[Burgerman]

I have just been reading about how the government are trying to change the requirement to Kids only having to have three school branded items (plus tie). Manufacturers are saying if that happens, the cost of items will rise.

My kids were educated in Military Schools and as I remember uniforms were pretty much low key and not that expensive, it was mostly just a hoody with an embroided badge or a polo shirt.

The average cost of a secondary school uniform here in the UK is £442 for secondary schools and £343 for primary schools, I had to do a double take as I find that an incredible amount. Is that what you parents are paying nowadays?

I have always felt that school uniforms are a good thing but one thing that has always irked me is the staff don't set the example by wearing a uniform as well and by staff I mean everyone. School governers make the rules I believe so when the are on school business, they too should represent their school. I don't mean wearing the same uniform as the kids but an adult one. Blazer and tie would do but then again they would be insisting on a 20% pay rise to cover it.

All you parents with a couple of kids in school have my sympathies, three kids could cost you over a grand per term in school uniform alone.

I dropped one of my grandkids off at school a few weeks ago and I was surprised at how scruffy a minority of the teachers were. The school has a policy on dyeing hair, yet there was a female teacher with pink hair that hadn't seen a brush in weeks!

[Westbars Spireite]

Never paid anything like that. At the primary school they had a jumper each year and at secondary school a blazer and tie plus PE kit. Shirts, trousers etc you can get from wherever you like.

This post has been edited by Westbars Spireite: 28 April 2025 - 07:48 AM

[Sammy Spireite]

Most schools in the area (including some infants and junior schools) insist on specific branded clothing (even skirts and trousers that don't even have the school motive on them) from Pinders.

Example, Springwell Community College on Middlecroft Road @ Staveley:

https://pindersschoo.../232/Springwell

Items are checked at registration and anyone not in full branded uniform (including blazers & Tie) get a correction (their term for detention) the same day, after school. The plain trousers and skirts have a tiny logo tag (AST) on the seem to prove they are the correct brand. PE Kit has to be the school logo'd one, too.

Presumably, the school get some sort of kickback from Pinders.

To kit my youngest out, who is going there from September is best part of £300 and will go up as she grows and progresses.

Edit: that said, if I do a school run or take the eldest to some after school event etc. seeing all the kids in the correct, matching uniform does look impressive.

Also, the teachers all appear to follow a strict dress code, the men are always in suits and a tie and the ladies in smart skirts/blouses etc.

This post has been edited by Sammy Spireite: 28 April 2025 - 07:59 AM

[Burgerman]

Westbars Spireite, on 28 April 2025 - 07:48 AM, said:

Never paid anything like that. At the primary school they had a jumper each year and at secondary school a blazer and tie plus PE kit. Shirts, trousers etc you can get from wherever you like.

Just how it should be. More and more seem to be much stricter though.

[Westbars Spireite]

Presumably as they're getting sweeteners from the company's making them. Never been an issue at either Brockwell School or at Brookfield.

[Burgerman]

Sammy Spireite, on 28 April 2025 - 07:53 AM, said:

Most schools in the area (including some infants and junior schools) insist on specific branded clothing (even skirts and trousers that don't even have the school motive on them) from Pinders.

Example, Springwell Community College on Middlecroft Road @ Staveley:

https://pindersschoo.../232/Springwell

Items are checked at registration and anyone not in full branded uniform (including blazers & Tie) get a correction (their term for detention) the same day, after school. The plain trousers and skirts have a tiny logo tag (AST) on the seem to prove they are the correct brand. PE Kit has to be the school logo'd one, too.

Presumably, the school get some sort of kickback from Pinders.

To kit my youngest out, who is going there from September is best part of £300 and will go up as she grows and progresses.

Edit: that said, if I do a school run or take the eldest to some after school event etc. seeing all the kids in the correct, matching uniform does look impressive.

Also, the teachers all appear to follow a strict dress code, the men are always in suits and a tie and the ladies in smart skirts/blouses etc.

Thats expensive if some families have multiple kids going to the same school. Do the teachers wear the same or are they allowed to wear what they want as long as they are smart?

I do agree with School uniforms but they should be subsidised and not used for a school to make money, which I am sure they do.

[Goku]

My eldest goes to Hady and they do branded items but it’s optional, you can just pick up 3 blue polo shirts for £8 from George if you want. Doesn’t seem to be any issues though Hady only goes up to Year 6.

[Sammy Spireite]

Burgerman, on 28 April 2025 - 08:09 AM, said:

Thats expensive if some families have multiple kids going to the same school. Do the teachers wear the same or are they allowed to wear what they want as long as they are smart?

I do agree with School uniforms but they should be subsidised and not used for a school to make money, which I am sure they do.

The teachers don't wear uniform, but there does appear to be rules they have to follow.

Either Pinders will pay a fee, per school. for the rights or the school will receive a payment per item sold I'm sure.

[JonB]

My daughter is in year 2 at Holymoorside currently and they have a guide to stick to in terms of what can be worn and there are branded items available but its not required as long as it fits the guide. Just moved to the point of the school year where they can wear the summer uniform as well. We generally have got items from M&S\Next places like that and unlike some schools the girls are fine to wear trousers rather than a dress\skirt if they want to. My daughter hates wearing a dress so wears trousers. They also have a good scheme where people can drop off clean good condition items that kids have grown out off etc for others to use.

[isleaiw1]

Burgerman, on 28 April 2025 - 07:40 AM, said:

I have just been reading about how the government are trying to change the requirement to Kids only having to have three school branded items (plus tie). Manufacturers are saying if that happens, the cost of items will rise.

My kids were educated in Military Schools and as I remember uniforms were pretty much low key and not that expensive, it was mostly just a hoody with an embroided badge or a polo shirt.

