Rugby High School - New Uniform
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 1:31 pm
I am delighted that my daughter earned a place at Rugby High School.
I've just been out to get the new uniform. I have to say I'm astounded that you can only buy the uniform from 2 shops - isn't that an illicit cartel? Are the school making a hidden profit from this?
I'm also amazed at the prices for their 'regulation' wear. For example their skirt is c£23 whereas an almost identical skirt can be bought in Asda for £3. The Asda one is also perma-crease, so no worries about ironing those pleats. (I can't help but comment that on the induction day, the day after an incredibly hot day and looked like it was going to be a hot day again in the morning, how such a large percentage of the girls were wearing trousers not the skirt. That clearly demonstrates how much the current girls dislike the school skirt currently allowed.)
The polo shirts are what £15 yet Tesco have them in from 75p. Similar price comparison can be made with all the items at various outlets - not just these exampls given. Even Marks & Spencers would be cheaper, and all Mums will know what good quality their school uniform is.
I can afford this, but not everyone can. My question is why they choose such an expensive range when it is so unnecessary to do so. They could equally have chosen a range from a supermarket or high street outlet which would have given the same result of all the pupils uniform being the same, so that can't be the criteria. At the rate they grow then we're buying new uniform regularly anyway, we replace them with larger sizes before they wear out anyway. Also at such low prices it is more affordable to have more - thus sharing the wear more - and replace them sooner. So wear and tear isn't really an issue.
I'm also now stuck as the suppliers have told me they dont think they actually make a skirt in my daughter's size. She is tall but not the tallest, and to get a skirt long enough I would have to get one 6 inches too wide. As an 11 year old she hasnt grown the hips yet to hold up the below waist skirt so she's faced with either getting one that is tight now - so goodness knows what that would be like in a few months time - or one which is so loose it falls straight off her. The shop suggested we move the button over a little - great so the skirt looks kinky as well as too short - kinky in another way too I suppose! What is it with these schools?
Finally in my rant - why didn't the school consult the new pupils? They will have to wear the new uniform for 5 years. The year 8s will only have to wear it for 3 years as they get a further year to wear their existing uniform. The year 9s will only have to wear it for 2 years, and the year 10s will only have to wear it for 1 year. Thus those consulted with will have to wear it a total of 6 school years - barely more than this year's intake alone. Can anyone who saw the consultation tell me whether they consulted on having pleated skirts only (ie not plain skirts as opposed to not trousers) and having such an expensive range only? I rather suspect they kept that firmly off the agenda. I did ask the school but they avoided answering my question and just said the school consulted 'widely.'
Sorry had to get that off my chest. When I grew up my parents skimped and saved and worked really hard, this included shopping around at great length to save money on uniform. Its the unnecessary extra cost which I have the biggest grip with, and I can afford it. I'm concerned for others and wonder if anyone else feels the same.
I've just been out to get the new uniform. I have to say I'm astounded that you can only buy the uniform from 2 shops - isn't that an illicit cartel? Are the school making a hidden profit from this?
I'm also amazed at the prices for their 'regulation' wear. For example their skirt is c£23 whereas an almost identical skirt can be bought in Asda for £3. The Asda one is also perma-crease, so no worries about ironing those pleats. (I can't help but comment that on the induction day, the day after an incredibly hot day and looked like it was going to be a hot day again in the morning, how such a large percentage of the girls were wearing trousers not the skirt. That clearly demonstrates how much the current girls dislike the school skirt currently allowed.)
The polo shirts are what £15 yet Tesco have them in from 75p. Similar price comparison can be made with all the items at various outlets - not just these exampls given. Even Marks & Spencers would be cheaper, and all Mums will know what good quality their school uniform is.
I can afford this, but not everyone can. My question is why they choose such an expensive range when it is so unnecessary to do so. They could equally have chosen a range from a supermarket or high street outlet which would have given the same result of all the pupils uniform being the same, so that can't be the criteria. At the rate they grow then we're buying new uniform regularly anyway, we replace them with larger sizes before they wear out anyway. Also at such low prices it is more affordable to have more - thus sharing the wear more - and replace them sooner. So wear and tear isn't really an issue.
I'm also now stuck as the suppliers have told me they dont think they actually make a skirt in my daughter's size. She is tall but not the tallest, and to get a skirt long enough I would have to get one 6 inches too wide. As an 11 year old she hasnt grown the hips yet to hold up the below waist skirt so she's faced with either getting one that is tight now - so goodness knows what that would be like in a few months time - or one which is so loose it falls straight off her. The shop suggested we move the button over a little - great so the skirt looks kinky as well as too short - kinky in another way too I suppose! What is it with these schools?
Finally in my rant - why didn't the school consult the new pupils? They will have to wear the new uniform for 5 years. The year 8s will only have to wear it for 3 years as they get a further year to wear their existing uniform. The year 9s will only have to wear it for 2 years, and the year 10s will only have to wear it for 1 year. Thus those consulted with will have to wear it a total of 6 school years - barely more than this year's intake alone. Can anyone who saw the consultation tell me whether they consulted on having pleated skirts only (ie not plain skirts as opposed to not trousers) and having such an expensive range only? I rather suspect they kept that firmly off the agenda. I did ask the school but they avoided answering my question and just said the school consulted 'widely.'
Sorry had to get that off my chest. When I grew up my parents skimped and saved and worked really hard, this included shopping around at great length to save money on uniform. Its the unnecessary extra cost which I have the biggest grip with, and I can afford it. I'm concerned for others and wonder if anyone else feels the same.