Accrington Web - Abbey Street uniform shop

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Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Well as people were talking about getting schools to boycott the shop I just think tackling it at ground level first seems the more sensible option.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by pipinfort (Post 627054)

He`s selling `smoking ` related items (notice how i`m choosing my words carefully for the nieve folk amongst us) i really don`t think that there is any mafia connections...........

In my younger days I sold leather belts...this included childrens belts, described as childrens school uniform belts. Other items I sold were pewter belt buckles (Not meant for children) with a canibis leaf on them.
There was no ulterior motive behind these sales, I sold them because they were in demand and sellable.
I have never smoked any of this crap myself nor do I ever intend doing so.
Maybe the guy who sells the uniforms is the only one in the town who wants to.....The guy has to make money otherwise he will go out of business as many others have.....If he was selling anything illegal the Trading Standards would have his guts for garters.
Maybe the guy does not understand that some goods on sale offend people.........that is an easy mistake.
For the ones who are shouting foul and have never run a business.
You should try it sometime. :rolleyes:

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Just wondering why this shop in particular is being picked on?
Ok, they stock school uniforms, usually purchased on average once or twice a year. As has been stated, many people have not even noticed them. But it's not a shop young ones particularly would generally frequent on their own, unlike the pound shops, which have stocked tobacco tins, ash trays and such, with cannabis leaves and dope smoking figures on them, and king size rizzlas. Nobody i know that rolls their own ciggies buys king size! Also sex related items on their shelves. (Remember being in there one time and this old guy playing with one of those "orgasm" toys, and a child stould next to him saying to his mum what's that?)
And what about market stalls stocking such items?

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

i have wondered that cazzer, summat draws me back to the thread starter, seems very odd.:confused:

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

I'll be going round looking in all the shops now to see what things they have which could be associated with drug use.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp (Post 627092)

I'll be going round looking in all the shops now to see what things they have which could be associated with drug use.

Why do that?...Trading standards are paid to do it.
My experience of Trading Standards...They have got their finger on the button.....and are not influenced by the PC brigade....If I'ts illegal they will stop it.
I think this thread is absolute bullcrap.....I dont care what race or cread this guy is....live and let live....let the guy make a living.
If we want to control what comes into the country for sale then have a go at the customs who allowed the offending objects in the country in the first place.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by flashytart (Post 626165)

yes willow, they are canabis grinders, usually used for grinding 'skunk'

.:D.... can the be used to grind squirrels?

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mancie (Post 627112)

.:D.... can the be used to grind squirrels?

Yeh......numpties balls even.....;)

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Something smells funny here, and it isn't whacky baccy.

If the person who started this thread thought there was a problem, why wouldn't they just complain in the shop, rather than share there thoughts about the matter on here?

The last time this member started a thread was five years ago, in General Chat, the supposed home of 'sensible debate'.

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f...alds-2542.html

Perhaps that passes as 'sensible debate'...if you're as high as a kite.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royboy39 (Post 627113)

Yeh......numpties balls even.....;)

Yeah that maybe right Roy.. word on the streets is that you can get out yer head on numpties balls!..looks like you already know! :cool:

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 627115)

nice bit of intelligence gathering there mate.. sure you are really in art/fashion.. or is that just a front?.. Smiley's People eh!;)

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

i sussed that hours ago mancie, i'm just too numb to post links.:D

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mancie (Post 627116)

Yeah that maybe right Roy.. word on the streets is that you can get out yer head on numpties balls!..looks like you already know! :cool:

I think you have already served yours on a plate....ready for grinding.
I hear numpties balls are a delicacy in Millwall?

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mancie (Post 627119)

nice bit of intelligence gathering there mate.. sure you are really in art/fashion.. or is that just a front?.. Smiley's People eh!;)

Damn, my cover is blown.:eek:

Burgess, Blunt, Philby, Maclean, and the fifth man, Rindy.

I only returned from Moscow because the cabbage was giving me terrible wind.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Though the mystery deepens.

It says there have been four posts made by the thread starter, yet only two are visible.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 627122)

Damn, my cover is blown.:eek:

Burgess, Blunt, Philby, Maclean, and the fifth man, Rindy.

I only returned from Moscow because the cabbage was giving me terrible wind.

And the pinprick in the leg?

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 627123)

Though the mystery deepens.

It says there have been four posts made by the thread starter, yet only two are visible.

my assumption fer that is they were removed fer some reason.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 627123)

Though the mystery deepens.

It says there have been four posts made by the thread starter, yet only two are visible.

It actually gets stranger.

It says this member joined on the 2nd January 2004, yet the daft Macdonald's thread was started on the 16th July 2003.

:confused:

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Wouldn't suprise me if they're trying to get the shop closed down, so they can secure it for the 'public', but in their company name, and claim mining rights under it.:D

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royboy39 (Post 627121)

I think you have already served yours on a plate....ready for grinding.
I hear numpties balls are a delicacy in Millwall?

