Excessive Uniform Clamp Down - Tyndale Community School

I fink we ned tim for this cheyndzes.and klear vizion.

As other parents have said, changes are fine and I appreciate that the school tries different things. But the key problems (and learning opportunities) here were 1) timing and 2) changes were communicated to the children, not the parents. First, while communication from the school said this was an "enforcement of existing uniform policy" and that changes were minor, that is not accurate. There were significant changes made in February to every category of the uniform policy and those of us who had made PE kit, shoe, and boot purchases based on policies last summer found we were now expected to replace perfectly fine uniform mid-year before our children outgrew it. This is a financial and environmental burden for what seems to be very little benefit to anyone. Please make changes between academic years when we're purchasing new kit already. Second, our children are not responsible for uniform purchases. Please communicate any changes (and new enforcement strategies) directly and clearly to parents first. Many of our children already struggle with anxiety. Being shamed for wearing what they (and their parents) believed to be compliant uniform is probably counterproductive, particularly when the parents do not have any context or details to help them process what happened. We love Tyndale and the leadership and see this as an valuable learning opportunity for a young school.

I think some people misunderstood the intention of the petition. It's really important to read it to the end. It isn't against new policy or following the rules. It's simply to be fair and give parents enough time to buy new pieces and let them carry on using the trainers that almost comply with requirements. I personally don't know if petition is really needed I would like to believe that chat to Mr Watt would be enough. But I think some of us tried it and failed. Let's hope that school will be reasonable and will revise the uniform requirements taking into consideration all aspects. And my last wish would be that in cases like this we are spoken to instead of our children. It's us receiving the emails/ newsletters not them...

I have seen my own children, and those in other families, recently become very anxious about getting into trouble over their uniform. My husband and I recently felt pressure to replace my son's PE shoes (well before they needed replacement) because our son was anxious that tiny flecks of white made them appear grey rather than black, which he thought would get him into trouble as non-compliance. Whichever way the school handled the recent uniform crackdown, they seem to have inspired fear and anxiety in a number of children, which is not good for their mental health or their learning journey. The need to replace items on the basis is aesthetics is also wasteful for the environment and difficult for families facing financial difficulties.

This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve seen in a long time. Uniform at Tyndale has been THE SAME since it opened. That means if you had read the uniform list and complied with it from the moment your child joined you wouldn’t need to be replacing anything. I’m a single parent. I followed what was laid out, never had issues affording it and she’s always had the right kit. If you CHOSE to IGNORE the uniform list when your child started then you’ve put yourself in that position and suggesting parents are being “bullied” is ridiculous. You shouldn’t be bandy-inf around terms like that either. Perhaps instead of starting a petition your time would have been better spent helping those who genuinely need it - and in future buying the appropriate attire in the first place. You are setting your children up for the rest of their lives - teaching them they are above the rules isn’t good practice.

I have always been impressed with the Tyndale leadership and how they are not afraid to try new things and change/ adapt when things don’t work out. The uniform policy is fine but enacted without thought for the kids feelings and with very poor timing. Come on Tyndale time to step up and put the kids first. We know what to expect for September now but please relax things for now and when you do clamp down don’t communicate through the children.

Let's do it!

I agree with other parents too.

A little bit of colour in PE trainers should’nt be a big deal,all the fuss seems petty!!

I am unhappy with how the changes have come into force.

My sun in year 6. Left just a few months to finish this school. Can't afford to buy anything new for remaining period. School uniform just changed without any given notice period.

I agree with all the above mentioned effects on the children what the repeated unoform check caused. It made my daughter feel anxious in the afternoons. She had back shoes with a little dark maroon colour on the front of the shoes. I am a pilates instructor and I know what “smart” shoes can do the people’s feet, so I prefer to buy comfortable shoes, preferebly on a good price, because little feet grow so fast.