It's Started Already ...

[bednobs]

am i crazy? my daughter is going to secondary school in september. i have already had about 5-6 different letters from the school about various things the majority of which have irked me in some way. today's letter is about the fact all pupils will be given a laptop to use during their school career. parents are expected to make a substantial contribution towards it. you dont own it, cant use your own it and must bring it home each night, charge it and bring it in fully charged the next day. all required printing is expected to be done at home.
i might feel more kindly disposed to this communication if the last letter wasnt about the school uniform , most of which, including skirts can ONLY be bought from the school uniform shop. i worked out for just 1 of everything they have to have, it costs approx £200 not including shoes and trainers, so stuff it if anything gets dirty. grrrrr

[Buenchico]

The Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Act 2021 places a statutory duty upon the Secretary of State to issue guidance to schools about school uniforms. That guidance can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms/cost-of-school-uniforms

If I was in your position, I'd be contacting the chairman of the governing body, together with the parents' representatives on that body, to question whether they're confident that the statutory guidance is being followed.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/how-new-school-uniform-law-24011710

[Peter Pedant]

The girl will wish to fit in

I spent a term at a school waiting to go to another school ( autumn 1964) and the younger lads in lower sets and forms wandered around asking - "why you in cherry red blazer and not blue? Foo, weird dat. dat is" - all future candidates for AB clearly.

and it was obvious I was gonna be there for a term. Gormless they were

[wolf63]

When I was at school (I left in 1980) we initially had to purchase our uniforms from a certain supplier. This changed and we were allowed to wear clothing from other retailers - as long as it was a navy skirt, jumper and coat and a white shirt.

Teenagers - I would rather deal with a Bengal Tiger!

:-)

[Patsy33]

It must be a terrible strain on some parents. You have my sympathy!

[bednobs]

I suppose its not that I couldn't afford it (I probably can but just stingy) I just resent it. 4 of the 6 letters I've had from them so far are telling me about new snd Interesting ways to part with cash and it just all seems a big ramp up from the amounts you pay in primary

[david small]

Been there, moaned like fury. Then you get the extortionate photographs. We did it X4.

[barry1010]

It seems nothing has changed. My parents had to fork out for a gaberdine mac, a particular type of satchel, two blazers as well as the jumpers, trousers, shirts, sport kit.
Even the shirts were expensive, no supermarkets or Primark selling them as cheap as chips

[bobbinwales]

Is there a baDge on the skirts bednobs or on the trousers as an alternative....doubt there is....and does blouses have a badge.'??
I only remember blazers and pe shirts and ties being badged with a single supplyer

[Hymie]

So the arrangement whereby the school gets a kickback from the shop, being the only permitted provider of uniforms (at inflated prices), is still going on – why isn’t someone being prosecuted for this obvious scam?

[Deskdiary]

I feel (or rather felt) your pain.

When my 14 year old boy started we HAD to get his full uniform, including PE stuff, rugby kit etc…, from a single shop.

I specifically mention the rugby kit at it was all Samurai.

The shirts have the school crest on, so you couldn’t substitute with cheaper M&S shirts, and the grey trousers were a particular grey and it was impossible to find alternatives.

To kit him out was, from memory, about £500.

We didn’t have the laptop issue, but we were “encouraged” to set up a monthly DD with a “suggested” minimum of £50 to contribute to the school. I drew the line at this - i don’t pay tax only to top-up the school coffers out of taxed income.

[barry1010]

Am I going mad? I am now recalling that when my children were at school we were asked to supply them with exercise books, scrap paper, writing paper.
Was there a shortage of paper or had the schools run out of money?
Anyone else remember this?

[bednobs]

the skirts are a choice between two specific ones that are only at the school shop, although unbranded. the trousers can be bought anywhere but guess what, she wants to wear skirts. house branded blazer, sports kit, socks (!) tie. grrr

[ToraToraTora]

So you just found out you have to buy your kids stuff when they go to school! Gawd elp us, did your parents get all your stuff free then?

[bobbinwales]

Your missing the point o think toratoratora....its being tied to a supplier for simple things like shirts and blouses that's the issue when there a quarter of the price at asda

[Peter Pedant]

I drew the line at this - i don’t pay tax only to top-up the school coffers out of taxed income.

they should have set up a charity for the interests of the children at school..... and invited tax exempt earnings....

not rocket science and no, my local hasnt done it

[ToraToraTora]

16:08,no one is tied you can buy it anywhere, of Course they have preferred suppliers but they are not mandatory.

[bobbinwales]

^not if there's a school badge and maybe house badge on to

[ToraToraTora]

You just buy the badge then sew it on whatever from where ever. Just use the old loaf!

[bednobs]

there is not the option to buy the badge - they are embroidered. i of course have always known id have to buy uniform - they wear it from nursery nowadays, but it's just such a ramp up, it's taken me behind the knees!

[pastafreak]

TTT is never very sympathetic or empathetic when it comes to other folks money woes...even when expected or affordable. Instead, we are all idiots if we need either advice or just a good moan.