Yeah Roy..anyways.. had a word with Ronnie and he reckons you can beat the extradition order from Spain..a few quid in the right place and it's sorted.. so just sit tight and keep yer nose clean.. sweet as!

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Maybe they only post when something pops into their head... not everyone has genius thoughts every day.

I was in abbey street the other day and to be truthful I didn't notice. I don't really see how it matters though. It isn't a crime to be selling them and children are taught about drugs in school and shown videos of kids doing drugs and all sorts.

As long as children are educated about the true risks of drugs then they wont even think about buying things like that anyway.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by blazey (Post 627130)

Maybe they only post when something pops into their head... not everyone has genius thoughts every day.

Yeah, one day you want to share some stupid ditty about a fast food take away, and five years later you see a lighter in Rasta colours, and you so need to share your shock with those nearest and dearest to you.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 627132)

My first post was made years ago and I came back randomly as well. The only strange thing is that they don't keep replying... but maybe they just feel like giving us something to talk about :p

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Is it really strange?.. should we hold a forum inquiry.. ?

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by blazey (Post 627133)

My first post was made years ago and I came back randomly as well. The only strange thing is that they don't keep replying... but maybe they just feel like giving us something to talk about :p

yeh blaze but was yer first post as daft as that one? somehow i doubt it.;)

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman (Post 627139)

yeh blaze but was yer first post as daft as that one? somehow i doubt it.;)

I didn't look at it but lets face it, we can't all be a genius like me. Some people make stupid pointless threads day in day out.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Well it's in the telegraph.
Wonder if the thread starter spoke to them or they took the story from Accy Web?

Accrington school uniform shop slammed (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 627115)

That's what I thought and why I suggested that people who have a complaint about it should take it up with the shop.

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 627115)

Perhaps that passes as 'sensible debate'...if you're as high as a kite.

Hmm I wonder if that's why they saw "drug using equipment" and I saw "lighters and ashtrays"

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 627127)

It actually gets stranger.

It says this member joined on the 2nd January 2004, yet the daft Macdonald's thread was started on the 16th July 2003.

:confused:

I had a look yesterday because I was wondering if the thread started had some personal vendetta type reason for this and concluded that they'd had 2 posts deleted.

I think the date discrepancy has something to do with AccyWeb being swapped over from somewhere else originally but that was before my time as a member. There's just something at the back of my mind about having seen that before with another member and either Mick or Roy explained it at the time.

It does seem very odd that they would only come on to post this one complaint after all that time and then not even follow it up.

Is it perhaps someone who couldn't get a refund for some reason on something they wanted to take back to the shop? As emamum said the title 'drug using equipment' gave the impression of something quite different to what is actually there.

Personally I like the shop and have always bought school uniform there and outdoor clothing and jeans and t-shirts and trainers. I have always found them very friendly, helpful and they've gone out of their way to order things that they haven't had in stock or even to seek out things that they didn't stock but which I've wanted to order. I wouldn't like to see people boycotting the shop and forcing it to close over something which I personally see as very petty because they are not selling anything which they assure me cannot be found in other shops in town where kids go by themselves.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royboy39 (Post 627110)

The reason I want to look in the pound shops etc is to see for myself what things there are which have this cannabis leaf symbol on them. I've already seen it in jewellery, as earrings and pendants.

I think everyone has agreed that it isn't illegal but some people seem to feel that it's immoral. As such it wouldn't concern the Trading Standards bods would it? You think it could be a racially motivated complaint? I've never really stopped to wonder what creed the shop owners are. There is always a presumption that anyone from the region of the Indian subcontinent is Muslim, but that isn't necessarily so. But surely Muslims would be offended by drug taking equipment wouldn't they? All I can say is I'm pretty sure they aren't Rastafarians - they haven't got dreadlocks. ;)

I know I'm a pain when I get a bee in my bonnet about something but it does seem that this shop is being unfairly targetted. Even people who have agreed have admitted that they have never actually noticed the things themselves.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by cazzer (Post 627179)

Well it's in the telegraph.
Wonder if the thread starter spoke to them or they took the story from Accy Web?

Accrington school uniform shop slammed (From Lancashire Telegraph)

It wouldn't surprise me if they have taken the story from AccyWeb. If the complainer has reported it to the newspaper then I'm even more surprised that they haven't actually thought to complain to the shop in the first place and ask them to remove the stuff.

When I spoke to one of the owners he didn't seem to mind the possibility of doing that if he knew that people were actually upset by them but when I spoke to him it was the first he knew that anybody had even seen them as drugs related.

Surely approaching them first would have been best? But then again it wouldn't have created as much of a stir would it and maybe a stir was what was wanted more than having the items taken off sale.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by blazey (Post 627133)

My first post was made years ago and I came back randomly as well. The only strange thing is that they don't keep replying... but maybe they just feel like giving us something to talk about :p

they? do you mean black people as "they".. Blazey the new .. non racist.. new Tory.. that see's everyone ok.. blacks are welcome...or of slightly colored nature..... you are a disgrace to English people and always will be.. someone that would take on the English mantle and then disgrace this nation is close on a Traitor !

