… … why is it SO expensive? We have 2 x 4yo girls here who will be attending the Pre-Prep section of an independent preparatory school next term, where they have been previously attending the nursery section + some home schooling. In the nursery section, a uniform was not required as none existed for the smaller humans. However, now the girls are going up into the Pre-Prep section, a uniform not only exists, but is mandatory just as I had expected. However, the prices of a complete kit to fit each girl out for the school is somewhat of a shock. I have tried to find the exclusive uniform elsewhere other than from the school’s own on-line shop, but no other sellers list this school in their selection.
What are the forum’s views on school uniforms and is it a good idea to clad all of the children the same? My wife and I were uniform clad and so were my 4 daughters; should this continue or is it time for a change?
What school are they going too ?
You can get standard school uniform ( grey skirts trousers white shirts ) from Tescos , sainsburys and Marks and Spencer fairly reasonably)
‘Exclusive ‘ uniforms will of course be more expensive.
I am a great believer in uniforms for schoolchildren it gives them a sense of belonging to the school they are all dressed the same and on a practical side saves problems about what they are going to wear every day .
I agree with Muddy.
But you must Make A Bloody Big Fuss with the Governors of the school in question if they don’t accept uniform bought in a shop of your own choosing.
There’s no room these days for specialist uniform shops for specific schools.
It’s nonsense.
Yes they are as I’m just finding out.
The state schools around here are, how shall I phrase it, barely adequate and these two girls are bright and quick to grasp everything first attempt. So much so, I am helping mum with all of the costs.
They have already enjoyed the nursery school section so it seemed right they should fit in well with the pre-prep school. They were asked and have seen what is ahead, so they are more than ready to go up
Ah, but these twins have to fit in or flounder. I know they will do well in this school IF they are not singled out for not fitting in. To send them to this school, you have to accept the prescribed uniform. It’s the cost that amazes me
Well you pays your money and takes your choice ,school uniforms are always more expensive .
If the children are bright as you say they will do well whatever school they go to.
I am very reluctant to consider moving them into the state system. English is not their 1st language, although they are improving weekly with home schooling, so as this school know their background and are willing to add where needed, sending them there full time seems the best option. Their mum looks to me for guidance and I don’t want to let any of them down being I’m their sponsor.
I think it’s probably deliberate by the independent schools to separate themselves from the hoi polloi? And the price you have to pay for attending an independent school?
I doubt if the Governors will help, like I say, it’s a status thing and they take pride in their schools being unique
I know back in the day when I got a free place to a girl’s public school the price of the uniform was staggering and my poor mum and dad broke themselves that year to kit me out
The only place you could buy it then was in Dickinson and Jones in Regent St. you had to go right to the top to their school uniform bit where they were the sole uniform providers for a lot of the public schools
I wore the same skirt, jumper, blouse, PE kit, dresses, blazer, scarf, gaberdine mac, and science and art overalls from then at 11 until I was sixteen! Because once I was old enough to realise what was happening, I wouldn’t let them pay out like that again
Luckily I was a skinny minny so they still fitted OK. The skirt got a bit short, I was always being dragged into the gym to kneel down and have it measured ( but that was often because I turned it over at the waist anyway!)
Have you tried the second hand uniform shop ?
Or advertise on the school site maybe some generous person will give you some outgrown stuff .
After all at four they will grow out of whatever you buy very soon .
I’m not saying you shouldn’t send the children to the school.
I’m arguing that these days it’s a total nonsense for the school to MAKE parents pay way over the odds for a “specialist” aka “elitist” uniform.
And the Governors should be able to see past the end of their noses and realise this.
I mean what’s so flipping special? Silk tights? Cashmere sweaters ? Gold plated satchels?
These are children ffs!
Come on!!!
Nearly all of the state school girls are the same in my area. During school they all have the skirts set to the correct length and upon leaving the school entrance gates they all wind them up and up until no imagination is needed to see their barely knicker clad rumps
We all risked blinding ourselves by dying our eyelashes, used a sun lamp on our faces, or fake tan and a dusting of talc to make our skin smooth
( talc doesn’t show when the head scrubs you with a damp flannel!)
We’d buff our cheeks to make them slightly sore and pink, same with lips, then a smear of Vaseline, clear mascara over the eyelash dye!
We’d sunbathe with our rings and bracelets on, so there were white marks when we had to take them off for the no jewellry rule. And a fancy watch. You were allowed a crucifix or religious necklace under your shirt, so we all had dainty necklaces with gold chains that showed at the top of our shirt. And gold ear studs. You had to take all your jewellery off for games and give it to the gym mistress to take care of
We dyed our hair in natural colours and gave ourselves highlights with lemon juice in the sun. And fake tanned our legs and arms
Then use a buffer on our finger nails with a white pencil under the tips, again, French polish invincible to the heads nail polish remover!
We used smelly deodorant, perfume and hand creams
We didn’t have hats but we were supposed to wear either our blazer with the school badge, our gaberdine macs with bright yellow hoods or our school scarf at all times outside. And no eating in the street!
Am all for school uniforms, with aspects unique to the school. Perhaps the “specialised” could be sold directly by the school. After all, there’s usually a spare room or two going to waste, and am sure there will be a few ancilliary staff happy to earn a bit of pin money outside normal school hours.
Oh yes, I sure know that as my 1st heart’s desire girl friend and fiancée was an attendee of a well know girl’s school LINKY and she was definitely attracted to this 6’ 6" biking tearaway. Unfortunately, she was a little older that me and University eventually won with my ring being returned
