11 Plus Exams Forum

Hello,

With the first hockey session coming up this week I dug out the info pack that was sent at the beginning of March and read it all again. I wondered whether someone who has been through transition before could enlighten me about ordering uniform.

There is a uniform fitting session after the induction day on 26th June. Is this just the Simmonds main uniform suppliers or do the PE suppliers (Club sports) come as well? One of the letters says that PE kit can be ordered online by end of May for collection at individual meetings on June 18th/19th. However there isn't a list of what you actually need. I assume you need everything on CCHS section of Clubsports website (ie sweatshirt, shorts, skort, socks, swimming hat, swimsuit, tracksuit bottoms, polo shirt). No mention of trainers (though trainers are shown on Simmonds site). What trainers do they need? I was wondering about going down to Canvey to their shop and hoping that they know what is required (and won't try to sell me more than we need). I assume one of everything is enough for a not very sporty girl who probably won't do clubs. I haven't dared add up what it will all cost!

At the uniform fitting do the girls get to try the uniform or do they just have measurements taken? When do they actually get the uniform (available that day/collect from school/sent direct?).

Thanks in advance for your help. In the meantime my daughter will go to the hockey session in a motley collection of primary school PE kit and brother's football socks!

Hi Oneofeach,

You should have received a list, but if not I think it's available on the school website. Off the top of head, the girls need PE top, skort, jogging bottoms, white trainers (no branding or coloured features), regulation swimming costume, swimming cap in house colours (once you know which house she'll be in), hockey socks (again in house colours), gum shield & shin pads are recommended but not compulsory, tennis racquet. All clothing except the trainers must be bought from the supplier, but we found plain white trainers impossible to find anywhere else anyway !

For the Simmonds fitting, they do try stuff on so you can check fitting. They're very good - they set up changing cubicles in one of the rooms so you can take your time getting the right sizes. Don't bother with the recommended coat, scarf or bag - none of them use them!

For overalls and PE kit embroidery they had a service called Dolphin embroidery there a couple of years ago - I recommend using them (unless you're keen on sewing). They also do nice iron on name labels.

Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.

Hi

As Mclm said, the school uniform suppier, Simmonds, is very good and will make sure your daughter has all the right clothes and that they fit correctly. The Head is very strict about skirt length.

The sports kit supplies have always visited the school towards the end of the summer so that the new Y7s and their parents can buy the PE kit. I am sure they will this year too, but it is probably worth giving the school a call and checking what dates they'll be in.

White trainers can be a pain to find and I resorted to buying ones that were mostly white. Neither of my DDs have been in trouble over them.

You need to buy their sweatshirts and t-shirts (and have the child's name embroidered on them), but the navy jogging bottoms you can pick up anywhere. I had to buy the jogging bottoms locally as the ones they provided looked like clown trousers on my small DD's.

Yes, one of everything, sportswise, will be fine if your DD is not sporty. My DD's have one of everything and that's been enough for them. Just make sure your DD remembers to bring her swimsuit home after she's used it so you can at least dry it off before the next lesson. She's unlikely to forget that more than once!

I hope this helps.

Hi,

Thanks for your replies. I also contacted club sports and have copied my questions and their answers below as they may be of help to other parents:

Questions:
"My daughter has a place at County High starting in September. I am a bit confused about the procedure for ordering PE kit. We had a letter from the school stating that kit may be ordered online and may be collected at the welcome meetings on 18th and 19th June. Please could you tell me whether there are opportunities to try on uniform at the school on those days or if it is just for collection. Can I come to your premises in Canvey to try and buy kit? When are you open? Also there was no list of what uniform is required. Do you have a full uniform list? And finally do you have a list stating which house my daughter is in?"

Reply:
"The best thing I can suggest is for you to come to the shop to try the items on. We are open from 9am to 5:30 Mon-Thurs and until 5:00 on Friday. Perhaps more conveniently we are now opening on Saturday from 9am to 1pm.
We do not have a list of house colours yet but some parents have ordered their sized items and we will just apply the relevant house colours to the order once we are informed by the school.
If you come in and try all the garments (as have several other parents so far) we will take payment and put your order together for collection on 18th or 19th June.
I hope this helps."

I think I'll hold on for a while as my daughter is growing so fast at the moment. I'm reassured by the positive comments about Simmonds and the uniform fitting sessions..

Hockey tomorrow. Hope the rain holds off (though it will give a most realistic idea of the joys of hockey!)