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

no she means the person that started the thead........

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by emamum23 (Post 627191)

no she means the person that started the thead........

It's no matter.. anyone that has a sig that supports the "new tories" is a traitor to this Nation....

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Mancie if i could give you some more, then i would, but i cant ;)

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 627123)

Though the mystery deepens.

It says there have been four posts made by the thread starter, yet only two are visible.

I can only think of one reason why that can happen ;)

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil (Post 627204)

I can only think of one reason why that can happen ;)

MI5?

Perhaps andrewb/Cyfr could start a campaign to free the Missing Two.

:D

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 627206)

MI5?

I won't explain in open forum, see your PM ;)

That will get them thinking

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by flashytart (Post 627199)

Mancie if i could give you some more, then i would, but i cant ;)

heard that before!..somewhere round shadwell?

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil (Post 627209)

That will get them thinking

Lol, yes it has.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Well I've just got back from my daily outing. I went to the pound shop and they do indeed have the same sort of things for sale there including tobacco grinders but I could only find images of Bob Marley, Che Guevara and a yin yang symbol on them. There are other smoking paraphernalia things with a cannabis leaf logo on them though. And horror of horrors they are located near the sweets which children buy for themselves.

I've also been into the Abbey Street shop where the Vij brothers are surprised that this has made front page news in the Telegraph, complete with a photograph of the shop and one of the owners. Note that there is no photograph of the 'offending' items and if you go into the shop you will not be able to find them because following the second hand complaint they have removed them from sale. So again I wonder why the thread opener couldn't have simply voiced his/her concerns to them and achieved the same result - unless of course that wasn't the result they wanted.

The story in the newspaper implies that Greg Pope has contacted the shop and urged them to remove the items, and that someone from the council has done the same, but Mr. Vij told me that the only people who have spoken to any of them are me and the newspaper reporter. Nobody needs to 'urge' them to do anything because the stuff is no longer there. It's not as if they were being defiant and stubbornly selling offensive stuff despite people's complaints. They didn't even know that anyone had objected until they heard it from me.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Can`t believe its made the Telegraph ..........just got in from work and i must agree that the absence of the thread starter is very suspect....:confused:

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

didnt have much to say for himself did he?

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by flashytart (Post 627295)

didnt have much to say for himself did he?

Who.......?

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

The thread starter presumably.

Has anyone noticed if it's in the Observer? I meant to get one but forgot.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by pipinfort (Post 627297)

Who.......?

use your head pipples

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

will pick one up on the way home from school williow and let you know

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

I am not going to ask what 'head pipples' are! ;)

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp (Post 627298)

The thread starter presumably.

Has anyone noticed if it's in the Observer? I meant to get one but forgot.

It does seem suspect and no i have`nt seen it in the Observer willow (this week..:rolleyes:)

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp (Post 627302)

I am not going to ask what 'head pipples' are! ;)

Don`t fall for that one again......should i put them on my petition..?

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp (Post 627298)

Has anyone noticed if it's in the Observer?

The Observer is usually a week behind the rest of the world ;)

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by pipinfort (Post 627293)

Can`t believe its made the Telegraph ..........just got in from work and i must agree that the absence of the thread starter is very suspect....:confused:

personally i think its scandalous that this is in the paper, after hearing what the only 1 on here that spoke to em said his response was, it will be crying shame to me if this affects his business, hope the gob head who started this is happy.:(

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

I've written to the Telegraph and told them that the stuff had already been taken off the shelves before the paper even went on sale. It would be nice if they'd print a follow up story saying how the responsible shop owners would rather lose sales of these things rather than upset any customers, but I won't hold my breath.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pipinfort (Post 627304)

Don`t fall for that one again......should i put them on my petition..?

Definitely! We don't want anybody selling 'head pipples' anywhere in Hyndburn! :D

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Seeing as the originator of the thread has disappeared.....and even i`m fed up now i think we should rest this thread now....:alright:
Its kept me and Willow busy anyway

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Well considering the shop has removed the stuff from sale, there isn't really any more to be said on the original topic is there? Presumably everybody should be happy now.

I have got an interesting tangent though so I might start up another thread for that.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp (Post 627316)

I have got an interesting tangent though so I might start up another thread for that.

Oh go on Willow.........i like a good debate..........lol;)

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

but another question remains unanswered?why does it have a monopoly ,selling school uniforms in accrington............:confused::confused:

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

It's the only place in Accy, I am sure other folk could set up and do it, and probably be cheaper too but until then we are stuck with no choice.
To be honest I don't mind the place, always got the stock and staff are very helpful. Bit pricey though.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

I answered that question pages ago. It isn't a monopoly as such. It's just the only shop that can be bothered or maybe the only one that has enough space. There's nothing to stop anyone else doing it. There was another shop that did but it wasn't as big and it is now closed, has been for years.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Who is going to be brave enough to go in the shop and ask for accyweb discount :D

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancsdave (Post 627411)

Who is going to be brave enough to go in the shop and ask for accyweb discount :D

You? :rolleyes::D

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

i wouldnt say that its pricey, they have started selling Rhyddings uniforms at Whittakers in Blackburn and the polo shirts and sweatshirts cost a lot more in there than at Abbey Street

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

We gave them lots of free publicity... wonder how many people have been in to look at the *ahem* 'drug using equipment'

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by flashytart (Post 627414)

i wouldnt say that its pricey, they have started selling Rhyddings uniforms at Whittakers in Blackburn and the polo shirts and sweatshirts cost a lot more in there than at Abbey Street

But what is the quality like at both shops?