The average cost of a secondary school uniform here in the UK is £442 for secondary schools and £343 for primary schools, I had to do a double take as I find that an incredible amount. Is that what you parents are paying nowadays?

I have always felt that school uniforms are a good thing but one thing that has always irked me is the staff don't set the example by wearing a uniform as well and by staff I mean everyone. School governers make the rules I believe so when the are on school business, they too should represent their school. I don't mean wearing the same uniform as the kids but an adult one. Blazer and tie would do but then again they would be insisting on a 20% pay rise to cover it.

All you parents with a couple of kids in school have my sympathies, three kids could cost you over a grand per term in school uniform alone.

I dropped one of my grandkids off at school a few weeks ago and I was surprised at how scruffy a minority of the teachers were. The school has a policy on dyeing hair, yet there was a female teacher with pink hair that hadn't seen a brush in weeks!

School governors dont get paid so I'd say make them dress appropriately and give them 20% more.

The cost is a bit much - but of course on non uniform day they are all there in their branded gear etc that makes school clothes look a bargain

PS Suit, shirt and tie when on governor (trustee) duties whilst school open, more casual if school closed. Ties and smart dress compulsory for teachers too..

[isleaiw1]

Burgerman, on 28 April 2025 - 08:09 AM, said:

Thats expensive if some families have multiple kids going to the same school. Do the teachers wear the same or are they allowed to wear what they want as long as they are smart?

I do agree with School uniforms but they should be subsidised and not used for a school to make money, which I am sure they do.

If the school does make money now from uniforms and its stopped, where is the replacement money coming from as something like 75% are running a budget deficit this year and more are expected to do so next academic year...

As for the NI increase being reimbursed - not necessarily. Its costing £15k net for my school - as the refund is based on the number of pupils and not teacher costs...

[isleaiw1]

Westbars Spireite, on 28 April 2025 - 08:01 AM, said:

Presumably as they're getting sweeteners from the company's making them. Never been an issue at either Brockwell School or at Brookfield.

I remember at Shirebrook the only place you could get the tie and a blazer in the right colour being through chosen supplier at huge cost. Grandkids are at Brockwell and cost doesnt seem to be too bad. Bit crap they change colour between juniors and infants though.. I am sure its for good operational reasons but not so great for parents....

Palterton seemed pretty relaxed when my kids went there... but that's a long time ago!

[Burgerman]

isleaiw1, on 28 April 2025 - 01:35 PM, said:

If the school does make money now from uniforms and its stopped, where is the replacement money coming from as something like 75% are running a budget deficit this year and more are expected to do so next academic year...

Run a Tuck shop, lay on events to raise money like our kids schools did rather than sit back and moan about how hard done too schools are. Our kids teachers in the military schools in Germany were always doing something to raise money for the benefit of the kids, particularly when they were in boarding school.

[jack'smyboy]

 Burgerman, on 28 April 2025 - 02:33 PM, said:

Run a Tuck shop, lay on events to raise money like our kids schools did rather than sit back and moan about how hard done too schools are. Our kids teachers in the military schools in Germany were always doing something to raise money for the benefit of the kids, particularly when they were in boarding school.

There's a massive difference between fundraising to pay for new library furniture and plugging budget deficit.

[Burgerman]

 jack, on 28 April 2025 - 04:39 PM, said:

There's a massive difference between fundraising to pay for new library furniture and plugging budget deficit.

So just not do anything apart from stealth tax parents (again).

[jack'smyboy]

 Burgerman, on 28 April 2025 - 04:56 PM, said:

So just not do anything apart from stealth tax parents (again).

You're presuming they don't already do it.

It's going nowhere near budget deficits. Neither is any cut of uniform sales.

[jack'smyboy]

 Burgerman, on 28 April 2025 - 04:56 PM, said:

So just not do anything apart from stealth tax parents (again).

I suggest reading the DT front page article in last week's issue. That might give you an idea of what education is up against. Local authority only paying £8.50/hour for the education and care of a child that has been assigned a TA in their EHCP. Where is her nursery expected to find the rest of the cost of employing that TA and any resources to support them?

[isleaiw1]

 Burgerman, on 28 April 2025 - 02:33 PM, said:

Run a Tuck shop, lay on events to raise money like our kids schools did rather than sit back and moan about how hard done too schools are. Our kids teachers in the military schools in Germany were always doing something to raise money for the benefit of the kids, particularly when they were in boarding school.

Do you know what percentage of parents help with events like that and how many things are already done to raise money from the parents (who you are trying to save money for)

See the govt are stuck between accepting the pay body recommendations and blowing their budget, sticking to their budget and running the risk of more strikes... or paying what the pay body recommends, only giving the schools the budgeted increase and leaving schools to sort out the mess. Which do you think they will choose?

Maybe the parents of kids in military boarding schools could afford to pay out given they weren't paying to keep their kids...?

[jack'smyboy]

 isleaiw1, on 28 April 2025 - 06:16 PM, said:

Do you know what percentage of parents help with events like that and how many things are already done to raise money from the parents (who you are trying to save money for)

See the govt are stuck between accepting the pay body recommendations and blowing their budget, sticking to their budget and running the risk of more strikes... or paying what the pay body recommends, only giving the schools the budgeted increase and leaving schools to sort out the mess. Which do you think they will choose?

Maybe the parents of kids in military boarding schools could afford to pay out given they weren't paying to keep their kids...?

My daughter's OH is from a military family. His boarding school was the sort of place that has ludicrously expensive prizes donated for the school raffle.

[isleaiw1]

jack, on 28 April 2025 - 06:44 PM, said:

My daughter's OH is from a military family. His boarding school was the sort of place that has ludicrously expensive prizes donated for the school raffle.

I gave a free hotel stay for my grandsons school raffle... although at that time he was nearer London!