Change to Heber uniform?

[katgod]

One reason may well be logos and designer clothes. Some children will come to school in a Ralph Lauren polo shirt or the latest Nike trainers. Other children want that too, it becomes about being cool. School uniform produces an even playing field where everyone is equally dressed, and differences in income/social group/fashion sense are much less distinct. I am very happy to have a stricly enforced uniform. Far less fuss in the morning, and I believe over time far less money spent on clothes for my children.

Most of the most successful schools I know have a uniform. It should encourage a sense of pride and togetherness.

As for the timing, I have yet to read the letter but I understood that there was a transitional period and nothing will be done til after Christmas. I think that is fair. The uniform has so far as I am aware always been on the website and was included in the Reception starters pack.

In any event this whole thing is in my opinion aimed at the very small minority who wear clothing that is not close to uniform in colour or style rather than the majority of children who might have a sweatshirt with no logo.

[Curmudgeon]

The majority of children wear plain white polo shirts, available at many shops. This has always been my understanding of the policy and to amend it to white shirts is not appropriate IMO.

My child will continue to wear her newly bought plain white shirts until she has grown out of them.

Mr Block did not mean for any children to be instructed by teachers in what they should wear as it is clearly not their choice.

All will be well.

[kristymac1]

A copy of the letter is available on the website.

[Fuschia]

Yes

Unfortunately white shirt doesn't mean white polo shirt.

[Joella]

I intepreted the letter to be more about encouraging appropriate uniform wearing rather than saying specific items were banned. Perhaps a small minority showed up to school not remotely wearing uniform colours/clothing, which encouraged Mr B to send out the letter - rather than aiming at parents whose children generally show up wearing a reasonable uniform and the right colours. As for banning birthday cakes, hurrah, my view is that should be saved for parties rather than for school - I had a massive fight with Joella Jr over this last year as I refused to allow her to take one in. I am sure the nut allergy thing is a little exaggerated though.

[maritap]

My granddaughter attends Heber and I think it's terrible that they've waited till the children have return to school to say the uniform is changing. They should have announced this at the end of last term as parents will obviously/ more than likely buy new uniform to begin the new term in September. Also regarding the packed lunches, my daughter would rather put items in the lunch box that she knows her child is going to eat not what the school dictates she should eat.

[Fuschia]

Joella, I spoke to Mr Block and he confirmed it's aimed at everyone and excludes polo shirts ... That is really unusual for a state primary school

There seems to be a bit of a change of atmosphere already this term that I am not impressed with

[ClaireClaire]

Really? No plain white polo shirts? I missed that the first time round.

Ok, that is weird. Why on earth would they be disallowed??

(Of course, I've just bought 6 plain white polos from Sainsbury's and diligently ironed on labels! Ah well...)

[Curmudgeon]

My child will continue to wear plain white polo shirts

:gavel:

[redjam]

I honestly cannot see what the fuss is about. The uniform is not changing, they are merely trying to enforce the current uniform more strictly. I seem to remember a similar letter going out at the beginning of the year a couple of years ago. The rules on uniform are clearly stated on a letter you get when your child starts Reception and they're also on the website. Nothing has changed, guys!

Re. the white polo shirts, I expect I'll keep my girls in the non-logo ones after Christmas as they are worn under dresses and cardis so no one will see them. But fair enough, if they were wearing a skirt so it was on show, I'd get a Heber one. I don't think ?6.50 is an outrageous sum.

As for the packed lunches, if the only thing they'll eat is chocolate and crisps, then I'd be pretty pleased if the school were stepping in to help me with this problem. As it is, I don't think the little darlings will suffer too much if they have to wait till 3.20pm before they get their chocolate fix. I'm astonished anyone has a problem with it (and I speak as the mother of two chocaholic kids). Lighten up, everyone...

[EDmummy]

If anyone would like some size 26 logo polo shirts they are very welcome to them for free. I think there are about 3 and are in good condition. Would have to wait until I buy a few more next week (youngest child shot up like a bean stalk over the summer).

[Fuschia]

Yes please!

[Curmudgeon]

redjam Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I honestly cannot see what the fuss is about. The

> uniform is not changing, they are merely trying to

> enforce the current uniform more strictly. I seem

> to remember a similar letter going out at the

> beginning of the year a couple of years ago. The

> rules on uniform are clearly stated on a letter

> you get when your child starts Reception and

> they're also on the website. Nothing has changed,

> guys!