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Dunno about the other shop but I know the quality of the stuff we got from the school was a lot worse than what we got from the Abbey St shop when Mimi first started at Moorhead. They have 'Fruit of the Loom' and 'Trutex' which are both decent makes.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

As I said before, I get our school uniform from school but I did go to Abbey Street once for some p.e kit.

That was expensive in comparison to Adams and Woolworths.

A plain white t shirt was £2.99 at Abbey Street......I thought this was reasonable until I saw the prices in the other two shops.

The other two shops were selling them at £3 for two. They were better quality than the Abbey Street ones too. The Abbey Street ones were very thin.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Trouble is though a lot of schools won't let you just have the plain white t-shirts. It's got to be the stuff with the official school logo. So they advertise all this cheapo stuff at Asda and Tesco but it's no use to us for school uniform.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

I bought the jumper and shirt with the logo on from there and got everything else from asda and woolies,

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmonstanley (Post 627382)

but another question remains unanswered?why does it have a monopoly ,selling school uniforms in accrington............:confused::confused:

Perhaps no-on has the balls to take him on.....would you take a chance in the current climate to stock and pay for goods up front that may or may not sell?

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by emamum23 (Post 627443)

I bought the jumper and shirt with the logo on from there and got everything else from asda and woolies,

Ours have got to have shorts and PE jumper and tracksuit and everything with the logo on, even outer coat. The only thing that doesn't is the trousers and Em wanted those from New Look because they are trendier.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

do they supply the uniform for moorhead,cause when i was walkin up my street you saw they all had smart new uniforms was quite impressed with their waterproof jackets.............

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Yes, they do supply the Moorhead uniform although it's now Accrington Academy and the uniform is new this year. There's never been an outer coat as part of the uniform before and I agree that it looks very smart. Much better than seeing them all in a miriad of different colours and styles. I could never understand why there wasn't an outer coat as part of the uniform previously because when they most need to look smart is outside of school when other people see them and when they will more often than not be wearing a coat.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

A bit of light reading for you

Quote:

DCSF guidance to schools on school uniform and related policies

Background
1. School uniform plays a valuable role in contributing to the ethos of a school and setting an appropriate tone. Most schools in England have a school uniform or dress code, and other rules on appearance. DCSF strongly encourages schools to have a uniform as it can instil pride; support positive behaviour and discipline; encourage identity with, and support for, school ethos; ensure pupils of all races and backgrounds feel welcome; protect children from social pressures to dress in a particular way; and nurture cohesion and promote good relations between different groups of pupils. Above all, many schools believe that school uniform supports effective teaching and learning.

2. There is no legislation that deals specifically with school uniform or other aspects of appearance such as hair colour and style, and the wearing of jewellery and make-up, and this is non-statutory guidance. It is for the governing body of a school to decide whether there should be a school uniform and other rules relating to appearance, and if so what they should be. This flows from the duties placed upon the governing body by statute to conduct the school1 and to ensure that school policies promote good behaviour and discipline amongst the pupil body.2

3. It is also for the governing body to decide how the uniform should be sourced. The governing body should be able to demonstrate to parents how best value has been achieved and keep the cost of supplying the uniform under review. It should also bear in mind that sustainable sourcing can be part of the action a school can take to support sustainable development. A sustainable school has sustainable development as part of its underpinning ethos. This helps to prepare young people to live in a world where globalisation of markets, massive changes in our environment, and limits on natural resources, require different attitudes, skills and behaviours.

The Sustainable Schools website provides further information.

What should a school do?
4. A school should ensure that its school uniform policy is fair and reasonable. It should ensure that the uniform chosen is affordable and does not act as a barrier to parents when choosing a school. A school must have regard to its obligations under the Human Rights Act 1998 and anti-discrimination legislation. We strongly recommend that in setting its uniform/appearance policy the governing body:

