Why Is This Still Going On?

[Hymie]

I can well remember an assembly soon after starting my secondary education, in which the headmaster berated pupils for not having the official school uniform emblem on their blazer (and this was back in the late 60s).

It would take careful examination to see that emblem was not the real deal; in an instant I realised that the school was getting kickbacks from the official school uniform supplier (otherwise why complain about a non-issue).

The FTSE100 company I work for has all sorts of anti-bribery, anti-competitive procedures in place that would not allow the company to behave in this manner. An employee engaged in such a practice would likely be dismissed for gross misconduct.

Why do we allow such behaviour from our schools – which would not be acceptable in business?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11178921/Wales-scrap-school-uniform-logos-make-iron-help-parents-save-money.html

[tiggerblue10]

I don't understand your question but if it saved parents money then iron-on emblems/logos are a good idea.

[Hymie]

At many schools the uniform must be purchased from the official uniform supplier – so that the school receives a kickback.

If such a practice were made illegal throughout the UK (not just Wales) – parents would not be ripped off paying for kickbacks to the school.

[davebro]

I'm surprised it still goes on. On starting Grammar school back in the day uniform was expensive & strictly enforced, but as time went on pupils simply resorted to plain black blazers & grey trousers or shorts. The only survivors of the dress code were the school tie & cap.

[Spicerack]

I vaguely remember my school having an official uniform supplier which just happened to be the dearest shop in town.
It shouldn't be happening now (or have happened then)

[Cloverjo]

I’m surprised it is still going on.
My son went to an independent school. We bought his blazers from John Lewis or M&S and stitched on the logo badge.

No reason why every school can’t do this.

[davebro]

I suppose back when it was a bit of a status symbol - proud parents waving their kid off to school all togged up. Not many on our street went to the grammar. But it was a serious strain on finances.

Not so much now.

[Ken4155]

I recall my mother's first words when i told her i had passed my eleven plus. "That means i have to buy you a uniform!"

[Zacs-Master]

‘ in an instant I realised that the school was getting kickbacks from the official school uniform supplier’

Gosh, you were a clever little Hymie weren’t you!

I would imagine the sort of places where this still happens (insistence upon using a certain supplier) have the sort of parents for whom the expense of a uniform isn’t a problem.

[davebro]

I think the thing is that the uniform thing has trickled down from the more elite establishments to run-of-the-mill schools where the catchment area isn't all that prosperous.

[davebro]

and of course with energy costs and the cost of living "crisis" being continually drummed into our psyche people are wanting to make whatever savings they can...

[Arrods]

Our school wasn’t particularly subtle, saying that the particular shade of blue was unique, and the blazer could only be purchased from one shop in the area.

[youngmafbog]

My daughter didnt actually have a badge on her uniform(private), the whole uniform could only be bought from Barratts. When I went to school (prep) the blazer and cap and tie could only be bought from a school outfitters. The cost of the badge would have been peanuts compared to the cost of the blazer. After moving up from prep the uniform didnt have any badge - but was just as dear and couldnt be bought elsewhere.

So why do State schools need one. I fully understand and agree with a uniform, but why a badge?

[youngmafbog]

Dont State schools operate a second-hand uniform 'shop'? Even my daughters expensive private school did that.

[Zacs-Master]

Most schools I know specify a generic non branded uniform e.g. red tops / grey trousers or skirts etc which can be bought from supermarkets and the likes of TK Maxx for a few quid per item. Uniforms are a good safety measure and prevent children of wealthier parents from showing off with expensive items, plus they prevent truancy.

[bednobs]

Even the primary schools have a logo, which round here at leàst, you can only buy from one shop. Luckily the heads are pretty pragmatic and the logo isn't essential. My daughter for example has 1 set of logoed stuff for picture days an so on and the rest is generic. It's secondary next year though and that's a whole different ball game

[tiggerblue10]

I have to get sons blazer, PE kit and jumper from a uniform retailer with the logo. I get the rest without the logo cheaper elsewhere apart from the trousers. Other than the uniform retailer I don't know where else I can get specific waist and leg length sizes rather than by age.

[davebro]

//Dont State schools operate a second-hand uniform 'shop'? Even my daughters expensive private school did that.//

Haha - my uniform was so ragged out by the time it was replaced no one would have touched it (and that's even allowing for size changes).

[youngmafbog]

Yes many are. But often kids have growth spurts and the uniform is barely touched.

Of course not rough behaviour is allowed in a private schools unless on the 'games' pitch.

[calmck]

I queried why the logo couldn't be bought and stitched on to the uniform. I was told it was a stupid idea

[youngmafbog]

The problem is a stitched on logo would look awful next to a proper woven in (probably not the correct term) one.

This would make the child stand out, something the uniform is supposed not to do.