here
if its that bad you can opt out of the school system and go for home teaching the school and the gov cant stop you its just a letter to the school stating your opting out of the system and that's it basic requirements are to teach basic Math's and English once a week
our asda girls shirts trousers and skirts ties etc singular from £2 each a pack of shirts sorry are £7.50 a pack of 5 jumpers and cardy's are £2 to £4

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suzie1960 · 61-69, F

@dunpender I use Asda. I've seen packs of 5 polo shirts for £10 (or thereabouts) but never as cheap as £4.99

rob19 · M

@suzie1960 At my local primary school, last year the uniform set parents back about £300 a time. It expected to be a lot more this year.

Sharon · F

@rob19 It cost a friend about £1100 just for uniforms for her two last year - about £400 for the younger at primary school and about £700 for the older at secondary. She said it was a struggle and they had to cut back on food to afford it.

rob19 · M

@Sharon That sounds about average. I know families who have to fork out £700 - £800 for secondary school uniforms. They could buy similar but better quality clothing from the local supermarket for less than £200 but schools won't allow them to. The higher prices at the school approved suppliers are to cover the cost of the commission paid to the school. Even £200 is excessive because they could clothe their children in mufti for less than £100. It's all one big rip-off