*
consults widely on its proposed school uniform policy and changes to an established policy. As well as current pupils and parents/carers, prospective pupils and parents/carers should be included in any consultation. Consultations should also include representatives of different groups in the wider community, such as community leaders representing minority ethnic and religious groups, and groups representing pupils with special educational needs or disabilities. Local authorities may have already prepared information and guidance for schools or may be able to conduct consultations on some issues on behalf of schools. An example is attached at Annex 1;
*
considers how the proposed uniform policy might affect each group represented in the school;
*
considers the concerns of any groups about the proposed policy, and whether the proposed policy amounts to an interference with the right to manifest a religion or belief, and whether it is discriminatory. The school will need to weigh up the concerns of different groups and it might not be practical to accommodate fully the concerns of all groups. For example, groups of children drawn from different parts of the same religious community may each have differing requirements, requiring several variations of school uniform if each were accommodated in full, which would not be practical;
*
considers the timeframe for introducing a new uniform policy or amending an existing one. Factors should include the length of time before the pupil leaves the school and whether expensive items are frequently purchased second hand, or passed on to siblings. A transitional period for phasing out the old uniform and introducing the new one should be considered;
*
considers the cost and availability of non-standard sizes;
*
considers the cost of including branded items and items in unusual colours/shades before insisting they must be worn, and continually reviews the cost of these items;
*
documents the consultation process undertaken, the points made by respondents, and the decisions taken in weighing up competing points of view. The school might decide that the needs of individual groups are outweighed by factors such as:

o
health and safety: the school has a right to expect that long hair can be safely tied back for work in the science laboratory, or technology workshops. Similarly, it may be reasonable for a school to ban pupils from wearing jewellery where it considers that this poses a risk of injury, or where it considers that wearing jewellery to school might place a pupil at increased risk of bullying and harassment;
o
security: the school needs to be able to identify individual pupils in order to maintain good order and identify intruders easily;
o
teaching and learning: if a pupil's face is obscured for any reason, the teacher may not be able to judge their engagement with learning, and to secure their participation in discussions and practical activities;
o
protecting young people from external pressure to wear clothing they would not otherwise choose to adopt, protecting them from harassment, and from having to adopt dress codes associated with extreme or anti-social elements in the wider community, including styles and colours of clothing associated with gangs;
o
promoting a strong, cohesive, school identity that supports high standards and a sense of identity among pupils: if some children look very different to their peers, this can inhibit integration, equality and cohesion;
o
the need to promote harmony between different groups represented in the school;
*
describes its uniform/appearance policy clearly and publicises it well, for example on the school website, in school rules, and in any admissions or general school prospectus. Rules on wearing school uniform may be included in the home school agreement. Pupils and parents/carers should receive information that makes them aware of school expectations before they are required to express a preference for a school;
*
considers carefully, once the uniform/appearance policy has been agreed, any request that is made to vary the policy to meet the needs of any individual pupil to accommodate their religion or belief;
*
considers carefully, once the uniform/appearance policy has been agreed, any request that is made to vary the policy to meet the needs of an individual pupil because of temporary or permanent medical conditions. For example, pupils with some skin conditions may be unable to wear specific fabrics, and pupils with foot or leg injuries may be unable to wear school shoes. Further information is included in a training resource pack for schools and local authorities entitled 'Implementing the Disability Discrimination Act in schools and early years settings'. Advice on how to access the pack is available from the Special Educational Needs and Disability section of TeacherNet.
*
cross references the school uniform/appearance policy against other relevant school policies, such as the behaviour policy;
*
considers carefully the risk of a challenge to the policy and considers appropriate insurance cover. Insurance: A guide for schools provides advice to schools on insurance.

5. Many schools also engage pupils, including school councils, in drawing up a school uniform policy, for example, by actively engaging them in the process of designing the uniform and communicating the school's policy to parents, prospective parents and pupils.

Cost of school uniform
6. School uniform and other items that must be purchased in accordance with school rules can be expensive, particularly for low income and large families. In deciding the design of its school uniform, DCSF expects the school governing body to give high priority to cost considerations. No school uniform should be so expensive as to leave pupils or their families feeling unable to apply to, or attend a school of their choice, due to the cost of the uniform.

7. Schools or retailers that have exclusive contracts with suppliers may in principle be subject to enforcement action under Chapter I of the Competition Act 1998, on the grounds that these exclusive agreements may restrict competition between retailers to supply uniform.

8. Local authorities have a discretionary power to provide school clothing grants or to help with the cost of school clothing in cases of financial hardship.3

9. The School Admissions Code places a statutory duty on all governing bodies to ensure that their policies and practices do not disadvantage any children.

Paragraphs 1.68, 1.80 and 1.81 state that:

*
governing bodies must ensure that their other policies and practices do not disadvantage certain social groups or discourage some groups of parents from seeking a place at the school for their child. Local authorities must work with governing bodies (where the governing body is not also the admission authority) to ensure that admission arrangements which appear fair, are not then undermined by other school policies, such as a requirement for expensive school uniform or sportswear, unless arrangements are put in place to ensure that parents on low incomes can afford them;
*
governing bodies should help limit the expense of uniforms so that parents on low incomes do not feel that the prospective cost of the uniform means that they cannot apply for their preferred school. Governing bodies should ensure that the uniform chosen is widely available in high street shops and other retail outlets, and internet suppliers rather than from an expensive sole supplier;
*
schools can use their own purchasing power to buy in bulk and pass on savings to parents. Governing bodies should not seek to operate as sole suppliers in order to raise additional funds through the sale of new school uniforms; and that
*
all schools which have a uniform policy should have arrangements in place to ensure that no family feels unable to apply for admission on account of high uniform costs. This applies equally to sports kits and any other specialist equipment outlined in the policy. Schemes for remission of cost should cover children eligible for free school meals, and children whose parents are entitled to the maximum level of working tax credit. Schemes should be administered discreetly so that no parent is embarrassed to ask for help. These schemes should be widely publicised and clearly explained in admissions, or other literature provided by the school.

