School uniforms

[weloveboo]

Hi

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know of a local East Dulwich primary school that doesn't have a school uniform? Neither I nor my hubby wore uniforms at primary, middle or secondary school, which wasn't THAT long ago... Are they now completely ubiquitous?

thanks!

[Fuschia]

Goodrich?

[Vik]

Dog Kennel Hill don't.

[BeccaL]

Goodrich has uniform, as of this year. I think that at primary level it can't be insisted on, just 'encouraged' but I could be wrong about that.

[minder]

It's near East Dulwich - Fairlawn doesn't have a uniform.

[prdarling]

Fairlawn has an optional uniform but not sure how many opt in or out.

Personally I can't understand a school that doesn't have a uniform, it seems really odd to me and not very school-like

[clux]

my daughter has just started reception at a school in Lewisham - Edmund Waller. They don't have a uniform and I find it really strange and a bit of a pain. Uniform makes the morning rush so much easier! You can buy a school sweatshirt - but that seems even more weird - either do a uniform or don't!

[Smiler]

I never wore a uniform at school either (though obviously branded stuff was not allowed). Think that most schools now have one - or at least sweatshirts etc. - as uniform is generally seen as "a good thing".

I find it sad, it was nice having choice, though agree that no decisions about what to wear in the morning must be a plus!

[east-of-the-Rye]

Friends in Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic who've visited me here have all expressed amazement at the sight of crowds of children all wearing the same clothes - especially infant school children " do you want them to grow up militarised" - well, maybe a uniform doesn't do that, but everytime some school proclaims that its new uniform has made all the difference to its results, I reflect that the UK is the only country in Europe (excpet I think Russia and Turkey) where uniforms are common. Are our results so much better?

My 2 boys went to Ivydale when it didn't have a compulsory uniform (I'm not sure if that is still the case), and to be honest, pretty much wore the same choice of comfortable clothes every day. It may be more difficult with girls.

As for uniforms having a democratising effect, my eldest had the first 4 years at St Mary Magdalene, (he's 16 so this is a while ago) we bought the comfortable sweatshirt/polo shirt choice though it was not cheap, and those who couldn't afford it had to make their children wear cheap white Primark shirts and ties. TIES FOR INFANT SCHOOL CHILDREN! what is wrong with this country?

[lorraineliyanage]

Nothing wrong with Primark, the quality's perfectly adequate for a white shirt.

When I was at primary school, I used to love my tie on a a bit of elastic that I had to wear. Plus we had a really great colour school uniform, so used to wear it with pride.

[intexasatthe moment]

Uniforms are great aren't they ?

I wonder why we don't all wear uniforms as adults ?

Employers could specify colours and style for employees and the state could issue regulations for all those unwaged.

How sad - apart from jobs where it seems to be important that the public can identify employees -in this country the wearing of uniform ( and all its many advantages )seems to be lost when people become 16 or ,increasingly ,18.

[east-of-the-Rye]

You're right, lorraineliyanage, I don't really have a problem with Primark, my boys and I have plenty of clothes from there. I just felt it was unfortunate that the children whose families could afford it could have the comfortable option, whereas the others had to wear buttoned up shirts with collars.

[Pugwash]

Most schools have uniform nowadays even if it is just a sweat shirt, and some offer nearly new clothing via PTA or School Secretary. Helping out at school fairs/sales over the years - most parents donated good quality uniform - it was just too small for their children. We rarely had any left to bag up as prudent parents were happy to pay 50p for a sweat shirt etc to last a couple of terms.

My grandchildren wear 2nd hand clothes and accept this as part of the family finances, of course they also have new clothes to balance this out. My other grandchildren in Essex, have never had 2nd hand clothing - not even passed down from brother to brother, and this has cost their parents hundreds of pounds. Interestingly it was not until baby number 4 that our daughter surprised us all by accepting 2nd hand baby clothes from her friends on the grounds that with young children is was false economy to buy every thing new for a young and growing child!!

Uniform can often be the less expensive option.