If you are reading this, you are probably thinking about the new term already - although it’s months away, Primary One inductions will have started and it can all feel a little overwhelming.
For parents it's a milestone, and there is no denying that your baby is growing up, usually a bit faster than most of us would like. It's an exciting time, but often mixed in with feelings of anxiety and trepidation - for kids and parents.
I remember being that parent. I was standing in the M&S uniform section, in the basement of the Argyle St Glasgow store, in the week before the school term started, and everything just felt completely new and overwhelming. There were other parents all around me, mainly women with rosy cheeked young ones, also trying to navigate all the options… then one of them asked me what to do!
I didn’t have a clue.
Just to put this into context: I have always had a tendency to be a little unprepared. My style is ‘jump in and worry about it later’…I get it from my mum (but that is a completely different story!) And when it came to getting school uniform, I hadn’t read the guidance from the school and only knew the basics - at least I knew the colour of the uniform…
So, I have been there, and I figured some advice or guidance would be really helpful for all you new mums, dads and carers.
Firstly, don’t buy too much. I would suggest:
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3 cardigans/jumpers/tank tops/sweatshirts is enough.
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4 or 5 polo shirts or shirts. If they are just starting school poloshirts are probably a better option as they have fewer buttons to manage; the sleeves are short which helps them keep cool in an overheated classroom; and also short sleeves are less likely to get wet or messy if they are doing things with paint or water.
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3 x trousers, shorts or skirts with elasticated or adjustable waists - we actually opted for pinafores for Leila in P1, there was no need to try to tuck shirts into these!
We also went for black trainers instead of school shoes. This was more comfortable both in school and in the playground, and made things easier when it came to gym.
Whatever you do, please remember that this shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. Friends and family might have hand-me-downs, and lots of schools have free uniform rails or swap tables. Plus you can buy second hand from us, or go new at reasonable prices in many high street retailers and supermarkets. Most of the school uniform you can buy are of pretty similar quality and materials used; it is really just some of the designs which vary and add costs.
You might not know that the Scottish Government actually issue guidance on uniform. This makes it clear that schools are expected to phase out the need for branded clothing and unnecessary blazers, to help manage costs and to be more sustainable. And from a very personal perspective, I never had either of my kids in branded school uniform or blazers - unless I got them second hand - and the school was appropriately relaxed about it all.
Good luck to all your little angels in the autumn term - and you too!
Izzie