10. High priority should always be given to keeping costs to a minimum when selling second hand uniform items.

11. Choice Advisers will be able to inform parents about the school uniform policy of all schools within their local authority and neighbouring local authorities, and of the funding available in the form of uniform grants or provision of school clothing. They should also be able to advise of any other assistance available to parents for purchasing or acquiring school uniform (for example from schools or external organisations).

Physical education
12. School uniform often includes clothing required for Physical Education (PE). A school should adopt a sensitive, flexible approach to this issue bearing in mind the needs of different pupils and the equality, discrimination and human rights issues outlined below in this guidance. There is some evidence to suggest that participation and enjoyment of sport is enhanced where pupils feel comfortable about their PE clothing, particularly girls. A school should choose a PE uniform which is practical, comfortable and appropriate to the activity involved. A school should also consider the cost of clothing for PE, particularly where specialised equipment is necessary.

Non-compliance with a school's uniform/appearance policy, and school rules
13. A head teacher can discipline a pupil for breach of uniform/appearance policy. However, DCSF does not consider exclusion to be an appropriate response to breaches of school uniform/appearance policy, except where they are persistent and defiant. Where a pupil repeatedly refuses to comply with school uniform policy even if they do not otherwise display poor behaviour, we believe that exclusion could be an appropriate response, depending on the circumstances of the case.

14. A head teacher or a person authorised by the head teacher may ask a pupil to go home briefly to remedy a breach of the school's rules on appearance or uniform. This should be for no longer than is necessary to remedy the breach. This is not an exclusion, but an authorised absence. However, if the pupil continues to breach uniform rules in such a way as to be sent home to avoid school, or takes longer than is strictly necessary to effect the change, the pupil's absence may be counted as unauthorised absence. A pupil must not be sent home indefinitely or for longer than is strictly necessary to remedy the breach as this could amount to an unofficial exclusion. In all such cases parents must be notified and the absence should be recorded. When making this decision, the child's age, vulnerability, how easily and quickly the breach can be remedied, and the availability of the parent, will need to be considered. If the pupil then repeatedly infringes the school's rules on uniform or appearance, this may constitute a disciplinary offence and may be grounds for exclusion.

15. Where a pupil is not adhering to school uniform policy, a school should be considerate and discreetly try to establish why not. There may be good reasons why a pupil is not attending school in the correct uniform. For example, their uniform may have been lost, stolen or damaged. Sending the pupil home or excluding them may not be appropriate in every case. If a pupil is not wearing the correct uniform because their parents are in financial difficulties, a school should be sensitive to the needs of the pupil. A school should give parents time to purchase the required items and/or consider whether a school or local authority clothing grant can be supplied. A pupil should not be made to feel uncomfortable, nor discriminated against, because their parents are unable to provide them with the required items of school uniform.

Advice on exclusions is available from the Exclusion section of TeacherNet.

Home to school travel
16. A school should encourage children to walk and cycle to school and give consideration to this when determining the design and style of uniform. School uniforms are often quite dark, making it difficult for children to be seen by drivers especially during the winter months. The governing body should consider the benefits of including light colours and reflective materials (and recommend the wearing of high visibility items) as part of the school uniform policy to ensure that children are able to walk and cycle safely throughout the year.

Human Rights issues
17. The Human Rights Act 1998 protects the right to 'manifest one's religion or beliefs'.

18. Various religions and beliefs require their adherents to conform to a particular dress code, or to otherwise outwardly manifest their belief. Some religions require adherents to wear or carry specific religious artefacts, others may hold a belief that they should not cut their hair, and a number of religions require their followers to dress modestly, for example, by wearing loose fitting clothing, or covering their head.

19. It may be possible for many religious requirements to be met within a school uniform policy and a school should act reasonably in accommodating religious requirements.

20. However, schools should note that the freedom to manifest a religion or belief does not mean that an individual has the right to manifest their religion or belief at any time, in any place, or in any particular manner. A pupil might have the opportunity to attend a school whose uniform policy can accommodate his or her requirements: this will ensure that his/her religious beliefs are catered for even though the school may not be the one preferred for other reasons. Even if an alternative school is not available, a school uniform policy that has the effect of restricting the freedom of pupils to manifest their religion may still be lawful, so long as this interference with pupils' rights is justified on grounds specified in the Human Rights Act. These include health, safety and the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

21.This principle has been confirmed in three recent court cases4 when, in each case, the court found that a school uniform policy which prevented pupils from wearing particular forms of dress or artefacts associated with a religious belief was justified and so did not breach the right of a particular pupil to manifest their religion. However, each case will always depend on the circumstances of the particular school. So the judgements do not mean that banning such religious dress will always be justified, nor that such religious dress cannot be worn in any school in England. It is for a school to determine what sort of uniform policy is appropriate for it.