>

> Re. the white polo shirts, I expect I'll keep my

> girls in the non-logo ones after Christmas as they

> are worn under dresses and cardis so no one will

> see them. But fair enough, if they were wearing a

> skirt so it was on show, I'd get a Heber one. I

> don't think ?6.50 is an outrageous sum.

>

Actually it has changed as plain white polo shirts have always been allowed. I personally choose to think that a white polo shirt is a white shirt

Plus the uniform list doesn't include cardigans so you wouldn't be allowed to do that

?6.50 is double the cost of good quality pure cotton plain polo shirts

[redjam]

No, I actually checked my old 'Welcome to Reception' pack and it does say that they 'encourage you' to use the Heber logo polo shirts. So it's a tightening-up of the policy rather than anything new (it doesn't say anywhere that you can wear plain white ones, though clearly loads of kids did).

Anyway, I can't believe for a minute that they're going to be ripping off children's outer layers to check whether they're wearing logo-ed polo shirts underneath, so my kids will continue to wear the plain ones under their logo jumpers or dresses. Hadn't noticed the lack of mention of cardis, so we'll see if we get hauled up in front of the uniform police for that. Doubt it somehow. As katgod and Joella said upthread, I'm sure this is more about bringing those kids who don't wear anything resembling the uniform into line, rather than making life difficult for those who turn up looking generally smart. Hope so anyway!

[EDmummy]

@Fuscia, sent you pm.

[Fuschia]

The letter home said cardia are ok over dresses, didn't it?

But it said girls wear skirts Amd white socks

No mention of trousers or tights...

[Curmudgeon]

redjam Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> No, I actually checked my old 'Welcome to

> Reception' pack and it does say that they

> 'encourage you' to use the Heber logo polo shirts.

It depends when your children joined the school to be honest - when my eldest joined it was red and blue polo shirts then the previous head decided on white polo shirts and there was the option of buying the logoed version from the school office.

So yes it is a change

being 'encouraged' is different from compulsory and no state primary school can make uniform compulsory as far as I understand it.

[redjam]

Fuchsia, the letter home today said trousers OK for girls, ditto black tights (though mine wear navy!). Glad to hear cardis are OK.

And Curmudgeon - yes, point taken about when your kids started. Mine were relatively recent (Yrs 1 and 3).

[Fuschia]

Has there been another letter then? This is the only one I have seen

http://www.heberprimaryschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Uniform-Letter.pdf

[Pugwash]

My grandchildren had a choice of white or red polo shirts for primary school - available from most chain stores, only logo was on sweat shirts, purchased from the school directly, grey skirts or trousers. no trainers (to avoid those who would wear designer brands)black shoes, tights grey/black.Most primary schools have had a policy of no crisps in packed lunches for many years and have prevented the school tuck shops selling them.

[flywheel]

I've had three children at Heber who've all done well regardless of their conformity or nonconformity with uniform. There's no correlation between uniform/neatness/black shoes/short hair/colour of hair band and achievement, and Heber should just get it into their heads that whatever they think is broken won't be fixed by shirty letters home and first news through child mail. If my child is told off for not bearing the Heber logo I will regard this with grim displeasure. If the school wishes to raise it with me, fine, I have a whole range of responses ready. The school's full of great kids and supportive parents and making the place neater won't make it better; they should rewind and welcome everyone back to school instead of barking out new rules. No smiling before Xmas has never worked as a policy for parents or kids. Lighten up Heber, we're all fine out here.

[albert]

Well said flywheel. Heber lighten up. The atmosphere is odd and my daughter now hates the place.

[DG@SE22]

Here, here i agree. I heard it frst through child mail also, how cheeky is that. My child will wear the uniform that i have already purchased until it no longer fits her! cant wear blue socks they have to be white! Oh give me a break...

[flywheel]

Heber never did consult parents, pupils or the wider community on the introduction of, or any subsequent changes to the uniform (as guidelines say schools should do). Change has been announced (a good few times) as if it's a reminder. Don't let anyone tell you any different. I had a child in the school when they didn't have a uniform. When the previous head brought in uniform he said it was 'to reinforce the school's ethos' but when I asked him what the ethos was he was unable to answer. Please suggest an ethos here......

And an alternative one (the one you want) here .....

[Fuschia]

Unfortunately I can't attend the head's Q & A