More on Ysgol Brynhyfrd's new uniform. Unlikely friend Toby Belfield, head of Schola Ruthinensis, has come to the defence of his opposite number Geraint Parry on Facebook in support of Brynhyfryd's new uniform. He equated the cost of the uniform to little more than a packet of fags and a glass of wine each week. As ever, he says it as it is and as a result not everyone likes the message. Perhaps he chose his comparisons badly because he was immediately shot down by what might have been defensive parents who appeared to like a smoke and a drink. He later chose less controversial commodities to make a very good point.
But Belfield speaks from a comfortable position, with his high salary. The issue for ordinary parents remains the cost. The uniform appears cheaper in a supermarket or online. But isn't the school after consistency, not near-matches? Inconsistency is the current problem. Even so, the head has made it clear that some items will be available from alternative suppliers, provided that the 'brand' rules are followed. This will probably and literally result in shades of grey. There's also financial help available for those who may need it. So, the school is offering a compromise but that message appears to have been drowned out. The damage is down.
Some parents are questioning whether there should be a uniform at all. That's a debate which goes far wider than Ysgol Brynhyfryd. I suspect the cost of continually keeping up with and changing your child's young fashion wardrobe will be significantly more than the cost of a uniform... by far.
According to Facebook at least, a number of parents are not giving way. There've been some choice remarks, some below the belt and others which simply paint some parents in a poor light as unable or unwilling to respect anything that the school may do. Is it these parental attitudes which have resulted in the current uniform hotchpotch? At the end of the day, parents have a right to complain but all the unfortunate Facebook traffic has a rather negative impact on school in general (and its parents).
And let's not forget why we've arrived in this position... parents are abusing the current uniform so much. It's possible had they not, then the school might've retained the status quo.
Give it a year and this'll all be forgotten.
At the end of the day, I doubt people will make a decision based on the cost of a uniform
But Belfield speaks from a comfortable position, with his high salary. The issue for ordinary parents remains the cost. The uniform appears cheaper in a supermarket or online. But isn't the school after consistency, not near-matches? Inconsistency is the current problem. Even so, the head has made it clear that some items will be available from alternative suppliers, provided that the 'brand' rules are followed. This will probably and literally result in shades of grey. There's also financial help available for those who may need it. So, the school is offering a compromise but that message appears to have been drowned out. The damage is down.
Some parents are questioning whether there should be a uniform at all. That's a debate which goes far wider than Ysgol Brynhyfryd. I suspect the cost of continually keeping up with and changing your child's young fashion wardrobe will be significantly more than the cost of a uniform... by far.
According to Facebook at least, a number of parents are not giving way. There've been some choice remarks, some below the belt and others which simply paint some parents in a poor light as unable or unwilling to respect anything that the school may do. Is it these parental attitudes which have resulted in the current uniform hotchpotch? At the end of the day, parents have a right to complain but all the unfortunate Facebook traffic has a rather negative impact on school in general (and its parents).
And let's not forget why we've arrived in this position... parents are abusing the current uniform so much. It's possible had they not, then the school might've retained the status quo.
Give it a year and this'll all be forgotten.