22. In fulfilling its obligations, a school may have to balance the rights of individual pupils against the best interests of the school community as a whole. Where a school has good reason for restricting an individual's freedoms, for example, to ensure the effective delivery of teaching and learning, the promotion of cohesion and good order in the school, the prevention of bullying, or genuine health and safety or security considerations, then the restriction of an individual's rights to manifest their religion or belief may be justified.

Equality and discrimination issues
23. In formulating a uniform/appearance policy, a school will need to consider its obligations not to discriminate unlawfully on the grounds of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation and religion or belief.5 A school should also bear in mind the concept of 'indirect' discrimination. This involves the application of a requirement, which, although applied equally to everyone, puts those of a particular gender, race, sexual orientation or religion or belief at a disadvantage because they cannot in practice comply with it. Such a requirement will need to be justified.

24. An example of indirect discrimination could be a school that bans 'cornrow' hairstyles. As these are more likely to be adopted by specific racial groups, banning this type of hairstyle without justification could constitute indirect racial discrimination.

Race equality policy
25. A school should consider its uniform/appearance policy in the context of its race equality policy; its obligation to promote equality of opportunity between pupils of different racial groups; and the requirement to assess the impact of school policies on pupils drawn from different racial groups.

Further information
For further advice on school uniform issues, please contact the Schools Access Team:

* Telephone: 0870 000 2288
* Email: [email protected]

Please note that we are unable to give advice on specific school policies, only on the approach that a school should take when determining a policy.

ANNEX 1

Religious clothing summary — reproduced with permission from guidance developed by Tower Hamlets in consultation with faith communities in that locality.

Buddhism
In general there are no religious requirements for everyday dress for Buddhists.

Christianity
For the majority of Christians there are no particular dress requirements. In some Christian sects such as the Plymouth Brethren women and girls are expected to wear headscarves and modest clothing.

Hinduism
In general it is not considered acceptable for a Hindu woman to have uncovered legs.

Judaism
Dress requirements vary with orthodoxy. For more orthodox Jews women and girls are expected to keep the body covered and married women cover their hair. Boys and men often wear a skullcap.

Islam
The reason for young women beyond puberty wishing to wear full clothing is modesty; that is, not wishing to receive unnecessary attention.

Young women are appropriately modestly dressed if they are wearing salwar kammez or jilbaab with headscarf without the need to wear niqaab in school.

Men are expected to be covered from waist to knee in public places, many Muslim men may also choose to wear a cap but this is not a compulsory religious requirement.

Sikhism
In general covering the body is a requirement. All initiated Sikhs wear the five 'K' symbols as a sign of their initiation into the Sikh community. Male Sikhs wear a turban, the removal of this is unacceptable.

Rastafarian
Rastafarian women dress modestly. There is a taboo on wearing second hand clothing, and therefore children may be unwilling to wear borrowed clothing for PE, etc.

Notes
1. Section 21 of the Education Act 2002, as amended by the Education and Inspections Act 2006.
2. Section 88 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006.
3. See sections 510 and 511 of the Education Act 1996 and the Local Education Authority (Payment of School Expenses) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999 No. 1727).
4. R. (on the application of Begum) v. Denbigh High School [2006] UKHL 15 and R. (on the application of X) v. Y School [2006] EWHC 298 (Admin) and R (on the application of Playfoot) v. Millais School [2007] EWHC 1698 (Admin).
5. Sex Discrimination Act 1975; the Race Relations Act 1976; the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, the Equality Act 2006 and the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

should probably be in the nostalgia section , but ........does this place stock gym-slips and navy blue knickers (with pocket for dinner money) :eek::D:D

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp (Post 627181)

I think the date discrepancy has something to do with AccyWeb being swapped over from somewhere else originally but that was before my time as a member. There's just something at the back of my mind about having seen that before with another member and either Mick or Roy explained it at the time.

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/525670-post14.html

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

:D Well whadya know it wasn't Mick or Roy it was Less! Thank you for the link Less.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp (Post 627441)

Really?

For p.e kit? :eek:

Our school and quite a few other primary schools that I know of don't have school logo on their p.e kit.

They just have a plain white t shirt and plain black shorts.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Is it still the case that you can only get St Chris's uniform at Whittakers?

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Never had any probs with quality for Moorhead at Abbey St, and have bought from there and the school. not noticed any difference.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by cazzer (Post 627855)

Is it still the case that you can only get St Chris's uniform at Whittakers?

I think they have that at Abbey Street.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lilly (Post 627854)

Really?

For p.e kit? :eek:

Our school and quite a few other primary schools that I know of don't have school logo on their p.e kit.

They just have a plain white t shirt and plain black shorts.

Yes, absolutely everything apart from the black trousers and white shirts/blouses has to have the logo on.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp (Post 627862)

Yes, absolutely everything apart from the black trousers and white shirts/blouses has to have the logo on.

Are you talking about a secondary school?

I don't think that's the case in most primaries.

It's a bit much having to have a p.e kit with a logo on....like you say, it makes it all more expensive, doesn't it? :(

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

You got me thinking there about the logo on the PE kit and Hollins have it on the shirt. Don't think it is on the shorts

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Yes a secondary school. Accrington Academy which used to be Moorhead.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Got school trousers there for my child last year, £ 15 a throw, fell to bits within 4 weeks. Tie and blazer from there absolutley fine.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BERNADETTE (Post 627889)

You got me thinking there about the logo on the PE kit and Hollins have it on the shirt. Don't think it is on the shorts

It is on the shorts but I suspect you could probably get away with not having it on.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp (Post 627862)

Yes, absolutely everything apart from the black trousers and white shirts/blouses has to have the logo on.

I think It's called 'Branding'......at your expense.
If your children are representing the school in competition then yes.
This should be in the school budget and paid for by the education authorities.....If not...what is the point of 'Branding'?

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancsdave (Post 628423)

It is on the shorts but I suspect you could probably get away with not having it on.

My mistake, the logo is on the shorts as you say:o Still beyond me why kids need a logo on their PE kit:confused: Wonder if every child has the correct uniform never mind PE kit

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

My daughter has been told that if she goes to school in any other clothing she will be sent home. It;s supposed to instill pride and encourage them to work harder.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Sorry Willow but a logo on a PE kit:confused: Or even on trousers it is not neccessary

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

I would be tempted to embroider it on

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp (Post 628484)

My daughter has been told that if she goes to school in any other clothing she will be sent home. It;s supposed to instill pride and encourage them to work harder.

what a load of crap all i see is a money grabbing opportunity for schools to reap in extra money

heres a pathetic example of this pettyness at its extreme

i forget the name of the school but its a junior school up haslingden across from the swimming baths

for years their uniform was red and all the parents bought red jumpers for their children but mid term the head teacher left and a new head teacher was appointed and her favourite colour was purple, can you guess what colour jumpers all the parents were told to buy their children with immidiate effect or pupils would face been sent home for not having the correct uniform?

some parents can get 2 terms out of jumpers if looked after properly or hand them down to younger children if they attend the same school .

naturaly excuses were made like it was time for a change and purple represents the school better but in short teachers were disgusted by this and informed the parents of the real reason for the change which was basicly on the whim of a pratt and incidently if i remeber correctly a few teachers left because they found her intollerable and impossible to work with

this was almost 2 years ago now so i guess all the school is now purple uniformed but if you ask me schools have way to much power over what children wear or where it should be bought and as long as the items of clothing are the correct colour it shoudlnt matter where they are bought

its like saying to live in accrington i have to wear green jeans that can only be bought from hyndburn council its just ludricous the control these schools have over parents who can ill afford to be ripped off in this way

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BERNADETTE (Post 628488)

Sorry Willow but a logo on a PE kit:confused: Or even on trousers it is not neccessary

It is one way of making sure they all wear the correct uniform. It stops the kids (especially the girls) from wearing what they want. That is why you see Rhyddings kids in skin tight pants and skirts up their backsides.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BERNADETTE (Post 628488)

Sorry Willow but a logo on a PE kit:confused: Or even on trousers it is not neccessary

I'm not saying that it is, that's what the school rules are. There are even socks with the logo on.

However, I must say that I agree with Neil's point of view too about the way some of the pupils bend the rules and end up looking more like prostitutes than schoolgirls. They try to bend the rules as far as possible if they are just given a general description such as "black skirt" or "black trousers". Navy blue can be a problem too because it comes in slightly different shades and the colour can wash out and then the school complains that they are not wearing the right colour!

Accrington Academy even has socks with the logo on. Now that IS extreme!

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Having a school logo is pathetic, and I dont see how they can enforce it, even when used for visiting other schools, unifroms are fine because that way people know which school kids go to if they cause trouble, logos on trousers etc? just a rip off, and I dont see that sending children home helps, what if the parents work? Oh yes, then it costs you twice, once for the school rip off and again in lost income!

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by derekgas (Post 628514)

I dont see that sending children home helps, what if the parents work? Oh yes, then it costs you twice, once for the school rip off and again in lost income!

The parents know the rules so it is there fault if their child is sent home. If it costs them lost income it might make them think the next time.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil (Post 628509)

That is why you see Rhyddings kids in skin tight pants and skirts up their backsides.

Reece doesnt wear skirts up his backside thankyou very much:rolleyes:

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

They don't rip off. They are not just a badge sewn on, it's an integral part of the garment either woven in or embroidered onto the garment. The logo lasts as long as the garment.

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by flashytart (Post 628521)

Reece doesnt wear skirts up his backside thankyou very much:rolleyes:

Hope not either, mind you in these times of equallity............. :rolleyes::p

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

I mentioned this earlier - can you young uns not do embroidery? - is that yet another lost craft which we oldies know how to do?

Re: Abbey Street uniform shop - drug using equipment?

I do cross stitch margaret :D Just looking through my patterns to see what i have to make for baby :)